584 The Jojirnn I of Forestry. 



sylvicultural training," in addition to a knowledge of arboriculture 

 It is quite absurd of him to say that sylviculture and " kindred subjects 

 can only be taught in countries where forests exist on a large scale." At 

 Frieburg it is the opinion of the forest officers and forest students that 

 the scientific studies should be conducted at a university. The students 

 at the forest schools in France, Russia, Finland, Bavaria, &c., are taken 

 for practical training to forests at great distances from the schools, a 

 method of the easiest application in our own country, where the numerous 

 means of communication are so cheap, speedy, and convenient. 



The allusions I have made in my pamphlet to the requirements of the 

 Indian forest service are but few ; but by others of the highest authority 

 whose opinions I have quoted, including Dr. Hooker, Dr. Balfour, Sir 

 Robert Christison, Bart., Dr. James Brown, &c., the provisiomi made for 

 it are spoken of as disparaging to our country. I have so far as possible 

 vindicated the former neglect of such an important subject by our country, 

 because of the totally different circumstances in which we are placed 

 from other countries in regard to the requirements of forest products, 

 which accounts for the difference in the attention hitherto given in 

 Britain to what is known in tlie Continental states as Forest Science. 

 I have given in extenso, at pages 59 to 62 of my pamphlet, the practical 

 suggestions of Dr. James Brown to meet all the requirements in teach- 

 ing the science and practice of forestry not met by an arboretum. 



Haddington, bth November, 1877. John Croumbie BrO'svn, LL.D. 



FIXING GATE AND FENCE POSTS. 



Sir, — Believing that we have heard probably all that is worth hearing 

 for the present on the " Preservation of Posts," foresters should now lay 

 aside their theorizing and adopt practice — experimenting with one or other 

 of the various methods adduced, so as to enable them to record at some 

 future date, for our enlightenment, the results of any such test. Next to 

 "preserving" in order, and in the interest of foresters and farmers, stands 

 the fixing of posts in the ground, so as to secure strength for resistance and 

 durability of tear and wear. The whole secret of hanging gates is to 

 fix the post to prevent swagging. The plan I have followed for some 

 years has given entire satisfaction. Taking a straining post, I dig a hole 

 lengthways (not across) the fence, having the one end about eighteen inches 

 deeper than the body of the hole. In the deepest end I fix a flat stone in 

 the solid ground for a heel, and perpendicular to this I place a shoulder- 

 stone near the surface ; the post is then placed in position. A large stone 

 is next slipped down in front, and then a key-stone is jammed home be- 

 tween the front stone and the post with the head of a crowbar. Earth is 

 then tamped firm all round until the hole is filled to a perfect level. 

 AVhen this is done, a large stone is placed against the far end of the hole, 

 and the space between this stone and the post is filled up with flat stones 



