54 The yoiniial of Forestry. 



candidates was to be on the following subjects, namely : (1) aiitlimetic in all its 

 rules ; (2) the elements of algebra ; (;J) elementary geometry ; (4) applications 

 of geometry ; (5) rectilinear trigonometry; (6) elements of physics ; (7) 

 elements of chemistry; (8) elements of cosmography; (i») elements of 

 mechanics; (10) elements of botany and vegetable physiology; (11) history of 

 France, and geography ; (12) drawing, mechanical drawing, and colouring; 

 (13) the French language; (14) the elements of the German language. 



" The trials consist of oral examinations and written exercises. The oral 

 examinations are conducted by the examiners of candidates for the Polytechnic; 

 School. They are divided into two portions, — first degree examinations, and 

 second degree examinations. The written exercises are executed in each Centre 

 of Examinations, under the superintendence of forest agents designated by the 

 Director- General. 



" Instruction is given gratuitously to those who prepare for the State Forest 

 service. But, according to the latest information in my possession, parents or 

 guardians have to pay the following sums for board and lodging, the purchase 

 of the uniform, and the requisite mathematical and other instruments :— 



Francs. 



1. On filtering the school, for imiform and instvuiiunts - 900 



2. For board and lodging, attendance, and other ordinary 



expenses, at the rate tf 1,,500 francs per annum - 3,000 



3. Forpocket-nrney, not exceeding 600 francs per annum - 1,200 



Total expense for two years 5,100, or £204. 



"According to the official Programme de Venselgncmcnl do I'EcoIe, issued last 

 year (1876) the course of study in connection with the school extends over three 

 years; instruction being given during two years to pupils in accordance with 

 the requirements of the code, and in a third year to advanced students desig- 

 nated Les Gardes cjeneranx staglares, or Licentiates. 



" In' Italy, shortly after the establishment of the present kingdom, a Central 

 Forest School was organized in the vicinity of Florence. The Director is 

 M. di Berengei*, who was formerly in the Austrian forest service of Venezir, and 

 is well known by an excellent work on the history of forest management in 

 Italy [Archeolofjia Forestalc ossia de'l antica Storia e Giurlspradcnrxi Forestale 

 in Italia. Venezia, 1863.) The district assigned to the institution is the 

 splendid silver fir forest of Vallombrosa, below the crest of the Apennines, on 

 their western slope, about twenty miles east of Florence. During winter the 

 school is transferred to a lower situation at Paterno, in the region of the Olive, 

 half-way between Vallombrosa and the railway station of Pontassieve, in the 

 valley of the Arno. For the use of the students a collection of excellent 

 memoirs is being published by the dii'ector, with the assistance of some of the 

 professors, the first volume of which has been completed, containing an intro- 

 duction on the climatic and general influence of forests ; a brief historical 

 account of forest management in Germany, France, and Italy ; two memoirs 

 on the structure, nutrition, and cultivation of forest trees ; and a paper on the 

 valuation of forests and the preparation of working plans. 



" I do not happen to possess any information in regard to the Forest School 

 in Spain beyond the fact that there is such an institution ; it is in the Escurial." 



These extracts give a brief history of the rise aud progress of Forest 

 Schools in Europe, and show the great importance attached to the subject, 

 and the praise\\orthy efforts made by every progressive State on the 

 Continent to promote and impart a thorouglily scientific and practical 

 knowledge to foresters in every branch of their profession. It must be 

 noted that all the Schools mentioned are Government institutions, and 

 kept up in most cases solely by the State, under control aud supervision 

 similar to other State educational institutions. 



After giving many interesting details of the order and method of 

 teaching followed at the various Schools, he gives full particulars of the 



