7o6 The Journal of Forestry. 



" Formerly, bes-ides the instruction whicli has heen specified, and which is 

 still given, systematic instruction was given to a greater extent than now in 

 general botany, and in general zoology, in mineralogy and geology, and in 

 chemistry, mechanics, and natural philosophy. 



" The last-mentioned subjects are now given up, and the others are treated 

 only cursorily. 



" The course of study now, as formerly, extends over two years. The 

 existing organization is defective, and at least two additional teachers are 

 required. At present there is only the director, who gives instruction in 

 forest science, political economy, and forest law, which appointment I hold ; 

 a teacher of land surveying and rural economy, and of l)Ook-keeping during the 

 winter months ; a forester (forst-meister), who is at the same time teacher of 

 forest mathematics and of civil engineering. 



" Besides these we have only a lecturer on natural history and one assistant 

 forester — in all five men, four teachers and one assistant. 



" Since the 1st of November last (1876) there has been opened also a school 

 for twelve peasant pupils to be trained as forest warders, who are trained prin 

 cipally in the practical work of forest workmen ; but during the winter they 

 spend nineteen hours a week in theoretical studies. 



" One consequence is that we all, and especially I, are so much occupied that 

 little even of our spare time can be devoted to literary work. A work of some 

 importance, upon which I have spent the labour of some years, lies by me un- 

 finished for lack of leisure to complete it. Bat we hope for a good time coming. 



According to my view the study of forest science should be prosecuted at 

 the university. At the Convention of Students of Forest Science and of Forest 

 Ofiicials held two years ago at Frieburg, there was passed unanimously an ex- 

 pression of opinion that a university was the proper place for the study of this 

 science by intending foresters. Forest science is quite as much a science as is 

 medical science, or the science of engineering,or the science of mining, and that 

 of agriculture and agricultural chemistry. 



" In my opinion Edinburgh would be a specially appropriate site for a school 

 of forestry, seeing that in Scotland there are so many well-kept woods. In the 

 vicinity of the city, or at no great distance, might be found woods for field in- 

 struction, or one might be created for the purpose. In a university there should 

 be two different chairs of forest science, as without a protracted course of study 

 it would be difiicult for one teacher to do justice to the various branches of it. 

 For the forester to be acquainted with both forest science and political economy 

 is not less necessary than to be acquainted with botany. A surgeon cannot do 

 without a knowledge of anatomy and of physiology ; as little can an educated 

 forester do without a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of vegetables. 

 Forest science must in a special degree be based on botany ; and the day is 

 coming when botanical science shall be so developed that a professional botanist 

 who has not studied forest science will be deemed incapable of instructing others 

 in botany. 



" My view accordingly is that either the teacher of botany should be ac- 

 quainted with forest science, or that the teacher of forest science must be also 

 a forest botanist. 



" Next in importance to botany I reckon mineralogy, in its relation to geology 

 and the knowledge of soils, as a science which should be taught in a school of 

 forestry. Without this the forester can have no insight into the means whereby 

 trees find nutriment, and into the relation in which the soil stands to this 

 operation. 



