2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
to congratulate you on a record year in the way of accession of 
new members, but this year we have again beaten the record. 
The Secretary tells me that no less than 85 new members have 
joined us, and the Society now numbers 600 active members, 
drawn from all classes in the realm. I say active members, 
measuring activity by the practical test of payment of the dues 
it is needful to levy for our administration; for you must remember 
that it would not be difficult to have a paper strength of greater 
amount, were our officers not vigilant in weeding out those, of 
whom it is inevitable there should be some, whose ardour in the 
cause has cooled to a degree that has closed the mouths of their 
pockets. 
And whilst we contemplate with satisfaction this increase in 
our membership, we have also to deplore losses from our ranks, 
and amongst those who have fallen since last we gathered for our 
annual meeting, I will mention one who, a member of the Society 
for twenty years, successfully managed, for I dare not say how 
long, an acreage of woodland one of the most extensive estates in 
the country, a portion of which we had the advantage of visiting 
a couple of years ago in our excursion to the south-west of Scotland. 
By the death of Mr Fingland, forester to the Duke of Buccleuch 
at Drumlanrig, a well-known member is lost to our Society. I 
am not sufficiently conversant with his work to speak of it to 
useful purpose; but I feel, as I have on a former occasion said, 
when a veteran goes from us ripe in experience, that we are at 
once cut off from so vast an amount of practical knowledge of 
facts bearing upon our science, and of historical interest, that I 
cannot but wish some means could be devised for recording them 
ere they are beyond recall. 
It is not, however, by its numerical strength alone that the 
prosperity of our Society is to be estimated. This proves how the 
Society has taken hold in the country, that its aims and work are 
recognised as being of importance immediately to a very extended 
community, and ultimately to the whole nation. Membership 
gives the Society its backbone. The other test of our prosperity, 
at which I have hinted, is the success which attends our efforts to 
promote the cause of forestry in the country, and I have very 
gratifying evidence to bring before you to-day, illustrating the 
powerful influence which an earnest body, as this is, knowing 
clearly what is required and what ought to be done, may exercise 
for the good of the country. 
