54 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
the construction of masonry and other weirs. The teaching of 
surveying, law, the German language, military science, and 
riding is continued. During the last month of each theoretical 
course, weekly excursions are made into the forest; but with the 
exception of these and the riding drill, the whole of the instruction 
is given in the class-rooms. 
The practical course, which occupies two and a half months 
of each year, or five months in all, consists of tours made into 
the forests in the neighbourhood of Nancy, as well as into 
those of the Vosges and Jura mountains, and occasionally to 
other localities, for the purpose of studying forestry, natural 
history, and surveying; but a part of the time is devoted to 
military exercises. An area of 7500 acres of forest, situated 
near Nancy, and placed under the Director of the School, is 
used as a field of practical instruction, as well as for various 
experiments and researches, to carry out which an Assistant 
Inspector is attached to the staff. The subjects dealt with 
by him are, principally, meteorology, the growing of plants in 
nurseries, various methods of pruning, the effects of different 
systems of thinning, the rate of growth of various kinds of 
trees living under different conditions, and many other things 
connected with the science and art of forestry. For this 
information about the course of training and education in force 
at Nancy, I am indebted to Colonel Bailey’s interesting pamphlet 
on the “ Forest Schools of Europe.” 
I have now said enough, I think, to show you that we are very 
far behind other civilised countries in the provision they have made 
for the thorough education and training of their Foresters. This 
should stimulate us the more in going forward to urge upon the 
Government of the country the pressing need for the question 
being taken up and dealt with in such a thorough manner, as to 
bring us at least into line with foreign countries in all matters 
concerning the science and practice of Forestry. 
