{94 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
to advise their afforestation by the State, which would involve 
the risk of provoking competition between the State and private 
individuals, a result which, he thought, was undesirable. He 
would carefully consider the proposal for the acquisition of forest 
‘areas for experimental and educational purposes, but such a pro- 
posal would involve a new departure on the part of a State 
department, and also considerable outlay. Before, therefore, he 
could be in a position to make any suggestion of that character 
to his colleagues in the Cabinet, he must be absolutely satisfied 
in his own mind that such a departure would be justified by the 
present condition of things, and by the prospect of satisfactory 
results. In regard to the education of the subordinate ranks of 
those engaged in Forestry, he could not help thinking that some- 
thing might be done through the medium of the County Councils, 
and he would keep that point in view and give the matter his 
careful consideration. He believed that they must bring the 
education to the people—they could not bring the people to the 
education. 
In conclusion, Mr Long referred to the difficulty of doing any- 
thing of a practical character which would help people eagaged in 
such pursuits as Forestry, and said that whether his power to help 
them was great or small, so long as he had the honour to fill his 
present position, it would be his duty, as it would be his pleasure, 
to do everything he legitimately could to help, not only the 
industry with which he was primarily connected, but any 
of those industries akin to agriculture, which, if they were 
successful, would cover the land with a fertile product, and would 
tend to help the producer and the labourer to make a fair living 
for themselyes. He requested the members of the deputation 
more particularly interested in the matter to furnish him with an 
estimate of the cost of the proposed State Forests, and this has 
since been done by the President, Professor Balfour, Colonel 
Bailey, Mr Mackenzie, and Professor Somerville. 
The President, in name of the Society, thanked Mr Long for | 
granting the interview, and for his interesting and sympathetic 
reply. The Deputation then withdrew, 
