president's address. 159 



For the third year he should learn something of the felling and 

 management of timber — the valuing of standing trees — the lotting 

 and valuing of fallen timber— the working and management of 

 saw-mills. I have not mentioned the practical and indispens- 

 able knowledge of how to use an axe and a spade, but such 

 undoubtedly would form an early portion of an apprentice's 

 curriculum. 



A man could obtain as a journeyman forester, practice in any 

 special duty that had been missed, or could not be acquired on 

 the estate where he had been trained as an apprentice. Should an 

 apprentice elect and be considered fit to remain on as a journeyman 

 in the same service, there can be little doubt that the advantage to 

 young apprentices succeeding him would be not inconsiderable. I 

 would pass on briefly to the existing general system as to how young 

 foresters are lodged. It is the reverse of common to find foresters 

 accommodated in a bothy or lodge, as are most gardeners. They 

 have, as a rule, to find themselves lodgings, where they are isolated, 

 have no one beside them with the same tastes and interests, and 

 besides, are often not very comfortable, and, may be, not extra 

 well fed. 



I pi'ess the advantages of a lodge for young unmarried foresters 

 on all who may be able to afford them one. Why should they not 

 be lodged as well as gardeners'? Self-culture, and the companion- 

 ship of their fellows on many a long evening, would be the result ; 

 and I think such should ever be encouraged by the foreman and 

 head forester, not to speak of the factor and the laird. 



Another branch of a forester's training might sometimes be 

 encouraged. On many small estates there is an overseer of the 

 woods, who likewise has charge of the home farm. It often may 

 happen that the occupant of such a post is only a farmer or only a 

 forester. Among the ranks of young foresters there would be 

 found, I believe, many young men who would be most anxious 

 to acquire some slight knowledge of agriculture. Why should 

 some system of affording them instruction in this subject not be 

 arranged? I think it would be popular with the young men, 

 would not present any great difficulty, and would be of future 

 advantage to the ranks of certain masters and servants throughout 

 the country 



I believe that there is often a considerable difficulty both in 

 obtaining good men for situations and in men finding such for 

 themselves. It has occurred to me that here is an opportunity for 



