172 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A working plan may not perhaps at once, or in the immediate 

 future, lead to profitable returns being obtained from woods 

 which have hitherto been unremunerative ; nor will an increase 

 in net revenue necessarily be its immediate effect. But, if the 

 recommendations of a good working plan be steadily carried out, 

 the effect must be to gradually increase the capital value of the 

 woods up to a certain economic limit, and thereafter to obtain 

 enhanced revenue in the shape of the maximum sustained yield. 

 Experience in all countries where particular attention has been 

 given to Forestry lias shown that it is impossible to obtain the 

 best returns from crops of timber unless managed under working 

 plans ; and what is true for France, Germany, and even far- 

 distant Hindostan and Burma, is equally true for Great Britain 

 and Ireland. 



In place of providing an immediate source of enhanced income, 

 those who prepare working plans for woodlands in Britain will, 

 unfortunately, often find themselves forced to recommend outlay 

 for stocking blank portions of crops, and to urge delay in thin- 

 nings, so that woods may attain the normal density of crop, 

 without which they must run to branches, instead of forming 

 clean, long, straight stems. 



At the present time, the number of men whose professional 

 services are available for preparing working plans and advising 

 as specialists in Forestry is exceedingly limited, and this must 

 remain the case till State aid is given on a more generous scale 

 than hitherto for instruction in Forestry. Adequate instruction, 

 indeed, both practical and theoretical, I hold to be the first of 

 the two essential changes which must be effected before the 

 future prospects of Forestry in Britain become as bright as they 

 should be. And it is, fortunately, that necessary change which 

 can be effected most easily, cheaply, and speedily. Instruction 

 as to the meaning, objects, and methods of Forestry is alike 

 required by the general public, landowners, agents or factors, 

 foresters, and woodmen. Even the meaning of the word 

 "Forestry" is not generally understood. In 1894, on last re- 

 turning to India, I arranged with a press-cutting agency for 

 regular supplies of information about Forestry, and the great bulk 

 of the cuttings received were to the effect that, say. the Go van 

 or Partick "Foresters and Oddfellows"' had held their usual 

 quarterly meeting, that the funds showed a balance of so much, 

 and that the Forestry movement was progressing in the district. 



