446 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fully the facilities that this or that estate may oiler for his 

 improvement. Where there is no bothy, he should continue to 

 lodge with a forester, and he should spend the following few 

 years on at least three or four of the most practically managed 

 woodland estates. During this period he should form his opinions 

 and perfect his proficiency in every branch of his profession. He 

 should study economy and efficiency, especially with regard to 

 fencing and gates (generally an extravagant item), to outbuildings, 

 transport and marketing of wood, and the selection of the right 

 species for the various qualities of land. He should give as 

 much time as he has in spare evenings to assisting the estate 

 olfice in keeping accounts, and in making calculations and esti- 

 mates for work. He should acquire the habit of looking many 

 years ahead in regard to the requirements of plantations, studying 

 always the kinds and mixtures of plants that suit the different 

 soils and exposures. The chance may come to him of taking a 

 course at the Botanical Gardens, or of attending the University 

 lectures ; but from these he can only derive full advantage if he 

 has received a sound elementary education. 



An experiment wa9 tried in Fife, under which a working 

 forester attended the Edinburgh University lectures, and though 

 he had to travel twenty-five miles each way, he could, by working 

 near the station, and doing overtime at bookkeeping, both pro- 

 secute his studies and almost accomplish his ordinary share of 

 work. 



When it is recognised by the young forester himself, and by 

 his employers, that he is fit to assume responsibility, he should 

 marry, and get a section of woods to look after, or a charge of 

 his own. For, once competent, there is no object to be gained in 

 merely going from place to place, like a rolling stone ; indeed, 

 the shorter the period of changes the better, because, if he is fit to 

 direct, he cannot too soon assume responsibility. Then comes 

 the moment to think of wages, and to get the highest possible. 

 Once established as a foreman or head forester, he should get 

 into touch with the leading men of his profession; the Royal 

 Scottish Arboricultural Society offers opportunities for this, and 

 many employers help their foresters, by giving them time or 

 money to go on the Society's excursions, which, especially those 

 conducted abroad, are of real benefit to even the oldest and most 

 experienced amongst us. Moreover, the owner of an estate who 

 has a thoroughly trained forester is the more disposed to main- 



