76 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and too often. The most commendable part of the administra- 

 tion lies in the control exercised over the amount of the fellings. 

 The quantity of timber which the area annually produces has 

 been calculated, and no more than that amount is abstracted. 

 The year's felling is thus balanced by the year's growth, and an 

 almost equal annual income is assured, without impairing the 

 forest's resources. Mr Ekman paid the Society the compliment 

 of entertaining the members to luncheon in his magnificent 

 house. His kindness and courtesy were highly appreciated, and 

 will long be remembered with pleasure. It was interesting to 

 hear that in the forests of Finspong and neighbourhood, elk are 

 numerous, hares also are in considerable numbers, while rabbits 

 are almost unknown ; of game birds, capercailzie, blackcock, and 

 partridge are found. 



On the morning after the visit to Finspong, a very early 

 start was made. Rising at 3.30 a.m., the party reached 

 Stockholm in the forenoon, and later in the day visited the 

 Royal Forest Academy, the Botanic Garden, and Skansen Park. 

 The Academy is an unpretentious building, but is fully equipped 

 with lecture theatres, laboratories, and a good collection of 

 natural history specimens. The staff at the college comprises 

 the director and eight lecturers. This is the college through 

 which all forest officers must pass. Forest guards, who are not 

 qualified so highly, do not go there, but undergo a simpler 

 training at a forest school. There are six institutions for the 

 guards, and two training colleges and the Stockholm Academy 

 for the officers. Candidates for the higher positions begin by 

 passing an entrance examination. Then follows one year at a 

 provincial forest school, such as the arboriculturists saw at 

 Omberg. There the students come into touch with the practical 

 work of forestr}', and also receive some instruction in elementary 

 science. Leaving the forest school for Stockholm, they take 

 the two years' curriculum there. Should they be successful in 

 passing the examination at the end of that period, they go to a 

 revier or forest district for one year more, and then receive 

 their diploma, with the title of Master of the Royal Domains. 

 There were, at the time of the Society's visit, some sixty 

 students at the college. So great a number could not hope to 

 find employment each year as officers in the State woods ; but 

 there is always a demand for well-trained men amongst owners 

 of private forest lands. 



