108 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



more money." — " Has this plantation paid anything at all since 

 the year 1817; have there been any thinnings taken awayl" 

 " Thousands of pounds' worth have been taken away." — " What is 

 about the average annual value for the last fifty years 1" "I 

 could not say that, because I had not the management of it all the 

 time," — "Has there been any return from pasture?" "Yes. 

 Before this was planted the pasturage was let for £5. It is now 

 let for £15."—" The annual value of the 3G6 acres was only £5 a 

 year before it was planted 1" " For pasture." — " Then you consider 

 the larch has really improved the pasture 1 " " There is no doubt ; 

 because it has killed the heather, and grass has come up instead." 



*' Have you given your attention to the question of schools for 

 instruction in forestry 1 " " Yes." — " What is your general view 

 of the question 1 " " At the present time there are no means by 

 which a young man can learn anything about forestry except 

 going about and working under foresters as a day labourer. The 

 Highland and Agricultural Society have of recent years introduced 

 examinations ; and they also offer premiums for essays on subjects 

 connected with forestry." — " You are one of the board of examiners 

 of that society ? " " Yes." — " Are Mr Thomson and Mr M'Corquo- 

 dale, who are here, also members of that board 1 " " Yes." — " And 

 Dr Cleghorn is the other member 1 " " Yes, those are the examiners 

 in practical forestry ; there is also an examiner in botany." — 

 " Perhaps you will give us the qualifications you require from the 

 candidates ] " " They are supposed to have a thorough acquaintance 

 with the details of practical forestry ; with a general knowledge 

 of the following branches of study so far as these apply to forestry — 

 the outlines of botany ; the nature and properties of soils, drainage, 

 and effects of climate ; land and timber measuring and surveying ; 

 mechanics and construction as applied to fencing, draining, bridg- 

 ing, and road- making; implements of forestry; book-keeping and 

 accounts. The examinations are open to candidates of any age. 

 Then the syllabus of examination in the science of forestry and 

 practical management of woods consists of : (1.) Formation and 

 ripening of wood ; predisposing causes of decay ; (2.) Restoration 

 of woodlands, consisting of, (1) Natural reproduction ; (2) Arti- 

 ficial planting ; (3.) General management of plantations, cropping 

 by rotation, trees recommended for different situations ; (4.) Season, 

 and methods of pruning, thinning, and felling ; (5.) Circumstances 

 unfavourable to the growth of trees ; (G.) Mechanical appliances for 

 conveying and converting timber, construction of saw-mills; (7.) 



