ADDRESS BY THE VICE-PRESIDENT, AUGUST 7, 1888. 191 



was to hold its own in the straggle foi' life, something farther 

 must be done, so that knowledge might be acquired with greater 

 facility by their brethren, and the means afforded to raise them- 

 selves and their profession to the higher standard demanded by 

 the necessities of modern times. 



The Scottish Arboricultural Society was therefore instituted, 

 in 1854, by a few able and enthusiastic foresters, with a view to 

 promote a better knowledge of the science and art of forestry, 

 and the adoption of the best methods for the management of our 

 woods and forests. Following vip the scheme so judiciously laid 

 down by the original pioneers, the Society has diligently perse- 

 vered on the path so skilfully traced, and has striven, by every 

 legitimate means, to foster a love of the profession among its 

 members, to promote a correct knowledge of the various systems 

 and details of modern forestry, and especially to institute a 

 suitable education for young men, and the best possible method 

 of training, to qiialify them for carrying out with credit and 

 success the manifold functions of a forester-. 



As an instance of the enterprise and zeal of the Society, we may 

 point to the announcement made by the Marquis of Lothian, 

 then President, at the Annual Meeting in 1882, that the Council 

 had resolved to promote an International Forestry Exhibition 

 (the idea having originated with some members of the Council in 

 the spring of that year) to be held at Edinburgh as soon as the 

 necessary ai-rangements could be completed. This marked a great 

 step in advance ; and when that unique and remarkable Exhibition 

 Avas carried to a successful issue in 1884, the members of this Society 

 had good reason to congi'atulate themselves on the wonderful amount 

 of public interest and enthusiasm it had drawn towards the subject 

 of Forestry, and the warm and liberal support which the Exhibition 

 received from all parts of the world whei-e forests exist, and where 

 national and commercial interests depend largely upon them. 



Aroused in a great measure by the deep public interest excited 

 by the Forestry Exhibition, this Society, along with others, took 

 steps to press upon the Government, by petition and otherwise, 

 the gi-eat want experienced in this country of a regular system 

 of education and training for foresters, similar to that so long 

 employed, and with such excellent results, in most European 

 countries, especially in France and Germany. The subject was 

 ultimately brought before Parliament, and chiefly at the instiga- 

 tion of Sir John Lubbock, Bart., a Select Committee of the House 



