2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
will, I fear, see signs of that deficiency in the course of his tour. 
He will recognise that we can grow timber for beauty, but that 
we have something to learn with regard to growing for profit. 
I should be surprised if, before Professor Schwappach leaves the 
country, he does not express the opinion that when we treat our 
woodlands as we treat our farm-lands, our timber area will be 
several times larger than it now is. 
My only consolation in being absent is that, during the Rating 
Bill debate, I hope to bring points of interest for foresters before 
the House of Commons. If that Bill is merely a measure “ for 
the relief of the occupiers of agricultural lands and heritages,” we 
have, of course, no case. But if it be a measure for rating reform 
—to classify lands and heritages for purposes of rating in Scot- 
land—then it is hard to see why woodlands (on which rates may 
be paid for a century without any profit from the crop) should 
be excluded from “rating reform.” Again, as the Rating Bill 
makes special provision for the Highlands, I believe the Royal 
Scottish Arboricultural Society will agree that, by establishing 
a Forest School and experimental area in the Highlands, a great 
step would be taken towards social and economic improvement 
in these districts. 
In discussing the future campaigns of the Royal Scottish 
Arboricultural Society, another foreign tour may be considered, 
I believe a trip to Norway and Sweden would not be very 
expensive to members, while it would afford an opportunity for 
examining into certain manufactures which should be developed 
at home. But Professor Schwappach can tell us all about that. 
I must thank the Executive and the members of the Society for 
the support they have given me, for the great pleasure and for 
the profit that I have derived from my association with them as 
President, none of which I shall forget. And with ever the most 
earnest wishes for the success of Forestry, and for the growth of 
the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 
Believe me, 
Yours truly, 
R. C. MUNRO FERGUSON. 
The Secretary, 
Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society. 
