: REPORT BY THE JUDGES ON ESSAYS. 153 
able nor satisfactory, but still woods that represent a large capital 
sum, and which financial, climatic, and esthetic considerations 
alike demand shall not be suddenly improved out of existence. 
The writer regards the purchase of an estate containing at least 
1000 acres as the only feasible method of acquiring the necessary 
area, and, like “ Nil Desperandum,” he gives the preference to 
one containing a considerable area of woodland to start with. He 
submits the plan of what he regards as a suitable estate situated 
in Perthshire, but whether this estate is actually for sale or not 
is not stated. He also furnishes the plan of a set of buildings 
which, though somewhat restricted, are well arranged. 
He regards the following as the main objects of the institution :— 
(1) The demonstration of economic forestry. 
(2) The instruction of practical foresters and estate agents in 
the scientific management of woods. 
(3) Experiments and researches in connection with the 
principles underlying the practical operations of 
forestry. 
To meet these requirements, the buildings would have to 
include a lecture-room, museum, library, reading-room, laboratory, 
and office, besides the necessary domestic accommodation. These, 
he believes, could be erected for £750; but even if galvanised 
iron were largely used, as he suggests, it is to be doubted if this 
sum would sufiice. ; 
His estimate of capital expenditure is as follows :— 
Purchase of 1000 acres, .. y £ 028 5,0002000)'O 
Outlay on buildings, fences, and nursery, 1,000 0 0 
250 acres of growing timber, 7 10,000: 10-00 
Total, . £16,000 0 0 
His estimate of annual expenditure, neglecting theoretical 
instruction, and also disregarding any revenue from the estate, 
is as follows :— 
Supervision, : i , «<b DO, O 20 
Labour and plants, : ; : 150 0 O 
Rates and taxes, etc., . : 2 : 50 0 0 
Total, . £350 0 0 
In our opinion the essayist has been too parochial in his 
estimates for the realisation of a scheme whose scope is distinctly 
