154 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. «© 
national; and although he remarks that we must mould our 
desires, not according to what we should like, but in accordance 
with what we are likely to get, still this consideration must not 
lead the Society into abandoning the reasonable ideal that it has 
already set up. It is in dealing with the question of finance 
that this essayist has given us least satisfaction. Not only is his 
scheme too contracted, but he would also resort to borrowing to 
raise the comparatively small sum that he regards’ as requisite. 
He suggests that the Government should lend the purchase price 
of the growing stock (£10,000), while the other £6000 required 
could be got by a voluntary assessment by Scottish landowners 
of 2d. per acre of woodlands, or otherwise by a popular appeal 
in the usual way. 
This essay we consider to be superior to the last, though not 
of sufficient merit and originality to be worthy of the full amount 
of the first prize. We would therefore recommend that the 
writer receive a honorarium of Ten Guineas, and that the essay 
be published, 
In concluding our Report, we cannot refrain from expressing a 
feeling of disappointment that the competition has failed to throw 
any fresh light on the important subject of practical demonstration 
and instruction in scientific sylviculture. It seems to us that the 
arguments used at the conference with Mr Long in October 1895 
have not been improved upon; and it must be a disappointment 
to many to find that the country is still unprovided with the 
model forest area that is capable, as we believe, of benefiting our 
national sylviculture to an extent that is out of all proportion to 
the expenditure involved. It now remains with the Society to 
take what steps it deems desirable to secure the success of a 
practicable scheme, and if this means a fresh efforts and more 
exertion, the ultimate attainment of the object in view will be a 
fitting reward, 
R. C. Munro FErcuson. 
WILLIAM SOMERVILLE. 
EDINBURGH, 16¢h August 1897. 
[Since this Report was presented, both Prize Essays have been 
condensed, that by Mr Mackenzie having also been somewhat 
modified. The Council have not thought it necessary to reproduce 
the Plans which accompanied the Papers. } 
