160 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
of wood-management adopted on the estates under their charge. 
A sound acquaintance with the principles of scientific forestry 
is, therefore, of the first importance, for, acting in most cases as an 
intermediary between proprietor and forester, a sympathetic interest 
in the latter’s work could remove many administrative obstacles 
over which the forester has no control. With theoretical acquaint- 
ance with forestry only, however, his interest in the subject is in 
danger of being lost, after the mental efforts necessary to pass, say, 
an examination have been relaxed. Frequent excursions to a 
properly managed forest during the course of theoretical instruc- 
tion would undoubtedly leave an impression upon his mind not 
easily effaced, and this defect in the Edinburgh University forestry 
course would be almost entirely removed. It could also be used 
as an adjunct to the Botanic Garden course, by arranging for 
students attending the latter to put in a few months’ work in 
the forest, and thus get acquainted with those features which are 
not general in estate plantations. 
It might, however, be arranged to divide the course into two 
parts, one of which would include the more scientific subjects, and 
be taken in Edinburgh, while the other, including sylviculture, 
mensuration, etc., could be gone through in the forest itself, the 
students, at the same time, assisting in the working of the latter at 
a fixed rate of wage. Short courses in sylviculture, ete, could also 
be provided for young foresters unable to take the full course, and 
no doubt many proprietors would be willing to defray, or assist 
in defraying, the cost of such visits, for the benefit of their 
employés and the woods under their charge. 
3. Experiments and Researches in Connection with the Principles 
underlying the Practical Operations of Vorestry. 
Special care and attention are necessary in laying out this branch 
of work, if time and money are to be strictly economised. Research 
and, in most cases, experiments are only indirectly remunerative, 
and much expense and labour may be incurred for years before 
definite results are obtained. For the first few years, therefore, we 
should confine ourselves to elucidating those points which have a 
strictly local bearing, or which have some definite relation to 
practical Scottish forestry. Amongst such may be named :— 
Comparative rates of growth of indigenous and exotic forest 
trees under varied sylvicultural conditions. — While British 
