174 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
coming. As possible subscribers to the scheme, we have—(1) the 
Government and public bodies ; and (2) private individuals. 
In discussing the probability of Government aid, we have only 
the experience of educational institutions of a similar nature to 
guide us. 
As the special grant annually voted towards education of this 
kind is in Scotland distributed through the Scottish Office, it is 
to that department of the Government we must look for whatever 
assistance we are likely to obtain in that direction. The Office 
has at its disposal annually a sum for assisting work of this kind, 
and a small portion of it is already given towards assisting 
forestry education at Edinburgh University, and in the Botanic 
Garden. 
Moreover, thanks to the enterprise of the Royal Scottish 
Arboricultural Society, the Board of Agriculture has already been 
sounded on this particular matter, through a deputation to its 
President, organised by the Society in 1895, From the reply 
then given to the representations made, we are in the position of 
knowing the views of the Department on this question, and, as 
will be recollected, its President declared himself in sympathy with 
the wishes of the Society as regards the establishment of experi- 
mental areas in Scotland, providing the expenditure incurred 
did not prove a serious obstacle in the way of their acquisition. 
To what extent the Government would be willing to aid us was 
not, however, clearly indicated, But if we may take the promise 
made with regard to the proposed endowment of a Chair of 
Forestry as any criterion by which the extent of possible aid may 
be gauged, we may look forward to the Government meeting us 
half-way, by granting one-half of the estimated cost, provided the 
other half is subscribed locally. Of course, the most simple and 
satisfactory way would be for Government to acquire the necessary 
land by purchase, and hand it over to the proper authorities to be 
worked as a State forest, the proceeds from which would be paid 
into the Imperial Exchequer, less cost of working. But it may 
be possible for Government to first render us more valuable 
assistance, at less expense to itself, in another direction, for we can 
hardly expect a large pecuniary grant being made to a hitherto 
novel and untried scheme. 
As we saw in our estimate of expenditure, the largest item is 
that incurred in the proposed purchase of the growing stock. No 
doubt this sum alone could be easily raised by effecting a mortgage 
