176 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
that something definite is within reach of being accomplished 
before all interest in the scheme has died out. It is quite possible 
that subscriptions might be more readily obtained from private 
subscribers by inviting them to make up the sum required for the 
growing stock on the terms suggested for the consideration of the 
Government; but it appears to us that the introduction of a 
feature of this kind into the scheme might deter Government and 
public bodies from assisting us with a due amount of freedom, Our 
best and safest course seems rather to appeal to the generosity of 
those who wish to see forestry promoted in Scotland on a sound 
basis. If every Scottish estate-owner contributed at the rate of . 
2d. per acre of woodland in his possession, no less than £7000 
would be raised, which would entirely cover the cost of land and 
buildings on the estimated basis. The mere fact of this alone 
ought to convince landowners that the efficient education of their 
foresters could be provided for at no great cost to themselves. 
Moreover, a sum universally subscribed to by Scottish landowners 
would be the best means of convincing Government that the 
scheme was being supported by those most interested in the 
matter. Without reckoning on universal support from this 
quarter, however, we think that all classes connected with landed 
estates should contribute the greater part of the necessary sum to 
be raised from private individuals, if only to prove that a desire 
for such an experimental area was general. 
Providing for Annual Expenditure. 
Until the income from the timber produced equals the cost of 
maintenance, a reserve fund would be necessary to meet the annual 
charges. These amount in all to about £800 a year, half of which 
is made up of interest on £10,000 at 4 per cent. Now, the grow- 
ing stock for which the latter amount has been raised practically 
constitutes such a reserve, and if part of this stock is already ripe, 
we should at once be able to realise it for the purpose in question. 
Let us assume that we are able to cut five fully-stocked acres 
annually, which contain on an average 5000 feet of mature timber, 
valued at 4d. per foot. This would bring us in £400 per annum 
for a period of fifty years, at the end of which our loan would be 
paid back, supposing the age of the timber to be so graded as to 
enable this to be done. But as in actual practice this would be 
very improbable, we should endeavour to realise this growing 
