306 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
number of competent men, should they desire to pass through 
the curriculum proposed, will be able to find employment in 
Edinburgh enabling them to do so. 
There is one condition I would mention that I believe will 
commend itself to you as of necessity attaching to the scheme. 
We must insist on all men coming to the course being practical 
men, who have had some years’ experience. The course is 
designed for them, and you will agree with me in thinking that 
men who have not had some such experience could not profit by 
the teaching we propose to give to the extent that those who have 
had such experience would do, and this condition is an essential 
one. And then whilst we are, so to speak, in the dark as to the 
amount of interest the course will arouse, yet we all believe it 
will attract considerable attention, and be appreciated amongst 
practical foresters, and therefore we must be prepared to institute 
some sort of means of selection amongst those who may apply for 
admission to the course, should we find from the number of 
applicants or other cause that it is necessary to do so. Beyond 
this I do not see that we need go at the present in the making of 
regulations. 
How are we now to make known to those who are likely to 
desire to attend our course the education we offer? I think the 
simplest plan that could be adopted would be this,—and I propose 
to adopt it,—to draw up a circular, which would be submitted to 
members of the Society able and willing to advise upon it, 
embodying a sketch of the course of instruction, the method in 
which it is to be carried out, and the regulations under which 
men may be admitted to it, along with a schedule to be filied up 
by an applicant, which would be returnable, say, by the middle of 
September, This circular and schedule, when adjusted, would be 
issued to proprietors, foresters, and others in the country who 
are interested in the subject and whom we could reach. 
Upon all these points concerning the scheme [ should be glad 
to have an expression of opinion, with suggestions from any 
member of the Society who will be so good as to favour me with 
them. During the excursion of the Society, which I hope to join, 
there will be opportunity of informal conversation upon the 
questions involved, and I shall be happy to discuss them with 
any members who may be willing to do so. 
In the way I have indicated, gentlemen, I hope that before 
many weeks are passed the scheme we have devised for the 
