ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, AUGUST 9, 1892. 307 
teaching of practical foresters may be fairly launched. Personally, 
I shall do my best to make the scheme a success, and I believe it 
has in it the germs of success, in which belief I am fortified by 
the approval with which it has been received by the Society. 
But it is well that we should bear in mind that this is only the 
beginning of that portion of our ideal forestry school providing 
for practical foresters. We must not expect to be able to create 
all at once a perfect school for the teaching of our science. Like 
the tree itself, such a school, to be sound and durable, must grow 
slowly. But I would venture to hope that this beginning we’ 
shall shortly make is the foundation of a permanent school by 
which all the aspirations of foresters, so long expressed by this 
their representative Society, may be attained; for, however it 
may be in other spheres of work, I think we may, looking at 
our progress within the recent past, regard the flowing tide as 
being with us, on which I trust we may be carried to the full 
accomplishment of the aims we have set before us, 
Postscriet.—The circular alluded to above was issued in the 
form subjoined. It was found advisable to postpone the opening of 
the Course of Lectures until after Martinmas term day. 
Course of Instruction for Practical Foresters and Gardeners at the 
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. 
C1iRCULAR. 
By arrangement between the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Works and 
the Board of Agriculture, a course of study in the Sciences underlying the 
Practice and in the Principles of Forestry and Horticulture will be instituted 
in the month of October of this year, at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 
for Practical Foresters and Gardeners. 
The curriculum will extend over two-and-a-half years, and will include the 
following subjects:—Chemistry, Physics, Meteorology, Geology, Surveying, 
and Mensuration, Entomology, Botany, Forestry, and Horticulture, and these 
will be taught practically as far as is possible. 
The curriculum will be free of charge to those who are admitted to it. 
The times of the classes will be arranged so as not to interfere with the 
usual hours of labour. 
No one will be admitted who has not had at least three years of practical 
experience in forestry or gardening, 
Applicants for admission must submit a recommendation and certificate of 
character from their employer.! 
1 If an applicant happens to be out of a situation, a recommendation and 
certificate of character from his last employer should be submitted, 
