118 ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, AUGUST 4, 1885. 
possesses in her dependencies a larger acreage of woodland than 
any other nation, it is obviously important to provide a staff of 
thoroughly trained practical foresters.” 
“To Edinburgh is due the credit of first taking up the idea of 
a Forest School, and, with a view to its establishment, the Town 
Council, some years ago, purchased the Arboretum adjoining the 
Royal Botanic Garden for £20,000. Handsome donations have been 
received from various Governments and private exhibitors at the 
International Forestry Exhibition for the foundation of a Forestry 
Museum ; and although, unfortunately, the surplus of the Exhi- 
bition is not sufficient to secure the immediate establishment of 
a chair of Forestry, the people of Scotland, and of Great Britain 
and Ireland generally, only require to realise the importance and 
necessity of such a scheme, in order to unite and carry it into 
effect ; thereby removing the slight that at present attaches to 
our country in this respect.” 
Many years ago Sir Robert Christison first urged the need of 
a school; Professor Balfour called attention to it in 1876; 
Mr Hutchison spoke of it in 1877; and before going out to 
Madras, the Right Hon. W. P. Adam bore testimony to the 
great importance of the subject. Mr Adam left his manuscript 
with me, and I read it the other day to the Forestry Committee of 
the House of Commons. The Marquis of Lothian has also spoken 
very effectively in favour of the proposal, and now presides over the 
Committee appointed to carry out the scheme of a Forest School. 
For the establishment and endowment of a School of Forestry, 
a sum of £10,000 would be required. A sum of about £800 
has already been promised to the Committee. That is certainly a 
small sum, but we trust that, with this commencement, matters 
will proceed rapidly towards the complete attainment of the 
important object we have in view. 
On the 15th of May 1885, on the motion of Sir John Lubbock, 
Bart., it was ordered— That a Select Committee be appointed to 
consider whether, by the establishment of a Forest School, or other- 
wise, our Woodlands could be rendered more remunerative.” The 
Committee met for deliberation on the 14th July, and it is under- 
stood that sufficient proof has been adduced to report progress, 
and to recommend a continuation of the Committee next session. 
