154 REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY. 
mittee a rough idea of the number you would expect?” ‘ It would 
depend very much upon the nature of the system of instruction. 
If it were such a system of instruction as would involve a pro- 
longed residence, say, a year or two, it would have a tendency 
to seriously diminish the number of candidates ; but if it were such 
a system as involved a residence of not more than two or three 
months, terminating with an examination, I think a large number 
of land agency candidates would avail themselves of it.” 
“You think much public advantage would be likely to accrue from 
the dissemination of a more accurate and trained knowledge of forestry 
amongst this class of persons you refer to, operating each in his 
own district of country?” “TI think a large amount of good would 
result. JI am not of the opinion that there is much ignorance 
amongst land agents with regard to forestry ; but I am of opinion 
that what knowledge there is requires gathering up and systemat- 
ising, and I think that would be done very well by a school of 
forestry.” —“‘ Is it consistent with your knowledge that the desire 
to see forestry more widely extended throughout the country is 
growing very considerably amongst this class of persons, and 
amongst proprietors and others interested?” “J think the pro- 
prietors are coming to see the very great importance of forestry, 
and I certainly think that land agents are turning their attention 
more and more to the acquiring of a scientific knowledge of the 
subject of forestry. We have the best possible test of the state of 
feeling upon the subject in our examinations, and in the papers 
which are read before the Institution upon subjects connected with 
forestry.” 
“I understand that the opinions you have expressed as to 
the desirability of instituting a school of forestry have reference 
to the requirements of this country as well as to the requirements 
of India?” ‘I am speaking mainly with regard to this country, 
but I believe it would be a very valuable source from which foresters 
might be drawn to fill appointments in the colonies ; and what 
the state of things is in the colonies, from the want of scientific 
forestry, is revealed in the report which is before you.” 
This closed the evidence taken by the Committee during the 
only two days it was able to devote to the work of examination of 
witnesses. 
