REPORT QF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY. 363 
The evidence now given by him was chiefly in support of the 
Institution he represented, and the advantages of a theoretical 
knowledge of forestry to land agents. In his advocacy of the 
importance of a knowledge of forestry to land agents, he stated 
“that a great point would be gained if the present race of land 
agents, who are the only possible foresters, were provided with 
some means of acquiring scientific information with regard to the 
management of woods.” Much evidence in the same strain was 
given by this witness, but as it had nothing in it of a practicable 
nature, there is no necessity for an extended report. 
The last witness examined was Mr ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, 
Superintendent of Epping Forest, who furnished the Committee 
with much important information, the result of a long experience, 
concerning the neglected condition of the woodlands in Hertford- 
shire, and other parts of the country, and also bore strong testi- 
mony to the great advantages that might be derived from their 
proper management by a trained and educated race of foresters. 
This finished the evidence taken in 1886. It is to be hoped 
that circumstances may be more favourable during the Parlia- 
mentary Session of 1887, for the completion of the duties of the 
Committee. Landowners and foresters are looking forward with 
anxious interest to the finding of the Committee, in the hope that 
a practicable solution may be obtained of the important question 
set before it, 
