Transactions. 



The Transactions for January are in course of being issued 

 to members. The expense of paper and printing has risen very 

 much, and the cost of the Transactions has been under the 

 consideration of the Council. All care has been taken to 

 minimise this cost as far as consistent with maintaining the 

 usual high standard of this publication. 



Essays. 



Four essays only were received in competition last year. 

 A Gold Medal was awarded to Mr John Cape, of Edinburgh ; 

 a No. i Silver Medal to Mr Alex. S. MacLarty j and a Bronze 

 Medal to Mr Alex. M'Pherson. 



Afforestation. 



The following Resolution was unanimously adopted at last 

 Annual Meeting, namely : — 



"This Meeting of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 

 while cordially welcoming the appointment of the Interim 

 Forest Authority, respectfully urges the Government to 

 pass without delay the necessary legislation, setting up 

 a Permanent Forest Authority with Local Executives 

 and endowed with adequate funds and the fullest powers 

 to enable it to carry out effectively a progressive forest 

 policy for the United Kingdom, having regard to the 

 extent of suitable land available in each country as well 

 as to the timber requirements of the whole kingdom." 



The Resolution was despatched to His Majesty's Ministers 

 and Departments concerned. At a later stage a copy of this 

 Resolution and a Memorandum on Afforestation with a covering 

 letter were sent to all the Scottish Members of Parliament. 



Intimation having been received from the Interim Forest 

 Authority that the Forestry Bill was being prepared, the 

 opportunity was taken to suggest that power should be given 

 to the Authority to deal with brush burning, with rabbits, 

 insects, and other pests, and damage to plantations by sparks 

 from railway engines. 



In June the Forestry Department of the Board of Agriculture 

 intimated that they had obtained information of great value 

 which would enable them to make progress when the Forestry 

 Bill became law, and that they were negotiating for the purchase 

 of an area of land for immediate planting. 



The Interim Forest Authority submitted a Memorandum with 

 regard to proceeds-sharing schemes which was considered by 

 the Council, who expressed the view that the grants should be 

 considerably increased and the procedure simplified. 



