26 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



methods of cultivation will involve prospective forestry, no 

 less than our existing agriculture, in a common ruin. Owners 

 and occupiers who are making good use of their land should, 

 under a national scheme of forestry, remain undisturbed so 

 far as is consistent with the public interest. But it may be 

 roughly assumed that all heather land and rough pasture not 

 needed for the well-being of existing small holdings, and 

 rented under, say, 3s. an acre, which, under timber, is likely 

 to yield twice as much, or more, should be scheduled for 

 afforestation. Were a Board of Forestry entrusted with 

 control, it could take over Inverliever, and undertake any 

 future extensions on the same lines. It could select and 

 carry out a demonstration forest. It could organise a forest 

 school, and, taking over technical forestry education from the 

 Education Department, which is not the proper department 

 to administer it, it could supervise or assist in developing a 

 complete system of forestry training, from the primary school 

 to the university. This Board should be entrusted with the 

 duty of safeguarding the public interest in lands suited to, 

 but unutilised for timber growing ; with the purchase of land 

 and the organisation of State forests ; with the establishment 

 of demonstration or observation State forests and affiliated 

 technical establishments, forest gardens and plots; while it 

 should be consulted by the Education Department as to the 

 curriculum in all schools in forest districts. 



The Board should consist, at its inception, of a forest expert, 

 aided by assessors to advise in the purchase or scheduling of 

 land, and by a strong Advisory Council, for which the R.S.A.S. 

 could present a fair choice of candidates. Later on the Board 

 would develop, but at first the whole cost need not exceed 

 two or three thousand a year. 



As regards our Society — its branches have already achieved a 

 notable success at Inverness and Aberdeen. It would be well if 

 another branch or two could be formed, British lecturers in 

 forestry are now an important group, from whom we expect 

 much. A joint summer excursion for the English, Scottish, and 

 Irish Societies, attended by them, with full opportunities for 

 conference, would stimulate concerted action. 



