TRAINING OF FORESTERS, 321 
TRAINING OF FORESTERS. 
To the Editor of the “* Times.” 
Sir,—The influential deputation which waited upon the 
Chancellor of the Exchequer recently to state their views on 
afforestation, had for their chief object the establishing of a strong 
Central Board of Forestry supported by a substantial grant of 
public money. The attainment of this object is undoubtedly of 
great importance, and it is hoped that Mr Asquith will be able 
to show his practical sympathy with the movement in his coming 
Budget. 
The deputation also referred incidentally to the urgent necessity 
of means being provided for training experts to meet the growing 
demand for a more systematic and scientific method of planting 
than has hitherto obtained in this country. Now, in connection 
with this branch of the subject, it appears to me that, pending the 
carrying out of the large scheme for a Central Board, and without 
in any way slackening the efforts to obtain the full financial help 
asked for, substantial progress might be made through and with 
the assistance of the Education Department of the Government. 
The country is, I believe, being gradually aroused to the 
danger of neglecting to produce home-grown timber for the 
requirements of the future. The Chancellor of the Exchequer 
mentioned several places where schemes are now being worked 
out with promising results; and it is satisfactory to know that 
effect is being given to one of the recommendations of the 
departmental committee on Forestry, advocating the planting of 
the upland areas from which water supplies are derived for our 
large communities. Leeds, Birmingham, and other towns have 
already followed the example of Liverpool, and several more 
towns have projects under consideration. Enterprising land- 
owners are also moving in the same direction, and as soon as 
capitalists become alive to the commercial advantages of planting 
in lands that can be bought for a low price, there will certainly 
be a rapidly increasing demand for trained men. 
What I have to suggest to the societies who were represented 
by the deputation is that the time has arrived when, in consulta- 
tion with the Education Department, they should formulate a 
scheme of education to include all the grades of men required 
for carrying out scientific afforestation, and that they should 
endeavour to secure the co-operation of the Education Depart- 
