_ DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. 325 
that the first schemes that were undertaken should have every 
chance of being a success, as if, they were a failure the whole 
question of forestry would be set back for a long time, and he 
urged that, even if the purchase of forest areas could not be 
carried out immediately (and the preparation of such areas for 
afforestation would take some little time), a scheme of systematic 
training in forestry should be at once instituted, so that there 
might be a body of trained foresters in the country capable of 
carrying out large schemes of afforestation with the best 
prospects of success. 
-Professor Fisher spoke on the subject of forestry education, and 
drew attention to the Forest schools in France and Germany, 
and to the advances that were being made in Belgium, where 
the conditions of soil and climate most nearly resembled those 
that prevailed in England. The authorities at the Forest of 
Dean gave some training to foresters, but only to those to be 
employed on their own area. Oxford University had devoted 
some land to the purpose which was available for the Indian 
students, but more land and more forests were necessary. 
There were no Crown forests in Scotland, and very few in 
England. Ireland had not been included in the present deputa- 
tion, though it was, from climatic and other considerations, most 
suitable for forestry operations, because it was understood that 
some steps were being taken by the Irish Local Government 
Department. 
Mr Elwes said that he could speak from personal observa- 
tion as to the failing supply of timber, as he had visited nearly all 
the timber-exporting countries in the world, and they all told 
the same tale, that the demand was increasing and the supply 
decreasing, though both in the United States and in Canada some 
steps were being taken to prevent further waste of the existing 
supplies. There the area from which the best supplies were 
drawn was diminishing, and the same applied. to Northern 
Europe. He also drew attention to the unfair incidence of taxa- 
tion on land given up to afforestation, both as regards rates and 
succession duties, and pointed out that the timber industry was 
severely handicapped by the heavy railway rates charged in this 
country. 
Mr Fraser Story asked that further facilities should be given 
for the technical instruction of foresters in Wales. They had at 
present an area of 50 acres, given by a private individual, but 
VOL. XIX. PART II. Y 
