6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBOR ICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



such an institution ought to become the centre for expert 

 instruction and research in forestry in Scotland, and that it 

 would be inadvisable therefore to provide forest gardens of the 

 size contemplated in the applications of the agricultural colleges. 

 For all practical purposes the local needs of each college would 

 be met by small forest gardens and by forestry museums, for 

 both of which purposes the Commissioners are willing to 

 consider applications. 



At the same time the proposals of the Royal Scottish 

 Arboricultural Society were considered by the Forestry Com- 

 mittee and the Commissioners. The Society's main request 

 (which was not technically a formal application) was for a 

 grant towards the cost of carrying out a national survey 

 throughout Scotland in order to ascertain areas suitable to 

 afforest. The Commissioners came to the conclusion that a 

 national survey would quickly fall out of date, but they were 

 favourably impressed with the usefulness of the survey carried 

 out by the Society over a large area in Inverness-shire, which 

 they regard as valuable pioneer work. They think that similar 

 surveys might usefully be carried out as occasion arises, by 

 the staff and students at the proposed national demonstration 

 area. They therefore decided to postpone the question 

 of recommending assistance from the Development Fund 

 for such surveys until the demonstration area has been 

 established. 



One further question in regard to forestry in Scotland may be 

 mentioned here. It has already been indicated that both the 

 University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh and East of 

 Scotland College of Agriculture have sought advances from 

 the Development Fund for purposes of forestry instruction. 

 It appeared to the Commissioners that there was obvious incon 

 venience in a dual system of forestry instruction in Edinburgh, 

 under which the university and the college provide each its 

 separate course of training. The Commissioners consequently, 

 after informal consultation with the Scotch Education Depart- 

 ment, advised the co-ordination of the work of the two 

 institutions in this respect. As a result, a Joint Committee 

 has been appointed, consisting of an equal number of repre- 

 sentatives of the university and of the college, by whom will 

 be administered any sums granted for the establishment and 

 maintenance of a forest garden for the joint use of the students 



