ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, NOVEMBER 6, 1872. 9 



Havana present as a most able and valuable contribution to the 

 physical geography of India, containing truly philosophical views. 

 The paper has appeared in " Ocean Highways," a monthly record 

 of geographical progress. (Oct. 1872, p. 200.) 



In England, forest literature has not yet, in my opinion, taken the 

 place which it ought to occupy. In Germany, France, and Italy, 

 there are thousands of volumes and several periodicals, both monthly 

 and quarterly, devoted to sylviculture. There is an annual almanac, 

 giving the names and duties of several hundred forest employes in 

 the service of the state. In these days, when almost every branch 

 of industry starts its own organ, it is not improbable that a Forest 

 Journal may be successfully maintained a few years hence, in which 

 all forest questions could be freely discussed. 



I have now, gentlemen, in a cursory way, sketched some of the 

 terrible consequences of neglecting the natural forests of a country, 

 as contrasted with the benefits of careful conservancy. Many of 

 the facts and places alluded to have come under my own observa- 

 tion in the course of duty as a government servant. 



I have been favoured with opportunities of visiting the woods of 

 Madeira, the sandy deserts of South Africa, a very large part of 

 British India, the plains of Egypt, the arid island of Malta, classical 

 Sicily, and the rich though sadly denuded shores of Italy. From 

 one and all of these I am ready to acknowledge that I have learned 

 something, both of the difficulties to be overcome and of the success 

 granted to persevering efforts in arboriculture ; and were it my lot 

 again to return to India, the remembrance of what I have seen in 

 my various visits to the fine woods of Scotland and the state forests 

 of England, would prove highly useful and instructive. 



Every country has its peculiar difficulties, but along with these 

 we see special adaptations to overcome them, and the application 

 of the right means to the end desired is ultimately crowned with 

 success. 



VOI* Vll. I'AKT I. 



