12 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of funds, to give to any committee power to spend large sums 

 of money, which indeed were beyond our resources, and 

 which it was neither possible nor necessary to take from 

 the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund. Well, that Committee 

 had a task which they found difficult, of choosing a demon- 

 stration area. They considered the matter very carefully. They 

 took the view which has been taken by the members of this 

 deputation, that purchase was a more satisfactory thing than a 

 lease. They had no choice of a lease for loo or 120 years ; the 

 only possible leases were of very insignificant duration. They 

 have been looking out for a place to purchase, and they have at 

 last suggested the purchase of a property in Aberdeenshire, the 

 property of Ballogie. Of course you know that among those 

 interested in silviculture there are differences of opinion, and a 

 little while ago a deputation representing the University of 

 Edinburgh and the College of Agriculture waited upon me and 

 made certain representations. They desired to have a demon- 

 stration area which was more centrally situated ; objected that 

 Ballogie was too far north ; and they also raised the question 

 that that particular forest consists of coniferous trees and that 

 there are practically no hardwood trees there. At the same 

 time they said that they had from a landlord in Perthshire a 

 suggestion for dealing with an area there, of which I have 

 not got exact particulars at the present moment. But, of 

 course, I believe the Advisory Committee would agree that if 

 land were obtainable in a more central position it would be 

 better. What they say is that they have not the offer of such 

 land. 



" With regard to this suggestion of land in Perthshire, which 

 would not be open for purchase, but with regard to which 

 different treatment was proposed, I am writing to the owner, 

 asking him to put his proposal in a definite form, that it may 

 be considered. I cannot say anything more about it. 



" Now, you see, my position is this : that I have appointed an 

 Advisory Committee and they have at last advised me. I have 

 to consider representations from various parts of Scotland, and 

 to consider what can be done ; but no time has been lost. The 

 Development Commissioners have sent an expert to view the 

 property which is now offered, and no time is being lost in the 

 matter. But you can see from what I have said that it is not 

 an extremely simple matter, or a matter on which there is united 



