J 98 IKANSACTIONS OF ROYAr, SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to our notice. We have often to say ' Xo ' to people who come. 

 Sometimes they bring what we know are very dear fads of theirs, 

 and often we have seriously to alter schemes brought to u.s, 

 whether by Departments or by bodies of philanthropic people, 

 but we find that our efforts seem to be well received, and I do 

 not think we have had any need to complain of the attitude of 

 the public. As regards the matter to which Lord Lovat referred, 

 of assistance to private owners from such funds as the Develop- 

 ment Funds, I can say the Development Commission is entirely 

 in sympathy with any such proposal. I think the most im- 

 portant part of his speech was with reference to what might be 

 done in assisting private proprietors in planting their suitable, 

 plantable land. If the proposal is brought before us in any 

 definite shape, I can assure you it will receive most careful and 

 friendly consideration. We have already discussed these matters 

 with Mr Galloway, the most able and excellent Secretary to 

 the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, and he knows the 

 Development Commission are prepared to give what I believe 

 would be substantial aid to private owners in Scotland, in 

 planting up their suitable lands. I do not think I need say 

 more than this, that the door is open. If you come to us through 

 the Board of Agriculture, we shall be delighted to consider any 

 proposal for the setting aside of such funds as we can set aside 

 for the purpose of planting in Scotland, or if you prefer to go 

 through some suitable Society, with, no doubt, the full approval 

 of the Board of Agriculture, we shall equally be prepared to do 

 what we can for the afforestation of Scotland." 



The Chairman said : — " I am sure you will all be delighted to 

 hear the very guarded statement of the Chairman of the Foiestry 

 Committee of the Development Commission. Of course, this 

 question is absolutely and entirely a question of terms. I 

 cannot say too strongly that it is on the terms that any such 

 proposal must stand or fall, and, therefore, any such vague 

 proposals of assistance as have been offered us to-day, until 

 translated into black and white terms, are of very little value to 

 us. I do not wish in the least degree to say that in a carping 

 spirit, but only this spring, terms were offered to us of a wholly 

 unsatisfactory nature, and there is nothing we have heard now 

 to make us think that these terms are altered or improved. If 

 it were so, every one would rejoice, but till we get these terms in 

 black and white, we would consider it too previous to offer any 



