38 THE SCOTTISH BOTANICAL REVIEW 
assistance in special investigations, for which provision is not 
otherwise made. 
The Board thoroughly realises the importance of having none but 
carefully trained men for work in connection with the scheme. The 
Board therefore proposes to offer for 1911, 1912, and 1913 scholar- 
ships of the value of £150 tenable for three years. These scholar- 
ships will be twelve in number, and will be awarded only to 
thoroughly suitable candidates. Grants will also be made to 
Teaching Institutions, Universities, Agricultural Colleges, etc., in 
England and Wales. These will act as centres where farmers may 
apply for scientific advice on important technical questions, and 
further special investigations of local interest can be carried out by 
these institutions. 
By means of those grants for research scholarships, local advice, 
and investigations, it is hoped to provide an expert staff with both 
scientific and practical qualifications, the members of which will be 
engaged in solving problems of local importance and endeavouring 
in every way to secure the application of science to practice. 
It is very satisfactory to know that steps are being taken to provide 
more practical training for the university and college student in order 
to promote the application of science to practice. But, as I have 
already indicated, the practical man should have better facilities for 
acquiring a knowledge of the fundamental scientific principles upon 
which his practice is based. With one or two notable exceptions, 
it is not possible for the young gardener or forester in training to 
attend systematic courses of instruction in the sciences underlying 
his future profession, unless he happens to be fortunate enough to 
be employed in some nursery or private garden in or near large 
towns. ‘This difficulty might be got over by providing bursaries to 
enable such men to attend courses of instruction at suitable in- 
stitutions ; but to this method there is the very serious objection 
that very few colleges are able to provide practical training under 
proper supervision and control along with scientific instruction ; 
however, there are indications that this unsatisfactory state of affairs 
will soon be improved. 
The point is—it is of importance that these practical men should 
not, when getting theoretical training, lose touch with practice ; also, 
that for the practical work which they perform during theoretical 
training they should receive payment adequate as a subsistence 
allowance. A scheme whereby this is achieved is that which has 
been in operation in the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, during 
the past twenty years. Young gardeners and foresters are taken on 
the staff and receive certain payment for their services, and at the 
same time are taught free of charge the scientific element of their 
work. ‘There is no place in this country where more has been done 
to provide employment, combined with practical and scientific 
training, for the young gardener and forester, than at the Royal 
Botanic Garden, and we should feel proud that Edinburgh has led 
the way in this important development ; and experience has shown 
