THE 1890 REPORT 39 



was conflicting, as well it might be under the condi- 

 tions existing. No planting was undertaken. 



Then came a second Committee appointed in 1889 

 " to inquire into the Administration of the Depart- 

 ment of the Woods and Forests and Land Revenues 

 of the Crown," the report being published the 

 following year. This report was somewhat mis- 

 leading. Its main statement was to the effect that 

 " the Committee are of opinion that on the whole 

 the estates are carefully administered." An hour's 

 walk through several parts of the Forest of Dean 

 will disclose the most glaring mistakes made about 

 that period and in earlier years against the most 

 elementary sylvicultural canons. But in the absence 

 of scientific forestry knowledge in the country, how 

 could it be otherwise ? 



Before passing to the next Committee, one scientific 

 training centre for forestry existing in the country 

 at this time, that of Cooper's Hill, may be alluded 

 to. But such is our extraordinary method of doing 

 things, this centre placed close to Windsor Forest 

 exerted practically no effect on British Forestry as 

 a teaching centre during the whole course of its 

 existence, because it was an Indian College, main- 

 tained by the India Office. Cooper's Hill was an 

 Engineering College designed to train men for the 

 Public Works and Telegraph Departments in India. 

 Forestry was tacked on in 1885 to make the place 

 pay, for it was a very costly establishment to keep 

 up. For the forestry student it was an ideal centre 

 (and having been trained there myself, I speak 

 from personal knowledge), with its easy access and 



