22 FOREST CULTURE AND 
rests on me in this direction, I would wish to meet it 
in such a way that those who will live after us shall 
never be able to tax me with blindness to any impor- 
tant interest of our colony, so far as such were intrust- 
ed to my charge. But, then, the views of a profes- 
sional officer should be received with that considera- 
tion, and be seconded with that support, to which 
they have fair claim. 
I pass the subject of the incalculable value of the 
native woods, such as we still possess in our own for- 
ests, whether viewed in their relation to arts or as 
mercantile export commodities. It isa matter far 
too large to dwellon, even cursorily, on this occasion. 
Were I to enumerate all the uses already practically 
known of our native trees, I would have to compile 
a goodly volume, even were I silent on the still far 
ampler subject of the introduction of the thousands 
of different foreign trees which I should like to see 
here for the use of future artisans and those who are 
to benefit by their services. A work bearing on the. 
nature of the forest- trees of India, by Dr. Balfour, 
was kindly placed in my hands by Col. Sankey, whose 
stay among us we at present (22d June, 1871) enjoy 
for advice on our water-works. Major Beddome, of 
Madras, issues a kindred illustrated work. 
I may, however, be allowed to point to the enor- 
mous consumption of indigenous wood in some locali- 
ties, as this expenditure is utterly out of all proportion 
to the existing supply or its present natural renova- 
tion. This question presents itself all the more grave- 
ly, as no rich coal-seams are as yet discovered, by 
which the fuel-supply could be augmented from short 
(listances, at a moderate price, We haye also to be 
