The Story of our English Woodlands. 6^] 



the other hand its application to machinery, and the conse- 

 quent invention of the steam saw, has largely benefited the 

 home producer, especially in his capabilities of deriving more 

 immediate profits from the thinnings of young plantations cut 

 up into crate-wood, hurdles, fencing, hop-poles, coopers' hoops, 

 etc., etc. 



There is no doubt a fascination in putting each tiny plant 

 into the soil, occasioned by the thought that it is destined to 

 profit and delight posterity ; but so practically worthless is the 

 transaction to the operator that in no other instance is there 

 as great a necessity for public encouragement. For such a 

 reason the forestry exhibits in the London Exhibition of 1862, 

 in that of Paris in 1878, in that of Edinburgh in 1884, and 

 in that of London in the present year are to be welcomed as a 

 new and useful departure. So, too, are the examination tests 

 in, and grants of certificates for, proficiency in the theory and 

 practice of forestry established by the Highland Agricultural, 

 the Scotch Foresters' Societies, and the Indian Engineering 

 College at Coopers' Hill. What we still want is a National 

 School of Forestry like that of Nancy in France, and a Govern- 

 ment Forestry Board as recommended by the Parliamentary 

 Committee of 1887. 



As to the future of arboriculture in this country ; we cannot 

 help re-echoing the somewhat extravagant wishes of Mr. 

 Brown on the subject. "Another generation," he hopes, "will 

 see the dark forms of the Picea nohilis and the Abies Douglasii 

 towering in majestic splendour above the common trees of 

 our woods and plantations, presenting outlines of a truly 

 American character in the landscape ; while the Sequoia Wel- 

 lingtonia will stand out above all as beacons pointing out the 

 seats of the wealthier classes of the land, these forming grand 

 contrasts with the many other foreign species spread around 

 and under them. The future of arboriculture is not confined 

 to any one people or nation ; it is a universal science, adapted 

 to promote the comfort and happiness of every people in every 

 clime, and to secure rich harvests to the industry of all that 

 will put it properly into operation." ^ 



' The Forester, J. Brown, p. 800, 1871. 



