PREFACE. 



IN the Spring of 1877, while measures were being taken 

 for the formation of an Arboretum in Edinburgh, knowing 

 something of the constitution and of the work of Schools 

 of Forestry on the Continent, of what was required in 

 order to the economic and efficient conservation, exploita- 

 tion, and extension of existing forests in our Colonies, and 

 of the studies and mode of study pursued in the Univer- 

 sity, and in the Watt Institute in that city, I issued a 

 pamphlet entitled The Schools of Forestry in Europe : a Plea 

 for the Creation of a School of Forestry in connection with the 

 Arboretum at Edinburgh, which was addressed c To the Right 

 Honourable the Lord Provost, the Magistrates, and the 

 Town Councillors of Edinburgh ; to the Office-Bearers of 

 the Scottish Arboricultural Society ; to the promoters of 

 the purchase of ground at Inverleith to be transferred to 

 Government for the formation of an Arboretum ; and all 

 others whom it may concern.' 



In this I submitted for consideration the opinion ' that 

 with the acquisition of the Arboretum, and with the 

 existing arrangements for study in the University of 

 Edinburgh, and in the Watt Institute and School of Arts, 

 there are required only facilities for the study of what is 

 known on the Continent as Forest Science, to enable 

 these Institutions conjointly, or any one of them with the 



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