CHAP, i.] Forestry in Britain 25 



already referred to, stated that if the landowners of Britain 

 really wanted instruction to be provided at any educational 

 centre or centres, they could easily arrange for it among them- 

 selves without the necessity of appealing to aid from the State. 

 From one cause or another, though probably not that they are 

 already perfectly satisfied with the existing state of affairs, the 

 landowners have failed to subscribe sufficient for even half the 

 amount necessary for the endowment of one rather poorly-paid 

 Chair of Forestry at Edinburgh. Despite the efforts wliich 

 have continuously been made in this direction by the Highland 

 and Agricultural and the Arboricultural Societies of Scotland, 

 the Secretary of the former had to report to the Council at its 

 meeting on November 2, 1892 : 



' that he had sent out over 5,500 circulars requesting subscriptions for the 

 endowment of the Chair of Forestry in the University of Edinburgh. 

 He regretted that the result had been disappointing, but that the sum 

 now subscribed from all sources amounted to over ^2,300.' 



This apathy on the part of landowners does not, however, 

 justify any laissez faire policy on the part of Government ; on 

 the contrary, it should make the latter all the more anxious to 

 remedy the educational defect for the benefit of the rural 

 working-classes, and of our timber-consuming industries, both 

 of which would be very directly and materially benefited. 



To commence with the lowest scale of requirements, those 

 affecting the forester or wood-reeve class, the experimental 

 tuition now being given under Professor Balfour's auspices at 

 the Botanic Garden and Arboretum in Edinburgh is a step in 

 the right direction. But whilst it affords the very best oppor- 

 tunities of providing lectures on elementary scientific subjects 

 affecting Forestry, it fails in one essential to practical success ; 

 for the work the men are engaged on, whilst going through the 

 course, is, and must continue to be, either Horticulture or at 

 best Arboriculture, but is certainly not Sylviculture or Forestry. 

 If we were to follow the excellent Bavarian example and 

 I do not think we could do better we should establish 



