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general deductions of meteorological observations, and the like, still remain desiderata. The 

 supply of such information through the forester himself would necessarily cause au euormous 

 loss of time. 



I sliall discuss the points connected with the present question iu the following order, 

 separating the executive from the auxiliary branch. 



. A. Executive Branch. 



1. Preliminary rational forest-survey. 



2. Selection and collection of forest trees. 



3. Testing of timber. 



4. Preservation and keeping of wood-specimens. 



5. Difficulties in carrying out the system and some of its direct advantages. 



B. Auxiliary Branch. 



1. Climatology. 



2. Soil. 



3. Collecting and drying botanical specimens. 



A. Executive Branch. 

 1. Preliminary rational Forest Surrey. 



I call this survey a rational one, as it greatly differs from the present practical forest 

 surveys in every respect. Tlie latter have more to do with the gauging, estimating and work- 

 ing of the forests generally, with reference to a single or a few a priori useful timber trees ; while 

 the former refers to the whole of the forests, and all their natural relations, independent of 

 their practical usefulness.* It is a study of the whole district, of its physical and geological 

 structure, and of all its vegetable products, carried out according to principles harmonious 

 with scientific intuition. The results of such a survey would lead to a correct understanding 

 of the vegetative combinations (forest etc.) and their relationship to soil and climate. Such a 

 survey, of course, requires a botanical training, and, therefore, the work would rest with the 

 higher grades of foresters, and more especially with the Conservators, who a priori, could do 

 little in their position without a good knowledge of botany. 



The carrying out of surveys of this description must necessarily vary according to vary- 

 ing circumstances, and no rules can be laid down in this respect. In hills bordering alluvial 

 plains, it is always useful to try to cross the watersheds at various places from the banks of one 

 tributary to those of another, and, if of some elevation, it is necessary to ascend the highest 

 points. In the plains a zig-zag mode of travelling is the one which places us quickest in a 

 position to acquire a fair knowledge of the country. Travelling in plains which lie along the 

 banks of rivers, is in my opinion a waste of time, for it never gives a correct insight into the 

 nature of the country itself. However, all depends here upon good maps, and more espe- 

 cially upon lithological maps, which latter can best prescribe the routes, these being selected 

 over all the different geological formations, aud over the most varied topographical conditions. 

 Some of the most salient points for the cousideration of soil and climate that come under 

 consideration in such surveys will be found noticed in the auxiliary branch of this report. 



2. Selection and collection of forest trees. 



After a forester has obtained an intimate knowledge of the geology, climate, and physical 

 nature of his district, and has mastered the various varieties of forests, it may reasonably be 

 expected that he will be able to select the trees with due regard to surrounding circumstances, 

 and thus lay the basis for testing the timbers in a ratioual maurier. All, however, depends 

 upon a correct selection of the trees the timber of which is to be tested ; if trees are taken, for 

 instance, from substrata of a doubtfully mixed nature, the deductions regarding the iutluence 

 of substratum upon the quality of timber will necessarily be doubtful, and the results may even 

 be highly injurious to the solution of the question. The chief object in such selections should, 

 therefore, be to obtain the trees frt)m the best marked formations in their typical form. 



I think that the question of the influence of substratum upon the quality of timber should 

 first be settled by experiments. Iu order to arrive at anything really reliable aud decisive, 

 the ubiquitous trees should first be selected, viz. those which grow on the greatest variety 

 of substrata and under the most varied ciimatological conditions. Moist localities, or very 

 fertile deep soils in Europe, usually accelerate the growth of trees, and at the same time 

 render the annual rings broader and the wood softer aud more loose-grained, while the 

 weight, durability, etc., must needs be changed as a natural consequence. Again, while in 

 Europe winters and cold retard the growth of a tree, it is aridity aud heat that produce 

 the same effect in tropical countries. At the same time the quality of the timber, but not 



* Rational forest survey stands thus in a similar relationship to practical forestry as the Geological Survey 

 to practical mining. 



