PBEFACE. 



TOR some years I held, along with the Chair of Botany in the 

 South African College, Cape Town, the appointment of Government 

 Botanist at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1865, in giving evidence 

 before a select Committee of the Legislative Council, in answer to 

 the queries, "Have you anything to recommend as the subject of 

 forest economy ? Can you recommend any other mode of taking care 

 of the forests than what is now pursued under the superintendents?" 

 I said, amongst other things, " And thirdly, I recommend the procuring 

 information in regard to the most approved measures of forest economy 

 which are applicable to the management of forests in the colony, by 

 commissioning some one acquainted with these forests to visit the 

 forest schools of Germany, and if it be thought desirable, to visit 

 also the forests in other parts of Europe, and report thereafter what 

 is seen, or suggested by what is seen there applicable to the manage- 

 ment of forests in this country, whether relating to matters connected 

 with private enterprise or Government control." 



After my return to Europe I addressed myself to supply the 

 desideratum, and prepared exhaustive reports on Forest Science, Forest 

 Legislation, and Forest Management in France, on the Forest Schools 

 and Forest Administration in Germany, and on the meteorological effects 

 of forests. Having been invited to spend last summer in St. Peters- 

 burg, I availed myself of the opportunity to verify and extend informa- 

 tion I had previously collected in regard to forestry in jScandinavia, 



330255 



