PREFACE, vif 



It is in accordance with this resolution, and in discharge 

 of obligations which it imposed, that the following volume 

 lias been prepared. 



There is, I find, a general impression that the work of 

 A forester is very simple work : he has just to plant seed- 

 lings or saplings supplied to him by the nurseryman ; to 

 thin out what can be best spared, when, as they grow, 

 they begin to crowd one another; to prune off, if necessary, 

 ■useless branches ; to keep up a good undergrowth to afford 

 ■ahelter to game ; and to superintend the felling of trees 

 when they have reached their maturity. And it is 

 thought there is no great need for any School of Forestry 

 or for any training for such work other than may be 

 acquired by acting for some time as a forester's assistant. 

 This, it is thought, may supply in time to come, as it has 

 often done in time past, all that is required to fit the 

 forester to do all that. — And in regard to the forthcoming 

 exhibition again and again I have been told, ' I wonder 

 what you will get to exhibit.' I have no means of knowing 

 to what extent these views may be shared by my readers. 

 But I hope they know better. As botany, contrary to the 

 fiupposition of many that it only concerns itself with the 

 long unpronounceable Latin and Greek names given to 

 plants, relates to every thing pertaining to vegetation, so forestry 

 or forest science, Forstnissenschaft, contrary to the opinion 

 that it is limited in its sphere as the opinions I have 

 referred to imply, relates to everything connected with 

 forests or pertaining thereto^EVERYTHiNG. 



It does not come within the scope of my present under- 

 taking to attempt to demonstate this; but having affirmed 

 it I publish the following Introduction to the Study of 



