FORESTRY EDUCATION 45 



of afforestation ; (2) the purchase and planting of 

 land found after enquiry suitable for afforestation)." 



Among their other investigations the Commis- 

 sioners turned their attention to the forestry problem, 

 and it is beyond dispute that they took up the ques- 

 tion in a spirit of enthusiasm and approached it from 

 the proper view-point, as the following brief resume 

 of what was accomplished in the brief interval of 

 four years allotted to them before the war burst 

 upon us will I think sufficiently indicate. Forestry 

 education, advisory work by qualified experts, and 

 the training of qualified experts were placed in the 

 forefront of the Commissioners' policy alike in agri- 

 culture and forestry. They put their finger direct 

 upon the open sore in both industries, for without 

 the trained men advance in either direction was 

 impossible. Omitting Ireland, to which I will 

 return, England, Scotland, and Wales were spUt up 

 into natural groups of counties, and a forestry 

 adviser appointed to each under the Boards of 

 Agriculture, the salaries of these officers being 

 defrayed from a grant from fhe Development Fund, 

 These officers were attached to either the University 

 or Agricultural College existing in their centre. 

 Private proprietors could obtain advice froifi the 

 advisers on planting up-^reas of their land or on 

 the management of their woods. This action on 

 the part of the Commissioners was one of the most 

 progressive achievements for the advance of British 

 forestry yet made in Britain. Funds were also 

 allocated with the object of initiating economic 



