153 



36. Beyond this and some slight notice of forestry at agricultural 

 colleges, there have been no facilities for forestry-teaching in Britain 

 until within the last half-dozen years. I leave out of reckoning mere 

 examining boards. Can we wonder, then, that there is a general want 

 of intelligent appreciation of scientific forestry ? Even now all that has 

 resulted from the agitation in favour of more attention being given to 

 this subject is — a lectureship on forestry in the University of Edinburgh, 

 supported partly by the Board of Agriculture and partly by an endow- 

 ment from subscriptions among landowners and others (and, I may 

 mention here, forestry is now included as an optional subject in the 

 university curriculum for an agricultural degree) ; a chair, or part of 

 one, in the Royal College of Science at Newcastle, founded conjointly 

 by the Board of Agriculture and the County Council; a course of in- 

 struction in science for practical foresters in the Royal Botanic Garden 

 at Edinburgh, maintained by the Board of Agriculture; and a lecture 

 •course on forestry in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical In- 

 stitute, similarly provided for. I must not omit to mention, too, the 

 beginning, just made, by the Surveyors' Institute of the formation of a 

 forestry museum in London, which should have an important educative 

 influence. Little though it is, I think there is occasion for congratula- 

 tion that even so much has been done to provide instruction, and I 

 would have you note that in this education the different classes con- 

 cerned with forestry are all recognised. Valuable as the teaching so 

 being given is, it must have an effect in showing the need there is for 

 more. In one way the teaching of all these bodies is incomplete, and 

 must be imperfect, inasmuch as they have not the means for practical 

 forestry work. Until this is provided, as I have indicated already, the 

 teaching of forestry cannot be thoroughly carried out. 



37. But, after all, what has been done in the way of supplying our 

 wants in the way of teaching is nothing to what is required if forestry 

 is to be adequately taught in Britain. Dr. Nisbet, who in his book 

 already mentioned, has had the last say on this question, boldly states 

 the requirements at six forestry chairs in universities, and four schools 

 of practical sylviculture in the vicinity of forests. I do not think he 

 puts the needs one whit too high. I should be even disposed to add to 

 them, because I note he has omitted to take into account the claim of 

 Wales, whence there has recently been a request for the establishment 

 of forestry teaching. 



38. But there are two questions strictly pertinent to this demand, 

 which need answering if the proposals are to be brought within the 

 sphere of practicability — firstly, whence are the funds to be obtained for 

 this organisation; and, secondly, where are we to get the teachers? 



39. Dr. Nisbet puts his hand in the Treasury pocket for the money — 

 some five thousand pounds per annum — required by his scheme. I do 

 not think many of us will be so sanguine as to expect the whole financial 

 aid could be directly obtained in this way. But it may be, I think, of 

 significance in regard to this to consider the sources from which money 

 has been forthcoming for what has already been done. The Govern- 

 ment, through the Board of Agriculture, has given most, the remainder 

 has come from the County Councils and from private contributions. 



