35 



trees from the seed which may be easily gathered every 

 autumn. 



The Schools of Forestry have exerted a remarkable influence 

 in Grermany in diffusing among the people a general and genu- 

 ine interest in arboriculture. They regard forests as their friends, 

 and understand their climatic influence and economic value in 

 staying spring torrents, preventing summer droughts and sup- 

 plying lumber and fuel. The Grermans have a passion for 

 nature, and love to frequent their beautiful groves and gardens, 

 for parks and woods abound in or near their cities and towns. 

 The rural and suburban adornment, now the pride and glory 

 of so many beautiful towns in Grermany, and the fruit of this 

 revived love of arboriculture, is largely due to the influence and 

 literature which have emanated from her Schools of Forestry. 

 Hence the wanton forest fires so common and destructive in 

 America are comparatively unknown in Germany. The forest 

 incendiary would be regarded as a common enemy, like the 

 poisoner of an acqueduct, recklessly destroying that which it is 

 the interest of all to preserve. The Forest Schools have created 

 a healthful public sentiment which constitutes the best possible 

 protection of the woods. 



Efforts are now making to organize a Department of Forestry 

 in connection with the University and new Arboretum of Edin- 

 burgh. Hitherto Forestry has been little taught in England, 

 and her young foresters have therefore been educated on the 

 Continent. There is a growing conviction of the need of such 

 institutions in England, due largely to the able and persistent 

 exertions of Kev. J. C. Brown, LL.D., to whom I am indebted for 

 many statements given in this paper. The London Journal of 

 Forestry says : "The University of Edinburgh possesses remark- 

 able facilities for the creation of a School of Forestry, which with 

 some slight additions could be easily converted into a thoroughly 

 equipped Forest Department, capable of teaching the science of 

 Forestry in the most complete and efficient manner.* Sach an 

 Institution is one of the greatest wants of the age in this country, 

 and no country in the world requires it more. With India, 

 Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, not to 

 mention numerous smaller dependencies of the British Empire, 



* This language is equally applicable to tlie Sheffield Scientific School and to 

 several scientific schools in other States, 



