346 
The Principles of Forestry. 
knowledge be obtained ? I will first endeavour to show what 
kind of knowledge is required (what, in fact, is meant by Prin- 
ciples of Forestry) ; then, how it may be obtained ; and finally, 
how it may be applied, and the beneficial results which may be 
expected. 
There are two classes of knowledge required — namely, scien- 
tific and practical. This applies equally to all applied sciences, 
but vitally to forestry. To possess a knowledge of the natural 
sciences applicable to tree growth — botany, geology, zoology, 
entomology, biology, and so forth — is insufficient ; and no one 
possessing a full amount of all or either of them could claim 
to be a forester. But one who possesses such knowledge, espe- 
cially if directed to this particular branch of study, and who 
also possesses a knowledge of those subjects which bear directly 
upon the application — surveying, levelling, drainage of land, 
practical agriculture, timber measuring, economic uses of timber, 
planting, pruning, and final realisation — may fairly claim, if ex- 
perience be added, to be a really efficient and valuable forester. 
This, then, is what should be aimed at ; this should be the defini- 
tion of a true forestry education. Limit it in any way and you 
get imperfection ; carry it through in its entii'ety and you 
obtain, practically, perfection. 
What are the branches of study which may be profitably 
applied to forestry? First, as to science, or art — the latter is 
perhaps the more correct expression. For if we take Johnson's 
definition — science is that which depends on abstract or specu- 
lative principles ; art is that which depends on practice or per- 
formance. This at once shows the impossibility of separating 
the two. No art can be successfully carried on unless science 
is embodied in it. Vegetable physiology, desci-iptive botany, 
morphology, zoology, entomology, biology (in a modified form), 
geology, chemistry (purely elementary of course), form what are 
usually called the scientific branches of forestry. A knowledge 
of our land laws, incidence of taxation, land drainage, surveying, 
and ordinary field engineering, mechanics, uses of materials, 
tree nomenclature and identification, practical forest operations, 
nursery practice, realisation and book-keeping, and such kindred 
subjects, form what may be termed the practical branches of 
forestry. 
It is clear that a knowledge embracing so many subjects 
cannot be acquired without an expenditure of time and money. 
Anything, however, short of this will result in a mere superficial 
acquaintance with a vast and wide-spreading industry. How, 
then, can this be acquired ? It is somewhat strange that the 
woodlands of England should be in such an unsatisfactory con- 
