The Principles of Forestry. 
353 
point has ah'eady had a marked effect in the development of 
teaching, and in the desire for instruction. 
I have before stated that this instruction can now be 
obtained by the students at the Agi'icultural Colleges if they, 
when they leave, spend a short time on some estate where there 
is a large area of woodland, managed on approved principles. 
More, however, may be done by a well-organised series of 
lectures in London, or some other centre, on the subjects which 
relate to the principles of forestry already specified. This 
course of instruction should be coupled with demonstration 
classes in the Museum of Natural History in Cromwell Road, 
or at the Museums and Gardens of Kew. There is ample 
material for instruction in these noble institutions and in many 
of the provincial museums, but it is unproductive from want of 
appreciation. 
I shall now endeavour to show how, by a course of lectures 
in London encouraged by a Board of Forestry, the knowledge 
of forestry may be advanced. London being, as it were, the head- 
centre, holds out inducements which can be offered by no other 
centre to the young and forthcoming land-agents, students 
of the Surveyors' Institution, private pupils, articled clerks, 
and others. Lecturers on the various subjects are there ; the 
accommodation, museums, exhibitions, &c., are there. Woods, 
forests, the gardens of Kew, and nurseries are within easy . 
reach ; everything, in fact, which is requisite is focussed 
there. 
If the Forest Board recommended by the Select Committee 
were formed, probably one of their chief functions would be to 
encourage and promote such a course of lectures, and, further, 
by offering certificates of merit or diplomas on the passing of a 
strictly scientific and practical examination, to stimulate the 
desire to obtain the training. 
Such lectures would, I believe, when once started, be largely 
attended, and would probably become, to a great extent, self- 
supporting. There need be no establishment — that is, no money 
for the present need be expended upon bricks and mortar — 
for many of our learned bodies would, I feel sure, willingly 
lend their lecture-rooms for the purpose. Knowledge might be 
further advanced by throwing open to the professors and students 
at all times, or at certain seasons, the New Forest or other 
Hampshire forests, the Windsor woodlands, and other Crown 
areas. Private owners, too, might do much, and probably 
would, by permitting, under proper control, the classes to enter 
their woods and inspect the works in progress. Forest 
fiurserymen would willingly, I believe, throw open their nurserieg 
VOL. XXIV. — S, S, A 4 
