Journal  of  Horticulture,  February  IS,  1903, 
IRo^al  ^cottieb  Hrboricultural  Society, 
JUBILEE  CELEBRATION. 
HE  interests  of  the  forestry  industry,  in  wliich  numbers  of 
our  readers  are  largely  or  wholly  concerned,  are  promoted 
and  protected  in  the  northern  half  of  Great  Britain  by  the 
Scottish  Arborieultural  Society,  whose  jubilee  was  cele¬ 
brated  on  Tuesday  evening  in 
Edinburgh. 
We  are 
privileged  to  reproduce  on  this  page  the  portraits  of  the  president, 
W.  Steuart  Fotheringham  of  Murthly ;  of  the  honorary  secretary, 
11.  C.  Munro-Perguson,  M.P. ;  and  the  secretary,  Robert  Galloway, 
S.S.C.  The  two  former  are  well  known  figures  in  their  public 
capacities,  and  they  do  their  duty  to  their  country  in  accepting  the 
posts  they  hold  in  the  Arborieultural  Society.  Both  the  president 
and  the  honorary  secretary  are  large  owners  of  land  in  Scotland,  and 
Murthly,  Raith,  and  Novar  are  known  to 
all  of  us.  Mr,  Galloway,  as  secretary,  is 
respected  for  his  unfailing  courtesy,  help- 
1 1llness,  and  ardour  for  Avork,  and  it  must 
also  be  a  joy  to  him  to  mark  the  success  of 
the  society’s  labours. 
*  *  * 
The  society  was  established  in  1854  Avith 
a  vicAV  to  further  the  education  of  foresters 
and  landoAvners,  not  only  as  to  the  modus 
operandi  of  successful  Avood  manage¬ 
ment  and  groAvth  of  plantations,  but  to 
enlighten  the  public  mind  as  to  the  national 
importance  of  home-groAvn  timber.  The 
society  Avas  also  meant  to  be  a  bond  of 
union  amongst  practical  foresters,  Avho  till 
then  Avere  largely  isolated  units  Avithout 
social  ties. 
The  first  president  Avas  Mr.  James 
BroAvn,  Avood  commissioner  to  the  Earl  ol 
Seafield,  and  during  the  fifty  years  of  the 
society’s  history  many  eminent  men  have 
occupied  the  presidential  chair  ;  indeed,  a 
glance  at  the  list  of  past  presidents  shoAvs 
that  the  members  haA-e  had  rather  a  Aveak- 
ness  for  men  Avitli  titles,  eminent  or  other- 
AA'ise,  Amongst  them  Avere  the  late  Earl  of 
Stair,  the  Duke  of  Athole,  the  Earl  of 
Airlie,  the  Marquis  of  LinlithgOAV,  the 
of  management  haAC  always  been  coinpcscd  cf  the  leading  foresters 
and  estate  managers  of  Scotland,  as  Avell  as  a  number  of  prominent 
nurserymen,  chiefiy  of  Edinburgh,  Avho  have  Avorked  hard  to  achieve 
the  success  that  has  largely  attended  the  operations  of  the  society. 
In  1869  the  late  <,)ueen  V’ietoria  became  Patron,  and  in  1887  granted 
permission  to  use  the  title  “  Royal.”  The  offering  of  prizes  for 
essays  cn  practical  subjects  and  for  inventions  connected  Avith 
appliances  used  in  forestry,  Avas  one  of  the  first  things  undertaken  by 
the  society,  and  have  been  continued  ever  since,  Avith  much  valuable 
educational  results.  These,  published  in  the  annual  Transactions  of 
the  society,  Avhieh  began  in  1856,  haA’e  ahvays  been  largely  read  and 
appreciated  by  tlie  members.  No  feAver  than  397  medals  and  money 
prizes  have  been  presented. 
In  1884  the  society  pi’omoted  the  great 
Forestry  Exhibition  in  Edinburgh,  Avhieh 
Avas  most  successful^  and  did  much  to 
popularise  its  Avork  and  to  increase  an 
interest  in  its  proceedings.  Through  its 
infiueneo  a  lectureship  on  forestry  Avas 
started  in  Edinburgh  University  in  1889, 
and  has  been  continued  since.  The  society 
has  long  aimed  at  founding  a  Chair  of 
Forestry  in  the  I'niversity,  and  has  raised- 
a  sum  of  £584  tOAvards  this  object.  A 
station  for  research  and  experiment,  and 
a  model  forest  are  also  aimed  at.  Mean¬ 
time,  Mr.  Munre-Ferguson,  M.P.,  the 
honorary  secretary,  Avho  has  done  splendid 
service  to  the  society,  for  a  part  of  Avhose 
Avoods  at  Raith  a  Avorking  plan  has  been 
prepared,  and  is  noAV  in  operation — has  very 
kindly  agreed  to  alloAV  students  to  A'isi't 
them. 
For  tAventy-five  years  Avell  organised  ex¬ 
cursions  haA’e  been  made  annually  to 
various  parts  of  Scotland,  England,  and 
Ireland.  In  1895  a  tour  of  tAvelve  days  Avas 
made  through  the  forests  of  northern 
Germany,  and  in  1902  a  tour  extending 
over  seventeen  days  Avas  made  in  SAveden. 
During  the  present  year  an  excursion  to 
R.  C.  Munro=rerguson,  M.P.,  lion.  Sec. 
Robert  OallOAvay,  S.S.C.,  Sec.  lO  Treas. 
Marquis  of  Lothian,  Sir  Herbert  MaxAvell,  the  late  Professor  Balfour, 
and  his  son,  the  present  Professor  Bayley  Balfour,  Dr.  Cleghorn  of 
Stravithie,  Mr.  Munro  Ferguson,  M.P.,  the  Earl  of  Mansfield,  &e. 
The  present  president  is  Mr.  Steuart  Fotheringham  'of  Murthly, 
Perthshire,  an  estate  noted  for  its  splendid  Avoods,  The  committees 
the  forest  districts  of  France  is  contemplated.  Exhibitions  of  forest 
products  and  objects  of  interest  are  noAV  being  held  annually  in  eoii- 
neetion  Avith  the  Highland  and  Agricultural  Society’s  great  exhi¬ 
bitions  of  cattle  and  implements.  Some  years  ago  the  Arborieultural 
Society,  in  co-operation  Avith  the  Horticultural  and  Botanical  Societies 
