H.—sb

PART 111.

VARIOUS GOVERNMENT REPORTS ON STATE FORESTS.

REPORTS on FOREST MANAGEMENT, in GERMANY, AUSTRIA, and GREAT BRITAIN by Captain CAMPBELL WALKER F.R.G.S., Staff Corps, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Madras; With EXTRACTS from REPORTS by Mr. GUSTAV MANN, Mr ROSS, and Mr T. W. WEBBER j And a MEMORANDUM by D. BRANDIS, Ph.D., Inspector-General of Forests to the Government of India, on the Professional Studies of Forest Officers on Leave.

PREFACE BY DR. BRASDIS. The reports which are collected in this volume have been printed by order of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India in Council, at the recommendation of tho undersigned. In 18G6 arrangements were made to enable forest officers, who come to Europe during their furlough, to increase their professional knowledge by studying forest management and other subjects connected with forestry in this country and on the continent of Europe. A number of officers have availed themselves of these arrangements, and it appeared desirable to publish a selection of such of the reports received as seemed likely to prove useful to others who may follow their example. It is a matter of regret that no reports of a similar character, by officers who had studied in the State and Communal Eorests of France, could be included in this volume. A number of foresters from different parts of India have had the privilege of studying forestry in France ; they have been received with the greatest kindness; every assistance has been shown them, and they have derived great benefit from their studies. At first sight it may seem a somewhat bold and fanciful idea, to expect forest officers from India to profit by studying forestry in Europe under a climate totally different, and in forests composed of other kinds of trees; but actual experience has shown that tho professional knowledge acquired in European forests is of great practical use in India. There is hardly a question or difficulty of importance which arises in connection with forest administration in India, whether in regard to forest rights, or the working or the regeneration and improvement of the forests, which has not been dealt with practically over and over again by foresters in Europe. It is not too much to say, that no important steps should be taken in Indian forest administration without first ascertaining what has been done, or what ought to have been done, under analogous circumstances in Europe ; and whatever progress has been made in Indian forest management, that progress is due to a great extent to the lessons we have learnt in the public and private forests of Europe. Much of what Indian foresters learn in Europe may not at once appear to be practically applicable to India, but so it is with all branches of knowledge. If we were to limit our studies to those subjects of which we see the immediate use for practical purposes, our progress would be poor, and our views would remain narrow and one-sided. D. Bbandis. —♦-

I. Repobt on State Fobests and Fobest Management in Germany and Austria. By Captain Campbell Walkeb, Staff Corps, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Madras. Dated Ist October, 1872. My tour of inspection on the continent extended over four months and a half, of which I spent the first nine weeks in the Province of Hanover, making myself acquainted with the system of forestry pursued in all its details ; and the remaining period in visiting the forests of other countries, acquiring a knowledge of their extent, situation, and yield, the general plan of management and administration, the establishments found necessary for their organization, and their respective duties. I—H. sb.

Introduction.