India in 1887 as seen by Robert Wallace / [Robert Wallace].

  • Robert Wallace
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: India in 1887 as seen by Robert Wallace / [Robert Wallace]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    for minutuu of detail, general scope, and thoroughness, is the finest in the world, is admitted to be too elaborate for the requirements of India, and not altogether in the right direction. The French School has been abandoned by the British Government, with the object of supporting the College of Cooper’s Hill, to which they are in a manner bound. The forestry curriculum at Cooper’s Hill is merely a make-shift, and not altogether satisfactory as regards its object. This is mainly due to want of proper facilities for practical instruction, and to many of the collateral science classes, which forestry students are re- quired to attend, being taught with a special bearing on the subjects suitable for students undergoing training for other branches of the Government service. An additional disadvantage is the cost, which is far above what it might be or ought to be. It would be a better arrangement, both for the students and for the Forestry Department, to provide in this country a sound theoretical course extending over say about two years,—such a course as might be provided for one-half of the present expenditure, at Edinburgh, or any other centre similarly situated as regards conveniences offered for prac- tical demonstrations in well-managed public or private forests. The final stages of the course of training could then be most advantageously and economically undertaken in India, say at the existing School of Forestry at Dchra Dun, which, however, would require to be elevated to a school of higher status and greater proficiency. Not only are the details of management of Indian forests quite different, but the trees are also different from the trees of Europe, and consequently a knowledge of the natural rotation of European forest trees would be no guide to the natural rotation of forest trees in India. When a more perfect knowledge of natural rotations and of the con- ditions suitable to natural reproduction and growth of forest trees is arrived at, much valuable time and public
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