British Forest Trees. By John Nisbet, D.CEc. (Macmillan.)— We do
not know whether the via prima salutes for British agri- culture, in its present imperilled condition, is to be found in " silviculture," but there is at least a chance of help in that direction. Only the subject must be dealt with scientifically. It would be safe to say that not one land-owner in ten has in his employ a really trained and competent forester. Most of those that bear this name know but little more than how to cut a tree down with safety and expedition ; as to making it grow, and say- ing where it will grow best, and in what company, that is quite beyond their range of knowledge. Here we have a really intelli- gent writer actually professing to deal with the subject of woodlands," and, as Mr. Nisbet points out, not knowing an elementary truth relating to it. We cannot pretend to give any account of Mr. Nisbet's work, much less to criticise it. But we have no hesitation in recommending it as a treasury of care- fully collected knowledge on its subject.
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