REPORT OF MR. FRANCIS H. APPLETON.
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good illustrations representing animals and plants indigenous to our country, to all employes connected with forest^, village school teachers, country parsons, head selectmen or judges, and other proper personages; and finally, the establishment of small collections in schools for the use of the pupils.Without a
sufficient acquaintance with the animals, their nature and habits, their working for or against our interests, we are not benefited by any exhortation to the protection of those which aid us, for man is much more inclined to destroy than to protect. As knowledge increases, so increases also our interest for the animals, and with the latter arise the inclination and effort to protect where we should protect, and to destroy where destruction is necessary to insure the safety of the useful animals. A mere acquaintance with the external appearance of a bird is insufficient; we must be instructed also in regard to his relation to other (birds and) animals, in order to be able to appreciate his working and activity ; we should also study his dependence upon the vegetable kingdom. .... The best thing will ever remain the safeguard of universal intelligence. He who has become really acquainted with their life, nature, habits and works will be in a condition to do what is proper for their protection in a given case; he who does not know them will perhaps display friendly feeling, but only exceptionally give them the proper aid. I therefore place the diffusion of qrnithological information before every other measure.”
Experimenal forestry stations are at present in existence in different parts of Austria, Germany and elsewhere in Europe, where carefully prepared plans for investigation in this branch are constantly being followed, with a view to increase, as much as possible, knowledge, as to the proper treatment of forests which will make them yield the greatest benefit. In conversation with some of the most prominent men connected with forestry in Austria, I was told that the- effects of forestry on climate, although it has been long studied in Germany with the greatest possible care, was yet unsettled. Strenuous efforts are being made to improve the means of investigating this subject throughout Europe, by international action in the matter.
On the fourth day of the congress, upon the subject, " What points in the conduction of experimental forestry call for the establishment of an international system of ob-