G—3a

with the forest countries of Northern Europe, are briefly reviewed. For many years forestry education and research was centred in the ancient forest of Vallombrosa (some thirty miles from Florence), and, as the nursery of Italian forestry tradition, must logically first be considered. Vallombrosa 93. An experimental and training forest of 3,500 acres with an altitude range of 1,800 ft. to 4,000 ft. above sea level, Vallombrosa demonstrates typical Italian forest associations, from oak and chestnut in the lower levels, through silver fir to beech in the highest protection belt. Many small stands of exotic species have also been established, Douglas fir showing particular promise. The local annual rainfall is 35-40 in. The old monastery is now the headquarters of the Forest Officer in Charge (Inspector D. Lobina), who demonstrated his forest working plan, typical stands, and the celebrated arboretum, which was established in 1870 and contains a very wide range of exotic conifers. 94. A middle school of forestry was maintained at Vallombrosa for many years but was discontinued in 1941 when the Florence School of Forestry was established! Training and experimental facilities at Vallombrosa include a forest nursery and a school building with lecture-room for visiting forestry students and research officers. Although the older stands were heavily over cut during the war, Vallombrosa is still an inspiring locality and is evidently to Italian foresters as Hyytiala is to Finnish foresters. The School op Forestry, Florence 95. Forestry was united with the Faculty of Agriculture in the University of Florence m 1941, the syllabus of the first two years' training being common to both branches ; the following subjects are taught:— First Year—(l) General Botany. (2) General Zoology. (3) Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals. (4) General and Inorganic Chemistry (including Analysis). (5) Mathematics. (6) Physics. (7) Mineralogy and Geology. Second Year—(B) Systematic Botany. (9) Agricultural Entomology. (10) Zoology. (11) Organic Chemistry. (12) Principles of Political Economy and Statistics. (13) Animal Culture ; or (14) Ecology. 96. In the third and fourth years the forestry students are taken over by the School of Forestry staff, which consists of twelve lecturers (professors).

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