meas s Ses ae Se ‘4 ay Cate tet Ke ae way oe ea ‘4 Ue gtk ae i ath Rams a ivtet ravi Lats rie > wah ( Vig Pe he ce ah xe z tM 4 f), Weep hee Phe ‘ iv ES ra ue sine nie Ay svete! Mapai ‘ PMA EAN fyi*s'} ‘e eae a3 Paley * Me bay . ~) yy ae Ni sinter a wee he ri ith ; ) SF anh ‘atvrtt i) i Rant \ hal Pit RY Wee The Nene ne $ i ‘ya! vy nia, en i iar "i Wen sh wi tee Daa LR aE i " gn : ine ; i va? seth ihe in War Oats | haa Agi ees i Pay ns ha ee RA HL ; eae \ Banh bah dathn ee ey ae {" a fy sa 7 Hey hrhthateh fia nan o ii ie stent hy KG aN Wie ar iteveata ati Cr TRIN Cae aia Nar SH i sles me a8 Ba) Ni MA atibene rb eile Ky Ke es Pa a ue, , yierinant "Os We i oh ‘ ree CA ee 4 a7) % ae Ad Ny aes baat seen asi Uy ‘i MAAS web eR RAC | 4 4 yg ne ENS al y DeAat 1 etwas Loaf ie A itncei bs wk AIRGAS ra hs, SiMe 8, by ie ta tit h ¥ Satie oi root a ty ask i Xt; My) it ee ys M4 ba iih i st Aor, ene iia it i ne tN Wate Shuts ye (7 y ae fet 4 yi) a a We i maine Mics tiNeat ita ve 44 ‘ cy , ie i wane pe) "i re cate gt Y aS Ae Sie cee A aes, ee oh ; ate UNG pee an, * oe st a i oa oe ahsthen es 4d aie ae Haile ee LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN BIBRA S dsuciv adele BUTANICAL GARDEN Baws a ao a sy yen aye aca ee)! a AL BOCTECY a) \ La i’ - wy N et a ie , ete | ets ‘ iy of ta Lil ae | wis a ial A WA POC LB ENG a te gaint cali suse Neon A, Mid ie - os in ; : 4 fi \ 7 y "4 if ; i ‘ i { yi in I i ae a ; “ay iP ib ; f2 : : bie i, yf 7 A by 7 1 ‘ i, 7 ' AY oh ¢ $i; aj ate ‘ ° | ? if 7) i SA any ui Pa dee 5 i} eee .y! ae Ba ; ‘ ay ie ae fo 4 iv) i ee hd ; hy eae ALS tA ee bi 5 had ; ihe rh yF " mY \ G TRANSACTIONS ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. A. W.. BORTHWICE,. D.Sc. HONORARY EDITOR, ROBERT GALLOWAY, S.8.C., SECRETARY AND TREASURER. bia O 3 baie. Co. i. © EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY. SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET. EOL5: (LIBRARY ..EW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN ee ee er oo ee COMEBN TS: The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or views expressed by the authors of papers. . The Home Pitwood Supply. By J. H. Milne Home . . Wood Charcoal—Its Manufacture and Use. By W. D. Ashton Bost . Dupplin Castle Estates, Perthshire. By W. Dawson 4. The Planting of the Sand Dunes at Culbin (with Plates). By 10. II. 12. ed 14. 15. 16. ‘ly 18. P. Leslie, M.A., B.Sc., Marischal College, Aberdeen . Observations on the Annual Increment of Spruce, Scots Pine and Japanese Larch. By J. H. Milne Home . On the Production of Potash Salts from Woodlands and Waste Lands (with Plate). By G. P. Gordon, B.Sc. . The District Advisory Forest Officers of Hae Board of Agriculture . Continental Notes—France. By A. G. Hobart-Hampden . Proposed Scheme for the Afforestation of the Camps Catch- ment Area, Middle Ward, Lanarkshire. By G. P. Gordon, B.Sc. ‘ : ; = . The Present Condition of Forestry in Italy. By Prof. Lodovico Piccioli, Forest Inspector at Catanzaro (Calabria) . Extra-Tropical Forestry in Portugal. By D. E. Hutchins . Classification of Moorland at Fersit for Purposes of Planting (with Plate). By Donald Grant Japanese Larch. By Prof. A. Henry German Forest Notes. (Continued from Vol. xxvii. p. 222.) By B. Ribbentrop, C.I.E. Supply of Home-grown Telegraph and eierentaee Poles Methods of Nursery Work (with Plate). By Alex. Murray, Murthly . : : ; : ; Nursery and Plantation Competition Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show at Hawick, 14th to 17th July 1914 PAGE 55 62 70 73 ry | 79 89 94 97 104 19. 25+ CONTENTS. Notes and Queries :—Afforestation of Privately-owned Lands —Collection and Storage of Forest Seeds—The Utilisation of Small Home-Grown Timber—A Useful Type of Stile —Re-introduction of Scots Pine (Pinus Siluestris) into Southern England—Abnormal Growths on Willow Trees —The Janker Cart (with Plate)—Home Grown Pitwood . Reviews and Notices of Books :—Hardy Trees and Shrubs in the British Isles. By W. J. Bean, Assistant Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Two volumes, 1440 pp., with over 250 line-drawings and 64 half-tone illustrations. Price £2, 2s. net. London: John Murray Trees. A Woodland Notebook containing Observations on certain British and Exotic Trees. By the Right Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bt, F.RS., LL.D. D.C.L. Illustrated with photographs by Mr Henry Irving and others. 21s. net. Glasgow: Maclehose & Sons . Physiography of the United States and Principles of Soils in Relation to Forestry. By Professor Isaiah Bowman. xxii +759 pp. Price 2ts. net. New York: J. Wiley and Sons; London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd., 1911. The Artificial Production of Vigorous Trees. By Augustine Henry, M.A..F.LS.,M RIA. Journal of the Depart- ment of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, vol. xv. No 1 Obituary Notice :—Dr a Nisbet Aerial Railway erected on the Lovat Estate, Inverness-shire (with Plates). By Gilbert Brown, Wood Manager, Strathspey : ; Mode of Infection of Larch Canker. By Sir John Stirling- Maxwell, Bart. : ; ; : : . David Douglas. By F. R. S. Balfour ; : . The Selecting of Telegraph Poles in the Forest of Enzie. By T. Sharpe, Manager of Woods, Gordon Castle A Braconid Parasite on the Pine Weevil, Hy/obius abietis. By J. W. Munro, B.Sc.(Agr.), B.Sc.(Arb.), Edin. . A New Species of Larch (with Plate) The ‘‘ Hybrid Larch” (with Plate). By J. M. Murray, BSc. : P : ~ ? North American Forest Trees in Britain (with Plates). By Prof. A. Henry Forest-Tree Growing in the South Island, New Zealand. By R. G. re a sak ae maine South Island , PAGE 109 120 120 127 165 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33: CONTENTS. Note on the Occurrence in Scotland of Megastigmus pinus in the Seed of Abies a Lindl. By eae Fraser, B.Sc. : ; : Note on Beneficial Insects. | R. Stewart MacDougall, M.A., D.Sc. : ; : The Canker of the Scots Pine caused by Dasyscypha subtilissima, Cooke (with Plate). By A. W. Borthwick, D.Sc., and Malcolm Wilson, D.Sc., F.L.S., Lecturer in Mycology in the University of Edinburgh . : The Two Rust Diseases of the Spruce (with Plate). By A. W. Borthwick, D.Sc., Advisory Officer for Forestry to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and Malcolm Wilson, D.Sc., F.L.S., Lecturer in a ee in the University of Edicburets F The Great War. The Society’s Roll of Honour — Fourth Report of the Development Commissioners for the year ending 31st March 1914 Notes and Queries:—Appointment for Hon. Editor (with Portrait)—Excursion, Exhibition, and Nursery and Planta- tion Competitions—Japanese Larch—Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir at Mount Melville (with Plate)— Timber Removing (with Plate)—Cucurbitaria pithyophila, Fries.— Timber Growing for Profit—Employment in Forestry for Women and Disabled Soldiers— Afforestation, and Soldiers and Sailors returning at the end of the War Reviews and Notices of Books :—Chinese Forest Trees and Timber Supply. By Norman Shaw, B.A. 351 pp. with a map and 33 illustrations. Price tos. 6d. net. London and Leipsic: T. Fisher Unwin Pocket Register of Woods and Plantations, By James W.. Mackay. Published = The oe Gentleman’s Association, Ltd. The Law of Forestry in Great Britain and Teaieed, com- prising the Law relating to Trees and the Law relating to Trespass and Game. xlviii+400 pp., including index and tables. By Benaiah W. Adkin, Fellow of the Surveyors’ Institution, etc. Price tos. London: The Estates Gazette, Ltd. : ; : : Wood-Pulp and its Uses. By C. F. Cross, E. J. Bevan, and R. W. Sindall, with the collaboration of W. N. Bacon. xi-+ 270 pp., with 25 illustrations. Price 6s. net. London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1911 Obituary :—The Late Mr David W. Thomson Proceedings of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 1915, with Appendices, V PAGE 178 180 184 187 192 199 204 214 215 215 216 ae: at vary etait: ‘agp ee. a Hiei Es ee by Sec ® | ne yey? ee . ty seed SEY peel OE me. gay Hegel et Sa e al aie, | ¥ ee a ae a - “9 ay at a4 os J "7 a sn SU Ria “" 7 Sea ks ti - 2 s = ~ = ‘ ae oD | he 2 7 “eh Ay ’ ‘i 7 . 4 oy Tans t i ; ‘ f ‘ ue tr @ es . ¢ bal t ‘ if 5 ; 7 a . . ' i ‘i 4 ‘ r ie st - ¢ m ' rag 4 ‘ ,; ‘tony a eaeee Says Y oe f . F ") ye | 7D ©. ¥ * _ ’ pa ps j r* We be . - . f rf : é Lt ’ « et 5 aia ‘ s = * an Sana | ws pe Ae 7 2 ° z ( ASR 0 RES ‘ "ta . See Le - ‘ > AYE § . 4) i ; “ag » a ees gis : TRANSACTIONS : ROYAL | SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. | VOL. XXIX.—PART I. | January 1915. A. W. BORTH WICK DSc. HONORARY EDITOR. ROBERT GALLOWAY, 8.8.C., SECRETARY AND TREASURER. ) ? 2 , ) ! | 3 | 3 7 | 3 3 aS PS) WE 4 ‘th, ERY EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY. A.& J. MAIN & C2»L™- MANUFACTURERS OF CONTINUOUS BAR FENCING. WROT. IRON RAILINGS. HURDLES. GATES. PALE FENCING. TREE GUARDS, &c. All kinds of Iron and _— | Wire FENCING, with +: \ SENZA erat H. Iron Standards and a | Patent Earthplates. wolf valle in tte [atlantis Yel li. Estimates on receipt fet See Ghd a of full particulars. oa | cae s ee Roofing and Fencing Catalogues on Application. GALVANIZED WIRE NETTING FENGING WIRE ana GALVANIZED CORRUGATED SHEETS at Lowest Prices. SPECIAL QUOTATIONS ON APPLICATION. CLYDESDALE IRON WORKS, POSSILPARK, GLASGOW. 31 BUDGE ROW, CORN EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, . LONDON, E.C. EDINBURGH. ADVERTISEMENTS. KEITH & Co. ADVERTISING AGENTS 43 GEORGE STREET EDINBURGH ADVERTISEMENTS of every kind are received for insertion in the Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Publications throughout the United Kingdom. Notices of Sequestration, Dissolution of Partnership, Entail, ete., ete., for the Edinburgh and London Gazettes, are given special care and attention. Legal Notices, Heirs Wanted, and all other Advertisements, are inserted in the Colonial and Foreign Newspapers. Small Advertisements, such as Situations, Houses, and Apart- ments, Articles Wanted and For Sale, etc., etc., can be addressed to a No. at Keith & Co.’s Office, 43 George Street, Edinburgh, where the replies will be retained until called for, or, if desired, forwarded by Post. Parties in the country will find this a very convenient method of giving publicity to their requirements. A SPECIALITY is made of ESTATE and AGRICULTURAL ADVERTISEMENTS, such as FARMS, MANSION HQUSES, etc., to LET, ESTATES for SALE, SALES OF TIMBER, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, etc. LAW and ESTATE AGENTS, FACTORS, TOWN CLERKS, CLERKS TO SCHOOL BOARDS, and other Officials may, with confidence, place their advertisements in the hands of the Firm. One Copy of an Advertisement is sufficient to send for any number of newspapers; and the convenience of having only one advertising account instead of a number of advertising accounts is also a great saving of time and trouble. Addressing of Envelopes with Accuracy and Despatch. ‘Telegramse—‘‘ PROMOTE,’’ EDINBURGH. Telephone No. 316. Telegraphic Address: ‘LARCH,’ EDINBURGH. Telephone No. 2034. e oe Awarded 4 Gold and 4 Silver Medals at recent Flower Shows held in Edinburgh. DAVID W. THOMSON Nurseryman and Seedsman 113 GEORGE STREET —— EDINBURGH. — NURSERIES—Granton Rd. & Boswall Rd. AN EXTENSIVE AND WELL-GROWN STOCK OF Forest Trees of all kinds, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Rhododendrons and Flowering Shrubs, Game Covert Plants, Fruit Trees, Roses and Climbing Plants, Herbaceous and Alpine Plants, ALL IN SPLENDID CONDITION FOR REMOVAL. INSPECTION INVITED. CATALOGUES POST FREE ON APPLICATION. Seed Warehouse—113 GEORGE STREET. Selected Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Bulbs and Forcing Plants, Retarded Bulbs and Plants, Garden Tools, Manures, &c. CATALOGUES POST FREE ON APPLICATION. ADVERTISEMENTS. DOUGLAS 8 FOULIS BOOKSELLERS xv LIBRARIANS Be eee Et ES SS SSO STANDARD WORKS ON FORESTRY Kept in Stock. An extensive Stock of New Books in all Classes of Literature at the usual Discount Prices also Books for Presentation in handsome Bindings Catalogues of Surplus Library Books at greatly Reduced Prices issued at intervals. Gratis and Post Free to any Address 9 CASTLE STREET, EDINBURGH ‘¢The Forester’s Friend.” "“SMEAROLEU|!V\”’ ANTI-RODENT SMEAR. Protective Oleaginous Smear for Young Plantations, &c., and Standard Trees in Parks and Paddocks—Forest, Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Thoroughly prevents ‘‘ Barking” by Rabbits, Ground Game and other Rodents, Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Deer, &c., and the Ravages of Insect Pests, &c., affecting Trees. PRICES :— In Barrels, 40 to 45 gallons, . 3 oa Half-Barrels, 20 to 25 Gauents een Cases, 16 gallons, . / . 2/10 Half-Cases, 8 gallons, . . 3/- Drums, iz gallons, . ; f 2219 6 Gallons, . : : - BS} per g rallon The 2a contain Four 4-gal. cans; Half-Cases contain Two 4-gal. cans. aso makers oF RIDOWE ED, tre LeapiNG WEED KILLER. Prices on Application. All prices Carriage Paid, in lots of 20]- and upwards, to Buyers’ nearest Railway Station— Drums returnable ; all other packages free. THOMAS & CO.’S Preparations are used on the largest Estates in the Kingdom, and in the Parks of His Majesty's Government and the Parks and Gardens of H.M. The King. Full Particulars, with Directions for Use, and Users’ Opinions, on application to the Sole Makers :— THOMAS & CO., LTD., Ceres Works, LIVERPOOL. Telegraphic Address—‘ARBORISTS, LIVERPOOL.” Telephone: 307 Royal. ADVERTISEMENTS. The West of Scotland Agricultural College, BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY. Day and Evening Classes, which provide a complete Course of Instruction in Forestry, qualifying (fro tanto) for the B.Sc. Degree of the University of Glasgow, for the Diploma of the Highland and Agricultural Society, and for the Diploma of the College, are held during the Winter Session (October to March) at the College. Syllabus and particulars regarding these Classes and Prospectus of the general work of the College, including the Course for the Examination of the Surveyor’s Institution, may be obtained free from the Secretary. EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 13 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH. THE College is one of the Central Institutions administered by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and is intended to provide for Agricultural Education and Research in the Central and South- eastern Counties. DAY CLASSES. The Day Classes, in conjunction with certain University Classes, provide full courses of instruction in Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, and the Allied Sciences, and qualify for the College Diploma, the College Certificate in Horticulture, the Degrees of B.Sc. in Agriculture and B.Sc. in Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and for other Examinations and Certificates in the Science and Practice of Agriculture. SHORT COURSES AND EVENING CLASSES. Short Courses in Agriculture and Forestry are given annually; and Evening Classes in Agriculture, Chemistry, Veterinary Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Botany, and Zoology are held during the Winter Session. Particulars of Classes, and information as to Bursaries tenable at the College, will be found in the Calendar, which will be forwarded on application to the Secretary, ALEXANDER M‘CALLUM, M.A., LL.B. ADVERTISEMENTS. Established 1842. FOREST TREES Large Stocks of Seedling, and Transplanted True Native SCOTS FIR, MENZIES, DOUCLAS, NORWAY SPRUCE, Etc. All grown from carefully selected seed, in an open and exposed situation, thoroughly hardy, and well furnished with abundance of fibrous roots. Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Specimen Ornamental Trees for Lawns and Avenues. Trees and Shrubs for Seaside Planting. Plants for Game Coverts, Underwood and Hedges. Special quotations for large quantities, and estimates furnished for planting by contract in any part of the country. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUES AND SAMPLES ON APPLICATION, W. SMITH & SON, PRurserymen, ae ABERDEEN, N.B. SAVE MONEY ”™ one's BLACK’S GREOSOTING PLANTS Which are specially adapted for Estates and Timber Trades. ~“2B[i THE PRESSURE SYSTEM. Most of the Creosoting Plants working on Estates in Great Britain have been Supplied by us, and References can be given. THE BOILING METHOD. 7@— Our Plants are also suitable for Burnettizing Timber. GEORGE BLACK = & SONS, Creosoting Engineers and Creosote Oil Merchants, TWEEDMOUTH BOILER WORKS BERWICK-ON-TWEED. ADVERTISEMENTS, Telegrams : Telephones . ‘‘ROBINSONS, GLASGOW.” WESTERN S063, 4 Lines. ROBINSON, DUNN & GO, Timber Importers, Partick Sawmills, GLASGOW. > Sawing, Planing, and Moulding Mills at PARTICK and TEMPLE. TIMBER PRESERVING WORKS AT TEMPLE. CREOSOTING AND ‘B.M.” PROCESSES. FOREST TREES, FRUIT TREES, SHRUBS, ROSES, &c., Grown in a most exposed situation on Heavy Soils, therefore the hardiest procurable. Every Requisite for Forest, Farm, and GaArpEN. Estimates for Planting by Contract furnished. CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION. W. & T. SAMSON, KILMARNOCK. ESTABLISHED 1759. JAMES JONES & SONS, LTD., LARBERT SAWMILLS, All kinds of HOME TIMBER in the Round or Sawn-up, SUITABLE FOR RAILWAYS, SHIPBUILDERS, COLLIERIES, CONTRACTORS, COACHBUILDERS, CARTWRIGHTS, &c. &c. ADVERTISEMENTS. HARDY GROWN NORTH COUNTRY PLANTS. Very Exceptional Values Now offering in Seedsmen and Nurserymen cc, FOREST TREES, &c. H of all the leading Varieties of C h O | ce Stoc ks Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Covert and Hedge A meee Plants, Rhododendrons, Fruit Trees & Roses a Speciality. ] privet, Hollies, Laurels, All the most approved Varieties. &e., &e. s@ Above Stocks all clean, healthy, and vigorous Plants. Inspection Invited. Samples with keenest pricesonapplication. Contract Planting ofall kinds undertaken. WM. FELL & CO. wexnam, Litd., The Royal Nurseries, HEXHAM. BY ROYAL WARRANT. Special Value FOR Planting Season SITKA SPRUCE, maa. so DOUGLAS SPRUCE 1914-15 (Oregon variety), THUJA GIGANTEA, LARCH, Japanese, ii ad LARCH, Tyrolese & Scotch, hardy, healthy, SCOTS FIR, True Native, wil-grown plant. NORWAY SPRUCE, &c., &. Inquiries Solicited. Samples and Special Prices on demand. Special List of Tree Seeds & Seedlings published in January. CATALOGUES POST FREE. BENJAMIN REID & COMPANY, NURSERYMEN TO THE KING, ABERDEEN. By Appointment ADVERTISEMENTS. EINES T KTUoRE For LAWNS GOLF COURSES ORNAMENTAL PARKS and UNDER TREES WiLL PRODUCE IT OTE Fee FE PRICE LIST, with Complete Guide to LINKS and LAWN TURF on application x % See STEWART & CoO. Grass and Turf Experts 13 South St Andrew Street, EDINBURGH Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society. INSTITUTED 1854. Patron—HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING. Permission to assume the title ‘‘ Royal” was granted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1887. OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 10914. President. CoLtonrL ARCHIBALD STIRLING of Keir, Dunblane. Vice=Presidents. he LORD LOVAT, D.S.0O., Beaufort Castle, Beauly. HAS. BUCHANAN, Factor, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik. bi ANDREW AGNEW, Bart., of Lochnaw, 10 Smith Square, Westminster. V. STEUART FOTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perthshire. Council. SYDNEY J. GAMMELL of Drumtochty, Countesswells House, Bieldside, Aberdeen. JOHN F. ANNAND, M.S8c., Lecturer in Forestry, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Hon. LirE MEMBERS. Sir KENNETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray Place, Edinburgh. Sin JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws, ORDINARY MEMBERS. \. T. GILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Park Cottage, Aln- wick. AMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City | Chambers, Glasgow. VILLIAM DAVIDSON, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie. W. H. MASSIE, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. ILBERT BROWN, Wood Manager, Grantown-on-Spey. EORGE P. GORDON, B.Sc., Lecturer in Forestry, West of Scotland Agricultural College, 6 Blythswood Square, | Glasgow. A. D. RICHARDSON, 6 Dalkeith Street, Joppa. ADAM SPIERS, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-Mills, Edin- burgh. ROBERT ALLAN, Factor, Polkemmet, Whitburn. |G. U. MACDONALD, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cottage, Peebles. ALEXANDER MITCHELL, Forester, Rosebery, Gorebridge. ROBERT FORBES, Overseer, Kennet Estate Office, Alloa. ALEXANDER J. MUNRO, Factor, 48 Castle Street, Edin- burgh. W. M. PRICE, Factor, Minto, Hawick. GEORGE LEVEN, Forester, Bowmont Forest, Roxburgh. JOHN W. M‘HATTIE, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers, Edinburgh. JOHN BROOM, Wood Merchant, Bathgate. ALEXANDER MURRAY, Forester, Kingswood, Murthly. J. H. MILNE HOME, Irvine House, Canonbie. DAVID W. THOMSON, Nurseryman, 133 George Street, Edinburgh. JOHN A. HOWE, Overseer, Home Farm, Mount-Stuart, Rothesay. Exrra Memser—PRESIDENT OF ABERDEEN BRANCH. Hon. Editor. Dr A. W. BORTHWICK, 46 George Square, Edinburgh. Auditor. JOHN T. WATSON, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. ABERDEEN BRANCH. President—A. Forszs IrvinE of Drum. Aberdeen. Consulting Botanist.—_ISAAC BAYLEY BALFOUR, LL.D., Edinburgh. 13 George Square, Edinburgh. ; Consulting Cryptogamist.—A. W. BORTHWICK, D.Sc., 46 George Square, Edinburgh. | Hon. Secy.—GxEorGE D. Masai, Solicitor, 147 Union Street, | Hon. Secy.—A.Ex. M.D., Sc.D., Professor of Botany, Royal Botanic Garden, / Consulting Chemist.—ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sce., F.1.C., | | Hon, Secretary. Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws. Secretary and Treasurer. ROBERT GALLOWAY, §.8.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh. NORTHERN BRANCH. | President—BRovi£ OF BRODIE, | Hon. Consulting Officials. Fraser, Solicitor, 63 Church Street, Inverness. Consulting Entomologist. — ROBERT STEWART MAC- DOUGALL, M.A., D.Se., Professor of Entomology, etc., 9 Dryden Place, Edinburgh. Consulting Geologist.—R. CAMPBELL, M.A., D.Se., Geo- logical Laboratory, University of Edinburgh. | Consulting Meteorologist—_ANDREW WATT, M.A.,F.R.S.E., Secretary Scottish Meteorological Society, 122 George Street, Edinburgh. * * 1857. 1858. 1859. 1860. 1861, 1862. 1863. 1864-71. 1872-73. 1874-75. 1876-78. 1879-81. 1854-56. JAMES Brown, Wood Commissioner to the | 1882. Earl of Seafield. The Right Hon. Tue Earu or Ducir. 1883-85. The Right Hon. Tue EArt oF Sratrk. Sir Joun HAut, Bart. of Dunglass. 1886-87. His Grace THe DuKE oF ATHOLL. Joun I. CHALMERs of Aldbar. 1888-89, The Right Hon. Tue EArt or AIRLIE. The Right Hon. T. F. Kennepy. 1890-93. Roserr Hutcuison of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E. Hueu Ciecuorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., | 1894-97. of Stravithie. Professor Joun Hurron BALFour, | 1898. University of Edinburgh. 1899-02. The Right Hon. W. P. ApAm of Blair- | 1903-06. adam. 1907-09. The Most Hon. THE Marquis or Loraian, K.T. 1910-12. Membership. Former Presidents. The following have held the office of President in past years, viz. :— |é HE Roll contains the names of over 1450 Members, comprising Landowners, Factors, Foresters, Nurserymen, Gardeners, Land Stewards, Wood Merchants, and others interested in Forestry, many of whom reside in En Colonies, and India. Members are elected by the Council. The Terms of Subscription will be found on the back of the Form of Proposal for Membership 2 which accompanies this Memorandum. The Principal Objects of the Society, and the nature of its work, will be paragraphs :— Meetings. The Society holds periodical Meetings for the transaction of business, the reading and discussion of Papers, the exhibition of new Inventions, specimens of Forest Products and other articles of special interest to the Members, and for the advancement of Forestry in all its branches. held every alternate month, and at other times when business requires attention; and Committees of the Council meet frequently to arrange and carry out the work of the Society. Prizes and Medals. The Society offers Annual Prizes and Medals for essays on practical subjects, and for inventions connected with appliances used in Such awards have been granted continuously since and have yielded satisfactory Medals and Prizes are also awarded in connection with the Exhibitions and Competitions for Plantations and Estate Forestry. 1855 up to the present time, results. Nurseries aftermentioned. gland, Ireland, the British gathered from the following Meetings of the Council are ; > Professor ALEXANDER Dickson, Universi of Edinburgh. Hueu Ciecuorn, M.D., LL. D., F.R.S. of Stravithie. The Right Hon. Sir Herserr Evsra MAXWELL, Bart. of Monreith. The Most Hon. THE Marquis ¢ LINLITHGOW. Professor BAyLey BaA.rour, Universit of Edinburgh. The Right Hon. Sir Ronaty C., Mun Fercuson, K.C.M.G. Colonel F. BArLry, R.E. The Right Hon. Tax Eart or MANSFIEL W. Srevart Fornrincuam ot Murthly. Sir KennerH J. Mackenzig, Bart. ¢ Gairloch. Sir Jonn Srir_tinc-Maxwei1, Bart. Pollok. 3 School of Forestry, Afforestation, Etc. In 1882 the Society strongly urged the creation of a British School of Forestry ; and with a view of stimulating public interest in the matter, a Forestry Exhibition, chiefly organised by the Council, was held in Edinburgh in 1884. In 18g0, the Society instituted a Fund for the purpose of establishing a Chair of Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and a sum of £584, 3s. rod. has since been raised by the Society and handed over to the University. Aided by an annual subsidy from the Board of Agriculture, which the Society was mainly instrumental in obtaining, a Course of Lectures at the University has been delivered without interruption since 1889. The Society also drew up a Scheme for the Establishment of a State Model or Demonstration Forest for Scotland, which was laid before the Departmental Committee on British Forestry, and in their Report the Committee recommended the establishment of a Demonstra- tion Area and the provision of other educational facilities in Scotland. The Government, in 1907, acquired the Estate of Inverliever in Argyllshire; and while this cannot be looked on as a Demonstra- tion Forest, it is hoped that it may prove to be the first step in a scheme of afforestation by the State of unwooded lands in Scotland. Meantime Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, for a part of whose woods at Raith a Working-Plan is in operation, very kindly allows Students to visit them. After the Development Act came into operation, the Council passed a Resolution urging that the Government should create a Board of Forestry, with an Office in Scotland, where the largest areas of land suitable for Afforestation are situated, which would provide Demonstration Forests and Forest Gardens, and would carry out, as an essential preliminary to any great scheme of National Afforestation, a Survey of all areas throughout the country suitable for commercial planting. The Society’s policy for the development of Forestry in Scotland has since been fully laid before the Development Commission. Asa result of these representations, the Secretary for Scotland appointed a Com- mittee to report regarding the acquisition and uses of a Demon- stration Forest Area, and any further steps it is desirable to take in order to promote Silviculture in Scotland. The Committee reported in the beginning of 1913, and the Society is pressing the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, being the Department now con- cerned with Scottish forestry, to give effect to the Committee’s recommendations and to encourage the inception of schemes of afforestation. The Society has also published a valuable Report on Afforestation—including a Survey of Glen Mor—prepared for it by Lord Lovat and Captain Stirling, which, it is hoped, may form the basis of the general Forest Survey advocated by the Society. Resolutions in favour of the acquisition of part of Ballogie, on Deeside, and Supplementary Areas in other districts for Demonstra- tion purposes, and of the creation of a Department of Forestry for Scotland with a separate annual grant, were passed at last Annual Meeting. 4 In connection with the celebration of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee last summer, representative Foresters appointed by the Governments of Denmark, France, Holland, Hungary, Russia, Sweden, India, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa visited this country as guests of the Society. Accompanied by a number of home representatives they made a Tour of Inspection, extending to about a fortnight, of woods and afforestable lands in Scotland, and at the Conference held in Edinburgh before leaving, they expressed the joint opinion that Scotland lends itself admirably to afforestation on a large scale, and that national support should be given to the movement. A copy of the Report of the proceed- ings containing their Resolution, and also the Society’s Resolution adopting it, has been sent to Ministers and Government Depart- ments, and to all Members of Parliament for Scottish constituencies. Excursions. Since 1878 well-organised Excursions, numerously attended by Members of the Society, have been made annually to various parts of Scotland, England, Ireland, and the Continent. In 1895 a Tour extending over twelve days was made through the Forests of Northern Germany, in 1902 a Tour extending over seventeen days was made in Sweden, in 1904 the Forest School at Nancy and Forests in the north of France were visited, in 1909 a visit was undertaken to the Bavarian Forests, and during the summer of 1913 ten days were spent in the Forests of Switzerland. These Excursions enable Members whose occupations necessarily confine them chiefly to a single locality to study the conditions and methods prevailing elsewhere; and the Council propose to extend the Tours during the next few years to other parts of the Continent. They venture to express the hope that Landowners may be induced to afford facilities to their Foresters for participation in these Tours, the instructive nature of which renders them well worth the moderate expenditure of time and money that they involve. Exhibitions. A Forestry Exhibition is annually organised in connection with the Highland and Agricultural Society's Show, and Prizes and Medals are offered for Special Exhibits. In addition to this Annual Exhibition, large and important Forestry Sections organised by this Society were included in the Scottish National Exhibition held in Edinburgh in 1908, and in the Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art, and Industry, held in Glasgow in rort. Plantations and Estate Nurseries Competitions. Prizes are now offered annually for the best Young Plantations and the best managed Estate Nurseries within the Show District of the Highland and Agricultural Society. The Society’s Transactions. The Transactions of the Society, which extend to twenty-eight volumes, are published half-yearly in January and July, and are issued gratis to Members, H) Honorary Consulting Officials. Members have the privilege of obtaining information gratuitously upon subjects connected with Forestry from the Honorary Officials mentioned above. Local Branches. Local Branches have been established in Aberdeen and Inverness for the convenience of Members who reside in the districts surrounding these centres. Local Secretaries. The Society is represented throughout Scotland, England, and Ireland by the Local Secretaries whose names are given below. ‘They are ready to afford any additional information that may be desired regarding the Conditions of Membership and the work of the Society. Register of Estate Men. A Register of men qualified in Forestry and in Forest and Estate Management is kept by the Society. Schedules of application and other particulars may be obtained from the Local Secretaries in the various districts, or direct from the Secretary. It is hoped that Proprietors and others requiring Estate men will avail themselves of the Society’s Register. Consulting Foresters. The Secretary keeps a list of Consulting Foresters whose services are available to Members of the Society and others. Correspondents. The following have agreed to act as Correspondents residing abroad :— Canada, . Roserr Bett, I.S.0., M.D., LL.D., D.Se.(Cantab.), F.R.S. of Ottawa, late Chief Geologist to Government of Canada, Ottawa. India, . . F.L. C. Cowiey Brown, Principal, South Indian Forest College, Coimbatore, South India. British East\ Epwarp Batriscomss, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Africa, Nigeri, via Naivasha, East Africa Protectorate. United States\ HucH P. Baker, Dean, New York State College of of America, Forestry, Syracuse, N.Y. Cape Colony, . W. Nimmo Brown, M‘Kenzie’s Farm, Mowbray, P.O. Western Australia, Frep Moon, Craigian, Bighill Brook, Harren River, Manjimup. New Zealand. R.G. Roptnson, Department of Lands, State Forests Branch, Tapanui, Otago. South Africa . K, A. Caruson, Orange Free State Conservancy. LOCAL SECRETARIES. Counties. Scotland, Aberdeen, . JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen. Joun Micuig, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater. Argyll, . . H. L. Macnonatp of Dunach, Oban. Ayr, 5 . ANpDREW D. Paag, Overseer, Culzean Home Farm, Ayr. A. B. Rozrrtson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock. Berwick, . Wm. Mitne, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed, Counties. Bute, Clackmannan,. Dumfries, East Lothian, . Fife, Forfar, . Inverness, Kincardine, Kinross, Lanark, . Moray, Perth, Ross, Roxburgh, Sutherland, Wigtown, Beds, Berks, Derby, Devon, Durham, Hants, Herts, Kent, . Lancashire, Leicester, Lincoln, Notts, Surrey, . Warwick, Wilts, York, Dublin, . King’s County, Tipperary, . 6 Scotland, Wo. Ineuis, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick. JAMES Kay, retired Forester, Barone, Rothesay. Rospert Forses, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa, D. Crass, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie, W. S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk. Wm. Gitcurist, Forester, Nursery Cottage, Mount Melville, St Andrews. EpmunpD Sane, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy. JAMEs A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness. Joun Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven. JAMES TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam, Joun Davripson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell. JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers, Glasgow. D. Scorr, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres. Joun ScrimGEour, Doune Lodge, Doune. Miss AMy FrANcES YULE, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord. JoHN LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick. Rk. V. Maruer, Nurseryman, Kelso. DonaLp Roserrson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie. JAmeEs Hocarru, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer. H. H. WALKER, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill. England. FRANCIS MIrcHELL, Forester, Woburn. W. Srorre, Whitway House, Newbury. S. MacBran, Estate Office, Needwood Forest, Sudbury. JAMES BArRRIg, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington. Joun F, ANNAND, M.Sc., Lecturer in Forestry, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield. Tuomas Smiru, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring. R. W. Cowper, Gortanore, Sittingbourne. D. C. Hamitron, Forester, Knowsley, Prescot. JamMEs MARTIN, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham. W. B. Havetockx, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park. W. Micais, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop. Witson ToMiinson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop, JOHN ALEXANDER, 24 Lawn Crescent, Kew Gardens. A.D. Curistik, Hillside, Castle Road, Warley, Birmingham. Anprew Boa, Land Agent, Glenmore, The Avenue, Trowbridge. GrorGE HANNAH, Estate Office, Boynton, Bridlington. Treland. A. C. Forses, Department of Forestry, Board of Agriculture. Arca. E. Morray, Lissadell, Stillorgan Park. Wma. Henpnerson, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore, Avex. M‘Raz, Forester, Dundrum, Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society. —-o-~—_- FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP. To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned to ROBERT GALLOWAY, S&.S.C., SECRETARY, Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh, ( Full Namie, Designation, Degrees, ete., Candidate's < Address, Life, or Ordinary Member, | | Signature, rae neers Se ocutastinn stp bdzawt halts ike scene oR et ee Signature, . Proposer s A MEG ES Sg case ee ae eae Seer ( Signature, . Seconder’s Address, [CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP, see Over. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP (excerpted from the Laws). III. Any person interested in Forestry, and desirous of pro- moting the objects of the Society, is eligible for election as an Ordinary Member in one of the following Classes :— 1. Proprietors the valuation of whose land exceeds £500 per annum, and others, subscribing annually ; . One Guinea. 2. Proprietors the valuation of whose land does not exceeu £500 per annum, Factors, Nurserymen, Timber Merchants, and others, subscribing annually . . Half-a-Guinea, 3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, Tenant Farmers, and others, subscribing annually , : . Six Shillings. 4. Assistant-Foresters, Assistant-Gardeners, and others, sub- scribing annually : ; - ; . Four Shillings. 1V. Subscriptions are due on the lst of January in each year, and shall be payable in advance. A new Member's Subscription is due on the day of election unless otherwise provided, and he shall not be enrolled until he has paid his first Subscription. V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Zvansactions, and shall not be entitled to vote at any of the meetings of the Society. Any Member whose Annual Subscription remains unpaid for two years shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member shall be eligible for re-election till his arrears have been paid up. VI. Any eligible person may become a Zife Member of the Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :— 1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, : : 5 SIO 10 6G 2, Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, Timber Mer- chants, and others, : : : . : Yee a 3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, Tenant Farmers, and others, : : ‘ : ‘ , , 3,137 to VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zif/e Member on payment of Two-thirds of the sum payable by a new Life Member. XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made in writing, and shall be signed by two Members of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the Secretary to be laid before the Council, which shall accept or otherwise deal with each Proposal as it may deem best in the interest of the Society. The Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new Member's first Subscription. ‘The Council shall have power to decide the Class under which any Candidate for Membership shall be placed. CONE a TS. The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or views expressed by the authors of papers. The Home Pitwood Supply. By J. H. Milne Home . . Wood Charcoal—Its Mantiankée and Use. By W. D. Ashton Bost 3. Dupplin Castle Estates, Perthshire. By W. Dawson 4. The Planting of the Sand Dunes at Culbin (with Plates). By 10. TI. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. P. Leslie, M A., B.Sc., Marischal College, Aberdeen . Observations on the Annual Increment of Spruce, Scots Pine and Japanese Larch. By J. H. Milne Home . On the Production of Potash Salts from Woodlands and Waste Lands (with Plate). By G. P. Gordon, B.Sc. . The District Advisory Forest Officers of ihe Board of Agriculture . Continental Notes—France. By A. G. Hobart-Hampden Proposed Scheme for the Afforestation of the Camps Catch- ment Area, Middle Ward, Lanarkshire. By G. P. Gordon, B.Sc. ; : . The Present Condition of Forestry in Italy. By Prof. Lodovico Piccioli, Forest Inspector at Catanzaro (Calabria) Extra-Tropical Forestry in Portugal. By D. E. Hutchins . Classification of Moorland at Fersit for Purposes of Planting (with Plate). By Donald Grant Japanese Larch. By Prof. A. Henry German Forest Notes. (Continued from Vol. xxvii. p. 222.) By B. Ribbentrop, C.I.E. Supply of Home-grown Telegraph and eS eeehoite Poles Methods of Nursery Work pies Plate). By Alex. Murray, Murthly . : : ¢ : Nursery and Plantation Coitinctitini Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show at Hawick, 14th to 17th July 1914 ; PAGE 19 29 34 40 45 55 104 CONTENTS. Notes and Queries :—Afforestation of Privately-owned Lands —Collection and Storage of Forest Seeds—The Utilisation of Small Home-Grown Timber—A Useful Type of Stile —Re-introduction of Scots Pine (Pinus Siluvestris) into Southern England—Abnormal Growths on Willow Trees —The Janker Cart (with Plate)—Home- Grown Pitwood . Reviews and Notices of Books :—Hardy Trees and Shrubs in the British Isles. By W. J. Bean, Assistant Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Two volumes, 1440 pp., with over 250 line-drawings and 64 half-tone illustrations Price £2, 2s. net. London: John Murray Trees. A Woodland Notebook containing Observations on certain British and Exotic Trees. By the Right Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bt, F.R.S., LL.D., D.C.L. Illustrated with photographs by Mr Henry Irving and others. 21s. net. Glasgow: Maclehose & Sons . Physiography of the United States and Principles of Soils in Relation to Forestry. By Professor Isaiah Bowman. xxii +759 pp. Price 2ts. net. New York: J. Wiley and Sons; London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd., rg11. ; The Artificial Production of Vigorous Trees. By Augustine Henry, M.A., F.L.S., M.R.I.A. Journal of the Depart- ment of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, vol. xv. No 1 Obituary Notice :—Dr John Nisbet PAGE 109 120 120 I2I TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCTETY. 1. The Home Pitwood Supply. By J. H. MILNE HOME. The present war has brought home to the population of these islands, in a manner never before realised, the extent of our dependence upon foreign supplies for innumerable articles of necessity. This condition of affairs is fairly obvious as regards foodstuffs, and has received much attention in recent years in newspapers and books. It may, however, be safely asserted that few persons outside the trades directly concerned, had any idea that the collieries of England, Wales and Scotland were almost wholly dependent upon foreign supplies of pitwood for carrying on their operations and producing coal for domestic and industrial purposes. It has been stated on reliable authority that the annual consumption of pitwood in Scottish coal-mines is about 280,000,000 lineal feet, and that its value is equal to 6d. per ton of coal produced. This pitwood is mainly in the round, and varies from 2 inches diameter at the small end up to about 6 inches. There is also great variation in the length of the pieces. Generally speaking “short” pitwood may measure from 2 ft. g ins. to 6 feet, and ‘‘long” pitwood ro feet to 14 feet. The size which seems to be in most general use is 3 inches diameter at the small end. Sizes vary largely in different districts and different pits—an important consideration being the thickness of the seams of coal being worked. The following figures refer to the consumption of pitwood in a group of Lanarkshire pits, and may be taken as fairly typical :— Size of Pitwood. Per Cent. Lineal Feet. 24 inches 12 3 ” 59 ato 14 4 ” 5 44 yy 2 Cee hee 100 VOL. XXIX. PART I. A 2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. The average diameter will thus be about 3} inches to 4 inches, representing say 22,000,000 or 23,000,000 cubic feet of pitwood timber annually consumed by the collieries of Scotland. The foreign supply is estimated to represent about go per cent. of the total consumption. A fairly large amount of pitwood is exported from Bordeaux, and a smaller quantity from Portugal. Practically the whole of these supplies are absorbed by the South Wales coal-fields. The main sources of pitwood produc- tion for the coal-mines of the Midlands, the North of England, and Scotland are found in the Baltic, more especially in Finland and Russia. This pitwood is almost wholly peeled Scots pine. The Baltic ports from which this pitwood is exported are nearly all liable to be closed by ice in winter. In consequence the whole year’s export is usually overtaken between May and October. The outbreak of war early in August thus placed the coal- owners in a serious position. Only a portion of the year’s supply of pitwood had been delivered, and owing to the closing of the Baltic it was obviously impossible that, even under the most favourable circumstances, further supplies could come to hand before June 1915. Meanwhile the stocks in Scotland were not estimated to last longer than the end of the current year. The Forestry Branch of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland showed itself fully alive to the urgency of the matter, and convened a preliminary conference on 27th August 1914. A second conference was held about one week later, and this resulted in the appointment of two Committees to investigate (1) supplies of suitable timber and labour, and (2) specification and prices. These Committees went fully into the whole question, and obtained a large amount of information upon the pitwood trade. The incidence of the railway rates upon pitwood prices was seen to have such an important bearing, that the matter was brought to the attention of the Secretary for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade. Mr Runciman consented to receive a deputation of those interested, and the interview took place at the Board of Trade on 22nd October 1914. An official report regarding the various meetings may possibly be issued, and it is not proposed now to refer further to what has passed at these meetings. The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, the Landowners’ Co-operative Forestry Society, The Home Timber Merchants’ Association of Scotland, and the Coal-Owners’ Association of Scotland were all represented at the various meetings held. THE HOME PITWOOD SUPPLY. 3 A very considerable difference of opinion appears to exist as to (1) the number of cubic feet or lineal feet of pitwood per ton, and (2) the number of lineal feet of pitwood per cubic foot. In neither case is exact calculation possible, seeing that the sizes given always refer to the diameter of the piece at the small end. The cubical contents of the piece will vary according to the form-factor or taper of the prop. Moreover, the average diameter of a prop, say 3 inches at the small end and 3 feet in length, will naturally be less than the average diameter of a 3-inch prop of 5 feet in length. It is estimated that for 2 inches and 2} inches pitwood, a 20 per cent. allowance should be made on the quarter-girth at the small end, a 15 per cent. allowance for 3 inches, and a ro per cent. allowance above that size. With regard to the number of cubic feet to a ton, there is room for very wide variation according to the species ot timber, and its condition at the moment—whether it is newly felled containing a large amount of water, or has been peeled and dried for some months. It is possible to calculate with fair accuracy the minimum and maximum of cubic feet per ton, but it must be clearly kept in view that in actual practice various intermediate quantities may be got. Figures quoted from actual weighings and measurements, while no doubt perfectly accurate for the particular consignment, cannot necessarily be accepted as conclusive for average results. A cubic foot of water weighs 62} lbs., and assuming for the purpose of calculation that timber has the same weight, an addition of say 15 per cent. must be allowed for bark which is not measurable. A further allowance must be made between solid measurement and quarter-girth measurement, represented by the proportion 77°9 : roo‘o. This gives gz2‘2 Ibs. per. cubic foot, quarter-girth measurement, for a specific gravity of 1°o, and assuming freshly felled coniferous timber to have a S.G. of ‘g, the actual weight per cubic foot, quarter-girth, would be 83 lbs. or 27 cubic feet per ton. In the case of peeled timber no bark allowance is necessary, and assuming a S.G. of ‘6 for fairly well dried pitwood, the weight per cubic foot, quarter-girth, would be 48 lbs., or 46 cubic feet per ton. On the basis of these calculations the following table has been prepared. The other figures given are merely a matter of arithmetic. TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 4 pol Gd p uv P?]99¢ I we | 1d UOL 4d pepeed up oe le | oof | 50. 1 o 61 a fz} 10° oF Qt oO OFI on Jz. | io, oF Or 1 9 OI o lz o of QI So =9 fo Yo} So: 08 Sa ae ole 4 Oeor } Oo IF 4 5.2 0 9 6 ¢t | Oe ees Oc 1 oS G LE | 1 dae 0 nel ME” le roars — | — See nape | | | O01 19g SBuipig Asaypood yw [ey Uo vo4] Sag JOO, Jiqnyg |e [Vour'y) pejpeduyy a Vee | Lz gb 08.81 161 gz lz gb go. +1 oSz LoVe fhe ob zS.01 gz 9S$ lz ot 9z.8 acy gfZ | Lz ob $2.9 Lov gbg | dz gt zh. Slo OsmT jn ge ob 00. ogol obgi lz ob oS.z ‘ | ; policy pux | parc, pur Pep] pajeodu yy pape WIT jvaury] ab eee oor aod uo y, ted uo yz, tod ae Joo] [BOUT poyUuMyssy!joo.p sIqng payeuyss] ‘SNL Q ‘Ld £ AVS HOVUAAAV 00. aiqna aad 4991 jvoury to, Lz 6b.g1 1z.$1 06,11 00.6 tg. Z 9£.$ 19.€ seyouy aaenbs LoAy [euoNsag | aSvVIIAYV ms ei) ea 9 oP £6.€ S | 6.€ £S.€ a4 S.€ b1.€ 4 o.£ ee oS 8.z 9£.z S ¥.z 00.7 ic if 6.1 f 28.1 z seyoup | seyouy soyouy D291 JO 2 nr. WI pus ut a Seas As 5 amon 3u3| , Renate 8 -vAInbsy | sojowLI(y ‘HLONAI Ladd 9 OL Ladd @ AO GOOMIIG LYOHS INIGUVOAA SAVTNOLLAVG ONIAIS ATAV THE HOME PITWOOD SUPPLY. 5 The prices given must not be taken as representing a standard market rate. They are, however, approximately the values current at the present time (November 1914), and show a substantial advance on the prices ruling before the outbreak of war. An examination of the table will show at once the enormous difference in weight between freshly felled and unpeeled wood, and peeled and dried wood. This difference is a vital considera- tion in railway carriage, and is also of great importance for cartage. For thoroughly dry wood the railway carriage for comparatively long distances, although burdensome, is not necessarily prohibitive. For wet unpeeled wood the railway rate over the same distance may easily be prohibitive. Unfortunately, in the present emergency much pitwood must be conveyed in a wet state if the Scottish collieries are to be kept going. It may be a matter for argument who is to pay for the weight of water so carried, but there would certainly seem to be strong grounds for asking the Government, as an emergency measure, to reduce the railway rates to such a degree as would counterbalance the additional deadweight existing in undried pitwood. Assuming that there is no alteration in railway rates, the result is likely to be an excessive felling of young woods within a 50 miles radius of the colliery districts; a consequence much to be deplored in the interests of Scottish forestry. Another probable result will be the holding back of supplies for some months until the timber is well dried, and the railway carriage less onerous in consequence. Meanwhile the coal-owners have signified their willingness to take unpeeled wood of any species except beech, and to accept it whether freshly felled or seasoned. It may in many cases be a convenience to cut heavier stems than 5 inches diameter to produce pitwood. It was, therefore, necessary to adjust the equivalents in quartered or squared props. ‘These equivalents are :— Round Props. (Quartered Log Square Prop Diameter of Diameter of of 2inches equalto 44inches or 2 inches x 2 inches. 24 ” ” 54 ”? ” 24 ” x 24 ” 3 ” ” 64 ”? ” 2+ ” x 2+ +P) 33 ” ” 74 ” ” 34 ” x 3% ” 4 ” st, ae aS. 3% ” 4b 5, 9 Cae 68e X Se" 6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, It has been announced that the Board of Trade have been making inquiries regarding pitwood supplies from other sources. A certain number of shiploads have been secured from Norway and the White Sea, but these cannot form anything like an adequate supply. Inquiries have also been made in Canada and Newfoundland, and no doubt large quantities of pitwood could be got from these sources. The prices quoted are, however, fairly high, and it is doubtful whether any extensive import will take place unless at an average price of about 4os. per ton, c.i.f. While the immediate supply of pitwood for English and Scottish collieries during the period of the war is, no doubt, a matter of great national urgency, the opportunity seems favourable to consider the possibility of a large permanent increase in the output of home pitwood. It is not possible to estimate with any exactitude what percentage of the total pitwood consumption of Scotland could be regularly met from home forests. A moderate estimate would seem to be 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. of the total requirements, or say 79,000,000 to 85,000,000 lineal feet, equal to about 3,000,000 cubic feet. The question of railway rates has been already referred to, and is a vital matter where long distances are involved. Probably two-thirds of the forests of Scotland producing pitwood lie at a distance of 80 to 170 miles from the point of consumption. It is not to be expected that any permanent wholesale reduction of rates is possible. Railway companies require to earn profits for their shareholders like other trading companies. It does seem possible, however, in the case of lines running into the North of Scotland that by means of better organisation, regu- larity of supply, and co-operation between the railway companies and producers, a substantial reduction in rates could be made without loss to the railways. Actual cases have been quoted where the railway rate for pitwood is 50 per cent. higher than that for coal, although some dry pitwood can be loaded on a truck to within 20 per cent. of the weight of coal. It must be evident to any one travelling in the Highlands that the number of full waggons going north, mainly with coal, is in marked contrast with the number of empty waggons coming south. It has been stated that coal waggons are not suitable for convey- ing pitwood, but this is manifestly incorrect seeing that the THE HOME PITWOOD SUPPLY. 7 imported foreign pitwood is almost invariably brought back to the collieries in coal trucks. If, therefore, all the coal waggons going into the Highlands returned loaded with pitwood, the additional cost to the railway company would be much less than if special trucks were sent for the timber traffic, as appears to be the present custom. The present rates to the Inverness area, which is fairly typical, represent about 1d. per ton per mile, or say 12s. 6d. per ton. The cost of felling, peeling, sawing and cartage will, naturally, vary according to the class of wood and the distance from the railway siding. It is unlikely under the most favourable conditions to be less than 3d. per cubic foot, and may in many cases be as much as 6d. per cubic foot. In the table given on page 4 it is estimated that completely dried pitwood might, under favourable conditions, measure 46 cubic feet to the ton. This is perhaps too high a figure to take as an average, which may be stated at 42 cubic feet per ton. Taking the manufacture and loading at 4d. per cubic foot gives a cost free on rail of 14s. per ton, and adding the railway rate of 12s. 6d. would show an outlay at the colliery sidings of 26s. 6d. per ton of 42 cubic feet, or 7°6d. per cubic foot. This leaves out of account the price of the standing timber, and the profit to the merchant. It must be assumed that prices will, after the war, fall to about the level hitherto experienced. These prices may be stated at from gd. to 10d. per cubic foot, or 31s. 6d. to 35s. per ton of 42 cubic feet. These prices, applied to the example of the Inverness area above referred to, only show a surplus of from 5s. to 8s. 6d. per ton, or 1°4d. to 2‘5d. per cubic foot for the price of the standing timber and the merchant’s profit. This is much too slender a margin to develop any regular trade. Could, however, the railway companies see their way to reduce rates by 25 per cent., provided empty coal trucks were used and a regular supply of several thousand tons of pitwood guaranteed, the margin of profit would be increased by fully 3s. per ton, or upwards of 1d. per cubic foot. It must be admitted that a price of even 3d. per cubic foot for standing pitwood timber is not a highly attractive one, but it at least offers the possibility of a market for a class of timber which is not at present readily saleable in large quantities. It must also be kept in view that under normal conditions pitwood timber merely represents the thinnings and cleanings of middle-aged spruce and Scots pine woods, and that 8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, looked at from this aspect a price of 3d. per cubic foot standing is quite worthy of consideration. The returns for woods within 50 or 60 miles of collieries would of course be much more favourable. Only in a regular and systematic output is to be found the secret of production at the lowest possible cost, and it is just in this direction that Scottish forestry has—with certain notable exceptions—been deficient in the past. In the endeavour to find markets for small or inferior forestry produce, a careful and accurate record of the cost of production is an absolute necessity, and any initial profit, however small, is worth taking, with the object of developing, through experience, a more lucrative trade, and conferring a national advantage in the employment of additional labour in country districts. 2. Wood Charcoal—Its Manufacture and Use.! By W. D. AsHTON Bost. |The following paper although written for the purpose of correcting wrong ideas as regards the use of charcoal for insulating purposes, is nevertheless of considerable interest to foresters, as it touches upon many points concerning an almost unknown industry in this country, namely, the manufacture of wood charcoal and other products obtainable from the dry distillation of wood. It is very generally admitted that if sufficient raw material of the proper kind was available in this country, new industries would spring up, among which it is probable that those concerned with wood-derivatives would not be the least important. At the same time, certain facts must be brought to light by careful preliminary investigation before a definite opinion can be expressed regarding the possible future prosperity of an economic undertaking, but surely in this case the object should be worth some little trouble. In a recent letter, Mr Bost says: “I would particularly emphasise the fact that in considering the advisability of starting wood distillation a little knowledge is a most dangerous thing, and that it cannot pay unless everything is known, down to the smallest detail, which might affect either the gathering of the wood or the marketing 1 A paper read before the Institute of Marine Engineers, Feb. 2, 1914. WOOD CHARCOAL—ITS MANUFACTURE AND USE. 9 of the products, and that except under very exceptional circumstances it will not pay in this country to start new works.” This does not preclude the possibility of increasing the present output by already existing works and incidentally of increasing the consumption of home-grown wood, and who knows to what future developments this might not lead.—Hon. Ep. Zrans.] Nobody who has worked with wood fires can have failed to notice that under the ashes, if the fire goes out, will be found charcoal. The ashes form a coating sufficiently impervious to the air to allow the charred wood to cool without access of air. The advantages of charcoal for culinary purposes would be so obvious that the reduction of wood to charcoal in an analogous way, but with less loss of wood, must have appealed to primeval man at an early point in his life, after the discovery of fire. As charcoal contains more heat-producing material than wood, its use became imperative when the extraction of metals from their ores was attempted, and when making the charcoal in big masses condensation of part of the gases was bound to take place on the portion farthest removed from the source of heat, and tar would run out from the bottom of the heap. The anti- septic properties of this tar, and especially that obtained from carbonising the cedar, were early recognised, and it was largely used in embalming processes. ‘Tar produced in this way from coniferous woods, known as archangel tar, is still used in the preparation of ropes as a preservative. We therefore have a natural sequence of events from an in- telligently observed fact down to a certain point, but there is a lapse of many centuries to the point where the composition of the tar was examined into, and nearly two centuries elapsed before advantage was taken of the results of this examination. It was only in 1858 that Glauber demonstrated that the acid contained in the distillate ffom wood had the same composition as vinegar, and only in the beginning of the nineteenth century was it discovered that methyl alcohol and acetone were also con- stituents of the acid liquid. Another discovery relating to the utilisation of gases produced in the carbonisation of wood was made by Phillipe Lebon, in 1767, namely, that they, or rather a part of them, could be utilised as an illuminant. He started works under a contract from the French Government to supply the tar produced to the Navy as part of the process, but could not make a commercial IO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. success of the other part of the process owing to the immense amount of lime he had to use in order to free the gases of acid products, including the carbonic acid. Pettenkoffer was able to greatly improve the illuminating power of the wood gas by superheating it, but the introduction of coal gas with its much greater illuminating power at less cost killed any chance of going on with this industry. The industry had, however, got a start, and investigation was pushing forward. According to Klar, a works for wood distillation was started in 1819, at Hausach (Baden), but it did not pay. Later on the discoveries in connection with the manufacture of aniline colours called for products and derivatives of wood distillation such as pure methyl and acetone, and it was only then that the wood dis- tillation business may be said to have been born, in so far as the manufacture and recovery of all its products is concerned. Outside of the recovery and utilisation of all the products it is evident that there has always been a demand for charcoal, originally for heating purposes, such as cooking and metal smelting, but with the invention or introduction of gunpowder a new demand sprang up. ‘The charcoal for this purpose should be easily ignited, burn quickly, and leave little ash, and the more cellulose a wood contains the more suitable for gunpowder will be the charcoal. Dogwood and alder are the woods pre- ferred for sporting powder, while for blasting powder birch can be employed. For making certain powders it is preferable that the distillation be not carried to complete carbonisation, but that some of the gases be left in the wood which is then brown instead of black, and is called ‘‘Charbon Roux.” Very exacting regulations were at one time inserted into powder contracts so as to secure uniformity in the analysis and properties of the charcoal employed in its manufacture. The manufacture of charcoal for gunpowder, owing to the use of smokeless powder, has of late fallen off very considerably, and the demand for charcoal for this purpose is consequently now insignificant compared to what it was at one time. Another use to which charcoal has been put for many years is in the foundry, where it is used in the form of a wash for painting the moulding sand so as to form a skin between the molten metal and the sand. In preparing charcoal blacking for this purpose the nature of the wood again plays an important part, oak producing the best ; but as for some castings blacking made WOOD CHARCOAL—ITS MANUFACTURE AND USE. II from gas coke can be used, it is evident that for certain classes of work almost anything is suitable. Iam indebted to Messrs Turnbull & Co., of Glasgow, the oldest manufacturers in Scotland of moulders’ blacking, for the following particulars :— “Wood blacking is made from oak or beech wood charcoal, and is specially prepared before it is milled to the finest powder, suitable for the foundry. It is used principally on green-sand castings for baths, columns, and all light ornamental work. The aim of the founder is to get the smoothest skin possible, and of a bluish nature, which rightly or wrongly many of the practical founders assert they can only get from oak or beech wood char- coal blacking. For loam and dry-sand castings a mixture is made with oak wood and a mineral carbon, which, after preparation, is milled also to the finest grade and is used as a blackwash on all marine and other heavy castings, such as ingots, cylinders, sole plates, etc., etc. ‘The blackings used in this class of work have to show a very high percentage of carbon to resist the metal eating into the sand. These blackings are sold under the names of imperial or patent blackings, and have a large sale at home and abroad. A further use in the foundry for wood blacking is a grade milled like meal, which is used as a burning blacking, and also along with bone charcoal is utilised as an annealing agent.” The greatest demand for charcoal used to be for the manu- facture of charcoal iron, but in this country the demand has fallen off very greatly since the introduction of steel, which is so much cheaper. Mr George Turner, 300 Langside Road, Glasgow, has written a most interesting pamphlet on “ Ancient forestry and the extinct industries of Argyllshire and part of the adjacent counties,” from which I cull the following most interesting information :— ‘‘From the twelfth century onwards Scotland, on account of its woods, produced charcoal iron. In many cases bog’ iron was used, but traces have been found where shallow pits were mined to get the hematite. It was found cheaper to carry ore to the charcoal than charcoal to the ores. Each furnace devoured the wood annually from 120 acres of land, so that the furnaces were constantly being shifted to follow the wood. As a consequence there have been found in the West of Scotland no fewer than 2000 slag heaps, but many of these bear evidence that once I2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. the timber had grown up again in the locality the furnaces came back and the slag heap was again utilised. At first the furnaces were built in valleys open to the prevailing wind, thus getting a natural blast, but when bellows were discovered many went to water-courses where they could utilise the water power while also being near the wood. The small furnace originally used produced small blooms, which were slightly spongy but malle- able. Later on, as furnaces got bigger, the iron became more of the nature of cast-iron till now it is entirely in that form.” The journal of the Royal Society of Arts contains an article by Mr Henry B. Wheatly, D.C.L., F.S.A. (vol. 1xi., Sept. roth and 26th, 1913), which gives some very interesting information ve charcoal iron works in England, but overlooks those of Messrs Harrison Ainslie as being still in existence. In review- ing the course of iron works prior to the use of coal or coke, he alludes to the danger to the country by denudation of. forests, which threatened to become so acute that the Navy Com- missioners about 1660 nominated John Evelyn to investigate the subject. Mr Wheatly quotes a very interesting paragraph from Evelyn’s report :— ‘‘Nature has thought fit to produce this wasting ore more plentifully in woodlands than any other point, and to enrich our forests to their own destruction—a deep execration of iron mills and iron masters also.” It was in Scotland that Messrs Harrison Ainslie started their Lorn Works at Bonawe in Lorn (Argyllshire) in 1753, removing them later to the Lindal Moor mines near Ulverston, and I am indebted to them for the following information :— “We are still manufacturing charcoal pig-iron, our brand being known as ‘ Lorn,’ and we consume upwards of 3000/4000 tons of lump charcoal per annum, which we require in the manufacture of this special iron. At one time charcoal iron was extensively made in this country, but owing to the increas- ing cost of charcoal and to the scarcity of it, different furnaces have gone out of blast, and have been dismantled, and now the furnace owned by this company and situated at Backbarrow, on the river Leven, is the only charcoal furnace working in Great Britain. This furnace was erected in the early part of the eighteenth century, and with the exception of heightening the original furnace to increase its capacity the process of manu- facture is identical with that used at that time. The furnace WOOD CHARCOAL—ITS MANUFACTURE AND USE. 13 produces about eight tons per day of cold blast ‘ Lorn’ charcoal pig-iron. This iron is expensive to manufacture, and is the dearest on the market, but in spite of the cost of manufacture it has a ready sale, and is despatched to all corners of the world. It goes to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Europe, and is very largely used in the United States, where it is mixed with other irons to make malleable castings. ‘“Charcoal iron is made very extensively in Sweden and in Russia. The Swedish particularly is sold in Great Britain, and competes to a certain extent with the ‘ Lorn’ charcoal pig-iron ; but for special manufacture the ‘Lorn’ iron, though it is more expensive, holds its own, as it has peculiar properties which the Swedish and Russian charcoal irons do not possess. This is accounted for by the different class of iron ore used to make ‘Lorn’ iron as against Swedish and Russian iron. The ore used for the manufacture of ‘Lorn’ iron is specially selected from the hematite mines situated at Lindal Moor in the Furness dis- trict, and the secret of the specially peculiar properties of the ‘Lorn’ iron is the use of special ore which can only be had from these mines. For many years the manufacture of the ‘Lorn’ brand of charcoal pig-iron was intermittent, and a great deal of the market was lost at the time owing to the irregular manu- facture of same, the various users of our ‘Lorn’ iron being unable to depend on receiving their requirements. This was due to short supplies of charcoal. At that time the furnace was entirely dependent on charcoal produced in Great Britain, the chief source of supply being what was termed country charcoal, viz.: charcoal burnt in kilns in the coppices in the immediate neighbourhood of the furnace. For a radius of thirty and more miles from the furnace it has been the practice of landowners to grow coppice wood specially for the manufacture of charcoal, for which there was always a ready sale to the Backbarrow furnace, and coppice wood is still grown throughout the English lake district, in which the furnace is situated, for this purpose ; but as time went on fewer coppices were grown, so that there came a time when the local supplies were insufficient for the requirements of the furnace, and to augment it chemical char- coal was bought, and all surplus chemical charcoal on the British market was sold to the Backbarrow furnace. Even this was not sufficient to keep the furnace going for more than four to six months per year. There being an increasing demand for 14 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. the ‘Lorn’ brand of iron other sources of charcoal had to be found, and we are now importing charcoal very largely from the Continent, it being found that the best chemical charcoal could be delivered at our furnace from abroad at prices equal to and even less than the chemical charcoal manufacturers in this country insisted that they required to make their business pay. ‘To make our iron, wood charcoal is absolutely essential, just as much so as the special ore used, but the writer is strongly of opinion that there is no room for the increased manufacture of charcoal pig-iron in this country. We have plenty of ore, but as already pointed out there is an insufficiency of charcoal, and further there is a limited demand for the iron owing to its high cost. Swedes make and export ordinary charcoal pig- iron in very large quantities, and they can afford, owing to their being able to procure cheap charcoal, to undersell any iron which could be manufactured in this country ; and if it were not that we manufacture a charcoal pig-iron which they cannot copy, owing to their being unable to secure the ore, the Back- barrow furnace would not pay to work.” In America the output of charcoal iron is enormous owing to the vast amount of cheap wood and the furnaces carbonising it for themselves and recovering the products. Many works also are situated in the natural gas belt which enables their fuel costs, always a serious item, to be cut down to the lowest point. A large outlet for charcoal iron, even after steel had been long introduced, was in the tinplate trade in Wales, but it has had to give way there also to steel under the stress of competition though it has still its uses there. I have tried in the foregoing to give some idea of the rise of the manufacture of wood charcoal from small beginnings to its present immense proportion consuming thousands of tons of trees per day, and its position in this country to-day. Char- coal in any shape or size may be used for gunpowder or blacking, but it requires to be in good-sized lumps for burning purposes, and this requirement has led to the necessity for finding an outlet for the smalls and dust caused by the breaking down of the charcoal in the retorts and in transit. Such an outlet has been found in charcoal briquettes, such as are now extensively used in Dalli irons and carbotron stoves. Owing to the method of manufacture the charcoal is generally re-carbonised, and at a higher heat, and is therefore slower burning, and, if WOOD CHARCOAL—I1TS MANUFACTURE AND USE. 15 well made, quite inodorous. It is perhaps needless to say that, in burning, it gives off carbonic acid gas like most other combustibles. We now come to a class of wood charcoal, namely, flake charcoal, differing in the shape of the raw material used, and the totally different plant necessitated by its form, which plant in its turn materially affects the conditions under which it is produced. As a matter of fact, the weight of acid from any wood, whether in the log or in shavings (the raw material for flake charcoal), is the same for equal moisture, but shavings produced in the manufacture of spools for thread are made from very dry wood, distil quickly, and allow of very high temperatures being used in order to get a large daily output per unit plant. This high temperature, however, has an effect on the charcoal, which is much lighter than that produced from logs, but the yield in charcoal is much less, being about 33 per cent. of the weight of the logs (after deducting moisture) and under 20 per cent. of the weight of the shavings. The charcoal produced from the shavings is thus more difficult to ignite than that made from the logs, and is also much lighter per cubic foot. It is this latter quality which makes it so valuable (along with its shape) for insulation. A word or two now about the manufacture of charcoal. Originally, and following the experience of charcoal made as the result of a fire of wood, wood was piled in a heap in the open. It was then set on fire and covered up with earth, mud or clay, which cracked in all directions, under the influence of heat and the pressure of the gases. The gases oozed out through the cracks thus formed in great quantities up to a certain point, and then gradually fell off, till when the wood was completely carbonised they stopped almost completely. The cracks were then carefully plastered over and the heap left to cool. A variation on this process was subsequently made by digging a trench in which the wood was placed, thus diminishing the surface which had to be plastered. Both these methods are still in use all over the world in spite of their great antiquity. I was lately in the English lake district, and was taken high up into the hills, where I saw men at work making the heaps, firing some and smothering others. As the entrance of air during the cooling process would mean a loss of charcoal through burning, and as the charcoal burners are only paid 16 ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. according to the charcoal they produce, the heap requires constant attention day and night, and in all weathers. It is under totally different conditions that wood must be carbonised if the gaseous products have to be recovered, and for this purpose plant which will let no gas escape to the air is necessary. Originally, the plan was to replace the mud and clay by bricks and mortar, but this was soon found to be impracticable, both as regards saving the gas and preventing the access of air during the cooling process. There are still some of these in use, principally for the manufacture of archangel tar, the price of which is such that, coupled with cheap wood and cheap labour, the losses can be ignored. ‘The bulk of the wood is now carbonised in cast or malleable iron cylinders, the size of which varies from 3 ft. dia. to 8 ft. Each size has its devotees and advantages and disadvantages, from the point of view of time for each operation, yield of products and cost of handling. {The suitability of charcoal for insulating purposes is dealt with in the remainder of the paper, which includes many valuable tables of interesting statistics. | 3. Dupplin Castle Estates, Perthshire. By W. Dawson. The Dupplin Castle Estates, the property of Sir John A. Dewar, Bart., contain an area of about 2240 acres of wood- lands in addition to about 120 acres of park or policy woods. The woods had for long been neglected, and it is only three years ago that a beginning was made with the present scheme of management. The bulk of the woods had been planted between 1780 and 1820, on ground which was once probably moorland with marshy patches in parts. Some of the areas had been agricultural land, though these areas had only formed a very small part of the whole. Little planting had taken place, from the end of the period mentioned till the present scheme began, although there had been considerable activity in the way of removing more or less ripe timber, by bare clearing some areas and by over-thinning the rest. The conse- quence is that the age-classes are now not well balanced. There is too big an area of old timber in the form of under- stocked woods; there is a large area unstocked ; and the areas DUPPLIN CASTLE ESTATES, PERTHSHIRE. I7 of young and middle-aged wood is too small. In 1913 there was :— Unstocked area ‘ ; . 699 acres. Age, rto 20 years. ; on! Cae » 22 5, 40 5, s c : 153)» » 41 4, 60 ” : : : 21 ” 7) OF, Bars ‘ 327 acres ‘ 7 81 9, TOO 5, ¢ 535 ” 1309 55 AG Come kre) 24D Of the 1309 acres of old wood over 1000 acres are now past commercial maturity, and the ground is only partially stocked. The woods are situated at elevations of from 50 feet to 450 feet above sea-level. The soil is mostly a fair loam ot various degrees of heaviness. It varies in depth, and in many places overlies stiff clay. The rainfall of the district amounts to about 30 inches per annum. The district is not unduly exposed to frost or snow. Certain of the woods are, however, exposed to considerable risk from wind. This danger has been greatly increased by injudicious fellings in the past. The most dangerous storms come from the north and north-east, and on these sides areas have been cut, thereby exposing the big extent of remaining woods. In the scheme of management now in operation, about 1300 acres are meantime to be worked on the clean-cutting system, and the remaining area, being partly under broad- leaved trees or being in proximity to the park, are to be worked on a modified group-selection system. Although natural regeneration is extremely easy in the conditions prevailing here, the bare-clearing system is necessary meantime, partly because the open condition of the woods has permitted a dense surface vegetation to come up, and partly because it is desirable to change the species of trees. The Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) is meantime the predominant tree, but the conditions of soil and climate will permit of more valuable and quicker-growing species being planted. The species to be planted besides Scots pine are Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Douglas), larch (Larix europea), Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis), Sitka spruce (Picea sitkaensts), and, on a limited scale, Thuja gigantea, Cupressus nutkatensis, and Chamecyparis Lawsontana. Of broad-leaved trees, oak and sycamore are the chief. The species are mostly to be grown in pure groups, but beech _ or other shade-bearers will be grown with larch, pine and oak. A nursery of about 2 acres in extent was started in 1912, VOL. XXIX. PART I. B 18 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. and is now in condition for supplying the planting material as well as for growing rarer species for planting in the park, The woods are all badly provided with roads, and all new plantations are to be laid out in proper compartments with a proper series of roads and paths. In the present condition of the woods it would serve no useful object to attempt to fix the area which will ultimately be cut and replanted annually. There is every likelihood that the present clean-cutting system will be done away with, and its place taken by natural regeneration on the group-system. It has been assumed meantime that the production of about 30 to 35 acres could be cut each year. Thus the present unstocked area represents more than twenty times the normal area which should fall to be restocked each year. It is proposed to plant at the rate of about 60 acres a year for the first five years, and for the following period of seven years at the rate of 50 acres per annum, and then for two years more at the rate of 25 acres per annum. Thus the whole of the unstocked ground would be brought under crop in fourteen years. In the first five years none of the old wood is to be felled, but all the woods are to be cleaned up and dead and back-going trees removed. In the sixth year a beginning is to be made with the removal of the old woods, and for a period of seven years an area of about ro acres per annum is to be cut. After that period the annual cut is to be increased to from 30 to 35 acres. The planting scheme thus is :— Unstocked Area Stocked Area / Total Ist to 5th Year | 60 acres per annum, | No clearing. Re- | 300 acres or total of 300 moval of blown, acres back-going trees, etc. 6th to 12th Year | 50 acres per annum, | 10 acres per anuum, | 420 acres or total of 350 or total of 70 acres acres 13th and 14th Year | 25 acres, or total of | 35 acres, or total of | 120 acres 50 acres 70 acres Total in 14 Years . . | 840 acres Pirate I. Fic. 1. MAVISTON, BRODIE, ELGINSHIRE. Low wood produced on flat sands by natural seeding ; about 55 years of age, and containing over 4000 cubic feet of timber per acre. Fic. 2. MAVISTON, BRODIE, ELGINSHIRE. Natural regeneration carried out on the ‘‘ strip system” on flat sands. | Zo face A, 18, i, PLATE *$991} pating ayq Jo sdo\ ay} Aq pues au} Jo ysasie au) poetand oq} J {1 Aq | : ‘IY S}OOG yo uonRuLld SurmjayMsi9.0 puv Surouvrape purs “C ‘O1q © 0} anp are adoys ay} yo do} ay) ye ssunny ayy, ‘AMIHSNIOTY ‘STIIFT-ANVS NOLSIAVIY "MILANG JVILTOJOIH 2 0J04UqT | DUPPLIN CASTLE ESTATES, PERTHSHIRE. 1g For the utilisation of the timber the estate sawmills had been greatly improved. It is probable that a travelling sawmill will be procured when the cutting of the old wood commences. A creosoting plant has also been added, for treating timber for estate purposes. 4. The Planting of the Sand Dunes at Culbin.! (With Plates.) By P. Lesiiz, M.A., B.Sc., Marischal College, Aberdeen. One of the most striking illustrations that we possess in this country of lands, otherwise useless, being reclaimed and made of economic value by means of afforestation, is afforded by the experiments which have been carried out during the last hundred years on the large stretches of sand known as the Maviston and Culbin Sands, situated on the Morayshire and Nairnshire coasts between the rivers Nairn and Findhorn. In both localities, the sands can be separated into three zones. The large sand-hills on the north, often over roo feet in height, are nearest the coast. Inland they are succeeded by medium- sized dunes, which again merge into a flat area of sand 2 to 3 feet deep. The flat sands usually cover a moss formation which, in the case of Maviston, is a continuation of the bog of Loch Loy farther to the west. At Maviston, on the Brodie estate, the flat areas are well wooded. They contain trees of various ages, which for the most part have been produced by natural regeneration. The oldest part of these woods has been cut down, but a few well-grown specimens have been left on the ground. The age of these is between 70 and 80 years. They average over 4o feet in length, and girth 6 ft. at 4 ft. 9 ins. from the ground. To the north of them is a younger plantation, about 55 years of age (Plate I. Fig. 1). Mr Morrison, estate manager, Brodie, has kindly furnished me with particulars regarding this wood. There are, on an average, 525 trees to the acre. A few sample trees were felled. They were 32 ft. long, girthed 26 ins. at 16 ft. from the root, and contained about g cubic feet of timber. This would give a total cubical content of 4725 feet, representing a value of 1 A paper read before the Aberdeen Branch of the Society, on 17th October 1914. The paper was illustrated by lantern slides, 20 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, £108, 5s. per acre. The trees seem to be suffering from in- sufficient moisture, and some of them are dying. As they are now putting on very little growth, they should be cut down as early as is convenient. Probably they would be in a better condition if they had been subjected to a heavy thinning when younger, but that is a difficult matter to express an opinion on, and, in any case, they compare favourably with plantations growing on similar situations on the Continent. Natural regeneration is carried out on scientific principles, usually on the strip or compartment systems. The nature of the surface seems to allow of the seeds becoming easily covered, and a very thick growth of young trees soon springs up. There is no sharp or well-defined boundary between this low- lying and comparatively level area and the hummocky dunes into which it gradually emerges. In parts the latter also are well wooded, but those nearest to the large sand-hills are as yet covered only with a few rabbit-pruned trees, which are struggling to make headway in spite of the adverse conditions with which they have to contend. The large sand-hills, of which there are several at Maviston, flank these dunes to the north and west. Two of them are of special interest on account of the manner in which they have destroyed, and are continuing to destroy, the plantations lying in their path (Plate II. Fig. 3). They have no bent growing on their surfaces, and are both making comparatively rapid progress. One is proceeding westwards, the other and more important eastwards. The latter is some 4o feet in height. It slopes gradually to the west, but has on the east a bold bluff side which makes an angle of about 40 degrees with the vertical. It advances on the trees with all the regularity of a well- formed embankment. After it has moved forward some distance in its course, its victims, or rather their bleached and whitened skeletons, again appear (Plate III. Fig. 4). Still farther to the rear, where the sand has almost completely left the devastated area, nature has begun to repair the damage. At first the ground becomes covered with Xerophytic grasses, and also with /wncus squarrosus, species of Carex, trefoil, birch and dwarf willow. A thin layer of peat is also present. Later on, a thick growth of young Scots pine trees takes complete possession, and will, in course of time, replace the wood which has been destroyed. On the Brodie estate, the whole area under PuaTeE III. ‘pues oy} Jo souvape szdyqANy ayy Aq req ple] MoU SuTvtuad Ss} puv ‘pues Sulouvape Aq patujay MIAO OUI] ¥ OJ }SAIOJ OUI “AUIHSNIOTY ‘STIIF]T-GNVS NOLSIAVJ ‘P ‘DIY "AALANG 1VI1S0JOIL) : 0704 | yo9 a obs , t re p. 20. a I [To Puate IV. "JSB9 OF JSAM WOT 6192 YS 0} Yo] WO St YyLIp yy ay] ur sayddia purm ay) pue ‘uaq Jo synq ay) puryaq purs jo s[1e} ay} ‘adoys uo ‘pues Sulouvape jo aunp Surjjaavq v smoys punossyorq ayy ‘SNOILVINVTG SSANSNIG AHL YVAN : WAIHSNIOTY ‘STILF-ANVS Nidtag “S$ ‘og "AILANG JVILTOJOIL) | 07047 | -puvs dq} Jey} ayeOIpul ‘punorsa.c pues Surddijs pue doje aoruso09 ym yueq daaqs ayy, THE PLANTING OF THE SAND DUNES AT CULBIN. 21 Scots pine on the bog land and the flat of sand, as well as on the spaces between the sand-hills, amounts to 220 acres. ‘The large sand-hill proceeding eastwards is about 35 acres in extent, while the area it has completely passed over amounts to 5oacres. The ages of the trees on this area range from 1 to 20 years, and give a fairly accurate idea as to the rate of progress of the hill. Although the Maviston Sands have a grandeur of their own, they are comparatively insignificant when contrasted with the main body of sand at Culbin, three miles farther eastward. With the permission of the author, Mr Bain, Nairn, the following details regarding the appearance and tragic history of this at one time fertile but now desert region are largely borrowed from his books, the Story of a Buried Estate, and The Findhorn Ruwver, which deal with the subject. The Culbin Sands proper cover an area 4 miles long by 2 miles broad. Towards the north they are covered with sand piled up into ranges of hills and valleys in seemingly endless succession. From the top of these hills, which often exceed 200 feet in height, an excellent view is obtained of the surround- ing country, and of the far distant hills of Cromarty. In the valleys, the old land surface often comes to view. The furrows made by the plough two hundred years ago are still visible. Here and there beds of peat, shingle beaches, heaps of oyster and other shells are to be seen, while collectors find the place a happy hunting-ground for antiquarian treasures. Flint arrow- heads, scrapers, and stone axes are often discovered, and bronze pins, coins and rings have frequently been picked up. In 1898, a Roman coin of date 21 B.c. was found. The old bed of the Findhorn, which watered the alluvial meadows that at one time formed the most fertile agricultural land of Moray, can still be traced. The river ran westwards for a considerable distance on the north side of the estate. The history of the estate is associated with that of the family of Kinnaird. About the middle of the twelfth century Freskin or Freskinus, a rich Flemish merchant who gave the King financial assistance, acquired large tracts of land in the North of Scotland. In these remote regions he and others were outposts of European civilization amid the primitive Gaels, missionaries of the feudal system which David I. sought to establish throughout his realm in place of the clan or tribal polity. The doughty Fleming, Wilkin Flammock, in Sir Walter Scott’s 22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Betrothed, is an excellent description of this twelfth century type of half trader, half feudal baron. Freskin died in 1171, leaving the whole of Sutherland to his son Hugh, who is the first authentic ancestor of the Earls of Sutherland. His second son, William, acquired the estates of Duffus, in Morayshire. From him the Dukes of Athole are descended. Another family, the De Moravias, this being the territorial name which they assumed, were settled at Culbin at the same time that William was settled at Duffus. Records point to their being cousins or near relatives of the sons of Freskin. In 1400, Thomas Kinnaird married the heiress of the De Moravias. The estate was settled on their second son, whose descendants retained possession until their heritage was ruined by a sudden incursion of sand from the west. ‘*The lands of Culbin were known as the granary and garden of Moray. Stretching away in the distance in every direction were to be seen the highly cultivated fields with heavy corn, the rich meadows dotted here and there with thriving herds, and the extensive pastures with numerous flocks. One can judge of the value of the property when it is stated that, if it had come down unimpaired to our day, its rental would be at least £6000 a year.! The estate extended to 3600 acres. The rent-roll still exists. The Findhorn River, which rushes through so many romantic gorges in its upper course, flowed past the north side of the lands in a slow, steady stream. Along its banks were rows of fishermen’s huts with their boats and fishing gear in front, all these dwellings teeming with life and activity. The late frost or the protracted drought might destroy the crops in other parts of the district, but so deep and rich was the alluvial soil of Culbin that their crops never failed. The sand which overwhelmed the estate came from the west in the autumn of 1694. It came suddenly, with short warning—a man ploughing had to desert his plough in the middle of the furrow. The reapers in a field of barley had to leave without finishing their work. In a few hours the plough and barley were buried beneath the sand. In terrible gusts the wind carried the sand amongst the dwelling-houses of the people, sparing neither the mansion-house of the laird nor the hut of the cottar. The The actual rental of Culbin about the middle of the seventeenth century, according to the County cess books, was as follows:—money rent £2720 Scots, 640 bolls of wheat, 640 bolls of bear, 640 bolls of oats, and 640 bolls of oatmeal.—GRIGOR, THE PLANTING OF THE SAND DUNES AT CULBIN. 23 splendid orchard, the beautiful lawn, all shared the same fate. In the morning after the first night of drift, the people had to break through the backs of their houses to get out. They relieved the cattle and drove them to a place of safety. A lull in the storm succeeded, and they began to think they might still have their dwelling-houses, though their lands were ruined for ever. But the storm came on with renewed violence, and they had to flee for their lives. To add to the horror of the scene, the sand had choked up the mouth of the river Findhorn which now poured its flooded waters amongst the fields and homesteads, accumulating in lakes and pools until it rose to a height by which it was able to burst the barrier to the north and to find a new outlet to the sea, in its course sweeping to destruction the old village of Findhorn.” The luckless proprietor was ruined. The estate was sold in 1698 to Duff of Drummuir, the grandson of Adam Duff, the ancestor of the Dukes of Fife. He did not retain it long. Some thirty-five years later he became involved in financial difficulties and the Culbin estate was sold on behoof of his creditors, bring- ing asumof £1000. The largest part of it is now included in the estate of Moy. To the east of Moy lies the estate of Binsness, and to the south the small property of Kincorth. Between Brodie and Moy are situated the low woods of the estate of Dalvey. They have been produced by natural seeding, are about 1800 yards wide, and form with the Moy planta- tions a barrier between the Maviston and Culbin Sands. It looks as if the large sand-hill at Maviston, which, having left Brodie, is now encroaching on the Dalvey Woods, resents being separated from the main body in this fashion and is taking revenge. Kincorth, Dalvey and Moy, all present features of considerable interest to the forester; but in recent years the experiments at Binsness have been attracting most attention, and may be described first. The estate comprises some 558 acres. In 1667, it fetched a rental of £391, 17s. 2d. Scots, which, with the additional payment in kind which was then customary, would probably be equivalent to over £1000 sterling at the present time. After several changes of ownership it was sold in 1865 for £660. Grigor says of it at that time, “It possesses no plantations whatever ; and its. arable lands have been abandoned to desolation.” 24 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. I have been unable to verify whether Major Chadwick was the party who bought the estate in 1865. At any rate he was proprietor in 1871 when he began planting. At first his object seems only to have been that of beautifying his miniature desert, and of providing shelter for game and for the house which he had erected. Later on, he became more and more interested in the work in its forestry aspects ; and it is gratifying to note that his son, Mr James M. Chadwick, is carrying it on with the same enthusiasm. As already indicated, the areas on which trees have been planted in Binsness can be divided into three groups, in much the same way as those at Brodie—low ground 2 to 3 feet in depth overlying a substratum of moss, middle-sized dunes and large sand-hills. The first planting was carried out on the more level areas in the neighbourhood of Binsness House, a sum of £214 being expended to begin with. Scots pine, birch and spruce were used. ‘The spruce, as one would expect, proved a failure, but the branches came in useful later on for fixing the sands in the more recently formed plantations. The birch did extremely well, but is now proving somewhat of a nuisance, naturally regenerat- ing itself where the Scots pine might otherwise obtain a footing. Later on, in 1885, Maritime pines were planted. They have now reached a height of 33 feet, and are exceedingly graceful. Some twelve years ago, the spruce and some of the Scots pine were removed, and the vacant ground planted with Japanese larch and Douglas fir. While in both cases the results are promising, the Douglas is in parts badly attacked by Zyametes vadiciperda, but this seems to happen only where the sand is shallow and resting on a water-logged mossy subsoil, permeated with iron. Groups of Japanese larch and European larch were planted side by side in another part of the estate in 1903. The European larch has become somewhat yellow in the foliage, and is badly cankered ; while the Japanese larch shows every sign of being healthy. The first Corsican pines were planted in the low ground in 1898. The larger proportion of the woods at Binsness have been planted on the medium-sized dunes, the species chiefly employed being Scots pine. Twenty-five acres of this species were planted on the exposed portion of the ground called Findhorn Hill, in 1875. The plantations are all in a satisfactory condition, but on PLATE V. Fic. 6. MAviIsTON SAND-HILLS, ELGINSHIRE, After the sand has passed over the trees, as shown in Plates III. and IV., the area which has been devastated is again naturally regenerated with seed from the surrounding woods, and a thick growth of Scots pine covers the ground. Fic. 7. BINSNESS, ELGINSHIRE. Douglas fir; both Oregon and Colorado varieties planted about 12 years ago on the flat sands. When the first crop consisting of spruce, maritime pine and birch was removed a few standards of the birch and pine were left. The Oregon Douglas appears to be much healthier than the Colorado variety. [To face p. 24. PLATE VI. Fic. 8. BINSNESS, ELGINSHIRE. Spruce branches which have been used to fix the sand on the large hills (Plate 1V. Fig. 5). Young plantation of Corsican pine. FiG. 9. BINSNESS, ELGINSHIRE. Corsican pine planted 1911-12 on large sand-hills (Plate IV. Fig. 5). Note the Marram grass which is spreading rapidly. THE PLANTING OF THE SAND DUNES AT CULBIN. 25 the westward side show the effects of the prevailing winds. Individual trees are often attacked by the pine rust, Perzdermium pint, and also by Retinia resinella. A small area of these dunes was planted with a mixture of Scots and Corsican pine in 1903. The Corsican pine has, here, completely surpassed the Scots pine in height and girth. It has also beaten the Corsican pine planted on the low ground in 1908. The success of this species seems to be due to its adaptability for growing on sand and to its power of resisting wind. The trees develop very stout stems at an early age, and their tap roots are quickly replaced by long radiating side roots which resemble the underground stems of the Marram grass, as they run through the sand some 6 inches below the surface. On a plant 7 to 8 years old, three or four such roots, each about 15 feet in length, are commonly found. They give the plants an excellent hold of the sand. As regards the timber formed, it seems to me that it gives promise of being cleaner and freer from knots than the timber the Scots pine produces in the same situation. The latter species is apt to become very branchy when growing in soils consisting almost | entirely of pure sand. The Corsican pines at Culbin, unlike the Scots pines, do not show any sign of developing this objection- able feature, the branches remaining comparatively small. It is further interesting to note that the younger branches of the Corsican pine are remarkably succulent in spite of the difficulties they must have in obtaining moisture, while in the case of the Scots pine they are dry and brittle. After carrying out these experiments on the lesser dunes and flat areas, Major Chadwick extended his operations to the large sand-hills on the north. As these sand-hills are, to begin with, quite bare of any covering, it is specially necessary to see that the sand is properly fixed before carrying out any planting. First of all, the sands for some distance to the west of where it is proposed to plant are fixed with Marram grass. The grass is _ transplanted from places where it is growing thickly. As it _ great vitality, much care need not be taken in the / operation. It is simply inserted in holes made in the sand, when it quickly produces long runners and spreads rapidly. In the area where the planting is to take place, spruce branches are laid down with their ends inserted in the sand on the windward side. Recently, about three hundred loads of spruce brushwood were carted on to these large sand-hills. The carting is done 26 ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. when there is a hard frost, as at any other time the cart-wheels would sink. All the sweepings from the hay-loft are also deposited amongst the young trees, so that the ground quickly becomes covered with a vegetation of weeds and grasses. The sowing of Lupin has not been found to give good results, but broom comes up thickly wherever handfuls of the seeds are scattered, and is often afterwards transplanted to other places which are in process of being fixed. Fencing.—The area to be planted is enclosed with wire-netting, as rabbits are plentiful. Only one, or at most two, wires are used to support the netting, so that the fencing is not expensive. Planting.—In planting, a V-shaped notch is made with an ordinary spade or with one of the Schlich pattern with a very broad top. The plant is then inserted, and the sand simply forced into the hole with the foot. The best time for planting is towards the end of March or the beginning of April. It is advisable, if possible, to plant immediately after rain, as, if the sand is not moist on the surface, it must be scraped away until a moist layer is reached. Two-year seedlings are always used. The cost of planting is not high. Cost of labour : : ; . Ios, per acre. Cost of carting brushwood, 4 loads per acre. 4s. Plants, 4s. 6d. per thousand . 4 o- aSS: Totsh;..; «) ( RaS: Or, say, 30s. per acre exclusive of fencing. Some 30 to 40 acres were planted in this fashion amongst the great sand-hills about eight years ago. The species mostly used was Corsican pine; but Banksian pine, Douglas fir and larch were planted in subordinate numbers. The Corsican pine has proved itself the most suitable, and is now the only species planted. During the last three or four years another area of 40 to 50 acres has been planted with it in the very midst of the large hills, and the plantation has again proved successful. It seems wonderful that these young plants do not become buried in the sand which, in spite of the care that has been taken to fix it, is continually being driven hither and thither by the wind. The young plants are almost covered over again and again ; but, so long as the tips of their long, conical end buds keep above the sand, they manage to come away. The Binsness plantations will undoubtedly in years to come THE PLANTING OF THE SAND DUNES AT CULBIN, 27 form a spiendid monument to the care which the Chadwick family have bestowed on their formation. In the case of the Dalvey, Kincorth and Moy plantations, the trees cover only the sands spreading over the low-lying ground and medium-sized dunes. Some interesting records of them are left by Grigor. He states that the first planting was carried out at Kincorth in 1839, and that it was the earliest experiment in the afforesting of sand dunes carried out in this country. In 1865, the 26-year-old trees were valued by the proprietor at £430 per acre. Grigor himself planted 199 acres on the Moy estate with Scots pine and larch 2-year-old seedlings and 1-year transplants at an average cost of ros. 4d. per acre, exclusive of fencing. In 1842, he planted an additional 74 acres at 8s. gd. per acre. The proprietor planted another 25 acres. The total cost for the 298 acres, inclusive of £84, 16s. spent on the partial fencing of the area, amounted to £232, 18s. 7d. In 186s, he states that ‘the plantations on the Culbin sands belonging to Moy are now 22 to 24 years old, and form a very compact wood of nearly 300 acres. The tallest larches are about 48 feet high, and the best Scots pines 20 to 30... . In 1864, prop wood yielding, according to a statement furnished by the factor, a return of £482, 6s. 8d. was sold, and a further sale of £400 was expected before the necessary thinning was effected. . . . From its present healthy state, 1865, the forest cannot be valued at less than #22 per acre, or altogether £6556” (Grigor’s Zext-Book on Arboriculture, pp. 102-106). It is interesting to compare the planting carried out at Culbin with the similar experiments carried out on a much grander scale in various parts of the Continent. In the Landes in the South of France, the dunes seem to be somewhat similar to the large sand-hills at Culbin, but cover a much more extensive tract of country, and are proportionately more destructive. They also have been responsible for the overwhelming of villages and farms; and it was an endeavour to arrest their destructive progress that has been the means of giving us one of the world’s greatest experiments in the reclaiming of waste and barren land. The Government of France commenced this work in 1851. Before afforestation could be safely carried out, it was necessary to guard against future incursions from fresh material thrown up by the sea. This was done by driving palings into the sand some distance from the high tide level. As the sand covered up 28 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, these palings, they were gradually raised, until a regular artificial barrier dune, 35 to 40 feet in height running along the shore, was formed. This dune was then fixed by sowing and planting Marram. On the sands behind, Maritime pine seed was sown alone, or mixed with the seeds of Marram grass, whins and broom. The area sown was then covered up with brushwood, heather, whin and broom. As is well known, these operations have not only arrested the progress of the sand, but have trans- formed the Landes into one of the most prosperous districts of France, the centre from which we derive our supplies of French turpentine, and a large proportion of our supply of pit props. Similar experiments are carried out on the shores of the Baltic in East Prussia. Here, after the barrier dune is formed, fir branches, heather or broom are Jaid down on the sands behind, and the planting is carried out with fairly old plants of Scots or mountain pine. To come nearer home, the Balgownie Golf Links were threatened by sand blowing through the gulleys and clefts which form breaks in the embankment which runs along the coast. Two years ago, gratings were placed across these clefts, so that they might become filled up with sand. As an extra precaution, the sloping sand on the seaward side of the embank- ment was planted with Psamma arenaria and Elymus arenarius. At first it was feared the sea would wash out the grasses, but instead of this happening they are driving back the sea, and the sand which they are collecting is forming a new outer dune some 15 yards in advance of the old one. Since the grasses were planted the Don has altered its channel, retreat- ing from the Balgownie side towards the north, but it is doubtful whether they are in any way the cause of this departure from traditional habits on the part of the river. SPRUCE, SCOTS PINE AND JAPANESE LARCH. 29 5. Observations on the Annual Increment of Spruce, Scots Pine and Japanese Larch. By J. H. Minne Home. Some notes upon this subject were published in the Transactions on three previous occasions (vol. xxiv. p. 52; vol. XXvi. p. 160; and vol. xxvii. p. 34). The records for some of the plantations have now been taken for five years, and others have been added from time to time which also give interesting results. The means by which the observations have been taken, and the nature of the soil and situation of the different areas, have been referred to in the earlier articles and need not be again detailed. The object of this article is to summarise the results so far obtained, and to point out such conclusions as may be of value in forestry statistics and calculations. | The table on page 30 gives an abstract of the results for each plantation separately. Five stems have been taken in each group. The mean annual increment is calculated without any allowance for intermediate returns from thinnings, regarding which there are no records. The cubic measurements are quarter-girth. The plantations not referred to in previous articles are B (spruce), and D (Japanese larch). The former is ona soil which was formerly hill pasture of moderate quality, with thin peat lying on a somewhat retentive subsoil. The aspect is easterly. The Japanese larch are growing on what is undoubtedly a favourable soil, consisting of a good loam with a considerable deposit of humus. The aspect is easterly with a good slope. The four spruce areas are typical of different soils and elevations between 250 feet and 600 feet. Two are on fairly good soil, and two on poor soil. They also present considerable variation as regards density and number of stems peracre. In no instance has the early management of these crops for, say, the first 15 or 20 years been ideal, and better results should certainly be got from young woods recently established. In spite of such draw- backs it appears that a mean annual increment of fully 70 cubic feet per acre has been secured, with a current annual increment 30 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. ae, er ; | Number | Present ; ; Estimated | of | Average i net cent. Se Plantations Year Age Stock pod ost | Diameter Rerear Mew’ “pen ono Cub. ft. "| Inches | Cub. ft. | ‘| Cub, ft. I—Spruce I9I0 | 40 2800 | 280 | I1°5 70 4°16 116 7 IQII | 41 2916 280) ||) 117 71 | 3°54 103 te 1912 2 3019 280 | 11'8 72 3°75 113 ss 1913 | 43 | 3132 | 280 | 12° 73 3°37. | 105 : 1914 | 44 | 3237. | 280° Jexa@e |) 7g) aigge)| top | Five years’ Average 72 3°58 107 K—Spruce | 1911 | 38 | 2700 700 8°6 71 3°29 | 89 i 1912 | 39 | 2789 700 8°8 71 g12°°|' 89 ‘8 1913 | 40 2876 700 | 9°0 72 2°98 86 * 1914 4! 2962 9OD. 4} Grr 72 2°75) Ba Four years’ Average 714 3°03 | 86 k ; D—Spruce 1910 2 | 1320 450. | 68 41 6°95 gI Ag IQII Ba aale ALT Aso | Fo 43 6°58 93 9 1912 | 34 | 1504 450 | 7°2 44 6°35 95 ; 1913 | 35 | 1599 450 | 7°4 46 616 98 %» 1914} 36 | 1697 | 450 | 7°6 47 5°80 98 Five years’ Average 44 | 6°37 95 i B—Spruce 1912 | 36 2645 680 758 72 3°60 95 » 1913 | 37 | 2740 680 7°4 74 3°78 | 103 fy 1914 | 38 2843 680 7°6 75 Steir 100 Three years’ Average rp eee 3°63 99 I—Scots Pine 1910 | 40 1730 280 | 10°4 43 4°27 67 99 1911 | 4! 1797 280 | 10°5 44 2°59 46 sr I9I2 | 42 1843 280 10°6 44 2°67 | 49 a 1913 | 43 1892 280 | 10°7 44 276 | 52 ns 1914| 44 1944 | 280 | 108 | 44 2°37 | 46 Five years’ Average | 44 2°93 | 52 K—Scots Pine | 1910 | 37 | 1200 710 6°2 33 Pie? te le ” I9tr | 38 | 1251 | 710 6°3 34 4°75 59 99 1912 | 39 | 1310 710 6°4 34 4°41 58 » 1913 | 40 | 1368 710 6°5 34 3°71 51 ” 1914 | 41 1419 710 6°7 35 3°65 52 Five years’ Average | 34 4°15 | 54 Essel |D—Japanese Larch) 1913 9 980 1050 4'2 109 12°86 126 fe | 1914 10 1106 1050 4°5 110 12°01 133 Two years’ Average 110 12°43 / 130 SPRUCE, SCOTS PINE AND JAPANESE LARCH. 31 varying from 86 cubic feet to 107 cubic feet per acre. With rather more care given to the establishment of the crop, up to the period when a complete canopy is obtained, better results by at least 20 or 25 per cent. should be secured. With regard to the question of the most profitable length of rotation, larger experience is necessary before expressing a definite opinion. It would seem, however, that on poor soils such as K (spruce) the rotation for a first crop of timber should not be long. It will be noticed that at the age of 41 years the mean annual and current annual increments are already approaching, which would indicate the most profitable age for felling to lie between 50 and 60 years. The two Scots pine areas are examples of good and bad soils. The crop I (Scots pine) has been over-thinned. It will be noticed that the results of the two areas are very similar, and both the mean annual and current annual increments are poor. This merely confirms what is evident from an inspection of the relative growth of spruce and Scots pine in the district—that the former as a timber producer is worth at least twice as much as Scots pine. The results obtained from Japanese larch are very remarkable, but they have not yet continued long enough to draw any exact conclusions. Growth is, however, marvellously rapid, and it seems probable that whole areas could, if wished, be cleared for pitwood between the ages of 15 and 20 years. There are no crops of Douglas fir or Menzies spruce which are as yet sufficiently advanced to make measurements possible. On fairly good soils the growth of Douglas fir should be equal to or exceed that of Japanese larch. Menzies spruce is not likely to give quite so high a yield, unless after the age of 20 years, but the growth considerably outstrips that of the common spruce. There can be little doubt that the importance of fairly accurate information regarding growing stock, annual increment, and annual fellings, in terms of cubic feet per acre, has been insufficiently studied by those having charge of the management of woods in Scotland, and comparatively few foresters could give, even approximately, correct information upon these points regarding the whole woods under their charge. So far as coniferous woods are concerned, it seems fairly clear that the minimum return which should be expected is 60 cubic feet 32 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. per acre per annum. If this standard is not being reached, there is a fairly strong presumption either that the management is defective, the wrong species is being grown, or the soil and elevation are such that profitable forestry is doubtful or impossible on the particular area in question. Many middle- aged and nearly mature crops may fall considerably below such a standard, and the problem set before the forester in these cases is—how and when to realise such crops to the best advantage, so as to replace them with fresh crops of the most suitable species established under proper conditions. The results shown in the foregoing table are merely averages for each area. To give the details for each stem would have occupied too much space. Part of the object of the investigation was to ascertain in what months growth was actually made, and to endeavour to trace what connection, if any, existed between weather conditions, such as rainfall, and timber increment. The following are the results obtained :— Percentage rate of growth in Total | Plantations | Year | ! ) May June | July Aug. Sept. oa Ten 7 | | Spruce (2) |) “19I0) ji -19 32 22 TS: |, 29 | 100 ett TOLUe 20 29 19 15 9 | 100 ea) | 1912 21 30 2 16 4 1° ties 4d 1 OT9.7 |. 20. |. 35. 1. ea 6 5 |, feo sa (A) | 1914 | 18 | 20 14 2 6 100 Five years’ Average 21 29 22 21 | 7» \aateo | lke Scots Pine (2) TOLOss| eur 32 47 6. || an) alaGa es (2) IQII 27° | 28) = 16 25 jc. A a) oa (2) 192 204 AP soy eer wig 15 2 | 100 : (2) 1913 23 | 32 17 23 5 100 » (2) 1914 | 17 | 25 | 15 | 39 | 4 | 100 j— Five years’ Average 23 | 3I 22 21 3 100 | Japanese Larch (1) | 1913 TO i esa 32 15 ee eet le! ms (1) | 1914 | 17 40 10 32 I | 100 Two years’ Average 18 37) a eek | 23 I | 100 Such differences as appear tend to show that timber increment on the main stem commences two to three weeks earlier on a good soil than on poor soil; and that on peat little or no increment is made until the ground is fairly dry. This is SPRUCE, SCOTS PINE AND JAPANESE LARCH. 33 even more marked with Scots pine than with spruce. As an instance, in plantation K, the Scots pine in rgro did not commence to lay on wood until June, whereas in 1912, 46 per cent. of the whole season’s growth was made in May. In the former year April and May were wet and sunless, in 1912 these months were unusually dry. The rainfall during the first half of the summer of 1914 was unusually light, and the result is most clearly shown in the table by the restricted growth of spruce in June and July, followed by a rapid growth in August after rain had fallen. In the case of plantation B (spruce) no less than 69 per cent. of the whole season’s growth in 1914 was made in August. The total increase in girth does not vary widely, taking one season with another, but the month in which the largest increase is made seems to depend greatly on rainfall. A season cannot apparently be too wet for spruce, but for Scots pine a moderate rainfall gives the best results. The growing season for both spruce and Scots pine appears to extend from the middle of May to the first week of September, the spruce having slightly the longer growth of the two. The largest average percentage of growth is made in June (30 per cent.), the months of May and July being practically equal (22 per cent.). There is a slight falling off in August, as compared with July, and September accounts for only 5 per cent. of the total increment. Particulars of rainfall for the five years may be of interest for comparison. Year | May | June | July Aug. Sept. Total ==. — | fue — — — —— ——— | Inches | Inches | Inches | Inches | Inches Inches I9IO FA 1°98 | 6°10 8°73 ; 20°18 | IQII Bron 2°78 1°80 | 4°29 4°30 16°38 1912 21 e5ete g:22 5°95 2°64 19'18 1913 |. 3°20. || 2278 1°18 3°02 2°14 12°41 1914 | 2-42 | rom [gga 54g | 3°08 15°53 | Five years’ Average | 2°72 2°75 3°18 5°48 2°60 16°73 VOL. XXIX. PART I. Cc 34 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 6. On the Production of Potash Salts from Woodlands and Waste Lands. (With Plate.) By G. P. Gornon, B.Sc. It is now a matter of common knowledge that, as a result of the European crisis, the main supplies of potassium salts have been cut off, and there is every reason to believe that the stocks of these in Scotland will be completely exhausted by April 1915. The annual consumption, in Scotland, is approximately 25,000 tons of low-grade salts having a potash content of from ro per cent. to 15 per cent. (K.O), and 500 tons of high- grade salts containing from 40 per cent. to 50 per cent. potash (K.O). These potash salts are used in a large number of industries, é.g., soap-making (soft soap); glass-making; pottery manufacture ; artificial manure making; electro-plating, gilding and electro- gilding; dyeing, bleaching and fixing processes; manufacture of gunpowder and pyrotechnic materials ; manufacture of lucifer matches; calico printing; extraction of gold by the “cyanide processes ” ; manufacture of soluble glass ; tanning ; manufacture of prussian blue; case hardening of iron; salting and pickling of meat; photography. The chief potash compounds used for industrial purposes are the carbonate, sulphate, chloride, hydrate, chlorate, cyanide and nitrate. In addition certain potash salts are used medicinally, ¢.g., the iodide, bromide, acetate, bicarbonate, citrate and chlorate. It has long been established that the ash of plants is rich in potash salts, of which, as the analyses show, anything from 3°5 per cent. to 26 per cent. may be obtained. The following analysis was made of a sample obtained by lixiviating wood ash with boiling water and evaporating to dryness, and indicates the manner in which the potash is combined with the various acid radicles in the wood ash. The analysis was made by the City Analysts, Glasgow. PRODUCTION OF POTASH SALTS. 25 Per Cent. Carbonate of Potash , ; : eRe 26 Sulphate of Potash . ‘ 2 : . 24°66 Chloride of Potash . : : sy ores Phosphate of Potash ; : ; ‘14 Potash combined as Silicate. ; are Coy! Soda combined as Silicate : ‘50 Silica combined with Potash and Soda. 365 Insoluble Matter : : ‘ ; ‘20 Water, etc. : : : ; ’ . 28°09 10000 Total Potash (K,O) . : ' } «4240 The relative proportions of these salts are also indicated, and it is observed that the bulk of the potash occurs as carbonate and sulphate, which are the two most important potassium salts. As forest contains by far the largest volume of plant tissue per unit of area of any land, it was decided to conduct experi- ments relating to the production of plant ash in woodlands. The investigation was extended to include land producing a dense volume of weed growth, such as is obtained in the case of bracken land. The experiments were conducted with due regard to present economic conditions, and all calculations of costs are based upon these. QUANTITIES AVAILABLE. It was not deemed advisable to give separate figures for different types of woodlands, e.g., high-forest, coppice and scrub, since the density of stocking varies so much. It was found however, that taking the “lop and top,” undergrowth, weed growth and litter, in any average type of woodland about half a ton of ash was produced per acre. On the basis of there being _ three million trees cut this year for pitwood and other purposes in plantations containing on the average three hundred trees per acre, some five thousand tons of ash would be rendered available. In all portable saw-mills and foreign timber-mills where wood constitutes the fuel, ash is a by-product. On investigation it was found that such mills produce about quarter of a cwt. of ash per day. Throughout Scotland there are probably not less than five hundred mills producing wood ash, which, if they work 36 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, three hundred days in the year, yield approximately two thousand tons of ash. As regards the actual acreage of land under bracken in Scotland no data are available, but it may be taken that there are at least the equivalent of twenty thousand acres of fully stocked bracken land, from which ash could be readily made available. In the experimental tests with bracken one ton was produced per ten acres, so that a total of some two thousand tons of bracken ash could be guaranteed. From the above three sources a total of nine thousand tons could be put on the market within the year, at a moderate cost, and with no disturbance to existing industries. Certain other small sources of supply might be mentioned ; for example, the material obtained in clearing up the leaves, twigs, hedge clippings and shrubs from policy grounds and gardens, yields, on burning, an ash which has a high potash content. Further, if an efficient and economic means of burning sawdust, chips and bark could be devised, a large and fairly valuable supply of ash could be obtained. In this connection, it should be mentioned that the parts of a tree richest in potash salts are, first, the leaves or needles and buds, next, the bark, then the twigs and branches, and finally, the timber. METHOD OF PRODUCTION. Perhaps the most important point in connection with this is the fact that no plant is necessary, the work being done as in ordinary “clearing and burning” operations. Heaps of “brush” are made on places where there is a good flat bottom for the fire, and where easy access is obtained to a large amount of material (Plate VII. Fig. 1). The fires are started and are kept going for two or three days until the particular area is cleared. It is found better to have two or three fires than to have one large fire, since labour is saved in dragging. The fires each night should be well “ banked” with green material, and in wet weather may be covered with sheets of old corrugated iron. Where fires are made on sloping land, a shallow trench should be excavated on the top side to carry off surface water. The fires require no special attention until burning is almost complete, when the embers should be stirred occasionally until all the ash is in the form of a fine white powder. The organisation of labour for this presents no difficulty. Preate VII: ee F act ad ee 7 MILL FUEL READY FOR BURNING, HIGH 3: BRACKEN COLLECTED FOR BURNING, [To face p. 36. WAY 4 ie ig oe yy) a? aa PRODUCTION OF POTASH SALTS. 37 Proprietors and timber merchants are regularly in the habit of conducting these operations, and usually have the necessary labour at their disposal. The price obtained for the ash will allow them to augment their staffs, which will result in an increase of local employment. ‘This employment is of a very light nature, so that old persons and even women and children might be employed. In the case of mill fuel (Plate VII. Fig. 2) the method of pro- duction is exactly as at present; it therefore entails no increased labour bill. As regards bracken land, this is treated in a similar manner to woodlands. After the bracken has been cut it is collected into convenient centres (Plate VII. Fig. 3) and there burned. The best time to cut bracken for this purpose is during the months of August, September and October, or even later, if necessary. The labour required to produce bracken ash could probably be readily supplied by estate and farm staffs. In all the above methods of production it is essential that the ash be kept as dry as possible, since the potash salts are soluble in water. The ash from the various types of fires, when cool, is put through a three-sixteenth-inch sieve, after which it is either — bagged directly or put into barrels or large wooden ash-bins. It is necessary that at each centre of collection the various types of ash should be well mixed, so as to ensure the obtaining of a uniform product. Cosr OF PRODUCTION. The figures given are representative of the cost in cases where the total is put against the ash, and they may be taken as indicative of average conditions under which production takes place. The proved costs of production show considerable variation, ranging from 4os. to 5os. per ton in the case of bracken land, and from 50s. to 60s. per ton in the case of woodlands. The costs of production from woodlands and from bracken land should not, however, be taken at their face value. In the case of the former, the ash is in reality a by-product, since the operation of “clearing and burning” is necessary in order to make possible the replanting of the area, and to afford protection against insect and fungoid attacks. Further, timber merchants sometimes undertake “clearing and burning” in their contracts, since the clearing of the area, as felling operations proceed, facilitates and cheapens the cost of extraction of the timber. In the latter case, the increased value of pasture from which bracken 38 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. has been cleared has been shown in some cases to more than pay the cost of cutting. RESULTS OF ANALYSES. The following are the results of the analyses of six samples which represent the various materials and methods for the production of potash salts :— Engine Fire Forest Fire Open Fire | Closed Fire A B c D E Hardwood | Softwood | Hardwood, Softwood | Bracken Ash sh sh Ash As _ | _ | Soluble Potash . : 7°87 3°60 9°30 | 7°60 15°51 Insoluble Potash . ‘ 2°47 2°55 3°50) | (\agesg 10°77 10°34 | 6°15 12°80 13°15 26°28 Soluble Phosphates : None None None None None Insoluble Phosphates. 11°45 8°97 23°37 £757 8°93 Citric Soluble Phosphates Kt Be oe 10°07 = )| = 17782 or Insoluble Matter in Water | 87°68 95°00 84°44 80°42 77°50 94°96 The following two samples were collected under perhaps the worst possible conditions. Sample G is from a forest fire, and has a considerable quantity of soil mixed with it due to careless lifting, in addition to having been exposed to the elements for some time. Sample H is from a mill in which the fire was damped with water at night, and the collecting barrel of ash was not under cover. Forest Fire Engine Fire | G H Mixed Ash Softwood Ash Soluble Potash . d 2 2°25 2757 Insoluble Potash : : 1°30 1335 Total Potash . 3'55 4°9 Soluble Phosphates. ‘ None None Insoluble Phosphates . A 3°63 5°02 Insoluble Matter in Water . | 95°56 69°96 PRODUCTION OF POTASH SALTS. 39 The above analyses would seem to show that, generally speaking, the proportions of potash and phosphate in the various types of ash depend mainly upon the method of production. In the case of both softwoods and hardwoods the analyses show that the ash produced in forest fires has a greater potash and phosphate content than ash produced in mill fires. This is probably explained by the fact that in the forest fires there is a larger proportion of branch wood, twigs and leaves, all of which are relatively richer in potash and phosphates than the “slab” material which comprises the mill fuel. The ash of bracken is seen to be very much richer in potash than any types of wood ash, and as bracken is often found in association with coniferous plantations the admixture of bracken ash will increase the total yield of potash from such areas. UTILISATION OF MATERIAL. Analyses show that this material as a potash manure is very similar in nature to kainit, and may be used for similar purposes. In addition, however, the wood ash contains a considerable proportion of phosphate which adds greatly to its manurial value. An experiment on a commercial scale showed that the mechanical condition of the ash is excellent; this allows of it being used with advantage in compound manures, in which it functions as a “dryer.” According to recent experiments conducted at Rothamsted,! ‘‘ wood ash readily mixes with super- phosphate without heat, smell or caking.” In this connection, taking for granted that the methods of production, collection, storage and marketing prove successful, it is highly probable that this material could compete successfully with kainit, even in normal times, when it would have an average selling price of about 60s. to 70s. perton. At the present time, however, a better price should be realised.” HiGH-GRADE SALTS. The production of certain high-grade potash salts from the crude ash is a matter which does not present much difficulty. The method consists, in the first place, of extracting the potash lye by lixiviation of the ash with warm water, or with quicklime 1 See The Journal of the Board of Agriculture, vol. xxi., No. 8, p. 697. * On the basis of 4s. per unit soluble potash, and Is. 3d. per unit hosphate. 40 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. and water in a series of vats, and of the subsequent evaporation of the lye in shallow iron pans. For certain purposes, ¢.g., soft soap manufacture, the lye itself may be used. An experiment was conducted in this connection and good samples of soft soap produced; the bracken ash gave the best results in this respect. The residue in the vats, when dried, has a certain manurial value, as it consists largely of calcium, carbonate and phosphate. The calcium phosphate contains about 8 per cent. of phosphoric acid, and the wet residue has a water content of from 50 to 60 per cent.! MARKETING. It has been suggested that probably the best method of marketing would be to store the material at the various centres of production in quantities of from 5, 10, or 15 tons. The material should be well mixed in bulk before being finally bagged. A sample should then be taken from the heap and sent for analyses and assessment, after which the consignment may be sold direct to the purchaser. 7. The District Advisory Forest Officers of the Board of Agriculture. As is well known, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland intend in the near future to appoint three District Forestry Officers, whose services will be available to proprietors of wood- lands and plantable lands in Scotland. One officer will be attached to each of the three agricultural colleges, and his services will be available in the area served by the college to which he is attached. When these appointments have been made, the duty of the officers will be to give advice generally on forestry management, and their services will be further available for the preparation of simple working-plans for woodlands and plantable lands which the owners desire to treat mainly for profit. It is hoped that this arrangement may be the means of initiating considerable improvements in timber growing. The services of the District Advisory Forest Officers will be given free of any further charge 1 See Zhe Forester, Nisbet, vol. ii. p. 608. DISTRICT ADVISORY FOREST OFFICERS. Al than a contribution of 1os. per day towards the actual travelling and incidental expenses incurred in connection with field work and the preparation of such plans. But before any District Advisory Officer can begin the field work certain preliminary information will be required, and the landowners will be asked to furnish the Board with various details. These details are indicated in the annexed memorandum, and forms for making the returns will be supplied by the Board. MEMORANDUM detailing the Preliminary Information needed before the Board of Agriculture for Scotland will be prepared to lend the services of a District Advisory Forest Officer for preparing Working-Plans for woodlands and plantable lands which landowners may wish to work for profit :— 1. Situation (County and Parish) ; area and general description of the estate: and its legal position (whether held entailed or in fee simple). 2. Summary of the total area (in acres) of the woodlands and the lands intended to be planted. Acres. A—Ornamental Woods, Shelter-belts, Game Coverts, etc., not intended to be worked for profit &—Broad-leaved Woods and Plantations, and old Coppices and so-called ‘‘natural woods,” intended to be worked for profit C—Conifer Woods and Plantations intended to ° be worked for profit D—Land intended to be planted . Total Area 3. A Complete Register of all the woodlands summarised under A, Band C, and of the plantable land under D, giving full details of all the woods and plantations, etc., to which the working- plan is intended toapply. Each separate compartment of wood, plantation, coppice, or land for planting, should, in each of the classes A, B, C and D, be numbered (seriatim in each class) and named, the kind of crop and the age of the crop given for classes A, B and C, and the area (in acres) stated. 42 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Such a Register may conveniently be sent in the following form :— Actual or No. of Block or aia Name of | General Description * Area Compartment. - Approximate Section of Block Wood | of Present Crop Age: Years Acres A—Ornamental Woods, Shelter-Belts, etc., not intended to be worked for profit. ei i Se | | | Total 4—Broad-leaved Woods and Plantations, and old Coppices and natural woods intended to be worked for profit. bay | | | - etc. | Total . | C—Conifer Woods and Plantations intended to be worked for profit. , Pega _ 2 etc. as | Total . D—-Land intended to be planted. 458 18 3 a5): 97: fOr WOniejuse at.zs. .. ; 4:3) Sea 7188 lin. ft. 5 ins. pitwood at 32s. od. percent.. 115 0 o 1638 eee 1gs. 6d. a , 15 19 34 Fe6O" - 5; 4 5 18s. od. * ‘ 10 16 0 aise y 4. 3 - 8s. od. as ie EBay GS ae Total : £225) Ae BI Expenditure. Felling, logging, and carting . : : itGgede sn iG Freight and lighters; and railway charges on to2tons. : : : g ; 20: BA, 2 Total ‘ Syek SOs al ais Giving a wet tncome per acre of ‘ £163 17 3 In order to obtain data which will be of great value not only in the future development of this area but in drafting similar schemes for other areas in the West of Scotland, accurate accounts of all details of income and expenditure should be kept and be made available for purposes of research. I am engaged at present preparing the working-plan showing in detail the whole proposals. My survey and examination of the 1 See Afforestation in Scotland, by Lord Lovat, and Captain Stirling of Keir, 1911, pp. 74, 75- 62 ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. areas, however, being completed, I am in a position to say that every assurance can be given of a successful and profitable scheme being wrought out, and that the District Committee need have no hesitation in proceeding with the same. I consider the proposed scheme, taken as a whole, to be outstanding in that :— r. It will fulfil a national purpose. 2. It will be of material assistance to the Water Under- taking. . It will be financially profitable in due course. 4. It will provide a new and practical feature in connection with the treatment of tuberculosis, affording healthy and suitable employment and the requisite training in forestry work to enable many to earn their livelihood in this industry in future years. 5. It will foster and assist forestry in the West of Scotland by creating excellent demonstration areas within easy reach of the teaching centre of the West of Scotland. w 10. The Present Condition of Forestry in Italy.' By Prof. Lopovico PIcci1011, Forest Inspector at Catanzaro (Calabria). In order to give an idea of the condition of our forest wealth, and of the difficulties which are encountered in framing a single code of forest legislation without prejudice to the interests and customs of the population, it is sufficient to review rapidly the uncertain and desultory evolution of the laws in their hydraulic, economic, hygienic and pastoral aspects. Between 1860 and 1877 every region of Italy had its own forest laws. In what had been the kingdom of Naples on the mainland, the law of Francis I., of 21st August 1826, which was extended to Sicily by the decree of 26th March 1827, was still in vigour. It was perhaps wiser than the others, and it might have been extended to the whole peninsula with advantage to the forest economics of the country. In Tuscany, after the edict of Peter Leopold, dated 24th October 1780, the greatest liberty prevailed. Piedmont obeyed the letters patent of Charles Albert, dated 1st December 1833, and 28th January 1834, and 1 Reprinted from the Monthly Bulletin of Agricultural Intelligence and Plant Diseases, iv., No. 2. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF FORESTRY IN ITALY. 63 Sardinia those of 14th September 1844, and the decree of Victor Emmanuel II. of 4th November 1851, which was later extended to the Marches and Umbria. In Venetia and in Lombardy the decree of Eugene Napoleon, of 27th May 1811, was still in force. The Hon. Majorana Calatabiano attempted to remedy this want of uniformity in the legislation by means’ of the law of zoth June 1877, which is still fundamental in Italy. It is very liberal, being based on the opinion that in order to promote forestry free competition is more advantageous than monopolies and servitudes, and that when the demand is greater than the supply there would be no lack of landowners who would be induced by the prospect of profit to grow timber. In this law liberty is thus the rule and servitude the exception, the latter being limited to those cases bearing upon water-courses, upon the protection of the land against erosion, etc., and upon public health, but without any consideration of economic, climatic or cesthetic factors. There was no provision for rendering re-afforestation compulsory. This law ushered in a great destruction of forests. Whilst the area of forests under the surveillance of the administration was 12,463,543 acres on 1st January 1877, it was reduced to 7,402,395 acres on 30th June 1879, and by successive freeing from servitudes to 7,251,130 acres on 1st January 1900. Too much trust was placed in the good effects of liberty, and not enough consideration was given to the often imperious motives which induce landowners to fell their forests, and to the difficulty of finding people willing to embark their capital in afforestation schemes, trusting to the market conditions of a century later. Subsequent events proved that only a portion of these woods was destroyed with the object of transforming the soil they occupied into fields, meadows and vineyards, and thus increasing the wealth of the country. The greater part of the forests were ruined by the excessive fellings to which the owners were driven by their straitened financial position, and by the demands of the market. Concomitant causes were the haphazard grazing and the primitive manner in which farming was carried out upon the cleared lands; usually after a few years they were abandoned to the action of the water, which leached them out and carried away the vegetable soil which had accumulated in the course of centuries. 64 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. It is believed that upwards of one-third of the forests freed from servitudes have already been ruined, and that another third is deteriorating so that before long it also will disappear. Some instances taken from official publications will give an idea of this work of destruction: In the Sila (Calabria) 77,341 acres of land freed from forest servitude were broken up and sown with rye, flax and potatoes, the timber being burnt on the spot as tt could not be sold. Inthe province of Sassari (Sardinia), 407,550 acres of high-forest and coppice were freed from forest servitude, and the owners were left absolutely free to do what they liked with them. They paid no attention to either the preservation or the regeneration of the forests, because after the trees were felled unrestricted destructive grazing of all kinds of. animals was allowed. That the measures concerning the freeing of forest servitudes were very injurious, and that the list of such abrogations were hastily drawn up, besides being full of errors and not sufficiently controlled, is proved by the fact that in many cases it has been found necessary to propose the reimposition of the servitude, and that in general, and especially along the Apennines and in Sardinia, many of the freed belts have become bare stony slopes, rocky precipices, or steep clay banks burnt up by the sun, which seem to baffle every attempt to render them fertile or clothe them with forests by economical methods. Liebig used to say that a population that allows the fertilising substances of its land to be carried into the sea during a century will be obliged to follow them and to emigrate ; and Victor Hugo wrote: “ Crest la substance méme du peuple quwemporte, ici goutte a goutte, li it flots, le misérable vomissement de nos fleuves dans lamer.” This indeed has happened on the slopes of the Southern Apennines, where a part of the mischief is no doubt due to geological causes beyond-the control of man; but by far the greater part of it is the effect of the wastefulness and neglect of man, who has paid no heed to the equilibrium of natural forces, and has not considered the far-reaching effects of his actions. There were not wanting scientists and parliamentary men who attempted to stay this continued work of destruction. But failure attended every effort to introduce a real forest law ‘It is the very substance of the people which is being carried away, here drop by drop, there in floods, by the torrential discharge of our rivers into the sea. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF FORESTRY IN ITALY. 65 providing for the conservation and improvement of existing forests, for the afforestation and putting to grass of those lands that cannot be kept permanently under more profitable crops, for the extension of wooded pastures, for the conciliation of the interests of silviculture and animal husbandry to the advantage of the inhabitants of the mountains, and lastly for means of pro- hibiting large landowners, neglectful of their social duties, from allowing immense tracts of land go to ruin. The law of 1st March 1888, on re-afforestation, the regulations for the application of which were not even published, had such meagre results that it may be considered a dead letter. From the official statistics, it appears that between 1867 and 31st December 1904, the area re-afforested, at the expense of the Government or with its assistance, amounted to 129,302 acres with an outlay of £131,885. Thus in 38 years the area re-afforested is 27 times smaller than that freed from servitude in the second half-year of 1877. It seemed as if an adverse destiny weighed on Italian forests, and even after some disastrous inundations the remonstrances in the Chamber of Deputies failed to obtain a satisfactory solution of the forest question. Guido Baccelli, who in spite of the ridicule of his adversaries had founded experimental school gardens and instituted an Arbor Day, has the merit of having succeeded in putting through the first bill (that of z9th December r1gor) affirming the esthetic importance of forests ; this bill further set aside as health resorts the celebrated forests of Vallombrosa, Camaldoli and Boscolungo in the Tuscan Apennines, the Cansiglio forest in the province of Belluno, and the Ficuzza forest in the province of Palermo. Baccelli also had the courage to present a bill, on 26th April 1902, subjecting to servitude every wood in the kingdom what- ever its position; but this was doomed to failure, and after having been approved by the Senate it was buried in the offices of the Chamber, notwithstanding that it contained the germs of that new feeling for forests which was so soon to bear fruit and to usher in the period of the restoration of woods. Thus, on 26th June, the measures for the protection of forests in the Sele catchment basin were approved. This step, for the first time in Italian legislation, affirmed the principle admitted by the Romans that forests supply the courses of rivers and regulate their course. VOL. XXIX. PART I. E 66 ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. On 31st March 1904, the law applicable to Basilicata came into force; in imposing the forest servitude this recognises, besides the interests of hydraulic and hygienic interests, the economic factor also. It provides for exemption from land tax in favour of those who re-afforest, and grants them prizes ; and it authorises an outlay of £856,400 for the regularisation of the water- courses in the plain and in the mountains, including the work of re-afforestation and of strengthening the slopes. The law of 25th June 1906, applicable to Calabria, confirms the exemptions from land tax and the giving of prizes to those who re-afforest, and votes £935,700 for the regular- isation of the water-courses in the plain and in the mountains, £352,000 for drainage, and £137,400 for consolidating slopes that threaten inhabited centres with landslips. On roth July of the same year a law relating to Vesuvius was passed; it authorises an outlay of £234,000 to repair the damage caused by the eruption and by the subsequent down- pours, and to provide for the regularisation of the water-courses and woods, besides a further £80,000 for similar regularisation on the southern slopes of Vesuvius. On 5th May 1907, a law providing a Water Board for the provinces of Venetia and of Mantua was passed. ‘This provides one administrative office for the control of the public waters in the provinces of Venetia, Padua, Treviso, Vicenza, Verona, Rovigo, Udine, Belluno and in that portion of the province of Mantua lying between the Po and the Mincio; this law is the beginning of a wise decentralisation in the management of waters and forests. On t1oth November 1907, the measures for Sardinia were approved ; and on sth April 1908, a sum of £8000 was voted to assist the work of improving the pastures, preference being given to those belonging to communes and associations. On znd June t1gto, Luzzatti’s law was passed for the constitution of a vast State forest domain and for the protection and encouragement of silviculture; and on 22nd December of the same year another law on the works to be carried out on the waters and forests of mountain basins was approved. It allows for an outlay of £198,000 in the first five years, and £793,000 in the next fifteen years. On 13th July 1911, another law on mountain basins, water control and drainage was approved. The last statistics published (on 31st December 1907) refer to THE PRESENT CONDITION OF FORESTRY IN ITALY. 67 the forests subject to forest servitude. The figures are reported in the agricultural land book (catasto) of 1910, together with the area of woods not subject to forest servitude; these (including chestnut woods) are given in the following table :— Under Forest Free from Servitude Servitude Total Acres Acres Acres High-Forest : : 3,840,850 1,449,186 5,200,036 Coppice . . 3,512,340 | 2,470,000 5,982, 340 The total wooded area from 1870 to 1910 was as follows :— : | In 1894, according : In 1910, according In pene tothe jess In Esha to the Agricultural Annuario Statistico Land Register | Acres | Acres Acres Acres | 12,430,624 11,132,854 9,666,943 11,277,396 The above figure for 1910 is 17°03 per cent. of the area of the country. The values of the imports and exports of forest produce and of forest industry during the last eleven years have been as follows :— Year Imports Exports 4 BA 1900 2,455,342 387,613 190! 2,557,237 412,301 1902 2,565,494 439, 561 1903 2,718, 1g0 472,271 1904 2,072,481 409,650 1905 2,202,599 300,252 1906 3,983,540 284,704 1907 4,734,132 287,440 1908 5,474,484 319,239 1909 9,355,083 237,205 I9IO 6, 300,728 267,013 There are no precise data as to the yearly production of timber, but an approximation is given by the following table based on the calculation that an area of high-forest yields 36 cubic feet of wood, an acre of coppice 43 cubic feet, and the 29 million acres of fields, wooded pastures, brushwood and hedges yield 7 cubic feet per acre. 68 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. PRODUCTION OF TIMBER, IN CUBIC FEET. ' From High-Forest From Coppice From the Fields Total 189,097,566 256,613,000 212,000,000 657,700,000 The insufficiency of normal production has been hitherto met by excessive felling, which has encroached upon the capital of timber, and by importation, which increases to an alarming extent. The law on the forest domain has considered the difficult problem of the restoration of forests with great breadth of view, and has attempted to remedy the fundamental defect of the present servitude, which on the bare lands ends by causing much harm. It is injurious inasmuch as it forbids the breaking up of the land to convert it into fields and meadows, which would often protect the soil exposed to erosion and washing away by torrential rains: further, as it is not concerned with the positive duty of re-afforesting and of consolidating slopes liable to landslides, it is an encouragement to inertia. The law on the forest domain considers the problem from the standpoint of public utility, not only as connected with the hydraulic, hygienic and economic aspects, but also with the esthetic and historical ones. Due attention is also paid to those forests which provide the only work available to the inhabitants of mountain communes. But it was not enough to provide for the defence of the soil by the improvement of the water-courses and of the forests; it was necessary also to increase our forest domain, by creating large extents of forest sufficient to meet the future penury of timber from which our country will certainly suffer. Thus betimes the administration will purchase bare lands suitable for profitable afforestation, and badly managed woods, taking the place of private ownership which can ill afford to wait a long time for returns. The administration will also exert the necessary pressure on corporations and private owners by setting an example of good management, and will also assist them by means of active propaganda, advice, technical direction, prizes, and exemptions from taxation calculated to render forestry in the mountains more profitable and consequently preferable to other forms of exploitation. The forest officials should become THE PRESENT CONDITION OF FORESTRY IN ITALY. 69 the natural protectors and advisers of those engaged in forest industries; they must make a radical change in their tactics, which can no longer consist in perpetually threatening penalties against the destroyers of forests, as this system has proved ineffectual for the maintenance of existing forests. For the execution of this vast programme, which includes also the reform of education in forestry, considerable sums have been voted ; for the first five years (1st July rgro to 30th June 1915) these will vary between £1,150,000 and £1,300,000, according to the eventual surplus in the general budget of the State. After the first trial of five years, and after considering the results obtained during that time, a future yearly vote will be established. A rather optimistic estimate, compiled in 1910 by the Central Inspectorship of Forests for the General Budget Committee, suggested the possibility for the State of ensuring, by means of an outlay of £6,185,000 to be spent in twenty-five years, a forest domain which in its seventy-fifth year would be worth almost 60 millions. Other provisions apparently less important, but of great practical value for those who know the useful conservatism and the injurious passive resistance of bureaucracy, are those con- cerning the establishment of a purely technical general direction relatively independent, distinct from the water, drainage, domain and easement services and from territorial divisions, and resembling the Water Board of Venice and the chief inspection offices of the civil engineering service. This law, the result of much study, has a clear vision of the best way of attaining its object, and is the greatest parlia- mentary achievement in forest matters since the union of the kingdom. Forest legislation has progressed considerably since 1902, and almost every year it has been increased by a new law. Now, rather than by the enactment of new laws which would risk plunging us into the same chaos that existed before 1877, and keeping us in the midst of proposals instead of facts, it would be desirable to solve the forest question by means of the existing laws, applying them firmly and perseveringly. If there is one measure necessary to restore to the mountains their wealth of water and forests, it is the tranquil constancy of direction which will enable the owners of forests to proceed quietly and con- tinuously in their work, like Nature herself. 70 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. BIBLIOGRAPHY FROM 1910 TO I9g13. BoRGHESANI, G. Le grandi industrie forestali nell’economia nazionale. A/¢z del Congresso forestale di Bologna, vol. ii. pp. 396-434, 1910. Ip. II problema della produzione forestale in Italia. Turin, G. De Rossi, 1912. Cuterici, R. I boschi nell’economia generale d’Italia. Caserta, Libreria Moderna, I9QII. Ferrarl, E. I boschi ei pascoli in Italia attraverso la storia della civilta e la scienza sperimentale e economico-sociale. Lagonegro, Tip. Lucana, IgI1. Luzzatti, L. Relazione al disegno di legge sul demanio forestale di Stato dell’ 11 febbraio 1910, e Discorso pronunciato alla Camera dei Deputati nella tornata del 9 marzo IgIo, Marcuisi0o, M. Sylvae restituendae. Torino, S. Lattes, 1910. MINISTERO DI AGRICOLTURA. Notizie periodiche di statistica agrarla, 1° Anno. Rome, Tip. Bertero, 1911. Picciot1, L. Raccolta di leggi forestali annotate con la giurisprudenza, 2 vols. Turin, Unione Tip. Editr., 1909-1912. Ip. Selvicultura. Muova Enciclopedia agraria italiana. Turin, 1913. Ip. Note di alpicultura, 24 edition. Florence M. Ricci, 1913. SERPIERI, A. Economia montana e restaurazione forestale. Atti de/ Congresso forestale, vol. 2, pp. 46-66. Bologna, 1910. SpAMPANI, G. Cultura montana con speciale riguardo all’alpicoltura. Milan, Hoepli, 1910. VALENTI, G. __L’Italia agricola dal 1861 al 1911. Rome, Tip. Lincei, IgII. VoGLino, E. Boschi e pascoli. Brdlécteca agraria Ottavi. Casale Mon- ferrato, Cassone, I9I2. II. Extra-Tropical Forestry in Portugal.' By D. E. Hutcuins, Extra-tropical forestry in Southern Spain and Portugal has a peculiar interest for southern extra-tropical Australia, because the climate, the trees, and the forestry of both countries are (or will be) very similar. Australia is now paying out about 43,000,000 yearly for imported soft wood; and to produce this at home in the future (judging from the experiences of South Africa) Australia will have mainly to copy the forestry ot Southern Europe. The writer, after a life-time in South African forestry, has recently completed a forest tour in Southern Spain and Portugal. The chief points of interest for this country are these :— The most important forest tree, and the only abundant forest 1 Abstract of a paper read by Mr D. E. Hutchins before the Botanical Section of the British Association in Australia, EXTRA-TROPICAL FORESTRY IN PORTUGAL, TT species in Portugal, is the Cluster Pine (Pinus pinaster), the same tree which (under the name of the Maritime Pine) has trans- formed the dreary malaria-stricken “‘ Landes” of Southern France. It is the Cluster Pine also which, on its own merits, has become the most abundant coniferous tree in South Africa. The Cluster Pine and the Stone Pine were introduced into South Africa some three hundred years ago, and have now become completely naturalised there, in the sense that they have taken the place of the weak natural forest flora of the country, and would remain there if the hand of man were withdrawn. In the centre of a large pine forest area in Portugal is the State forest of Leiria, comprising over thirty thousand acres, It has long been worked for timber of large dimensions, and is perhaps the best example of a highly cultivated pine forest in the extra- tropics. The temperature here is between that of Sydney and Melbourne; the rainfall is similar except that it falls almost entirely in winter. Timber of the finest description is seen in the Leiria forest, as fine as any timber in the best forest of Central and Northern Europe. I measured trees up to 35 inches diameter and 158 feet total height, and I saw great baulks of timber being taken out of the forest, such as one sees in the Black Forest of Germany. One usually associates Cluster Pine with pit-props, sleepers, and small timber; but the State forest of Leiria produces pine timber which is used for every purpose of house-building and furniture. To protect the forest from fire during the dry summer weather, there is a complete system of fire-paths, watch-towers and telephones. The area of private Cluster Pine forest in Portugal is very large. This is mainly occupied in providing mine-props for England. Not much resin is produced in either State or private forest in Portugal. Cork Oak (Quercus suber).—After tbe Cluster Pine the next most valuable forest tree in Portugal is the Cork Oak. The Cluster Pine and the Cork Oak together enable Portugal to export about £1,250,000 worth of forest produce yearly. Busaco CEepaR (Cupressus lusitanica) has been naturalised in Portugal about as long as the two pines in South Africa. My friend, Dr Henry, has shown that it came originally from Mexico ; it now produces the most valuable timber in the natural forests of Portugal. It should occupy a prominent place in any scheme of extra-tropical forestry. It is a most beautiful and valuable tree. 72 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. STONE Pine (Pinus pinea).—This useful pine with its valuable nuts has suffered badly in South Africa from a fungoid disease ; but in Spain and Portugal it is nearly free from it, ALEppPO PINE (Pinus halepensis).—This has certain advantages over Cluster Pine. It stands more drought; it will put up with lime in the soil; it transplants more easily; it is somewhat more shade-bearing. It is the species used for re-foresting the devastated mountains of Southern Spain. Oaxs.—Five oaks occur in Southern Portugal. The common British oak (Quercus pedunculata) occurs as copse and scattered trees on good soil. Portugal pays heavily for cooperage wood, and wants a great deal more oak. Quercus lusitanica may almost be regarded as the extra-tropical form of the British oak. It should occupy an important part in the future forestry of Australia. It has been nearly exterminated in Portugal precisely on account of its valuable qualities. Quercus tozza somewhat resembles the Durmast Oak of England ; it is not often seen as a large tree, but makes valuable firewood copse. Quercus tlex.—The forest tree-planter in Australia and South Africa will generally prefer its first cousin, the Cork Oak; but the ilex is somewhat hardier than the Cork Oak. It is the last tree left on the mountains in Southern Spain and Portugal, where fires and the axes and goats of the peasants have produced universal desolation. Its chief value lies in acorns for pig-feeding, and there is a variety termed Aa//ofa which produces acorns nearly as sweet as a chestnut. CHESTNUT (Castania vesca) seems steadily dying out in Spain and Portugal, as in other Mediterranean countries. The threatened loss of this valuable tree is one of the saddest features in modern European forestry. It may take a new lease of life in the southern hemisphere, care being of course taken (as with eucalyptus in South Africa) to import the tree without its pests. The Portuguese forest service is well organised, and the depart- ment generally far in advance of Britain and the self-governing British Colonies, except South Africa. It used to be customary in the forest text-books to place Spain, Portugal, and the British Empire at the bottom of the list as regards effective State forestry. But forestry in Spain and Portugal is now a quarter of a century ahead of that of the British Isles; and many valuable EXTRA-TROPICAL FORESTRY IN PORTUGAL. 73 lessons are to be learnt by those who can go to Spain and Portugal for the purpose of studying forestry. Portugal imports one-third million pounds’ worth (against three millions, Australia, and thirty millions, Britain) of forest products which, with good forestry, would come from the waste lands of each of these three countries. Portugal exports about one and a quarter million pounds’ worth of forest products—cork, one million ; Cluster Pine pit-props, etc., one-quarter million—against Australia, one million, and Britain nothing (the figures shown being re-exportations). Portugal and Australia have each a population of over four millions. 12. Classification of Moorland at Fersit for Purposes of Planting. (With Plate.) By DONALD GRANT. In vol. xxviii. p. 72 of the Zyvansactions | dealt with planting on “deep peat,” or what is called “flow moss.” It is now my purpose to describe the “shallow peat,” or what is termed “hill moss.” The “flow moss” is met with in hollows, at the foot of steep slopes, and on flat areas, and very often attains a depth of to feet. This kind of moss is classified according to colour, texture and depth; the herbage serves also as a valuable indicator of the most suitable species of tree to plant. The first-class quality of this moss is very deep, is of fine texture, dark in colour, and easily cut. Large quantities of decayed birch stumps are found at a considerable depth below the surface, and sometimes quantities of Scots pine roots are met with, although the latter are found more abundantly in the third- class quality. On it grow flying bent (Mo/inia cerulea), bog myrtle (dZyrica gale), orchids, devil’s bit (Scadbosa), a little heather (Calluna vulgaris) and some dwarf willows. It is principally distinguished, however, by the large amount of flying bent which grows onit. This quality is best adapted for growing Sitka spruce (Plate VIII. Fig. 1) and Norway spruce. Scots pine and mountain pine also grow well, but very deep drainage, in the course of time, would be necessary owing to the length of the tap roots which they develop. In the second-class quality of ‘‘flow moss” the peat does not attain a great average depth, seldom more than 18 inches, 74 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. although the maximum depth may exceed 3 feet. It is dark brown in colour, and more fibrous and compact than the first quality. On it grow a mixture of heather, bog myrtle, some sedges, and some deer grass (Scirpus cespitosus), the heather being the dominant plant. This quality is also best adapted for spruce. The third quality peat of the ‘‘flow moss” resembles the second-class quality in the appearance of the surface vegetation. It attains a depth of 8 feet, is brown in colour, and is of a much coarser texture than the first- and second-class qualities. Large numbers of Scots pine stumps, stems and branches are found embedded in it. It is covered with heather, deer grass, cotton grass (Eriophorum vaginatum), and species of Carex. This quality of peat is found to be unsuitable for growing spruce, and only Scots pine and mountain pine are successful in establishing themselves. The fourth quality peat of the “flow moss” is invariably found at much higher altitudes. It covers a very large area of Corrour estate, and is quite unsuitable for planting. It is found to attain an average depth of 22 inches in the planted area, but, in the vicinity, it is often found to be over 11 feet deep. It is invariably of a dark brown colour, is very tough, fibrous and of a leathery consistency. The dominant plants which grow on it are the cotton grasses, from the decaying remains of which this kind of moss is largely produced, and there is also a large proportion of deer grass and some Carices. There is also a small proportion of heather, including the pink bell heather (Evica tetralix). Owing to its leathery consistency this peat is very difficult to cut, and, unlike the other classes of ‘‘ flow moss,” when upturned and exposed to the elements it does not readily decompose, not even after a period of four years. The roots of the spruce seem unable to penetrate this peat, and it is only with difficulty that even the Scots pine can grow on it. THE “SHALLOW Peat” or “HILL Moss,” The ‘‘ shallow peat,” which is termed “ hill moss,” differs in many respects from the ‘flow moss.” It is always met with on knolls and steep slopes, or where the declivity of the ground, or the permeable nature of the subsoil, prevents the stagnation of moisture which is so necessary for the formation of the former. It is merely an incrustation of a few inches, and is seldom found to exceed 1 foot in depth. Draining in any shape or form is there- Pate VIII. P — et os ial seit aaa pereis | ena Fic. 1. SITKA SPRUCE. 2-year I-year, planted on first quality deep peat, April 1909. Untreated. Fic. 2, EUROPEAN LARCH. 2-year-seedlings, dibbled on first quality ‘‘shallow” peat, in April 1g1o. [To face p. 74. CLASSIFICATION OF MOORLAND AT FERSIT. 75 fore out of the question. The area on which the plantations on ‘‘shallow peat” are established are within the boundaries of those described in my former article in the January issue. They form a strip varying from 200 yards to over 400 yards in width, and extend along the West Highland Railway from Fersit to Loch Treig. The elevation varies from 850 feet to goo feet over the sea. The aspect varies from south-west to north. The land is very undulating, most of it occurring on a series of morainic mounds grouped together. Between these are a number of small lakes, some of which attain considerable size and depth, while others are but mere swamps with a slightly higher surface, and they too appear to have formed similar lakes at some earlier period. More recently they have become filled up by accumula- tions of decayed vegetable matter, the remains of mosses and other plants which grow in them. The subsoil on the slopes is very gravelly, and water can percolate freely through it, but on the top of knolls, and along ridges, also at the foot of slopes, the gravel is mixed with clay which forms a fairly hard pan of a very retentive nature, and here the ‘‘hill moss” attains its greatest depth. For planting purposes the ‘“‘hill moss” is divided into three classes. The first class, or best quality, is met with on steep slopes and seldom exceeds 4 or 5 inches in depth. On it grow heather, sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina), devil’s bit, species of orchids, and a small proportion of bracken. It is also characterised by the entire absence of the deer grass, heath rush (/uscus sguarrosus), and the cotton grasses, which appear in the second and third classes. This quality of peat is always planted with larch, = proves most successful (Plate VIII. Fig. 2). The second class, or next best quality, is dark in colour and much more fibrous than the first class, and attains a depth of g inches. It also contains much more moisture. On it grows a thick sole of heather, with some heath rush, deer grass, and a small sprinkling of Lviophorum vaginatum, and bog asphodel (Narthectum ossifragum). This quality of peat is better adapted for Scots pine than for larch. The former has been planted rather extensively on it, and grows strongly and well. Larch has also been planted on it, but during a period of four to six years it remained in a very unhealthy state, from which, however, it quickly recovered, apparently after the roots had penetrated the subsoil. 76 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. The third-class quality is somewhat similar to the second- class quality in the appearance of the herbage which grows on the surface. The peat is black and fibrous, and holds more moisture than the former. Strange to say, on the top of morainic mounds, it is often found attaining an average depth of 11 inches. The dominant plants which grow on it are heather and deer grass, both of which seem to be naturally adapted for growing on this class of peat. Sometimes, however, knolls with a strong growth of bog myrtle, mixed with flying bent, are met with. The thick sole of heather and deer grass, as well as the depth of peat, indicate that the underlying soil is not naturally well drained, and a pan is sometimes present. It is therefore quite inadvisable to plant larch on such areas; the Scots and mountain pines have proved the most suitable species. On the “hill moss” as distinct from the “ flow moss” no spruce is planted, as when peat is present to any extent on the sides of the hills or knolls, it is usually of a coarse, fibrous texture, and the roots of spruce seem unable to penetrate it. The methods of planting “hill moss” are dibbling or notching, according to circumstances ; the former being preferable wherever possible, From the above classification it will be seen that the plants growing on the surface of the moor can serve as valuable indicators of the quality of the peat of which it is composed, and its suitability for the growth of certain species of trees. Both the first quality of ‘flow moss” and the first quality of “hill moss” are distinguished by the entire absence of deer grass and cotton grass, while the most inferior qualities of both may be distinguished by their presence. On the best type of “flow moss” Sitka spruce has done best, and on the best type of “hill moss” larch does best. On the most inferior types of both “flow moss” and “hill moss,” pines establish themselves best. The best time to plant both mosses is from March to May. JAPANESE LARCH. 17 13. Japanese Larch. By Prof. A. HENRY. With regard to Sir Hugh Shaw-Stewart’s inquiries in the last issue of the Zransactions, p. 270, concerning the Japanese larch in its native habitat, attention may be drawn to an article by Kumé in the Zransactions, vol. xx. p. 28 (1907), which gave a yield-table compiled from some statistics of plantations of this species in Japan. It may be worth while also to quote some brief accounts of this tree by other observers. Mayr states! that Larix /eptolepis is found growing wild only on the volcanoes of the central part of Hondo, namely on Fuji, Ontake, Asama, Shiranesan, Norikura, etc. All these volcanic cones are made up of blocks of lava and sand, which have weathered into an extremely fertile soil, containing much lime in its composition. The upper forest zone on these mountains is constituted by the larch with birches, Adzes Veitchit, Tsuga diversifolia, and Picea hondoensts. ‘The foliage appears on the larch in the beginning of June, and falls off as early as the middle of August. Larix Jeptolepis is confined to this part of Japan, and does not occur wild, as has been erroneously reported, in either Yezo or Saghalien. The Japanese have, however, planted Larix /eptolepis in places with a warmer climate, as in the zone of the chestnut, Aucuba, and evergreen Euonymus, on the Amagi mountains, where Mayr saw among broad-leaf trees a plantation about 75 years old, which was about to be felled as the stems had ceased to make any increment in volume. These trees showed all the defects of larch plantations in warm climates, being very branchy, the wood showing broad rings, wide sap and pale-coloured heartwood. They were on an average only g5 feet in height, and 20 inches in diameter at breast-height. This plantation, like those made in Europe, showed great development of wide-spreading horizontal branches, so that it is evident that only close planting, or mixture with shade-bearing trees, will enable the Japanese larch to clean its stem. Shirasawa informed me that this species attained 120 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in diameter in deep volcanic soil on these mountains, where deciduous broad-leaf trees could not be grown ' Fremdlind. Wald-und-Parkbiiume, p. 306 (1906). 78 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. (on what he called first-class pine soil). Both Kumé and Shirasawa agree that Larix leptolepis often grows in pure stands, as on Mt. Fuji, where Shirasawa had seen areas, from which the spruce had been swept away by an avalanche, being covered at once by pure growth of the larch. It also occurs in mixture with the trees mentioned above as constituting the upper zone of the forest in the volcanic region of Central Japan. A handbook, entitled Forestry of Japan, which was published in English by the Department of Agriculture at Tokyo in rg10, states that the natural forests of this larch are chiefly found on the slopes of Mt. Fuji and Mt. Asama, and in the Azumi county of Shinano province, a little also growing spontaneously on Mt. Nikko. The tree is said to “ grow on the dry soil of volcanic strata, making a healthy growth in the sunshine.” It is very probable, however, that the deep volcanic soil on which it thrives —covered with snow in winter and exposed to a humid atmosphere in summer, owing to the altitude—is in reality full of moisture. The annual rainfall at 3300 feet on Fuji is 100 to 120 inches, the precipitation being heavy in summer, while clear weather prevails in winter. The handbook states that as the larch succeeds on poor and desolate soil, the districts in which it is planted have been greatly extended in recent times. In the State forests, 12,410 cho of land were planted in 1898-1907 with Larix leptolepis, 43,610,449 seedlings being used, while the rotation adopted is 60 to 80 years. The seed is collected in the Saku district of Shinano province, and in the southern part of Hondo, and in various parts of Shikohu and Kyushu ; the output in 1907 was 2200 koku, valued at over 41,100 yen. The planting of this species is now largely practised by private owners of land in Japan. In Hayata’s interesting and well-illustrated book on Zhe Vegetation of Mt. Fuji, published in English at Tokyo in rogrt, it is stated that the conifer belt on this mountain extends from 4000 to 8300 feet altitude. On the north side, at Yakihome, the larch predominates to such an extent that it ranges from 5000 to 7300 feet, appearing like an island in the evergreen coniferous belt. On the east side, at Subaskiri, the larch attains its most luxuriant growth and extends through all the tree regions. It is most abundant at 6000 feet, diminishing in quantity at lower altitudes, none occurring below 3000 feet us a rule. In this zone of 3000 to 7000 feet the larch is a fine tree, growing both in pure JAPANESE LARCH. 79 stands and in mixture with the evergreen conifers. Above 7500 feet and extending up to g500 feet on the south side, there is a remarkable dwarf forest of wind-swept larch, the stems being prostrate and clinging firmly to the ground. At 8500 feet these stunted larches are mixed with low shrubs of willow, alder and birch. Hayata gives a photograph of a pure stand of Larix leptolepis at 5000 feet elevation on the south flank of the mountain. 14. German Forest Notes. ! (Continued from Vol. XX VII, p. 222.) By B. RIBBENTROP, C.I.E. Dr Albert, as may be remembered by the readers of the Transactions, recommended, as the result of his searching inquiries and experiments, a shallow preparation of sandy soils by means of hoe and spade and, under xormal conditions, absolute rest for the lower strata. In regard to a deep ploughing up of the soil, he considered no preparation of the ground preferable to a wrong one. Dr Albert’s analysis, the correctness of which is accepted by his critics, shows that in areas treated by the steam-plough the chemical and biological activity is slackest, water circulation least favourable, and the temperature the lowest. This naturally brought the advocates of the steam-plough up in arms, but they accepted, without waiting for Albert’s final report, his ‘“‘Quieta non movere,” as an unqualified con- demnation of this method of soil preparation. Landesforstrath Quaet-Faslem, who for forty-six years has been connected with the afforestation of nearly 100,000 hectares of heatherlands in North-West Hanover, leads in the controversy. However, all he says is that the areas selected by Albert for his researches were not sufficiently typical, and that he misses all mention of the impenetrable layer of Ortstone,? or similar formation, underlying the surface soil. He maintains that both the depth to which the steam-ploughs work and the cost thereof have been taken at too high a figure in Dr Albert’s report. For rational * These Woes were unavoidably held over from the last issue owing to press of matter.—Hon. Ep. 7rans. 2 Ortstone or Ort soil (moorpan) is the name of the layer of soil bound together and hardened by particles washed down from the surface soil. 80 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. steam-plough culture it is now, he states, the rule that areas operated upon should lie fallow for a period including at least two winters, in order to restore the capillary activity of the soil. The sample plots of steam-plough operations examined by Dr Albert had not been treated in accordance with the most approved and now generally adopted method. Dr Albert, in his final report on the researches he made in the course of several years in the Luneburger heather tracts, now explains that the conditions of the soil are abnormal over extensive areas, and that the use of the steam-plough is the only means of dealing with them. The sandy soils of the heather tracts, the only ones which are still available for afforestation, are, he states, found in two entirely distinct varieties, which, in accordance with the characteristic colour of their upper layers, may suitably be designated as grey and brown heather sands. The former are clearly pronounced bleached-out soils, though varying consider- ably in depth and the amount of humus they contain. A stratum is almost invariably found below these bleached sands, bound together by particles of soil washed out of the surface layers. The colour of this stratum varies considerably from rust-red to a deep brown-black, and so does the intensity of adhesion amongst the different particles, from friable Ort soil to a solid Ortstone formation. In diluvial sands such strata are found with great consistency about 30 cm. below the surface, though in alluvium the depth may be considerably larger. All that is known about the origin of this peculiar formation is that it is invariably found on a basis of a compact layer of waterworn stones, chiefly flint and quartz, the intervals between which filled with a schistose sand forming an impenetrable bar between the upper and lower parts of the soil. Such strata, though only about ro cm., or rarely up to 1s cm. thick, must naturally interfere with the movement of water in the soil and encourage the deposit of sediments on its surface. The brown heather sands are, on the contrary, entirely normal; there are no signs of a bleaching process in the surface soil, the change towards the lower strata is gradual and uninterrupted by any such strata as underlie the Ort formation. These brown sand tracts have unquestionably been under heather for centuries, as long as the grey sands, but are to-day perfectly sound. This seems naturally to lead to the theory GERMAN FOREST NOTES. 81 that the grey sand formation and that of the brown sand, owe their difference to their geological origin. No doubt it can be argued that the difference at present found in the composition of the two varieties of sand may be due to the washing out of the grey sand, and that it is quite feasible that they were originally of the same quality. There is no proof to the contrary, but the theory does not explain the existence of the impenetrable stratum of stones and sand which seems to be the primary incentive to the Ortstone formation. Borchgreve asserts that the whole heather area in North-West Germany was at one time covered by forest, and that the present conditions are due to their devastation by the human race. There are clear indications that this was the case, but it does not in any way affect the theory of a different geological origin of the two varieties of the sand formation, for whilst the grey sands were under forest cover the washing out and bleaching process was more or less somnolent, and only became destructively active when the shelter of the forest was removed. It has, however, been generally recognised that it should be left to the geological survey to clear up these as yet speculative theories concerning bygone ages, and that it is the clear duty of the practical forester to deal only with present conditions. ‘Now these conditions in the Luneburger heather tracts are normal in the regions of the brown sand, whereas in those of the grey sands they are quite abnormal. Albert repudiates the idea that in the latter case he recom- mended the shallow preparation of the soil, which sooner or later would invariably lead to a total failure, or that he condemned the use of the steam-plough under such circum- stances. Asa matter of fact, in his final report he strenuously advocates the radical breaking up of the underlying pan, independently of the degree to which the Ort formation may have developed; such breaking up should include the whole area to be cultivated. This can only be effected by the steam- plough. The old steam-ploughs turned everything upside down and destroyed all adhesion among the various layers of soil. This, however, is almost avoided by the modern plough of improved construction, and the sooner all but the latest models are thrown on the scrap-heap the better. Though this deep rooting up of the soil is under existing conditions necessary and unavoidable, experience has shown that such ploughed up VOL. XXIX. PART I. F 82 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. areas must lie fallow for at least two years, in order to allow the soil to regain its balance and settle down. Wherever the heather has been ploughed under, the conditions become even more unfavourable, and it is therefore advisable that all such growths should be burnt or otherwise destroyed before the ploughing takes place. The danger of allowing these ploughed areas to lie entirely fallow is great, on account of the largely increased loss of nitrogen after the removal of all cover, which it will be difficult and costly to replace. Von Seelhorst made exhaustive experiments in this direction, which proved the eminent importance of keeping such light soils under some cultivation. In Holland and Westphalia the improvement of Ort heather tracts is practically effected by their intermediate agri- cultural use. After the soil has once or twice been cultivated with lupins or saradella with the assistance of mineral manures, it is sown with rye or preferably planted with potatoes, In these localities it is generally found that the cost of the preparation and sanitation of the soil is entirely or at least to a great extent recovered, and that in order to effect the subsequent afforestation the cheaper method of sowing may take the place of planting. Where for some reason such intermediate course of agriculture is not feasible, it is neverthe- less essential that the ploughed areas should be cultivated with some green manuring plants, in preference lupins and saradella or clover. The cost of such operations should be added to the acquisition of waste land and not to that of cultural operations. W. Borghmann of Tharandt very emphatically expresses the same view. ‘The cost of such amelioration of the soil should be treated as a capital expenditure, and not in the sense as if the first rotation should be held responsible for its recovery. If it be necessary to regain a lost position, an extraordinary non-recurring but considerable sacrifice may be unavoidable.” As regards all normal heather areas—that is, all such in which no hard strata exist—Albert maintains his position in regard to shallow working up of the soil. If, he says, it is considered that in any given locality the subsoil is not sufficiently loose, he recommends a previous cultivation with lupins or saradella, for it is an acknowledged fact that no tool in human hands will effect so thoroughly and cheaply the opening up of the sub- soil as the deep roots of such plants. GERMAN FOREST NOTES. 83 As regards the choice of species for the afforestation of these heather tracts in North Hanover, the universal opinion is in favour of Pinus silvestris as the tree which has the best chance of bringing the soil under cover. Albert recommends, on the strength of Runnebaum’s experiments, an admixture of Alnus incana on account of its modest soil requirements, its great power of resistance to exposure in open situations (frost and drought), as well as for its favourable influence on the soil. There is nothing in the composition of the brown sand which would prevent a flourishing growth of almost any deciduous tree, but climatic conditions prevent their cultivation in these localities in the open. Having, so far as regards the heather tracts of North-West Germany, solved the question of soils and their treatment, and the choice of species, the selection of the seed is the next question of interest. In the trade in Pinus silvestris seed, the source of supply and the percentage of germinations are the only factors by which the price is regulated. No buyer ever thinks of inquiring how many seeds are contained in each Kg., which means that he is indifferent as regards the absolute weight of the individual seed. All the same this is a question of some importance. From a purely physiological point of view no doubt can be felt that the big and heavy seed has, in comparison with the smaller and lighter one, a better developed embryo and a larger supply of reserve nutriment, and that these facts are of great value for the young plant Haak (Germany), A. Buhler (Switzerland), Hoffrath Joseph Frederick and G. Eisenmenger (both of Austria), have made numerous experiments showing that the bigger and heavier seeds give very much better results. The germination of the seeds in sample is, under favourable conditions, maintained in the open, but if these should be less so the advantage of the bigger and heavier seeds becomes evident. Buhler says that the size of the young plant is proportionate to the size and weight of the seed, and that considerably less plants are produced by an equal number of smaller seeds, the difference amounting sometimes to 20 %. Eisenmenger’s experiments show that the larger seeds taken from the same supply show a better percentage of germination, and, what is of considerable importance, germinate more readily under trying conditions. He recommends the buying such seeds which, by equal weight, contain the smallest number of individual seeds. He calls it 84 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY the “Thousand seed test.” Various mechanical appliances have been invented to sort the seeds in accordance with both size and weight. Dr Busse, in experiments with Kayser’s centrifugal machine, obtained from an untreated supply contain- ing 216,000 seeds per Kg. two classes, the best containing 140,000 seeds per Kg., the second 172,000 per Kg. This latter is approached and sometimes equalled by the best trade supply. Haak, though he advises the use of selected seeds for the pro- duction of planting material, considers the origin of the seed of such preponderating influence that in open sowings he would con- sider it waste to exclude the smaller sizes, as in accordance with Engler’s experiments the difference observed in the earlier stages of the seedlings disappear in the course of a few years. The hereditary influence of the parent tree, replies Dr Busse, is undisputed and indisputable, but so long as the origin means merely a definition of the locality whence the seed was obtained, no guarantee exists regarding the characteristics of the individual parent trees. Hoffrath Frederick found, in the course of years of experience and experiments, that some of the trees under his observation invariably bear heavier cones than others, and produce heavier and larger seeds, and that the quality of the plants raised from them is decidedly superior to those grown from lighter seeds. That the elimination of the lighter seeds would be an advantage can hardly be questioned, and if the buyers insisted on a weight of 7 grs. or thereabout per 1000 seeds taken at random out of the supply, the trade would unquestionably respond. The next step in the afforestation of the heather soils is the planting up of the prepared areas with pines and Adnus tncana, or the sowing where the soil is considered sufficiently ameliorated. Fairly close planting or liberal sowings are advisable, for it is essential to bring the sand soils as soon as possible under cover, in order to prevent the heather from regaining possession and for various other reasons, The excellent results achieved in Holland in similar afforestations are to a great extent due to strict attention to close cultivation. The forester can now wait till the cover is completed and the plants have thereby outgrown the dangers of infancy, but before the struggle for existence sets in he must interfere and aid. In regard to this a consensus of opinion exists among leading scientists and the most eminent executive foresters. On rich GERMAN FOREST NOTES. 85 soils where, @ priori, the same close cultivation is not essential and not practised, such early interference in the struggle for existence is not called for. Albert maintains that if the forester neglects to reduce on heather sands the number of young trees sufficiently early and periodically and systematically, nature will do so later on in a haphazard and unwelcome manner. He ascribes the numerous disasters in afforestation, which in the first instance led to his visit to the heather tracts, almost solely to negligence in this respect. Dr Schwappach, who has great experience in Pinus silvestris cultivation on poor sandy soil, shares Albert’s opinion, and ascribes the sickening and frequent breakdowns in the pine cultures solely to a disproportion between the number of trees and the available nutriment and water. This is, in his opinion, the only reason for the dying of whole groups of trees, which he says practically die of hunger and thirst. Root fungi, which were made the scapegoat, appear equally on rich and poor soils with an open and closed formation, and even on single park trees, and though their appearance may be one of the results of such disasters they are not the cause. Dr Schwappach made experiments in a densely-grown area of a 10-year-old pine plantation, isolating the trees in four lines, leaving the next four intact, and so on. Already in the second year the trees in the thinned-out lines show a large increase in growth, as compared with the others, not merely in girth but in height, which latter is quite contrary to the widely spread idea that the consequences of isolation cause a diminution of increase in height. Both Schwappach and Albert recommend an early and repeated cutting-out of the young growth, late in autumn or early in winter, to avoid danger from fire, and covering the ground with the removed plants. Such insects as may breed on the rapidly decomposing woody part are of a harmless nature. The number of stems should be reduced to at least 10,000 per -hectare by the time the plantations are ten to fifteen years old. Oberforster Baumgarten is another strong advocate of an early cutting-out of the dense culture which for light sandy soils is imperative. Light and air, he states, are necessary for the healthy development of the young pine afforestation, and such early removal of the young plants prevents a useless waste of power and strength in the early struggle for existence. He has found out by experience that by such means, and by leaving all 86 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. debris on the ground, the rough-shod dying out of trees in the pole stage can be almost entirely prevented. Erdmann, the past-master of heather land afforestation, has practised on these lines for a good many years with unparalleled success. All such operations mean a certain outlay, as during the earlier periods no income at all is derived, for none of the twigs must be removed for litter, and even at a somewhat more advanced age the sale of the thin poles will not repay the cost of labour. The loss involved, which with careful management need not be excessive per hectare of afforestation, must be regarded in the light of an insurance for the future. It will pay in the end. The invasion of the thinned-out afforestation by obnoxious weeds is a danger, specially pronounced in the heather climate of North-West Germany, which has next to be combated. Here again Erdmann leads the van amongst practical foresters. His afforestation, in which he underplanted the pine with beech, is a living picture more convincing than any amount of writing and argument. In the Oerrel Lintzel forests, an area of several hundred acres, chiefly composed of grey sand overlying a former Ortstone formation, the ground shines with the vivid green of young beech under a well-grown and healthy pine pole forest of thirty to thirty-five years of age. Erdmann is an almost fanatical supporter of the beech, on which, he maintains, the future of the forest in the north-west heather lands depends. He ascribes the failure in the expected results of underplanting with beech to the fact that the operations were started too late, when the mineral soil was already too deeply covered by moss, weeds, heather or dry peat. In such cases the living surface cover must be removed and the dead mixed with the soil. This may be conveniently effected by a small size of the Geist-Kaehler Wuehl-grubber. Albert agrees in every respect with Erdmann’s opinions, which are based on practical results achieved by himself and his followers, and says that in accordance with his analysis of the soils in these heather tracts there is hardly a place, with the exception of moor soils, where beech could not be successfully cultivated under the protection of pine. Albert thinks that other valuable soil-improving species might with advantage be added to the beech, such as silver fir, larch, Douglas fir and others. In this Erdmann acquiesces, but emphatically protests GERMAN FOREST NOTES. 87 against the introduction of red pine into heather land. He has shown the dangers attending this, both to the existing forest and to future generations, owing to a deterioration of the soil, by numerous practical demonstrations, and thereby thoroughly convinced Albert and other admirers of this stately tree. No doubt need be entertained that, with the treatment described in the foregoing pages, the whole of the still available heather tracts can be transformed into good and valuable forest, and to this end no sacrifice of money and trouble can be considered excessive. Prof. Dr Schwappach has produced a very interesting treatise regarding the removal of litter from forests of various character, based on investigations extending over a number of years. The fact that the waste lands in East Prussia owe their origin chiefly to continued and excessive removal of the litter in the forest, which, in olden times, existed on these lands, is not disputed ; but it is shown that, except on very inferior soils, periodical collection of litter, by means of light wooden rakes only, does not interfere with the annual increase of wood in forests which have grown into the early pole stage. An advantage is even claimed for the periodical removal of litter as a prevention against the formation of layers of dry peat humus, thereby favouring natural reproduction. Oberforstmeister Guse meets Schwappach’s conclusion with the very appropriate rejoinder that a moderate removal of litter may have, and probably has, no disadvantageous effect on the increase of the growing stock on good soils and under favourable conditions, as everywhere in nature a strong organism is able to resist temporary interferences and to outgrow their consequences. He acknowledges that under certain conditions the removal of litter is an unavoidable evil, the worst feature of which, however, is that it is most necessary in localities with poor soil. Whatever applause Schwappach’s treatise may find among socialistic agitators, it is condemned by every practical forester. The loss in the increment of the growing forest may be as infinitesimal as was ascertained by Schwappach’s investigations, or be entirely absent, but this is really a matter of the least importance. A comparison of the results of re-afforestation in areas never subjected to the removal of litter with those where even a moderate and periodical removal had taken place, is 88 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. the best proof of the harm done in this direction. Oberforster Schultz, in whose division forest with litter rights exists side by side with such which are free, reports that the former, though the removal is exercised under the restricting law of 1843, is steadily deteriorating ; but what is more interesting, he gives an instructive and convincing example of the harm done by a single removal of the litter. Jn an old unburned Scots pine forest, the removal of litter was, for pressing reasons, permitted over Seedlings from an area which has (specimen to right) and has not (specimen to left) had the litter removed. certain parts thereof in autumn r1gos5. In spring rg1o this forest was replanted with yearlings of Scots pine, and the living and dead organic matter found on the ground was dug in trenches along the plant lines and lightly covered with sand. The difference between the plants, at the end of 1912, on the areas whence the litter had been removed in 1905 and on those which had remained untouched, is shown in the figure above. The question of litter rights increases in importance in the same ratio as the poorness of the land and the poverty of the GERMAN FOREST NOTES. 89 inhabitants. Owing to cheap forest pasture the head of, mostly underbred and frequently underfed, cattle is, in these localities, almost invariably out of proportion to the holdings; the hay produced is insufficient for the winter feed, and the whole stock of straw is used up as food; the manuring of the fields has to be provided for; and forest litter is the only thing to fall back upon. Much could doubtlessly be done by raising the price of grazing as well as that of litter, and by providing more labour on forest and other Government work, but such measures are intensely opposed by political parties on the warpath for votes. 15. Supply of Home-grown Telegraph and Telephone Poles. The following letter was received, early in last July, by the Society from the Postmaster-General :— *“ GENERAL Post OFFICE, LONDON, “* 8th July 1914, i SIR, “In connection with the Telephone Development Scheme which is being actively carried out by the Post Office, the Postmaster-General has recently had to place contracts for the supply of upwards of 100,000 wooden poles in addition to those deliverable (some 65,000) under the annual contracts placed last autumn for the normal needs of the service. ““Mr Hobhouse has felt the greatest regret that British forestry has had no share in contributing to this supply; and, in his desire to bring the subject once again to the notice of owners of woodlands and forests in the United Kingdom, and of merchants concerned in finding markets for native timber, he seeks the good offices of the press, in the hope that it will co-operate with him to encourage interest in British forestry. “‘Mr Hobhouse is acquainted with the repeated efforts which the Post Office has made in the past to encourage British supplies, and with the very small amount of timber which has been obtained as the result of those endeavours. In particular, attempts were made in rgog to attract supplies of home-grown timber, but with results deeply disappointing to the then Post- master-General. The annual requirements of the Post Office in 90 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. the matter of wooden poles amount to many thousands ; but the yield from British sources has been a few hundreds only. So meagre a response to a constant and increasing demand can only be regarded with the keenest disapppointment and regret, and to secure a larger measure of success for and from British growers, no effort will be spared by the Post Office. “The principal places where delivery is required are London, Hull, the Tyne District, Methil (Fife), Ardrossan, Ellesmere Port, Newport (Mon.), Southampton and Belfast. “In the opinion of the Department’s expert officers two descriptions of timber stand out before all others as most suitable for the purpose in question, in respect both of weather-resisting properties and general shapeliness, viz., Pens s¢/vestris, commonly known as red fir or Scots pine, and Lav7x ex7vopea or larch. ‘Both of these species are easily and commonly grown in the United Kingdom, but failure to meet the requirement of length and thickness combined have led to the rejection of much of the British timber offered to the Post Office by growers, whose supplies the Postmaster-General would otherwise have been only too glad to accept at fair prices. “The specification includes 21 lengths ranging from 16 to 85 feet, and provides for a minimum diameter at the top of the pole ranging from 5 inches in the case of the lightest to 8 inches in the case of the heaviest. “In view of the Department’s very large needs for wooden poles, it is to be hoped that home growers and merchants may yet make fresh or renewed efforts to compete for a share of the business ; and to this end Mr Hobhouse suggests that anyone desirous of further information on the subject should address an inquiry to the Controller, Post Office Stores Department, 17-19 Bedford Street, Strand, London, who will gladly afford all information in his power. “lam, Sir, ‘* Your obedient Servant, ‘SHC. Gorsr,? The above letter was submitted to the Council of the Society, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Controller pointing out that the conditions of contract, as set forth in the tender form (No. 264), for the supply of telegraph poles (home-grown) was such that most proprietors of suitable timber HOME-GROWN TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE POLES. gI were unwilling to take the risk of having their consignments rejected, after incurring considerable outlay in its transport to a distant depot, where, according to the then existing conditions of contract, inspection was first made. In reply a letter was received inclosing the following memorandum giving information regarding the Department’s requirements, and setting forth certain modifications which, in the interests of home growers and timber merchants, the Postmaster- General was prepared to make in the usual conditions of purchase. TELEGRAPH POLES FOR THE Post OFFICE. Memorandum to accompany Tender Form No. 264, for home-grown Poles—Scots pine or larch. The full range of sizes included in the specification is— Light poles—18 to 60 feet] Medium poles—t18 to 60 feet | Stout poles—26 to 85 feet J For details, see page 6 of tender form. The sizes of telegraph poles most commonly used in this country are :— Light.—22 to 30 feet in length, not less than 5 inches in diameter at the top, and of a minimum diameter 5 feet from the butt end of 6} inches for 22 feet, rising to 74 inches for 30 feet. Medium.—24 to 34 feet in length, 54 to 6 inches minimum at top, 8 to gi inches 5 feet from butt. Also 36 and 40 feet in length, 6 inches minimum at top, 9$ and gi inches minimum 5 feet from butt. Stout.— 32 to 50 feet in length, 7} to 7? inches minimum at top, 11 to 132 inches minimum 5 feet from butt. (All measurements are under bark.) In the case of larch the specification requirements will be modified as follows :— Light poles.—18, 20, 22, 24 feet, minimum diameter at top may be 44 inches; 26, 28, 30, 32 feet, minimum diameter at top may be 4# inches. Medium poles.—Al\\ sizes minimum diameter at top may be 4 inch less than specified. Delivery.—Delivery is taken at the creosoting yards of which there are fifteen, situated at various points on the coast. A list will be found in para. 4 of the Notice to Persons Tendering. 92 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Inspection of Felled Timber.—The tender form provides for inspection after delivery at the creosoting yard, but the Post- master-General is prepared to arrange for inspection before despatch, provided that a sufficient number of poles are collected in a suitable place, and that the seller provides the necessary labour for turning over and handling. It is preferred that the examination be made after the outer and inner bark has been removed as specified, but if the seller specially desires it, the Post Office Inspector will examine before the bark is removed, throwing out all unsuitable timber, and stamping all accepted poles at the butt end. Such poles must be “ barked ” immediately after acceptance. The inspection on the spot, whether of barked or unbarked timber, will be final. Payment will be made on due receipt of the poles at the creosoting depot. Inspection of Standing Timber.—In certain cases the Depart- ment will arrange for an inspector to view standing timber, ascertain the probable suitability of the trees for telegraph poles, and say how they should be dealt with in order to yield poles of the sizes given in the specification. The preliminary conditions will usually be, (a) that the grower or merchant has had no previous experience, (4) that a rough estimate of the number of poles that could be supplied and an idea of the price be furnished. A firm offer can be made after the inspector’s visit. Any standing timber respecting which advice has been given would be subject to inspection after felling, etc.; the conditions of final acceptance being, that the timber is sound, and that the poles are ‘of the sizes required.? Carriage, etc.—The contractor should provide for (and pay all charges for) haulage to the railway station, loading up of trucks, and delivery to the nearest Post Office creosoting depot. Quotations.—Prices should be fer pole for each of the lengths and dimensions tendered for, delivered to a creosoting depot to be named by the person tendering, and the approximate quantities it is proposed to supply should be stated. If for any reason the full numbers cannot be supplied, the Postmaster- General will regard the order as completed ; on the other hand, he will accept excess poles at contract prices within reasonable limits. ' Schedule on page 7, and specification on page 6, tender form No. 264. HOME-GROWN TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE POLES. 93 Separate prices should be quoted for larch and for Scots pine. (See accompanying table showing the average cubic contents for the various sizes of poles.) Short lengths.—I{f it will assist the contractor—the Postmaster- General will take twenty short lengths (round pieces, 8 feet long 5 to 6 inches in diameter) for every hundred poles supplied. A price (delivered at depot) should be quoted for these. Post OFFICE STORES DEPARTMENT, 17-19 BEDFORD STREET, LONDON, W.C. November 1914. TABLE OF AVERAGE CuBiCAL CONTENTS (STRING MEASURE!) oF Rep Fir TELEGRAPH POLES, BASED ON MEASUREMENT OF POLES IMPORTED FROM SCANDINAVIA. Length Light Medium Stout Feet Cubic Feet Cubic Feet Cubic Feet 16 2°2 (app.) 18 27, 20 3°04 4°02 22 3°61 4°71 24 4°15 5°65 ae 26 477 6°39 9°46 28 5°39 7°75 11'20 30 6°09 8°40 12°20 32 6°83 9°65 14°46 34 7°59 10°73 16°24 36 8°55 12°13 18‘11 40 10°77 15°34 21°69 45 13°61 18°58 26°50 50 16°39 22°50 31°20 55 20°21 29°85 40°76 60 25°31 33°45 47°20 65 30°51 42°20 53°40 70 35°85 51°50 63°73 75 37°30 54°70 81°30 So See as 86 85 eas tp 10800 1 String measurement is tape under bark, quarter-girth measurements, at middle of pole, 144 divisor; e.g., a 30-foot pole with 5 inches quarter-girth would be 93K 5°21 cubic feet. 94 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 16. Methods of Nursery Work. (With Plate.) By ALEx. Murray, Murthly. The following notes have been contributed in consequence of numerous inquiries, and the general interest taken by all who have seen the results of the methods practised here. The methods adopted are not new, and merely consist of an artificial method of producing as near as possible a natural formation of roots. If we examine carefully the root of a naturally grown young tree, we find that the main root is vertically placed under the stem and often penetrates to a great depth into the soil. If we now examine, in the same way, a young plant from a nursery line, we do not find the same formation of roots. ‘The stem is generally twisted and bent, while the roots are also doubled and so mutilated that they can ill perform their functions. The plants are less healthy, and more often fall a prey to insect attacks and fungoid diseases. The method of natural regeneration of forests is certainly superior in every way to any artificial method, but as our existing conditions do not often lend themselves to natural regeneration, the next best thing we can do is to study nature and follow her example as closely as possible. Line v. Broadcast Sowing.—There are many advantages to be derived from the rearing of seedlings in lines or rows com- pared with the broadcast system. Two general objections to the method are (1) the supposed extra time taken to perform the work, and (2) the extra ground that is taken up with the plants. But the work can be properly carried out with the aid of a few necessary but simple and inexpensive tools. The time spent is not greater than in the broadcast method, while the plants produced are superior in every way. Also, when one takes into considera- tion that all the plants are of an even size, the number of good plants produced in the same space may be greater than in the case of broadcast sowing. One other advantage of line sowing is the saving of the labour necessary for hand-weeding. The spaces between the rows are cleaned with a narrow hoe, and the soil may, in the same way, be stirred to a considerable depth, thus allowing a METHODS OF NURSERY WORK. 95 free circulation of air, which is a matter of the greatest importance to plant growth. To this alone is probably due the increased vigour of growth. In broadcast sowing it is not possible to keep the soil in such good condition, and it is quite common on many soils to find the surface coated with a form of moss or liverwort which renders the soil impervious to air. On soils given to frost lifting, a layer of leaf-mould or of prepared cinders placed between the rows will act as a preventive. Finally, in lifting the plants there is considerably less mutilation of the roots. The illustration (Plate IX. Fig. 1) will of itself explain the method of sowing, but the following remarks may be useful :—The ground on which the seeds are to be sown is prepared in the usual way, and the beds formed at a width of 4 feet with an alley between. The roller shown in Fig. 1 is then drawn over the beds, and so forms the grooves in which the seeds aresown. These grooves are formed by laths, 1} inches broad by 2 inch deep, fixed on the roller at intervals of 44 inches. In these grooves the necessary amount of seed is sown by means of a sowing-lath. The seed-box is 4 feet long, quite narrow, and has a round bottom. The sowing-lath has a groove in it which is regulated to lift the necessary amount of seed and is worked by two men, one at each end. The depth at which the seeds are sown is a most important matter. We have noticed that the laths fixed on the roller are 3 of an inch thick, so that the covering on the seed is regulated to this depth. If greater depth or wider space be required the laths can be altered to suit circumstances. The covering consists of soil prepared by being passed through a 3-inch riddle, and is put on in the same way as the seeds are sown, the lath used being of a size to lift the proper amount of soil covering. To complete the operation the plain roller shown in the back- ground of Fig. 1 is drawn over the beds. By this method the seeds are sown at an even depth, which insures an even germination and consequently an even size of plants. When the plants have reached their second year’s growth they are transplanted in nursery lines. Several species, however, are transplanted as 1-year seedlings. The object in transplanting is to encourage the formation of fibrous rootlets. The welfare of the plants depends on the state of the roots, it is therefore obvious 96 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. that the utmost care should be taken when lifting them from the seed-beds. When plants are reared in lines the minimum of damage will be done in this way. The distance between the lines and the space between the plants in the lines depend on their size and species. For 1- and 2-year- seedling conifers the lines should be g to 10 inches apart, with about eighteen plants to the lineal yard in the line. If the plants are grown more crowded, they have neither room for the proper development of their roots nor their branches. Since the production of successive crops of tree-plants causes a heavy drain on the mineral constituents in the soil, these last elements must be restored. This may be done by means of a dressing of thoroughly well decayed farm-yard manure mixed with well decomposed compost formed from decayed leaves, scourings of ditches and road-side material. A little lime or basic slag may with advantage be added. A coating of this composition should be spread over the ground on which the plants are to be lined, and previous to the lining operations the ground should be carefully dug over, thus thoroughly mixing the top dressing with the soil. A spit of soil is first removed all along the line when the work of lining is to begin. Digging is done to a width of 6 inches past the point where the first row of plants is to be placed. A garden line should then be stretched along the surface and a trench prepared for the reception of the plants. It is always necessary to observe that the trench is of sufficient depth to allow the roots to hang vertically under the plants. It is important that no bending of the roots should take place, and that the plants should be inserted at the correct depth in the soil. Both of these objects can be attained, with mechanical precision, by the use of a simple piece of apparatus known as the planting lath. These laths may be of any length, but a length of from to to 12 feet is found to be most generally convenient. The length of lathing available should be equal to double the length of the lines which are to be planted, so that when one set is in use at the planting line, the other set is being filled (see Plate IX. Fig. 2). It will be seen that the plants are inserted into small notches or slits which are cut in the laths, at 2 to 2} inches apart. The laths for convenience of filling are inserted on edge in two PLATE IX. FIG 1. THE SOWING OF THE SEED. Fic. 2. TRANSPLANTING THE SEEDLINGS WITH THE PLANTING LATH. Lia = Re ¢ PF: METHODS OF NURSERY WORK. 97 base blocks, and when filled they are laid flat on the top of the open track, allowing the roots of the plants to hang freely and with sufficient space between them for the development of fibrous roots, while there is no doubling and twisting as in the case of hand-laying. The soil removed in opening the trench for the plants is then turned back with the spade and lightly trodden with the foot. The laths are then withdrawn in a lateral direction, and part quite easily from the plants. The expense of hand-laying and laying with the lath works out exactly the same, but the plants produced by the lath system are much superior to those pro- duced by hand-laying. It will be seen that with the aid of the lath the roots are allowed to retain their natural position, consequently they develop evenly on all sides and forma close, compact, fibrous root-system. When plants thus raised are planted out in the open by means of the semi-circular planting spade the same natural position is retained. It is principally owing to the destruction of roots that we get so many crooked and short-stemmed trees with branchy crowns, which are so similar to those which have been dwarfed and deformed through injury to their roots caused by the action of a pan. 17. Nursery and Plantation Competition. The Nursery and Plantation Competition of 1914 was held in the Border district, at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Hawick Show, and embraced the counties of Berwick, Peebles, Roxburgh and Selkirk. This was the third Competition of the kind held under the auspices of the Society. The first Com- petition, in 1912, covered a representative portion of the Midlands of Scotland, while the second Competition, in 1913, included a representative area in the West, and the 1914 Competition covered an area representative of the Border district of Scotland. In order to classify the subjects entered in these Competitions, it is necessary that the Judges should be supplied with statistics concerning the history and management of the competing subjects, especially in the case of plantations. The result of this is that much information of great value is collected in the various districts, and by the time a complete round of the VOL. XXIX. PART I. G 98 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, Highland and Agricultural Society’s Annual Show districts has been made, the sum of the statistics thus collected will be of the highest interest and importance to silviculture. ‘These statistics will not only yield immediate results, by showing how the silvicultural conditions vary in different parts of Scotland, but they will form a very valuable basis for future study and research concerning each individual plantation which has been entered in the Competition. As was pointed out! in the report of the 1g12 Competition, some of these plantations may improve while others may deteriorate as time goes on, hence the recorded classification of these plantations, together with the recorded information concerning them, will afford a valuable and reliable basis for the future investigator; and if such investigations are systematically made and recorded, the final result will indicate the best system of management and kind of crop for each locality. With this end in view, it has been decided by the Council of the Society that in future the full details supplied concerning the various competing plantations shall be published. In the 1914 Competition five nurseries were entered, two in Class I. and three in Class II., while the plantations numbered eight, seven in Class IV. and one in Class V. It is rather significant to note that, as in 1913, there were no entries in Class VII., which is for hardwoods. The nurseries and plantations are given below in order of merit. NURSERIES.— Class J. Estate Proprietor Forester ~ Dawyck F. R. S. Balfour R. Tindal. Riddell Captain Sprot A. T. Kinnear. Class LT. Minto Earl of Minto Francis Berry. Bowmont Forest Duke of Roxburghe George Leven. Mellerstain Lord Binning PLANTATIONS.—CZlass IV. Estate Species Age Bowmont Forest Japanese larch (pure) 9 years. Dawyck Picea sitchensis ,, 5 + Riddell Conifers 4-5 5 Bowmont Forest Conifers 7 * Dawyck Japanese larch 6 mn Cavers Conifers o=8'" 5 Riddell Conifers 6-7) 5 1'Vol. xxvii. part I, p. 88, Zrans. NURSERY AND PLANTATION COMPETITION, 99 Class V. Estate Species Age Cavers Conifers I5 years. The general standard of the thirteen subjects selected and entered in the Competition was of a high order, and they presented many features of interest which would well repay further investigation, and it is to be hoped that continued records of all the plantations will be kept. The nurseries were all abundantly stocked with healthy young orest trees of different kinds, in various stages of preparation for planting out in the forests. Where all attained a high standard of merit it may seem invidious to single out one for special mention, but the nursery at Dawyck stands alone as regards the quality and variety of its stock. This nursery is unique in the variety of its collections in coniferous and deciduous species. Nowhere in Scotland can a greater variety of conifers, even to the most recently discovered and introduced species, be seen. The preponderance of plantations in Class I1V.—z.e., under ten years old—is rather striking, and this might lead to the deduction that conifers grow best during their first ten years in the South of Scotland, as one might naturally suppose that only the best on each estate is entered in the Competition. Such a deduction, however, would be entirely wrong. Conifers grow well at all ages in this as in other parts of Scotland. The pre- ponderance in Class IV. is, we hope, due to improved methods and increased activity in planting. It was not within the scope of the Judges’ duties to investigate this subject further, but in the event of the Society adding to these Competitions one which would include the whole forestry management of each estate, the additional information which would be thus obtained would increase enormously the usefulness of these investigations. The Judges beg to tender their heartiest thanks to the proprietors of the estates visited, and to their representatives, also to the Secretary, Mr R. Galloway, for much valuable assistance in the work of arranging and carrying out their inspection of the competing nurseries and plantations. The accompanying tables give the particulars of the plantations entered in 1913 and rgrq respectively.! 1 For particulars of the 1912 plantation competition, see vol, xxvii. part I, p- 94, Trans. 100 PARTICULARS OF PLANTATIONS, 1913. TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. NAME OF ESTATE Description Area. Class Soil . Elevation . Rainfall | Aspect : |ohelter © . s Previous occupation of land Rent of land adjoining the Plantation | Date of planting | Cost per acre (a) Fencing (6) Draining (c) Planting, includ- ing beating up (@) Cleaning . : (e) Soil cultivation or other outlay, if any | Species planted and, if more than one, relative _ propor- tions of each Age of plants Method of planting and number of plants used per acre Date of thinning, if any Damage by fungi, insects, birds, rabbits, hares, squirrels, or other creatures Damage from other causes Montgreenan. Scots PINE and Norway SPRUCE, 140 acres. 1 Peat bog, covered with heather. 240 feet (about). About 70 inches. About level. None. Uncultivated boggy peat. Cultivated land about 30s. per acre, April 1910. Not known. Iron standards with 7 wires (strand) with wire-netting. Open drains 2 to 3 feet deep, 15 to 18 feet apart. No beating up. None. In planting ground, limestone rock on part and basic slag on part. Scots pine and Nor- way spruce in about equal proportions. 4000 per acre, 3 years. German, with German ae of this shape About 4000 per acre. None. None; the wire-net- ting protects from hares and rabbits. None yet noticeable. Glenstriven. CONIFERS. 5 acres. 10 350 to 450 feet. About 75 inches per annum. Facing west. From north winds. Hillside (sheep). 6d. to Is. per acre. 1900. About £50. Larch. 2-year 2-year plants. Notching ; 3300 per acre. IQII-12. Glenstriven. CONIFERS. 6 acres. IU 250 to 350 feet. About 75 inches per annum. Facing west. From north winds. Hillside (sheep). 6d. to Is. per acre. 1877-78. About £50. Only from sheep. Practically none. Very little attention. None. Larch. 2-year 2-year plants. Notching ; acre, 3000 per Unknown, but more than once. NURSERY AND PLANTATION COMPETITION. IoL PARTICULARS OF PLANTATIONS, 1913—Continued. Glenshant. LARCH and Scots PINE. 70 acres. IV. Light gravelly. 100 to 500 feet. 70 to 8o inches. Southerly. Wood. Deer forest. 1904 to 1907. Total £250. fence. £10. Deer Knocken Wood. CONIFERS. 41 acres. IV. Partly light gravelly, and partly peat. From 250 to 550 feet. 70 to 80 inches. Southerly. Wood and deer forest. Deer forest. 1912. £280. Fence 6 feet high. Vise 5000 _~=Cs pp ants labour £2. Cutting brackens, sea- son 1912, £7, Ios. IOs., 97,000 larch ; 45,000 Scots s = 15.000 spruce ; 1000 sitka ; 1500 silver; 350 plane ; 750 beech ; 50 Douglasi; 350 ash. Mostly 2-year 2-year. Notch for conifers; hardwoods pitted ; 4000. Mount Stuart. JAPANESE LARCH. 20 acres. IV. Free sandy loam on top of rock. 200 feet. 50 inches. Easterly. North and south-west. Old beech and oak. 18s. to 25s. per acre. Feb. and March 1908. Doubtful. Japanese larch and Picea nobilis, with Scots and Austrian pine for shelter at top. Larch 2-year 2-year; nobilis 6-year. Japanese larch notch planted, 4 ft. apart. Picea nobilis pit planted, 24 feet apart. None. Practically none. None. Mount Stuart. JAPANESE and EUROPEAN LARCH. 7 acres. IV. Sandy loam and clay. 200 feet. 50 inches. Westerly by south. East and south. Small oak. 15S. per acre. Commenced 20th Feb. 1905. Doubtful. 4 acres Japanese larch ; 3 acres European larch. 2-year 2-year. Notch planting, 2722 per acre. No thinning. No damage. None. I02 PARTICULARS OF PLANTATIONS, 1914. ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. NAME OF ESTATE Description Area Class Soil Elevation Rainfall Aspect . Shelter . Previous occupation of land Rent of land adjoining the Plantation Date of planting Cost per acre: (a) Fencing . (6) Draining (c) Planting, including beat- ing up (@) Cleaning (e) Soil cultivation or outlay, if any other Species planted and, if more than one, relative propor- tions of each Age of plants Method of planting and num- ber of plants used per acre Date of thinning, if any Damage by fungi, insects, birds, rabbits, hares, squirrels, or other creatures Damage from other causes Bowmont Forest. CONIFERS. 56 acres. IV. Shallow sandy loam over pan. 540 to 590 feet. 27 inches. Northerly. Exposed to west winds. Crop of Scots pine. 12s. 6d. per acre. 1905. 44- 4s. 45, 45 None. Strip trenching ‘frost “hole,” 41, 55. Jap. larch (pure); beating up of ‘*frost hole” was done with Banks’ pine. 2-year 2-year. All notched; 4840 per acre. Very slight damage done by _ pine weevil. ‘*Frost hole” plants damaged until strip trenching resorted to. Dawyck. SITKA SPRUCE. 10 acres. IV. Whinstone, some clay. 800-goo feet. 35-43 inches. North. with From east and west. Mixed wood felled immediately be- fore planting. Grazing parks on better land, 7s. per acre. 1909. 41 per acre (ap- proximate), None. 43, 15s. (approxi- mate); no beat- _ ing up. None. None, except re- moval of second leaders. All Picea sitchensis, with a few ‘‘ bat” willows at edge of the burn. 2-year 2-year. Notching; about 3000. None. A few trees by fungus Armzllaria mellea, Vahl. None. Calla. CONIFERS. 15 acres. IV. Till to loam. 600 feet. Average for Rox- burghshire. In and on margins of a small ravine. North side of high ground. Woodland growing fine larch, ash, and Scots pine. Grass parks at about IOs. per acre. Season 1909-1910. Original mostly. fencing, About £5. About £8. Larch, pine, and spruce in about equal quantities, with some Doug- las fir in hollows. 2-year 2-year. Notching ; 5000 per acre. Certain amount by hares, _ rabbits, cattle, and sheep. By frost to Douglas and larch (re- placed since by Norway spruce), NURSERY AND PLANTATION COMPETITION. 103 PARTICULARS OF PLANTATIONS, 1914—Continued. Bowmont Forest CONIFERS. 10°6 acres. IV. Sandy loam. 550 feet. 27 inches. Westerly. Exposed to W. and S.W. winds. Crop of Scots pine. 12s. 6d. per acre. 1907-08. 44, 45- None. £4. 38. None. Scots pine (pure) | AN Larix lepto- 9464 acres; Jap- anese larch(pure) ' | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | } ) 1°178 acres, with | a few Menzies spruce, and white American | spruce, Austrian | and Banks’ pine. 2-year 2-year. All pitted; 2722 per acre. Slight damage by | Pine pine weevil and pine root fungus. None. | Grazing parks on | 1908 (spring). 2-year I-year. Dawyck. JAPANESE LARCH. 23 acres. IV. Light, stony for- mation. 850 to 950 feet 35 to 43 inches. North. None. Scanty larch wood felled 30 years ago. better land, 7s. per acre. 41 per acre (ap- proximate). None. 44, 18s. (approxi- mate). 10s. (approximate) None. lepis. Notching ; per acre. 355° | | None. weevil or | black game. Damage from wind. Cavers. CONIFERS. 8 acres. IV. Strong retentive | clay. 700 feet. North-west. None. Arable. 15s. 6d. per acre. 1906 and 1907. 132 roods, 6 lines wire fencing, with larch stakes, at 35.30/= L265: 120 roods at 4d. =2. About £42. £2: Wire-netting, 47, 10s. Scots fir and spruce about half and half, with a few Doze- last and hard- woods about 10 | feet apart. | | Hardwoods 2 to | 3 feet, others 2-year 2-year. Notch for conifers, | and pits for hard- | woodsand Dozg- last; 4000 per ac. Very slight clear- ing of blown plants, 1913. Scots pine dam- aged by black game. | Riddell Bank. CONIFERS. I2 acres. IV. Loam to till. 700 feet. Average for Rox- | _ burghshire. S.E. Partly by wood on S. and S. W. Wood. Spruce in one part and good hardwoods. Grass parks at I5s. to £I per acre. Seasons 1907-8 and 1908-9. Original fences. About £8. About £2. Japanese and Eur- opean larch,| Scots pine and Norway spruce, in about equal | numbers, with a few Douglas and ash. 2-year 2-year. Notching ; about 5000 per acre. Chermes on larch; Rabbits and hares. : Tops of many Jap- anese larch lost. Cavers. ConIFERS. TO acres. Very poor, often only 3 ins. deep. 718 ft. West. None. Grazing. IOs. per acre. 1898-99. 82 roods, 6 lines galv. wire, with larch stakes, at 3d. =413, 6d. | None. | Wire-netting, £4. One half Scots fir and one quarter spruce, remain- ing one quarter hardwoods and Japanese larch. One acre of Jap- anese larch. | Firs I-year 1-year, spruce 3-year, larch 2-year 2- year. Notch planting ; pits for hard- woods; 4000 per acre. Slight clearing 1907, and slight thinning 1912, Very badly blown to one side. I04 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 18. Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agri- cultural Society’s Show at Hawick, 14th to 17th July 1914. The Border counties included in the Hawick Show district provide wide contrasts in forest growth. In the haughs and sheltered valleys of the Tweed and its tributaries at the lower altitudes, excellent growth of many of the broad-leaf timber trees is to be found ; the timber of such species as ash, sycamore and beech often indeed rivalling in size and quality that to be found in the recognised hardwood districts farther south. The oak, especially the Sessile variety, also gives a fair account of itself in timber production. No better quality of Scots pine timber can be found anywhere in the country than that grown on the deep sands and gravelly loams on the banks of the Tweed. Higher up on the sheltered slopes of the hills of the southern uplands of Scotland larch and spruce are equally at home. A reflection of this pleasing variety of suitable conditions for forest growth in the district was to be found in the exhibition of timbers and other woodland produce at the Hawick Show. In the competitive classes, although the display was not so large in the aggregate as at some former Exhibitions, the standard of quality was very high both for broad-leaf and coniferous timbers. In the competition for larch timber in plank-form there were eight entries. The first prize was awarded to the Earl of Minto for very fine well-hearted samples of larch. The planks sent by Sir John A. Dewar of Dupplin, and awarded second prize, came little short of the first in the total quality points, and a very good lot also were those sent from the Duke of Roxburghe, to whom the third prize was awarded. The Highly Commended ticket was given to the Duke of Buccleuch for a very nice lot sent by Mr D. Crabbe. The competition in Scots pine timber was also a good one, eight exceedingly interesting lots being staged. The first prize was awarded to Sir John Dewar, the second prize to the Earl of Minto, and the third to the Duke of Buccleuch. The competition for spruce timber was less _ satisfactory. There were only four entries in this case, and the quality of the spruce boards was not up to the same high standard as that of the larch and the pine. The outstanding feature was size rather than high quality. Although the pieces of timber shown had been very carefully prepared and seasoned so as to show to the FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT HAWICK. 105 best advantage, yet the conspicuous high quality of the pine and larch was clearly lacking in this case. The planks had been sawn from trees of very rapid growth—trees grown probably in open order—with the result that the timber was soft and carried an undue proportion of springwood. The best sample, to which first prize was awarded, was that sent by Sir John Dewar. Second and third prizes, respectively, were awarded to the Duke of Buccleuch and the Earl of Minto. There was an excellent display in the competition for ash timber, there being eight entries in this class, from different woodland owners. The first prize was given to the Earl of Minto for well-prepared planks of tough, nicely-coloured timber. The second prize went to the Duke of Buccleuch, also for good- sized planks. The samples sent by Captain Stirling, to which third place was given, had also much to recommend them. The display of oak planks in Competition No. V. was extremely interesting, and the Judges had considerable difficulty in making their awards. This difficulty was to some extent enhanced by the state of preparation in which the timber was put forward by the various competitors. Oak timber, in order to retain its high quality, must, if possible, be slowly seasoned— the first stages in the log, the later stages in thick plank form. In some cases the samples shown had been taken from recently felled sappy logs, and thus did not show to advantage. The first prize was awarded to the Earl of Minto, for large, sound, nicely- coloured, well-matured planks. The second prize went to the Duke of Buccleuch, also for sound material of great merit, and the third prize was awarded to Captain Stirling of Keir, for a lot very nearly equal to the second. Highly Commended tickets were also attached to the samples sent by the Duke of Roxburghe and Captain Palmer Douglas of Cavers. For specimens of elm timber the first prize was awarded to the Duke of Roxburghe, for well-hearted planks of decidedly outstanding merit. The second prize went to Captain Stirling of Keir, and the third to the Earl of Minto. In the competition for timber of broad-leaf trees other than ash, elm and oak, there were two divisions, viz., an Open Section and a Local Section. In this competition a good collection of such useful timbers as sycamore, beech, hornbeam, sweet chestnut and poplar were put forward. The first prize in the Open Section was awarded to Sir John Dewar, the second prize to the Duke of Roxburghe, and the third to the Duke of 106 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Buccleuch. In the Local Section, the first prize went to the Duke of Roxburghe. There was also a competition divided into two sections for coniferous timbers other than larch, pine and spruce. The entries included such timbers as Douglas fir, Lawson’s cypress, giant Zzuya, silver fir and Corsican pine. In this competition, first prizes went to the Duke of Roxburghe both in the Open and Local Sections. The second prize in the Open Section was awarded to Captain Stirling, and the third prize to Sir John Dewar. A useful competition, and one which usually attracts much attention, is that of the construction from home-grown timber of various designs of gates. For a gate constructed by exhibitor, Silver Medals were awarded to Mr James A. Donald, forester, Dupplin, Mr Lewis Rae, assistant forester, Dupplin, and to Mr D. MacMillan, forester, Keir. For gates designed by exhibitor but made by an estate tradesman a No. 1 Silver Medal was awarded to Mr J. A. Donald, Dupplin ; No. 2 Silver Medals to Mr W. M. Price, factor, Minto, and Mr Francis Berry, forester, Minto; and a No. 3 Silver Medal to Captain Sprot of Riddell. For a self-closing wicket- gate a No. 1 Silver Medal was awarded to Mr David Crabbe, forester to the Duke of Buccleuch. The whole of the gates were shown in working condition. They were all of excellent design and workmanship, and reflected great credit on the exhibitors. For full-sized sections of fencing constructed from thinnings, a Silver Medal was awarded to Captain Sprot of Riddell. For specimens showing the effect on the quality of timber of the dense and open methods of cultivation, Captain Sprot was awarded a No. 3 Silver Medal for stems of spruce shown at forty years of age. The Duke of Roxburghe (fer Mr Geo. Leven) was awarded a No. t Medal for stems of spruce and Corsican pine. In Competition No. XXI., for any useful invention or improved implement used in forestry, Mr David Crabbe was awarded a No. 2 Silver Medal for a very substantially constructed portable tramway and timber bogie for use in situations where roads are expensive of construction. Mr R. G. Grant, The Manse, Aberdalgie, Perth, gained a Silver Medal in the same section for a very serviceable implement for extracting tree stumps, and also a Bronze Medal for an ingenious pit-trap for rabbits, which could be used on either side of a wire-net fence. This pit-trap FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT HAWICK. 107 method of catching these vermin is much more humane than by the ordinary spring-trap, and Mr Grant’s invention may prove a most useful one. ; For collections of fungi injurious to forest trees, Silver Medals were awarded to Mr H. R. Munro, Great Witley, Worcester, Mr S. Fraser, Hopetoun, and Mr A. Fish, Kinneil Estate, Bo’ness. In the non-competitive classes there were many very useful exhibits. A No. 1 Silver Medal was awarded to the Duke of Buccleuch for a large exhibit including specimens of stems and samples of soil and surface layers, and diagrams illustrating the growth of a pure crop of spruce; specimens of stems and diagrams illustrating the growth of young crops of Japanese larch; maps showing methods of distinguishing age- classes in woods, records of timber production, etc. Silver Medals were also gained by the Duke of Roxburghe and Sir Duncan Hay of Haystoun, Peebles, for specimens of young trees and stems illustrating the growth of European and Japanese larch, Douglas fir and spruce, etc. The advisability of planting Japanese larch in preference to the European species has been much discussed in recent years. It may be too soon to form a definite opinion of the value of Japanese larch for general planting, but it has already proved itself wonderfully adapted to the deep dry pine soils of Bowmont forest and to the light soils on the lower Silurian formation on the Peebles and Selkirk hills. Captain Sprot of Riddell had a very instructive exhibit for which a Silver Medal was awarded. It included examples of trees and stems showing the effects of full exposure and partial shelter on the rate of growth of various plantation trees; also stems with examples of larch disease (canker), and spruce showing the effect of Chermes laricts. Silver Medals were awarded for collections of home-grown timbers to Captain Douglas of Cavers and to Lochiel, and to the Earl of Mansfield, ser Mr F. Scott, for a transplanting frame with specimens of pine transplants of three and four years’ growth, contrasting results with the frame and the ordinary transplanting method by hand. The straightness of roots and rootlets resulting from the frame transplanted trees would appear to justify the use of the transplanting frame. An exhibit of very great importance, and of special interest at the present time in view of the scarcity of pitwood, was the 108 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. collection of home-grown railway and pit timber sent from Dupplin by Sir John Dewar. It included— 1 railway sleeper, 10 inches by 5 inches. Pitwood crowns— 1 pine, 9 feet by 9 inches by 43 inches. I ” 9 bP) 8 ” 4 >] I 9 8 ” 8 bb) 4 99 I ” 7 9 8 be) 4 bP] I ” 6 9 8 ” 4 + }p) 1 it! 7 ges i; er I ” 6 bP) 6 bP) 3 99 Pit tramway sleepers— I pine, 3 feet g inches by 6 inches by 2 inches. I PP] 3 LP) 9 z ” 5 - be) 2 be) I ,, 3 feet by 6 inches by 2 inches. I bP 5 9 5 9 2 9 Round pit sleepers— Io pairs, ranging in length from 3 feet to 12 feet long, diameter from 3 inches to 7 inches at small end. Mr Gordon, Glasgow and West of Scotland Agricultural College, exhibited photographs illustrating very useful methods of eradicating bracken. Mr Wm. Peffers, Electric Sawmills, Hawick, and Mr W. A. Edmond, joiner, Floors Castle, were each awarded Medals for exhibits illustrating utilisation of home-grown timber. Mr Peffers’ collection included a complete rustic bridge; sections of pine flooring ; rails sawn from crooked oak boughs ; and a large pine log 40 feet long by 20 inches quarter-girth. Mr Edmonds’ collection consisted of articles of turnery. A remarkable collection of artificial flowers made from pine and spruce timber, for which a Silver Medal was awarded, was shown by Mr Charles Burton, Sandford Hill, Longton, Staffordshire. Most of the flowers were wonderful imitations of Nature’s own production, and they attracted much attention. Excellent arrangements for the staging and setting out of the material were made by the local committee, consisting of Mr Milne Home, Mr W. M. Price, Mr Leven and Mr Leishman. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on one of the days of the show, the forestry exhibition attracted a great deal of notice and was visited by very large numbers, and may safely be claimed to have fulfilled its purpose in assisting to educate public opinion, and to bring forward to public notice the aims and objects of the Society. pi As NOTES AND QUERIES, 10g NOTES: ANDeO@UERITES. AFFORESTATION OF PRIVATELY-OWNED LANDs. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland has issued the following memorandum outlining proposals for the afforestation of land in private ownership :— “The Development Commissioners are prepared, within the limits of the funds available, and subject to Treasury sanction, to recommend advances to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for approved schemes of afforestation of land belonging to private owners. In order that as much as possible of the available funds may be spent in actual planting, the Com- missioners hope that landowners desiring their land to be planted may be willing to secure this by mutual arrangement under which the afforestable land will be leased to the Board on the principle that no return is to be paid for the use of the land until the proceeds of afforestation accrue, and that then these proceeds shall be divided between the landowners and the Board according to the proportion which the rental value of the land bears to the sum provided by Government for afforestation and maintenance. Any agreed contribution by the landowners to capital expenditure would be taken into account in the allocation of the proportion of proceeds, and also the present value of any growing timber crop included in the leased area. “It might be convenient that this proportion should be fixed at the outset according to the present value of the land-rental, and of other contributions which the landowner might desire to offer, on the one hand; and, on the other, to the sum estimated to be necessary for the afforestation of the area, and to the present value of maintenance charges during the first forest rotation so far as provided by Government. ‘* All land leased on a proceeds-sharing basis will be held for periods to be adjusted with the Government Department con- cerned as lessees. It will be dealt with under the prescriptions of a working-plan compiled by the Department in consultation with the owners, and at the termination of the period of such lease the landowner will be under obligation either to purchase the Government share of the standing crop or to continue the lease. In this connection the value of immature crops [IO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. might be adjusted by the repayment of capital expended on the crop with 3 per cent. compound interest, while the mature crop would be taken over at its sale value as fixed by a valuator approved by both parties. The term “immature crop” might be taken to mean all crops which have not hn es one-half the age of commercial maturity. “ Applications from landowners should be addressed to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. Details of the area concerned should be clearly shown on Ordnance Survey sheets, and present rental values with public and parish burdens should be specified. Those offers will be given the preference which afford opportunity for leasing at the present time areas up to 1000 acres in extent, with the prospect of extending the leased area to 4000 or 5000 acres as afforestation progresses; but, owing to the great variation in local conditions, the Board of Agriculture will be prepared to receive communications from all interested parties and to discuss proposals generally in accordance with the above principles.” With reference to the above Memorandum the President has sent the following letter to the Secretary for publication :— ‘“ 15th December 1914. ‘‘DeaR Mr GALtoway,— “The memorandum issued by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and described by the Board as outlining proposals for the afforestation of land in private ownership, is, even for a skeleton, meagre and incomplete. We can recognise in it characteristics to which we have become accustomed in the Board’s dealings with silviculture, and a single new note which deserves more careful examination than the space of a letter can afford. Let us run over the familiar features— “rt, The old device, with which the first paragraph begins, of taking cover behind the Development Commissioners, as if the Board of Agriculture for Scotland had no mind or will of its own in a matter of vital interest to the poorer parts of the country. ‘2. The nervous horror of doing anything that may remotely and indirectly benefit landowners —well illustrated by «3. The old old story that the landowner is to receive no rent for his land, and no return from it, until the sales of forest produce may begin—z.e. the weaker partner is to bear the whole of any loss of income that afforestation may entail. NOTES AND QUERIES. raRe “Tt is necessary to repeat, as often as this condition appears in the terms, that it is fatal to the development of afforestation in Scotland on any considerable scale—unless indeed afforestation is to be developed by the forfeiture of the elementary rights of individuals. “So far we have been on ground familiar to the point of weariness, We are now told that the eventual division of the proceeds between the Board and the landowner is to be governed by the proportion existing between the sum provided by the Government for afforestation and the rental value of the land— and that applications from landowners should specify present rental values and public and parish burdens. “‘ Now the crux of afforestation is the discovery of the fair share of the whole rental and burdens to be borne by the afforested part of any area. The refusal of the Board to consider the question of compensation for loss of rental makes the question for the moment an academic one—but it must be kept steadily in view if any generally applicable solution of the afforestation problem is to be found, and it is only right to welcome the first sign of a wish on the part of the Board to examine this vital question of rental and burdens. “ After this ray of light, we return to darkness; there is a very significant omission from the Board’s scheme, so important that it can hardly be dueto carelessness. The Board ignores entirely the silvicultural value of the land. On the face of the proposals, the landowner will receive no more for the best larch land, as such, than for land only suitable for Scots pine. He will of course receive a larger sum from his share of the more valuable crop, but the Board’s proposal ignores the owner’s right to the silvicultural value of the land. Under the scheme as it stands the landowner who can afford it would be well advised to plant his better forest soil for himself, and leave the doubtful and bad to be dealt with by the Board. “It is to be feared that these proposals will not greatly further the cause of afforestation, since they are only applicable, on the one hand, to land at present producing no rent, and, on the other, to landowners to whom the loss of rental involved in accepting them is no serious objection. In the present time of war, the loss of any opportunity of benefiting a part of the country largely deprived of its wage-earners, gives cause for deep regret. Planting is capable of giving a great deal of employment to women and II2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY old men and young lads—now almost the only inhabitants of many Highland parishes, which have given to the King’s service a proportion of men many times greater than the average pro- portion of the country. “Yours very truly, ‘* ARCHIBALD STIRLING.” COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF FOREST SEEDs. The Board has also issued a leaflet (No. 21) which deals with the collection and storage of forest seeds. Practical and useful hints are given concerning such matters as—source of seed, time of ripening, methods of collection, preliminary storage and extraction, permanent storage and testing. A handy table is added at the end, which gives information regarding time to collect and time to sow, depth to cover, and kind of storage suitable for the seeds of the more important forest trees, both broad-leaved and coniferous. Copies of this leaflet may be obtained, free of charge and post free, on application to the Secretary, Board of Agriculture for Scotland, 29 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. Letters so addressed need not be stamped. Tue UTILISATION OF SMALL HOME-GROWN TIMBER. The following important circular has been issued by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland :— “The attention of landowners, factors, timber merchants and sawmill owners is called to the fact that at present the Director of Army Contracts (1B) War Office, Whitehall, London, S.W., is advertising for manufacturers to tender for the supply of the following articles made solely, mainly, or partly of wood :— ‘Wooden tent poles, made of white deal (poles), elm (blocks) ; wooden tent pins, made of beech, ash or.oak ; wooden picketing pegs, made of ash; helves and handles, made of ash; dry cooperage (cask vat), consisting of deal (heads), oak (staves, battens, and cants); form and table tops, made of yellow or white deal. ‘“‘The tent poles are of two sizes—Mark III., g ft. g ins. long and 2} ins. in diameter, and Mark II., 11 ft. ro ins. long and 25 ins. in diameter; the poles are made in two parts, joined by a socket, the parts in each case to be interchangeable. e NOTES AND QUERIES. Lig “The blocks are cylindrical pieces of wood 3} ins. high by 4} ins. in diameter. ‘“‘ The tent pins are ro} and 13 ins. long (to be cleft), or 20 ins. long and 3 ins. in widest part, while tent runners and triangular pieces are of smaller dimensions, ‘“‘The picketing pegs are 17 ins. long by 1% in. thick (full). “The helves vary from 12 to 36 ins. long, some being round, others oval, and some straight and others curved. ‘** The cask vats are of various sizes, viz. :— ‘“‘; ton, r in. thick, 41 ins. long in stave, 34 ins. diameter in head, and 41 ins. diameter in bilge. # ton, 1 in. thick, 40 ins. long in stave, 29 ins. diameter in head, and 34} ins. diameter in bilge. § ton, # in. thick, 4o ins. long in stave, 25 ins. diameter in head, and jo ins. diameter in bilge. 4 ton, } in. thick, 32 ins. long in stave, 22 ins, diameter in head, and 27 ins. diameter in bilge. The staves are to be made of cleft oak free from sapwood. “The forms are 6 ft. long, 8? ins. wide, and 1} in. thick, with battens 2} by rd ins. “The tables are 12 ft. long, 2 ft. 54 ins. wide, and r} in, thick when finished. “The trestles are 2 ft. 5 ins. high, 2 ft. 53 ins. long, top 3 by 24 ins., legs 2} by 2 ins., battens 7 by 6 by ins. “Copies of the specifications giving full details for each article needed can be obtained on application to the Director at the address given above. “Attention is drawn to the articles needed, as it is hoped that timber of the required kinds and dimensions may possibly be shaped in the rough at estate sawmills and workshops, if landowners, factors or timber merchants can be brought in touch with the manufacturers willing to enter into contracts with the War Office for the supply of any one or more of the articles mentioned. “The benefits that may thus be secured to the country at large, and to the labouring classes employed in connection with working up the raw materal are self-evident.” A USEFUL TYPE oF STILE. I have found the device illustrated in the accompanying figures useful myself, and possibly it may prove convenient for foresters and others. To make a passage or gangway for VOL. XXIX. PART I. H II4 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. men through a wire sheep or cattle fence, I take a forked stem of a tree, as shown in Fig. 1, and sink it about 3 feet in the ground. I then fasten the wires tightly to the forked part by staples, and afterwards cut the wires, double them back round the forks, and drive more staples over the folded- —————————————— ae | —————— a ae ;. a. ee? OF! fh Ed & % Yj D lV Wa oe in ends. This gives a ready, simple and useful stile. One has to choose a fork which will keep out a sheep or ox, and allow a man to pass through. One can vary or improve the stile at will—(1) by putting in a block A (Fig. 2) and spiking it down; or (2) by putting in a higher block like B (Fig. 3), and other logs (C) to act as steps to the stile. In the last case a rabbit wire-netting can be added. , ne \\ 2 SGeSRESS Lt.-Col. MArRTIN-MARTIN.. NOTES AND QUERIES. T15 RE-INTRODUCTION oF Scots PINE (Pinus silvestris) INTO SOUTHERN ENGLAND. The period at which this took place is frequently given as the last quarter of the eighteenth century; for instance, the date named for the New Forest, Hampshire, is 1776. This general statement seems to require some qualification, and the following four cases may be cited of earlier dates :-— 1. On Hampstead Heath the trees called “the Firs,” so often figured in local views, are of this species, and there is documentary evidence that they were planted in 1734. 2. The large plantation called the “ Evergreens,” in Woburn Park, Bedfordshire, was planted in 1743, and there were Scots pines in it which had attained the height of 55 feet and girth of 13 feet at 4 feet from the ground previous to 1839 (Pinetum Woburnense, 1839, P. 7)- 3. At Stratton Strawless, near Norwich, in 1748, R. Marsham planted some of his ‘“ Waste” partly with Scotch firs, as he names the trees (T. Bell’s edition of Gilbert White’s Wat. Hist. of Selborne, vol. ii. p. 267, 1877). 4. White himself says, in an entry under the date of 24th October 1766, that at Selborne “the Scotch pine casts its leaves of last year” (4 Nature Calendar, by W. M. Webb, Selborne Society, 1911). There are also instances of early planting as an ornamental or park tree, such as at Heron Court, near Bournemouth, where a group of four Scots pines on the south lawn are said to have been grown from seed brought from Scotland in 1746. These widely separated localities indicate that there had been considerable planting done previous to 1750. HucuH Boyp Wart. ABNORMAL GROWTHS ON WILLOW TREES. There is a curious and unusual growth on some of the willows on Hampstead Heath, Middlesex, which was first noticed two years ago and has continued abundantly since then. Externally it resembles the familiar ‘‘ Witch’s Broom” found on birch trees, but is not so large or bunchy, seldom exceeding the size of an average turnip, and in shape it is more frequently elongated than rounded. Some trees look as if their upper branches were occupied by a colony of rooks’ nests in miniature, a kind of 116 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. doll’s-house-rookery, and dozens of examples of the growth occur on single trees. In the spring the fresh growths are greenish in colour, like the foliage, and as they dry up and wither they change to brownish, ending by becoming almost black in the rather smoky atmosphere. They persist and remain on the trees throughout the winter, conspicuous and eye-arresting objects. They occur on at least four different species of willows, namely, Salix babylonica, S. alba, S. fragilis, and S. vitellina. It is apparently a case of phyllody ; and Mr N. E. Brown of Kew Gardens, to whom I submitted specimens, writes that the branches show ‘‘ modified female catkins, in which the female flowers are transformed into a more or less leafy state, where each flower becomes an aborted leafy shoot. Some of the carpels are modified into an expanded leaf at the base of a partly enclosed rudimentary leafy axis, and some are much enlarged carpels, containing a small leafy axis bearing two or three minute leaves inside. There is no disease apparent. It is a very interesting modification.” At Mr Brown’s request, further specimens were sent to the Director at Kew for the herbarium there, and a later report from this authority says—‘* The hyper- trophy of the willow catkins received is possibly caused by a mite, as these creatures were found on the older diseased pieces. In the older stages the twigs have become greatly swollen, and adventitious flowers formed in great number from the tissues.” This still leaves the cause of the malformation an open question, but it seems probable that it is due to a gall-mite of the genus Zriophyes. Inthe Forestry Museum, Kew Gardens, there is a specimen labelled Zriophyes fragilis, looking very like the Hampstead growths. I am told that another species, Z. tri-radiatus, attacks both S. albaand S. fragilis, and that £. rudis has a partiality for birches. Messrs Elwes and Henry ! refer to ““Witch’s Broom” on the white willow (S. aéba), apparently formed by irritation set up by Zriophyes salicis, but the description given by them of the resultant growth differs from what is found on the Hampstead trees. As so little seems to be known about these abnormalities on willows, any further information would be useful. HucuH Boyp Wart. 1 Trees of Great Britain and Treland, vol. vii. p. 1761. PLATE 2X. To face p. 117.) NOTES AND QUERIES. Phy THE JANKER Cart. (With Plate.) This cart is very useful for the transport of heavy logs of timber, and may be drawn by either one or two horses according to the weight of the log. Most of our large timber was formerly moved with either an ordinary timber cart or with a pole janker. The janker cart possesses much simplicity and ease of handling, and has the advantage over a pole janker that an inexperienced man can lift very large logs of timber alone. On the other hand, however, in its original form the janker cart is not so useful as the pole janker for the removal of long timber. Asa general rule its limit for length is about 18 feet. The illustration (Plate X.) shows the cart in use in this form, but it can be readily transformed into a pole janker by the removal of the shafts and fittings, and substituting a suitably mounted pole onthe axle. Thecart consists of ordinary janker wheels and axle with two shafts over the axle similar to an ordinary wood cart. It will also be observed that on these shafts —in front and behind the axle—are fixed two steel bows which form part of the same circle as the axle. Through these bows pass two powerful screws, and to these the chains used for lifting the wood are fastened. For the conveyance of heavy logs of timber under 18 feet in length, the cart is superior to the pole janker. A. Murray. HomeE-Grown Pitwoop. As stated by Mr Milne Home in his important article on “The Home Pitwood Supply,” the Forestry Branch of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland foresaw, immediately on the outbreak of war, that there was a possibility of our supplies of pitwood, especially those from the Baltic, being seriously reduced, if not entirely stopped. The first thing, therefore, to be done, was to ascertain the supplies required to keep the mining industries going, and to see how far these could be met by the utilisation of home-grown timber. The result of these prompt inquiries was to indicate that, with proper organisation, the necessary supplies could be obtained from our home forests for at least a year. A Committee, representative of all the interests concerned, was appointed to deal with the whole question, including the supply of labour. An important 118 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. result of one of its early meetings was that the coalowners agreed to accept any species of timber, with the exception of beech, whether seasoned or freshly felled. The Committee recommends the following sizes to producers and consumers :— | Rounp Props oR Bars. pecmetce at small Short Props. Long Props. end. feet to 2 feet 9 inches. 39 4 19 6 29 6 inches. uk 2 29 12 feet to 14 feet. ”? 7 99 | 12 99 14 99 99 9 9? 12 29 14 ” 9? ae eee ed MAMMA HOH NNN tN It was fully recognised that the crux of the whole question was the incidence of railway rates, and in the interests of all parties it was decided to move for a substantial reduction in the existing rates. Mr Sutherland, on behalf of the Board, undertook to represent the case, and to arrange for a deputation of the whole Committee to appear before the Secretary for Scotland, in London. After this visit it was proposed that the Deputation might proceed to the Board of Trade Offices to make further representations there. The meeting took place on the 22nd of September last, and at the Offices of the Board of Trade its members were received, in company with representatives of the Scottish Railway Companies, the Government Railway Executive Committee, representatives of English forestry and other interests, by the President of the Board of Trade, Mr Runciman, who, after the case had been put by the Deputation, promised to give the matter immediate consideration. The Secretary for Scotland was present at the conference at the Board of Trade, and his assistance at the deliberations was greatly appreciated by the Deputation. The result of the Deputation was that the Scottish Railway Companies agreed to modify the rates quoted for pitwood consigned direct to Scottish collieries from timber-growing centres in Scotland, so that the maximum rate will not exceed NOTES AND QUERIES. 1 ie) ros. per ton, for timber not exceeding 14 feet in length. The existing rates under ros. per ton will be maintained. The modified rate will be extended to through traffic of pitwood between stations on the Caledonian, Glasgow and South-Western, North British, and Highland and Great North of Scotland railways. Endeavours are now being made by the Board for an arrangement between Scottish, English and Welsh railway companies for through rates for pitwood from Scotland to England and Wales, as there is a demand in England and Wales for Scottish pitwood, It is to be hoped that, in the interests of Scottish forestry, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland will shortly make available to growers the large amount of valuable information which has been collected during these inquiries. The increased demand for home-grown pitwood will, no doubt, lead to a considerable increase in the area of woodland which is normally cut in this country, and while it is highly important that the necessary supplies should be forthcoming through these increased cuttings, it is equally important that the areas cut should be replanted without delay. It is, however, understood that the Board have this matter under consideration. In connection with the general subject, we have to note that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have recently issued a comprehensive report on the Supplies of Home-grown Pitwood. An inquiry into the whole subject as regards England and Wales was undertaken by the Board’s Forestry Branch with the assistance of the Forestry Advisory Officers, under the super- vision of Mr R. T. Robinson. After careful investigation of the whole question the position is described as by no means disconcerting since, with rational handling, supplies sufficient to last for 1} years can be obtained from home sources. Special leaflet No. 17, on Supplies of Pit Timber, was also recently issued by the same Board. Both leaflet and report are of great import- ance at the present time, and should be carefully studied by all foresters. | . 120 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. Haray Trees and Shrubs tn the British Isles. By W. J. Bran, Assistant Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ‘Two volumes, 1440 pp., with over 250 line-drawings and 64 half- tone illustrations. Price £2, 2s. net. London: John Murray. These comprehensive volumes, which reached us as we were about to go to press, appear to be the lineal successors of Loudon’s great work published seventy-six years ago. The author points out that in the interval the number of species introduced to cultivation has probably been doubled, and that in the present volumes about 2800 species (besides numerous varieties) have been described, including nearly 4oo of the new Chinese trees and shrubs introduced within the last fifteen years. We hope to return to this book again in a future issue. Trees: A Woodland Notebook containing Observations on certain British and Exotic Trees. By the Right Hon. Sir HERBERT MAxwet,. Bt., F.R.S., LL.D., D.C.L. Illustrated with photographs by Mr Henry Irvinc and others. ars. net. Glasgow: Maclehose & Sons. This delightful book consists of thirty-four articles or essays, each of which is devoted to a single tree or species. The trees selected are those indigenous to the United Kingdom, and exotic species which have proved, or are likely to prove, suitable to the British climate. The papers, which originally appeared in the Scofsman, aroused a great deal of public interest, and we. hope there will be a large demand for them in this permanent form. While the author professes that his aim is not to present either a scientific botanical treatise or a manual of technical forestry, the reader will find that a considerable amount of botany and forestry has been imparted to him in a most agree- able manner. The author’s method is to give information as to the general distribution of the particular tree he is dealing with— REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS, 121 the places where the best specimens are to be seen; the proper methods of its cultivation; the kind and value of the timber produced ; and other particulars such as the effect of the tree on the landscape, and the place names that have been derived from it. All this is so deftly interwoven with anecdote and story, that the reader is almost unaware that he is being led on to take an interest in the great subject of forestry. The book contains fifty-seven illustrations, eighteen of them coloured, which add much to the charm of the work. The upmake of the book is all that could be desired—the paper, printing, illustrations and binding being alike excellent. Physiography of the United States and Principles of Sotls in Relation to Forestry. By Professor Isaiah BOWMAN. xxli+759 pp. Price 21s. net. New York: J. Wiley and Sons; London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd., rorr. A knowledge of the physiographic features of a country is of the utmost importance to all students of forestry. ‘Topography, drainage, soils and climate must be studied in order that the forester may realise their intimate bearing on the whole question of tree-growth and forest utilisation. As the author points out in his preface, ‘‘It seems so clear that one cannot know forestry without knowing under what physical conditions trees grow, that orie-finds it impossible to see how even the least philosophical view of théxsubject can exclude a knowledge of physiography. It would seem*that one should pay a great deal of attention to lumbering as related to drainage and relief, to silviculture as related to soils, climate and water supply, and in general that one should emphasise ihe forester’s dependence upon physical conditions. This would appear to be so plain a doctrine as not to require restatement here, were it not for the fact that some students of forestry and even some schools of forestry still pay too little attention to the subject. If the forest is accepted merely as a fact, and the chief concern is its immediate and thoughtless exploitation, physiography may be indeed the fifth wheel to the coach, although even so practical a view as the lumberman’s must include some knowledge of topography and drainage if merely to put forest products on the market. But forestry is more than lumbering, and if forésts are to be conserved, I22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. if they are to be improved and extended, every direct relation of the tree to its physiographic environment is vital.” The book is divided into two parts. The first part, which deals with soils, is devoted to a very full consideration of their origin and diversity together with their physical and chemical features, while a description of the classification of soils completes the part. Although not a treatise on forestry the book is one which should be read by all students of forestry, as it deals with matters which are of fundamental importance to forestry in all its aspects. As might be expected, the enormous influence of forests on soil conservation, drainage and water supply is brought prominently before the reader. In maintaining the soil, and preserving and regulating the water supply, the forest comes first in importance of all the means which man can adopt to that end. The author points out that the rapidity of erosion is, in many places, a matter of grave concern. Over twenty years ago an estimate by Shaler showed that in America about 4000 square miles of country had been impoverished through wasteful agricultural methods, representing a loss of food resources sufficient to support a million people; and that at least 5 %/ of the soils which at one time proved fertile under tillage “are now unfit to produce anything more valuable than scanty pasturage.” The author then goes on to say, “To us of a later generation this figure appears gratifyingly small beside the figure that would express the deplorable ruin of the past quarter century of reckless timber cutting and baneful neglect of fields abandoned by the upland farmer.” An inference as to the powerful influence of the forest in preventing flooding and erosion may be drawn from a statement quoted from Fernow. ‘The forest litter, the moss- covered and leaf-strewn ground, is capable of absorbing water at the rate of from 40,000,000—-50,000,000 cubic feet per square mile in ten minutes—water whose progress is delayed by some twelve to fifteen hours after the first effects of a heavy freshet have passed.” Deforestation or want of afforestation may not only lead to a loss of soil on the hill slopes and upland areas, but alluvial lands of the valleys and plains may also suffer serious soil deterioration through flooding. The question of proper forest management in hilly and mountainous countries is of the REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 123 greatest importance to the prosperity of present and future generations. We may quote the following and convincing paragraph from page 616 where, speaking of deforestation in the Appalachians, the author says, “The rain beats directly upon the soil, the retarding influence of the ground-litter and tree roots and trunks is withdrawn, and more rapid soil removal occurs. When once these evil effects have been allowed to take place mankind is deprived, practically for thousands and even millions of years, of the favourable conditions that preceded the epoch of destruction. Ina hundred years man may achieve such baneful results as nature will compensate only during a geologic period of hundreds of thousands of years. Soil is a resource of priceless value. Many glacial striz formed on resistent rock during the last glacial epoch, roughly 60,000- 75,000 years ago, are still preserved as fresh as if they were made but yesterday. In that time man has come up from the cave and the stone hammer. Seventy thousand years is a very short time for the development of a soil cover ; for man it means a period so great that his mind can hardly appreciate it. The earth as we find it in the geologic to-day must be treated with care if the human race is to have a fair distribution of its wealth intime. To the geologic mind there is something shocking in the thought that a single lumber merchant may in fifty years deprive the human race of soil that required 10,000 years to form.” A characteristic feature of the book is the lavish number of well-chosen and beautifully reproduced photographs, diagrams and maps. Many references to original sources of the literature bearing on the subject are given in footnotes, and a very useful and comprehensive index is given at the end. The Artificial Production of Vigorous Trees. By AUGUSTINE Henry, M.A., F.L.S., M.R.I.A. Journal of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, vol. xv. MO. x: If there had been no intervention by artificial means, and plants had been allowed to reproduce themselves naturally, it goes without saying that, chance hybrids excepted, to-day we would have had none of the useful food and other plants we possess, but only the weeds from which they sprang. 124 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. It would be idle to maintain that ‘new creations” are only now appearing among trees, and we know quite well that many such hybrid creations among flowers and fruits have long been in existence, although many of them have been obtained by most haphazard and often inexplicable ways. But, as Professor Henry remarks, ‘‘it is remarkable how little has this method been applied to the improvement of forest trees.” Klotzsch commenced the work in Berlin in 1845, and in 1891 the Californian hybridist, Luther Burbank, obtained some truly remarkable results in rate of growth in the progeny of some of the walnut species which he crossed. In fact, Burbank seemed to believe that almost anything was possible in this way. ‘The possibilities of improvement in trees are so great,” he said, ‘‘as to make it seem almost an exaggeration to state them,” and he expressed the opinion “that one of the most important, in some ways the most important of all the many fields open now to the plant breeder, is this one of the production of new and the improving of old trees,” and that he believed it to be ‘“‘of immense significance commercially.” From the results obtained by Professor Henry, it would almost seem that the possibilities adumbrated by Burbank were not over- drawn, so amazing are they. One of the most remarkable is a hybrid poplar (Populus generosa, Henry), a cross between the Carolina poplar (P. angulata 2) and P. ¢richocarpa (g), the female parent being one of the black poplars, and the male belonging to the balsam section of the genus. Plants of this hybrid raised from seed sown in June 1912 were from 2 ft. rz ins. to 3 ft. 6 ins. high by the end of 1913, and two of them, which were not transplanted, and therefore not checked, were 74 feet and ro feet high respectively at the end of the growing season in 1914. The same female parent crossed with P. nigra betulifolia (the common European black poplar with hairy twigs) gave less vigorous seedlings (the tallest plants being now 4 ft. 5 ins. and 3 ft. 8 ins. in height), strongly resembling in their characters the black Italian poplar (P. serotina) and the Eucalyptus poplar (P. regenerata), hybrids of similar origin which were produced accidentally in France many years ago, and which Professor Henry says are now “the most common poplars in cultivation.” Many other hybrids have been produced between species of ash, alder, elm, larch, cypress and beech, and even crosses between species of different genera— REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 125 Fagus sylvaticax Quercus pedunculata, Quercus pedunculata x Juglans nigra, Quercus pedunculata x Fagus sylvatica, Quercus pedunculata x Juglans regia—have been attempted in rgr4. Bi-generic hybrids are unlikely to be produced among trees, but when one looks to the amazing results which have been obtained in this way among orchids and a number of other plants, it would be foolish to express any decided opinion until the experiments have been carried further. One difficulty there is with these hybrids as subjects for forestry. In the cases of hybrid willows and poplars, which are usually propagated by cuttings, there is no difficulty in multi- plying the individual plants to any desired extent, and even in the case of elms layering as a method of vegetative reproduction might be resorted to; but there are some kinds which cannot be propagated so easily as these, in which budding or grafting must be practised, and they are therefore useless to the forester. Seed, even when it is produced, will not give an exact repro- duction of the parent. The cause of the extraordinary vigour of first crosses is obscure, and Professor Henry does not attempt an explanation of it. He suggests it as possible that “the stimulus which causes growth (z.e. cell-division) to commence and to continue is some soluble chemical compound or enzyme,” and that “the enzyme in the hybrid may be more complex and more effective than the enzymes in the species.” What Professor Henry has to say about the association of the vigour in the hybrid with the degree of relationship between the parents is interesting. ‘‘ Whether,” he says, “the amount of vigour in hybrids is directly associated with the degree of relationship between the individuals which are crossed is a disputable point, but one of practical interest in the selection of parents for crossing experiments. One of my most vigorous hybrids (Populus generosa) is derived from two parents so little related that they are placed in two distinct sections of the genus. A cross between two races of the common alder shows consider- able vigour, though the parents are so closely allied that they can only be distinguished by the most trivial characters. The fact, if established, that different races when crossed give vigorous progeny, should be turned to practical account in plantations and forests where natural regeneration is looked for. The introduction of a few lines of the Riga variety into a plantation 126 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. of native Scots pine might ultimately, as pollination would be effected by the wind, give seedlings of enhanced vigour.” The experiments are of great silvicultural value, and as Professor Henry mentions that his “main object, which was to show that novel and valuable trees could be artificially made, is now achieved ; and that there is a possibility of similar work on commercial lines being undertaken by enterprising firms,” we may expect to hear more about the matter ere long. A. D. RicHaRDSON. OBITUARY. 127 OBITUARY. Dr Joun NIsBer. By the death of Dr John Nisbet, Forestry Adviser to the Board of Agriculture in Scotland, which took place on the 30th November last, at St Mary’s Lodge, Exmouth, the Society has lost a valued and honoured member. Dr Nisbet was a pioneer, and one of the ablest exponents, of scientific forestry in the United Kingdom. To him more than to anyone.-is due the progress, little though it be, we have made towards a rational appreciation of our responsibilities in the way of growing timber for profit. Born in 1853, John Nisbet was educated at the Edinburgh Institution and University. Thence he passed into the Indian Forestry service in 1875. Studying at Munich during his training, he took the degree of Doctor in National Economy, and, as the favourite pupil of Gayer, acquired a profound know- ledge of the science of forestry, which he carried with him into his Indian service, from which he retired in 1900, after reaching the rank of Conservator. Routine work, however telling, in official service is known to but few, and Nisbet’s contribution to the development of Indian forestry is merged in the merit of the Department. Inrecognition of this he was decorated with the Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal for public services in India at the Delhi Durbar, 1903. We in this country might have heard little, if anything, of him had he not foreseen that the growing timber consumption of the world, the reckless destruction of timber in virgin areas, and the inadequate response of this country in the way of future supply, were factors of a timber famine which must come upon Great Britain unless timely steps were taken to improve its forestry. Early in the nineties of last century, whilst still in the Indian Service, Nisbet, gifted with a ready and instructive pen, began to approach the public by lectures, by articles in magazines, and by text-books of forestry, in his endeavour to stir up interest in the problem of timber supply and scientific forestry. Among his more important publications are British Forest Trees (1893), Protection of Woodlands (1893), Essays on Stlvicultural Subjects (1893), Studies in Forestry (1894), Burma under British 128 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Rule (1901), articles on forestry in the Victoria History of the Counties of England (t903-1907), The Forester: a Practical Treatise on British Forestry and Arboriculture (1905), Our Forests ana Woodlands, second edition (1908), and Ze Elements of British Forestry (1911). His was, however, a “cry in the wilderness.” For long he met with little support. Nowadays, when the appreciation of timber is making itself felt, when the politician has found in forestry an aid to his cry of ‘“‘back to the land,” and when development schemes and the foundation of professorships and lectureships and Schools of Forestry are attracting attention, we realise that the importance of the timber question is being recognised. To Dr Nisbet we owe the awakening. There was a time, on the retirement of Dr Somerville from the Lectureship on Forestry in the University of Edinburgh, when, had Dr Nisbet been within hail, he might have been successor. Later, after his retirement from India, he became Professor of Forestry in the West of Scotland Agri- cultural College, retiring in 1912, when he joined the Board of Agriculture for Scotland as its Chief Forestry Adviser. To this Board his death brings a heavy loss. Dr Nisbet’s long and active interest in and association with forestry gave him a broad outlook on all matters pertaining to the subject, and all the more important Government commissions and committees on forestry which have sat within recent years have benefited by his wise and judicious counsel. Dr Nisbet was for long closely associated with the work of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, and acted for several years as Hon. Editor of its Zyansactions. He also contributed many original articles of great value to the pages of that journal. On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee cele- brations of the Society, Dr Nisbet was singled out, along with Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson and a number of distinguished British and foreign foresters, to receive the Honorary Member- ship of the Society, which is the highest honour it has to bestow. On that occasion the President (Captain Stirling) said, in reference to him:—‘ The last name, but by no means the least on the list, is that of Dr John Nisbet, Forestry Adviser to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, who, I think, by the very able books he has written on the subject, was the first to arouse any very widespread interest in scientific silviculture in Scotland.” TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL AAAMMTATYT ANNAN TATYTTYT MTM awTr AO AT Tens ‘° ‘ ; PRIZES FOR ESSAYS. Members may write on any subject connected with Forestry, but a list of suggested subjects may be obtained from the Secretary. i ROBERT GALLOWAY, S§.5S.C., Secretary. 19 CASTLE STREET, EDINBURGH. Wns a NY Ain « 4 4 4 < « < « 4 2 < 3 4 2 4 Q “« 4 4 ¢ 2 EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE: SOCIETY. SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET, Price to Non-Members, 3/={ TLIBRARY iN My NEW YORK Paine IQ79 BOTANICAL “1G CLARNDEN /A.& J. MAIN & G2-L7- MANUFACTURERS OF CONTINUOUS BAR FENCING. WROT. IRON RAILINGS. HURDLES. GATES. PALE FENCING. TREE GUARDS, &c. All kinds of Iron and Wire FENCING, with H. Iron Standards and Patent Earthplates. Estimates on receipt of full particulars. WUle Mirstlodn Roofing ae Fencing Catalogues on Application. GALVANIZED WIRE NETTING FENGING WIRE ana GALVANIZED CORRUGATED SHEETS at Lowest Prices. SPECIAL QUOTATIONS ON APPLICATION. CLYDESDALE IRON WORKS, POSSILPARK, GLASGOW. 31 BUDGE ROW, CORN EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.C. EDINBURGH. vA ADVERTISEMENTS, KEITH & Co. ADVERTISING AGENTS 43 GEORGE STREET EDINBURGH ADVERTISEMENTS of every kind are received for insertion in the Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Publications throughout the United Kingdom. Notices of Sequestration, Dissolution of Partnership, Entail, etc., etc., for the Edinburgh and London Gazettes, are given special care and attention. Legal Notices, Heirs Wanted, and all other Advertisements, are inserted in the Colonial and Foreign Newspapers. Small Advertisements, such as Situations, Houses, and Apart- ments, Articles Wanted and For Sale, etc., etc., can be addressed to a No. at Keith & Co.’s Office, 43 George Street, Edinburgh, where the replies will be retained until called for, or, if desired, forwarded by Post. Parties in the country will find this a very convenient method of giving publicity to their requirements. A SPECIALITY is made of ESTATE and AGRICULTURAL ADVERTISEMENTS, such as FARMS, MANSION HOUSES, etc. to LET, ESTATES for SALE, SALES OF TIMBER, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, etc. LAW and ESTATE AGENTS, FACTORS, TOWN CLERKS, CLERKS TO SCHOOL BOARDS, and other Officials may, with confidence, place their advertisements in the hands of the Firm. One Copy of an Advertisement is sufficient to send for any number of newspapers; and the convenience of having only one advertising account instead of a number of advertising accounts is also a great saving of time and trouble. Addressing of Envelopes with Accuracy and Despatch. Telegrams—‘‘ PROMOTE,” EDINBURGH. Telephone No. 316. * ADVERTISEMENTS. The West of Scotland Agricultural College, BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY. Day and Evening Classes, which provide a complete Course of Instruction in Forestry, qualifying (vo ¢anfto) for the B.Sc. Degree of the University of Glasgow, for the Diploma of the Highland and Agricultural Society, and for the Diploma of the College, are held during the Winter Session (October to March) at the College. Syllabus and particulars regarding these Classes and Prospectus of the general work of the College, including the Course for the Examination of the Surveyor’s Institution, may be obtained free from the Secretary. EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 13 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH. Tue College is one of the Central Institutions administered by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and is intended to provide for Agricultural Education and Research in the Central and South- eastern Counties. DAY CLASSES. The Day Classes, in conjunction with certain University Classes, provide full courses of instruction in Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, and the Allied Sciences, and qualify for the College Diploma, the College Certificate in Horticulture, the Degrees of B.Sc. in Agriculture and B.Sc. in Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and for other Examinations and Certificates in the Science and Practice of Agriculture. SHORT COURSES AND EVENING CLASSES. Short Courses in Agriculture and Forestry are given annually ; and Evening Classes in Agriculture, Chemistry, Veterinary Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Botany, and Zoology are held during the Winter Session. Particulars of Classes, and information as to Bursaries tenable at the College, will be found in the Calendar, which will be forwarded on application to the Secretary, ALEXANDER M‘CALLUM, M.A., LL.B. ADVERTISEMENTS. Established 1842. FOREST TREES Large Stocks of Seedling, and Transplanted True Native SCOTS FIR, MENZIES, DOUCLAS, NORWAY SPRUCE, Etc. All grown from carefully selected seed, in an open and exposed situation, thoroughly hardy, and well furnished with abundance of fibrous roots. } Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Specimen Ornamental Trees for Lawns and Avenues. Trees and Shrubs for Seaside Planting. Plants for Game Coverts, Underwood and Hedges. Special quotations for large quantities, and estimates furnished for planting by contract in any part of the country. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUES AND SAMPLES ON APPLICATION. W. SMITH & SON, Rurserymen, ABERDEEN, N.B. SAVE MONEY ™ Oeec'"s BLACK’S CREOSOTING PLANTS Which are specially adapted for Estates and Timber Trades, —~2B— THE PRESSURE SYSTEM. Most of the Creosoting Plants working on Estates in Great Britain have been Supplied by us, and References can be given. =~. | | | | ae THe Scie @ aes nonce bes rill mo Our Plants are also STEEPING TANK asta = —| suitable for Burnettizing a oo Y= Timber. A —— a GEORGE BLACK == Yj & SONS, > mc Creosoting Engineers and Creosote Oil Merchants, TWEEDMOUTH BOILER WORKS, BERWICK-ON-TWEED. ADVERTISEMENTS. Telephones . WESTERN 3063, 4 Lines. ROBINSON, DUNN « CO, Timber Importers, Partick Sawmills, GLASGOW. Telegrams : ‘*ROBINSONS, GLASGOW.” Sawing, Planing, and Moulding Mills at PARTICK and TEMPLE. TIMBER PRESERVING WORKS AT TEMPLE. CREOSOTING AND ‘“B.M.” PROCESSES. FOREST TREES, FRUIT TREES, SHRUBS, ROSES, &c., Grown in a most exposed situation on Heavy Soils, therefore the hardiest procurable. Every Requisite for Forest, Farm, and GARDEN. Estimates for Planting by Contract furnished. CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION. W. & T. SAMSON, KILMARNOCK. ESTABLISHED 1759. JAMES JONES & SONS, LTD., LARBERT SAWMILLS, /==m_ LARBERT, N.B. All kinds of HOME TIMBER in the Round or Sawn-up, SUITABLE FOR RAILWAYS, SHIPBUILDERS, COLLIERIES, CONTRACTORS, COACHBUILDERS, CARTWRIGHTS, &c. &c. ADVERTISEMENTS. Special Value FOR Plantin g Season SITKA SPRUCE, “ee DOUGLAS SPRUCE 1914-15 (Oregon variety), THUJA GIGANTEA, LARCH, Japanese, Sone . LARCH, Tyrolese & Scotch, hardy, healthy, SCOTS FIR, True Native, well-srown plants. NORWAY SPRUCE &c., &c. Inquiries Solicited. Samples and Special Prices on demand. Special List of Tree Seeds & Seedlings published in January. CATALOGUES POST FREE. BENJAMIN REID & COMPANY, NURSERYMEN TO THE KING, ABERDEEN. sy aeetieeeen M‘FARLANE §& ERSKINE, Lithographers, Letterpress and Three-Colour Printers :: :: Black and Coloured Plates for Scientific Works. Plans of Estates, etc. Coloured Illustrations for Seedsmen. Books, Maga- zines, Catalogues, Price Lists, Circulars, and Every Description of Printed Forms. St James Works, M‘Donald Road, EDINBURGH. ADVERTISEMENTS. NOTICE. WANTED TO PURCHASE. Any of the following Parts of the Transactions, VIZ. Parts 1, 2, and 3 of Vol. I. Parts 2 and 3 of Vol. III. Parts 1 and 2 of Vol. IV. Part 2 of Vol. V. Part 2 of Vol. IX Part 1 of Vol. XII Apply to aoe ariE SECRETARY, +0 19 CASTLE STREET, EDINBURGH. CONTENTS. The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or views expressed by the authors of papers. PAGE 19. Aerial Railway erected on the Lovat Estate, Inverness-shire (with Plates) By Gilbert Brown, Wood Manager, Strathspey : : : : : 5 = be: 20. Mode of Infection of Larch Canker. By Sir John Stirling- Maxwell, Bart. ‘ ; : - : — usin 21. David Douglas. By F. R. S. Balfour ‘ i ~ 134 22. The Selecting of Telegraph Poles in the Forest of Enzie. By T. Sharpe, Manager of Woods, Gordon Castle es 73 23. A Braconid Parasite on the Pine Weevil, Hy/obius abietis. By J. W. Munro, B.Sc.(Agr.), B.Sc.(Arb.), Edin. 5 E44 24. A New Species of Larch (with Plate) é : oo, Az 25. The ‘‘ Hybrid Larch” (with Plate). By J. M. Murray, Boe : 3 : : ° ; Po ag 26. North American Forest Trees in Britain (with Plates). By Prof. A. Henry . ; 3 ; : SO 27. Forest-Tree Growing in the South Island, New Zealand. By R. G. Robinson, wage ied eae South Island. . : : e165 28. Note on the Occurrence in Scotland of Megastigmus pinus in the Seed of Abies Pare Lindl. By James Fraser, BOC: , : ‘ : ‘ eS 29. Note on Beneficial Insects. By R. Stewart MacDougall, Mea Sc, . ; ; : : , Saget: 30. The Canker of the Scots Pine caused by Dasyscypha subtilissima, Cooke (with Plate). By A. W. Borthwick, D.Sc., and Malcolm Wilson, D.Sc., F.L.S., Lecturer in Mycology in the University of Edinburgh. , - 184 31. The Two Rust Diseases of the Spruce (with Plate). By A. W. Borthwick, D.Sc., Advisory Officer for Forestry to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and Malcolm Wilson, D.Sc., F.L.S., Lecturer in panes in the University of dines ; ; : £387 CONTENTS. PAGE 32. The Great War. The Society’s Roll of Honour . * OS 33. Fourth Report of the Development Commissioners for the year ending 31st March 1914 : - : > « 199 Notes and Queries:—Appointment for Hon. Editor (with Portrait)—Excursion, Exhibition, and Nursery and Planta- tion Competitions—Japanese Larch—Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir at Mount Melville (with Plate)— Timber Removing (with Plate)—Cucurbitaria pithyophila, Fries.— Timber Growing for Profit—Employment in Forestry for Women and Disabled Soldiers—A fforestation, and Soldiers and Sailors returning at the end of the War : - 204 Reviews and Notices of Books :—Chinese Forest Trees and Timber Supply. By Norman Shaw, B.A. 351 pp. with a map and 33 illustrations. Price tos. 6d. net. London and Leipsic: T. Fisher Unwin ; , : Sane Pocket Register of Woods and Plantations. By James W. Mackay. Published by The County Gentleman’s Association, Ltd. = - - . fea The Law of Forestry in Great Britain and ie com- prising the Law relating to Trees and the Law relating to Trespass and Game. xlviii+4o00 pp., including index and tables. By Benaiah W. Adkin, Fellow of the Surveyors’ Institution, etc. Price 10s. London: The Estates Gazette, Ltd. . F ; 2 ee etl Wood-Pulp and its Uses. By C. F. Cross, E. J. Bevan, and R. W. Sindall, with the collaboration of W. N. Bacon. xi-+ 270 pp., with 25 illustrations. Price 6s. net. London: Constable & Company, Ltd., 1911 = Adit Obituary :—The Late Mr David W. Thomson ; > 206 Proceeding's of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 1915, with Appendices. Ronal Scottish Arboricultural Society. INSTITUTED 1854. Patron—HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING. Permission to assume the title ‘‘ Royal” was granted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1887. OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1915. President. CotoneL ARCHIBALD STIRLING of Keir, Dunblane. Vice=Presidents. sik ANDREW AGNEW, Bart.,, of Lochnaw, 10 Smith Square, Westminster. Colonel W. STEUART FOTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perth- shire. JOHN F. ANNAND, M.Sc., Adviser in Forestry, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. W. H. MASSIE, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. SYDNEY J. GAMMELL of Drumtochty, Countesswells| CHAS. BUCHANAN, Factor, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik. House, Bieldside, Aberdeen, Council. Hon. LirkE MEMBERS, Sirk KENNETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray Place, Edinburgh. Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws, ORDINARY MEMBERS. are ao Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-Mills, Edin- urgh. ROBERT ALLAN, Factor, Polkemmet, Whitburn. x. U. MACDONALD, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cottage, Peebles. ALEXANDER MITCHELL, Forester, Rosebery, Gorebridge. ROBERT FORBES, Overseer, Kennet Estate Office, Alloa. ALEXANDER J. MUNRO, Factor, 48 Castle Street, Edin- burgh. W. M. PRICE, Factor, Minto, Hawick. GEORGE LEVEN, Forester, Bowmont Forest, Roxburgh. JOHN W. M‘HATTIE, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers, Edinburgh. JOHN BROOM, Wood Merchant, Bathgate, ALEXANDER MURRAY, Forester, Kingswood, Murthly. J. H. MILNE HOME, Irvine House, Canonbie. THOMAS BRYDEN, Dennison Nursery, Ayr. JOHN A. HOWE, Sharpdale, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. G. P. GORDON, B.Sc., Advisory Forest Officer, 86 St Vincent Street, Glasgow. JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers, Glasgow. A. D. RICHARDSON, 6 Dalkeith Street, Joppa. BRIGADIER-GENERAL THE LORD LOVAT, K.T., D.5.0O., Beaufort Castle, Beauly. FRANK SCOTT, Forester, Jeanie Bank, near Perth. Tue Earn oF CRAWFORD anp BALCARRES, Balcarres, Fife. JAMES GRANT, Forester, Raith, Kirkcaldy. ExTraA Meuper—PRESIDENT OF ABERDEEN BRANCH. Hon. Editor. Dr A. W. BORTHWICK, 46 George Square, Edinburgh. Auditor. JOHN T. WATSON, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. Hon. Secretary. Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws. Secretary and Treasurer, ROBERT GALLOWAY, S.S.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh. ABERDEEN BRANCH. President—Professor TRaiL, Aberdeen University. Hon. Secy.—Grorae D. Massi£, Advocate, 147 Union Street, Aberdeen, NORTHERN BRANCH. President—Brovik OF BRODIE, Hon. Secy.—A kX. FRaAsER, Solicitor, €3 Church Street, Inverness. : Hon. Consulting Officials. Consulting Botanist.—ISAAC BAYLEY BALFOUR, LL.D., M.D., Sc.D., Professor of Botany, Royal Botanic Garden, | Edinburgh, 18 George Square, Edinburgh. Consulting Entomologist. —ROBERT STEWART MAC. DOUGALL, M.A., D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 9 Dryden Place, Edinburgh. logical Laboratory, University of Edinburgh. Consulting Chemist,—ALEX ANDER LAUDER, D.Sc., F.1.C., | Consulting Geologist.—R. CAMPBELL, M.A., D.Sc., Geo- Consulting Cryptogamist.-A. W. BORTHWICK, D.Sc., 46 George Square, Edinburgh, | Consulting Meteorologist.—_ANDREW WATT, M.A.,F.R.S.E., Secretary Scottish Meteorological Society, 122 George Street, Edinburgh. * * 3 “4 Former Presidents. The following have held the office of President in past years, viz. :— 1854-56. 1857. 1858, 1859. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864-71. 1872-73. 1874-75. 1876-78. 1879-81. James Brown, Wood Commissioner to the / 1882. Ear] of Seafield. The Right Hon. Tae Fart or Ducte. | 1883-85. The Right Hon. THE EARu oF Srartt. His Grace THE DUKE oF ATHOLL. JoHn I. CHALMERS of Aldbar. | Sir Joun Haut, Bart. of Dunglass. | 1886-87. | The Right Hon. THe EArt or AIRLIE. The Right Hon. T. F. Kmnnepy. 1890-93. Rozert Huronison of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E. | Hveu CiecHory, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., | 1894-97. of Stravithie. Professor JoHN Huvurron’' BALFourR, 1898. University of Edinburgh. | 1899-02. The Right Hon. W. P. ApAm of Blair- | 1903-06. adam. 1907-09. The Most Hon. THE Marquis oF} Lorian, K.T, 1910-12. Membership. Professor ALEXANDER Dickson, University of Edinburgh. Hueu CLecuory, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., of Stravithie. The Right Hon. Sir Herbert Evsracr MAxXwE LL, Bart. of Monreith. . The Most Hon. THe Marquis or LINLITHGOW. Professor BAYLEY BALFour, University of Edinburgh. The Right Hon, Sir Ronatp C. Munro — Frrcuson, K.C.M.G. Colonel F. BAarLny, R.E. The Right Hon. Tue EARL or MANSFIELD, — W. SrevArT FoTHRINGHAM of Murthly. Sir KennerH J. MAcKenzin, Bart. of Gairloch. Sir Jonn SvIRLING-MAXwELL, Bart. of — Pollok. ) | ( HE Roll contains the names of about 1430 Members, comprising Landowners, Factors, Foresters, Nurserymen, Gardeners, Land Stewards, Wood Merchants, and others interested in Forestry, many of whom reside in England, Ireland, the British Colonies, and India. Members are elected by the Council. The Terms of Subscription will be found on the back of the Form of Proposal for Membership which accompanies this Memorandum. The Principal Objects of the Society, and the nature of its work, will be gathered from the following paragraphs :— Meetings. The Society holds periodical Meetings for the transaction of business, the reading and discussion of Papers, the exhibition of new Inventions, specimens of Forest Products and other articles of special interest to the Members, and for the advancement of Forestry in all its branches. Meetings of the Council are held every alternate month, and at other times when business requires attention ; and Committees of the Council meet frequently to arrange and carry out the work of the Society. Prizes and Medals. The Society offers Annual Prizes and Medals for essays on practical subjects, and for inventions connected with appliances used in Forestry. Such awards have been granted continuously since . 1855 up tothe present, time, and have yielded satisfactory results. Medals and Prizes are also awarded in connection with the Exhibitions and Competitions for Plantations and Estate Nurseries aftermentioned. Tr al si 3 School of Forestry, Afforestation, Etc. In 1882 the Society strongly urged the creation of a British School of Forestry ; and with a view of stimulating public interest in the matter, a Forestry Exhibition, chiefly organised by the Council, was held in Edinburgh m 1884. In 1890, the Society instituted a Fund for the purpose of establishing a Chair of Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and a sum of £584, 3s. rod. has since been raised by the Society and handed over to the University. Aided by an annual subsidy from the Board of Agriculture, which the Society was mainly instrumental in obtaining, a Course of Lectures at the University has been delivered without interruption since 1889. The Society also drew up a Scheme for the Establishment of a State Model or Demonstration Forest for Scotland, which was laid before the Departmental Committee on British Forestry, and in their Report the Committee recommended the establishment of a Demonstra- tion Area and the provision of other educational facilities in Scotland. The Government, in 1907, acquired the Estate of Inverliever in Argyllshire; and while this cannot be looked on as a Demonstra- tion Forest, it is hoped that it may prove to be the first step in a scheme of afforestation by the State of unwooded lands in Scotland. Meantime Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, for a part of whose woods at Raith a Working-Plan is in operation, very kindly allows Students to visit them. After the Development Act came into operation, the Council passed a Resolution urging that the Government should create a Board of Forestry, with an Office in Scotland, where the largest areas of land suitable for Afforestation are situated, which would provide Demonstration Forests and Forest Gardens, and would carry out, as an essential preliminary to any great scheme of National Afforestation, a Survey of all areas throughout the country suitable for commercial planting. The Society’s policy for the development of Forestry in Scotland has since been fully laid before the Development Commission. As a result of these representations, the Secretary for Scotland appointed a Com- mittee to report regarding the acquisition and uses of a Demon- stration Forest Area, and any further steps it is desirable to take in order to promote Silviculture in Scotland. The Committee reported in the beginning of 1913, and the Society is pressing the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, being the Department now con- cerned with Scottish forestry, to give effect to the Committee’s recommendations and to encourage the inception of schemes of afforestation. The Society has also published a valuable Report on Afforestation—including a Survey of Glen Mor—prepared for it by Lord Lovat and Captain Stirling, which, it is hoped, may form the basis of the general Forest Survey advocated by the Society. Resolutions in favour of the acquisition of part of Ballogie, on Deeside, and Supplementary Areas in other districts for Demonstra- tion purposes, and of the creation of a Department of Forestry for Scotland with a separate annual grant, were passed at the Annual Meeting in rgrq. 4 In connection with the celebration of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee last summer, representative Foresters appointed by the Governments of Denmark, France, Holland, Hungary, Russia, Sweden, India, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa visited this country as guests of the Society. Accompanied by a number of home representatives they made a Tour of Inspection, extending to about a fortnight, of woods and afforestable lands in Scotland, and at the Conference held in Edinburgh before leaving, they expressed the joint opinion that Scotland lends itself admirably to afforestation on a large scale, and that national support should be given to the movement. A copy of the Report of the proceed- ings containing their Resolution, and also the Society’s Resolution adopting it, was sent to Ministers and Government Departments and to all Members of Parliament for Scottish constituencies. Excursions. Since 1878 well-organised Excursions, numerously attended by Members of the Society, have been made annually to various parts of Scotland, England, Ireland, and the Continent. In 1895 a Tour extending over twelve days was made through the Forests of Northern Germany, in 1902 a Tour extending over seventeen days was made in Sweden, in 1904 the Forest School at Nancy and Forests in the north of France were visited, in 1909 a visit was undertaken to the Bavarian Forests, and during the summer of 1913 ten days were spent in the Forests of Switzerland. These Excursions enable Members whose occupations necessarily confine them chiefly to a single locality to study the conditions and methods prevailing elsewhere; and the Council propose to extend the Tours during the next few years to other parts of the Continent. They venture to express the hope that Landowners may be induced to afford facilities to their Foresters for participation in these Tours, the instructive nature of which renders them well worth the moderate expenditure of time and money that they involve. Exhibitions, A Forestry Exhibition is annually organised in connection with the Highland and Agricultural Society's Show, and Prizes and Medals are offered for Special Exhibits. In addition to this Annual Exhibition, large and important Forestry Sections organised by this Society were included in the Scottish National Exhibition held in Edinburgh in 1908, and in the Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art, and Industry, held in Glasgow in 1grt. Plantations and Estate Nurseries Competitions. Prizes are now offered annually for the best Young Plantations and the best managed Estate Nurseries within the Show District of the Highland and Agricultural Society. The Society’s Transactions. The Transactions of the Society, which extend to twenty-nine volumes, are published half-yearly in January and July, and are issued gratis to Members. ~ oO Honorary Consulting Officials. Members have the privilege of obtaining information gratuitously upon subjects connected with Forestry from the Honorary Officials mentioned above. Local Branches. Local Branches have been established in Aberdeen and Inverness for the convenience of Members who reside in the districts surrounding these centres. Local Secretaries. The Society is represented throughout Scotland, England, and Ireland by the Local Secretaries whose names are given below. ‘They are ready to afford any additional information that may be desired regarding the Conditions of Membership and the work of the Society. Register of Estate Men. A Register of men qualified in Forestry and in Forest and Estate Management is kept by the Society. Schedules of application and other particulars may be obtained from the Local Secretaries in the various districts, or direct from the Secretary. It is hoped that Proprietors and others requiring Estate men will avail themselves of the Society’s Register. Consulting Foresters. The Secretary keeps a list of Consulting Foresters whose services are available to Members of the Society and others. Correspondents. The following have agreed to act as Correspondents residing abroad :— Canada, . Rosert Bett, I.8.0., M.D., LL.D., D.Se. (Cantab.), F.R.S. of Ottawa, late Chief Geologist to Government of Canada, Ottawa. India, . . F, L. @. Cowiey Brown, Principal, South Indian Forest College, Coimbatore, South India. British East\ Epwarp Barriscomssr, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Africa, : Nigeri, via Naivasha, East Africa Protectorate. United States\ HucH P. Baker, Dean, New York State College of of America, } Forestry, Syracuse, N.Y. Cape Colony, . W. Nimmo Brown, M‘Kenzie’s Farm, Mowbray, P.O. Western Australia, Frep Moon, Craigian, Bighill Brook, Harren River, Manjimup. New Zealand. R. G. Ropinson, Department of Lands, State Forests Branch, Tapanui, Otago, South Africa . K. A. Caruson, Orange Free State Conservancy. LOCAL SECRETARIES. Counties. Scotland. Aberdeen, . JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen. Joun Micuik, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater. Argyll, . . H. L. Macponatp of Dunach, Oban. Ayr, . . ANpREw D. Pages, Overseer, Culzean Home Farm, Ayr. A. B. Roperrson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock. Berwick, . Wm. Mine, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed. Counties. Bute, Clackmannan,. Dumfries, East Lothian, . Fife, Forfar, . Inverness, Kincardine, Kinross, Lanark, . Moray, Perth, Ross, Roxburgh, Sutherland, Wigtown, Beds, Berks, Derby, Devon, . : Durham, Hants, Herts, Kent, Lancashire, Leicester, Lincoln, Notts, Surrey, . Warwick, Wilts, York, Dublin, . King’s County, Tipperary, . 6 Scotland. Wma. Ineuts, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick. James Kay, retired Forester, Barone, Rothesay. 2oBERT ForBes, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa. D. Crasee, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie. W. 5S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk. Wm. Gitcurist, Forester, Nursery Cottage, Mount Melville, St Andrews. Epmunp SANG, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy. JAMES A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness. Joun Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven. JAMES TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam. Joun Davipson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell. JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers, Glasgow. D. Scorr, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres. JOHN ScRIMGEOUR, Doune Lodge, Doune. Miss AMy Frances YuL#, T'arradale House, Muir of Ord. Joun LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick. R. V. Maruer, Nurseryman, Kelso, DonaLv Rosertson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie. JAMES Hocarra, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer. H. H. WAKER, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill. England. FRANCIS MircHEew., Forester, Woburn. W. Sroriz, Whitway House, Newbury. S. MacBran, Estate Office, Needwood Forest, Sudbury. JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington. Joun F. AnNAND, M.Sc., Lecturer in Forestry, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield. THomaAs SmituH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring. R. W. Cowper, Gortanore, Sittingbourne. D. C. HAMILTON, Forester, Knowsley, Prescot. JAMES MARTIN, The Reservoir, Kuipton, Grantham. W. B. HAveLock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park. W. Micuikz, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop. Wi1son TomLinson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop, JOHN ALEXANDER, 24 Lawn Crescent, Kew Gardens. A.D. Curistie, Hillside, Castle Road, Warley, Birmingham. Anprew Boa, Land Agent, Glenmore, The Avenue, Trowbridge. GrorcE HANNAH, Estate Office, Boynton, Bridlington. Ireland. A. C. Forses, Department of Forestry, Board of Agriculture. Arca. E. Morray, Lissadell, Stillorgan Park. Wm. Henperson, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore. ALEx. M‘Rak, Forester, Dundrum. Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society —_-e-e-—_ FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP. To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned to ROBERT GALLOWAY, S.S.C., SECRETARY, Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh, Full Name, Designation, Degrees, etc., Candidate's < Address, | | | LET EOP OTL ITTY PLETED ET Bono dh tera ce ok op tesevepesase opens Signature, . Signature, . Proposer’s Address, Signature, . Seconder’s Address, CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP, see Over. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP (excerpted from the Laws). III. Any person interested in Forestry, and desirous of pro- moting the objects of the Society, is eligible for election as an Ordinary Member in one of the following Classes :— I. Proprietors the valuation of whose land exceeds £500 per annum, and others, subscribing annually : . One Guinea. 2. Proprietors the valuation of whose land does not exceed 4500 per annum, Factors, Nurserymen, Timber Merchants, and others, subscribing annually . . Half-a-Guinea. 3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, Tenant Farmers, and others, subscribing annually : : . Six Shillings. 4. Assistant-Foresters, Assistant-Gardeners, and others, sub- scribing annually : : : : . Four Shillings. IV. Subscriptions are due on the Ist of January in each year, and shall be payable in advance. A new Member's Subscription is due on the day of election unless otherwise provided, and he shall not be enrolled until he has paid his first Subscription. V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Zvansactions, and shall not be entitled to vote at any of the meetings of the Society. Any Member whose Annual Subscription remains unpaid for two years shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member shall be eligible for re-election till his arrears have been paid up. VI. Any eligible person may become a Lif Member of the Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :— 1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, F : = 410) 1010 2. Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, Timber Mer- chants, and others, ; ; ; - . Se 5a 10 3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, Tenant Farmers, and others, - : : : 3. 3a VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zife Member on payment of Zwo-thirds of the sum payable by a mew Life Member. XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made in writing, and shall be signed by two Members of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the Secretary to be laid before the Council, which shall accept or otherwise deal with each Proposal as it may deem best in the interest of the Society. The Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new Member’s first Subscription. The Council shall have power to decide the Class under which any Candidate for Membership shall be placed. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 19. Aerial Railway erected on the Lovat Estate, Inverness-shire. (With Plates.) By GILBERT BRown, Wood Manager, Strathspey. The wire ropeway at Farley, near Beauly, was erected by Lord Lovat in 1907, for the purpose of bringing manufactured timber from Farley Forest to a specially constructed siding near Beauly railway station. The area under wood at Farley before the commencement of operations was 1400 acres—the crop consisting of Scots pine and larch of from 60 to 70 years of age. The various lots have, up to the present, been purchased by Mr Frank Sime, timber merchant, Beauly, who has taken a personal interest in the working of the ropeway. The roads leading from the sawmills to the railway are unsuitable for heavy traffic. Originally they had been constructed for the use of the crofters in the district. They are very rough and steep in some places, with a soft subsoil. They are also of a very zig-zag nature—the length of the road from the forest to the station siding extending to over three miles. It was desirable therefore that some method of transport other than ordinary road haulage should be adopted. Two alternative schemes were considered—(1) the construc- tion of a light railway; (2) the building of an aerial ropeway. From the general contour of the ground—the steep, short slopes and declivities, the public roads to be crossed and the large area of arable land to be traversed—it was considered that the latter method of transport would be the more suitable. As the cost of erecting a ropeway is considerable, it can only be deemed practicable where the felling area is large. In Farley Wood most of the timber was mature. It was considered that the cutting would occupy at least eight years with two sawmills steadily employed. The length of ropeway required was one VOL. XXIX. PART II. I 130 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. mile. The upper terminal (Plate XI. Fig. 1) was so placed that timber could be easily conveyed to it from all parts of the forest. The cost of conveyance by the ropeway to the railway is rod. per ton, whereas by cartage it is 2s. 9d. per ton. Not only is there this saving in expense, but the expedition by which the wood can be sent to market is a very material consideration. A ton is conveyed by the ropeway in ten minutes; by road it would take two hours. All questions of excessive damage to roads are also avoided. The saving effected in money and time has more than compensated for the initial outlay entailed in the erection of the ropeway. The working of the ropeway.—The principle is quite a simple one. Loaded and empty carriers travel down and up on two main fixed steel ropes, partly by steam and partly by gravitation. The carriers are controlled by an endless hauling rope 2 inch in diameter, which runs on pulleys below the fixed ropes, and is kept in check by the sawmill engine, a powerful brake strap, and a large grooved wheel at the top terminal. ‘The fixed ropes are 1} inch in diameter, and are kept taut by an immense concrete anchorage at the top, and by concrete blocks weighing 9 tons each at the foot. The hauling rope is kept reasonably tight by means of a winch and concrete blocks weighing 2 tons. These also keep the rope taut, as it stretches from time to time by change of temperature or usage. The ropeway between the top and lower terminal (Fig. 2) is about 1770 yards in length, the distance actually travelled by the carriers being about 10 yards less. The ropes are’ supported by fourteen trestles, exclusive of the two terminals, to which are attached pulleys for the hauling rope and the saddles for the fixed rope. The trestles vary, according to the configuration of the ground, from 25 to 60 feet in height, and occur at intervals of from 140 to 200 yards. The unreeling of the ropes commenced from the bottom of the line, the hauling rope weighing 3 tons first, and the fixed ropes weighing each 5 tons last. The ropes are hauled by the aid of horses ; block and tackle were utilised in the case of the heavy ropes. The carriers (Plate XII. Fig. 3) consist of two curved wrought- iron hangers, on which a timber floor or bottom is laid. Four sides can be attached, forming a box for the conveyance of smaller timber, or for the transport of coal and other materials JPiGo SOU Fic. 1. UpreER TERMINAL OF ROPEWAY, SHOWING LOADED CARRIER AND SAWMILL. Fic. 2. LOWER TERMINAL OF Ropgway, LOADING BANK AND SIDING. [Zo face p. 130. Prann pour Fic.“3. CARRIERS PassInG MID-Way. Fic. 4. VIEW OF ROPEWAY FROM RAILWAY. AERIAL RAILWAY ERECTED ON THE LOVAT ESTATE, 131 to the upper terminal. The weight of the load does not exceed 22 cwts., and although it is possible to send down rough logs the work is confined to the transport of sawn timber of different sizes. As already stated, the trestles (Fig. 4) vary in height from 25 to 60 feet, all the main beams being in one length set in concrete. The main timbers vary from g to 11 inches square; ties and braces from 6 to g inches by 3 inches; top bearers to by 6 inches. The timbers are of Scots pine, as it was calculated that the life of this timber would be sufficient to see the whole of the manufactured wood in Farley Forest removed. ‘This has proved to be correct. To meet the requirements of the Board of Trade, guards had to be erected over the public roads. The system is known as the fixed rope system. There is another with one continuous running rope to which carriers are affixed and are conveyed by the motion of the rope. For the purpose of signalling, and regulating the transport of timber from terminal to terminal, a telephone is employed. As the upper sawmill is situated about a mile from the upper terminal, a light railway (Plate XIII. Fig. 5) conveys all the manufactured timber to this point. It is also utilised for conveying rough logs to either of the mills. The railway is made on the general principle employed in woods, viz., with rails of light gauge fixed on light pit sleepers. 20. Mode of Infection of Larch Canker. By Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. The January number of the Quarterly Journal of Forestry contains an article on this subject by Mr W. E. Hiley of the Research Institute, School of Forestry, Oxford, which deserves © the attention of Scots foresters, or at least of those who are prepared to believe that the canker fungus found on the dead branches is the same which attacks the living tissue. Mr Hiley starts with the assumption (which he undertakes to prove in a future article, but which few foresters will dispute) that the young shoots are not liable to attack until the first year’s growth is complete. Next he discusses the various methods of infection to which the shoots may fall victims in their second year, but dismisses such attacks as relatively unimportant, since the side branches of the larch die quickly and the main 132 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. shoot, if affected early, is usually killed and replaced by a lateral. He then turns to the really important part of his subject, namely, the origin of the more destructive cankers on the main stem. Mr Hiley bases his remarks on the examination of a large number of cankers in trees cut down in Bagley and Tubney woods near Oxford at thirteen to eighteen years of age. In the large bulk of cases he has found two important features :— 1. The cankers had been initiated at the bases of lateral branches. 2. The cankers were initiated when the portion of the stem on which they appeared was from three to eight years old. (The age was computed by counting in each case the number of unbroken rings inside the canker.) He further found that in twenty-one out of twenty-six cases examined the canker had been initiated one or more years after the lateral branch died. In the remaining five cases the canker was initiated during the same winter as that in which the branch died. Since for some time after death the canker fungus usually flourishes in the bark of the dead branches, Mr Hiley finds it difficult to resist the conclusion that the fungus is identical with that which attacks the living growth and finds its way from the lateral branch to the main stem. It is true that the tree protects itself by forming, as the branch dies, a layer of cork which extends all round the branch near its base, turning inwards and so uniting the cork envelope to the woody centre and covering in the cortex and phloem which would otherwise be exposed. But Mr Hiley thinks that the fungus makes its entrance at the point where the new cork layer joins the wood. ‘The space, he says, though narrow is frequently large enough, and though he has never been able to trace the hyphe right through it, he has seen hyphz at each end of it. He also thinks it possible, though less likely, that the fungus may effect an entrance through the wood itself which, until the dead branch decays, continues to project beyond the cork barrier. Mr Hiley observes that if dead branches are, as he suspects, the chief source of canker, this new conception will suggest considerable modifications in the method of larch cultivation. He advises that experiments should be made in the removal of dead and suppressed branches. Since the knife exposes the MODE OF INFECTION OF LARCH CANKER. 133 vulnerable tissues, Mr Hiley proposes that the branches should be cut during a spell of dry weather between January and March when the spores of the fungus are not being shed. ‘They are only shed in a damp atmosphere. The experiment certainly seems worth making. In districts where dry spells are not to be depended on, a touch of Archangel tar would presumably protect the wound. Mr Hiley, however, remarks that in Bagley Wood where larches have been used as nurses for other trees and have had their side branches systematically shortened, no canker has appeared though the fungus is frequent on the cut branches on the ground. The experiment as outlined by Mr Hiley is as follows :— ““When the trees are six to eight years old the lowermost branches are to be cut off, up to and including the oldest living branches, one half inch from the trunks. Each year in a spell of dry weather during the winter a fresh lot of branches is to be cut in such a way that every branch is removed at a time when it would have soon died naturally if left. After each cutting the branches should be collected and burnt so as to reduce the number of fructifications in the neighbourhood. If in bad canker districts foresters would treat plots experimentally, pruning half in the way I have described and treating the rest according to the older method, much evidence might be gained either in support of the theory I have outlined or against it.” Sir William Schlich has arranged for experiments on these lines in Bagley Wood. Mr Hiley’s paper seems to afford a possible explanation of the comparative immunity from disease of thinly grown larch woods. Hitherto this immunity has been attributed to the fact that abundance of space favours a vigorous growth in the larch while it tends to deprive the fungus of its favouring conditions. Is it also due to the fact that the side branches remain alive until the section of the stem from which they spring has passed the vulnerable age during which a canker imparted by a decaying side branch is a serious menace to the tree? 134 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 21. David Douglas. By F. R. S. BALFour. There is no botanist whose name should be more familiar to Scotsmen than that of David Douglas, associated as it is with the tree we all plant nowadays and know so well. Indeed it is no exaggeration to say that his introductions have furnished our woods and gardens, in Scotland at least, with most of the exotic trees and shrubs now in general cultivation, all of them brought from the North Pacific Coast where the conditions of climate are so like our own. To mention merely a few of the splendid conifers of that region which he introduced—TZsuga Adlbertiana, Picea Sitchensis, Abies nobilis, Abies grandis, Abies magnifica, Abies amabilis, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus monticola, Pinus Sabiniana, Pinus Coulteri, Pinus insignis, and that king of conifers Pinus Lambertiana, are perhaps those most familiar to us; and we can hardly imagine our shrubberies bereft of such plants as Ribes sanguineum, Berberis aquifolium, Spiraea ariaefolia and Gaultheria Shallon. It is curious that Berberis nervosa, so common on the banks of the Columbia, greatly preferred by Douglas to Berberis aquifolium, and introduced by him at the same time, is now one of the rarest shrubs in cultivation: the writer found it once at Traquair, where perhaps it has grown unnoticed with its commoner neighbour ever since Douglas’ time. David Douglas was born at Scone in 1798, and worked asa gardener for seven years on Lord Mansfield’s estate, where many fine specimens of his trees can now be seen. The Royal Horticultural Society, through the editorship, of their secretary, the Rev. W. Wilks, assisted by Mr H. R. Hutchinson, have published the journals in which Douglas recorded his experiences from day to day during the expeditions made on behalf of that Society, first to Eastern America in 1823, and secondly from 1825-1827 in the country we now call Oregon and Washington, and during his long journey home across the Continent to Hudson Bay. The book! also includes a list of the plants introduced by him. It is sad that we cannot also see his journals during the 1 Journal kept by David Douglas during his Travels in North America, 1825-27. London: W. Wesley & Son, 1914. Price 21s. net. DAVID DOUGLAS. 135 second trip he made to the Pacific Coast in 1831, when San Francisco and Monterey were his headquarters for a year; he afterwards proceeded to the Sandwich Islands, from which he sent home his Californian collection. He left these islands for a second visit to the Columbia River in 1832, and made an expedition into the Puget Sound and Fraser River country, where Archibald Menzies in the Vancouver expedition of 1792 had already explored the shores of the innumerable inlets and described much of the flora. Of this expedition, in which Douglas was nearly drowned in the Fraser River, when he lost all his notes and his collection of 400 species, the editor makes no mention whatsoever; one cannot help regretting that Douglas’ long letter of 6th May 1834 to Sir William Hooker, in which he described this disaster, was not published zz exfenso in the volume before us; it was the last of a long series that he wrote to Sir William Hooker, and is dated a few months before his death. I give it in full at the end of this article. Indeed these letters, all preserved in the Hooker correspondence at Kew, would, in the writer’s opinion, have certainly formed by no means the least interesting part of this record. For instance, here is a description by Douglas of Pinus Lambertiana in a long letter to his friend, Dr Scouler, who had accompanied him on his voyage round Cape Horn to the Columbia River. He writes from Priest Rapids on the Columbia River on 3rd April 1826. ‘I am in possession of a species of Pinus, the finest of the genus. I hope soon to have abundance of better specimens and ripe seeds. It attains the enormous height of 170 to 220 feet; from 20 to 50 feet (65 erased) in circumference and grows remarkably straight ; the wood is very fine, the cones measure r2 to 18 inches long. . . . Unquestionably this is the most splendid specimen of American vegetation. What would Dr Hooker give to dine under its shade; Mr Lambert could not eat anything if he saw it!” These measurements of the Giant Sugar Pine, and those given in his journal of 26th October 1826 of the tree he found that day, 215 feet long, 57 ft. 9 ins. round at 3 feet from the ground and 17 ft. 5 ins. at 134 feet, are records of this tree which, as regards circumference, have never been surpassed. The writer, after seeing thousands of these immense pines in the hope of finding one to equal that of Douglas, had to content himself with photographing one of indeed well over 200 feet high, but 136 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. only 27 feet in circumference at 5 feet from the ground; this is the photograph reproduced in Elwes and Henry’s great work. It would have been much easier to follow Douglas’ movements had a map been embodied in the volume with his journeys clearly traced in red ink; although the writer is familiar with most of the country traversed by him, a constant reference to maps greatly added to his understanding of the journal. It seems clear that on the long journey from Fort Vancouver to Hudson Bay his route lay through the Arrow Lakes, up the Columbia past Revelstoke, and north through the Yellow Head Pass—the route lately taken across the mountains by the Grand Trunk and Canadian Northern railways. Having crossed the Rockies by that pass he reached Edmonton after descending the Athabasca River. The Continental Divide was passed on 2nd May 1827 when snow was still deep in the mountains; had his journey been two months later what rich additions in alpines he might have added to the rock gardens of our grandfathers ! Although in the preface the editor says “the botanical names have been carefully looked up, and the modern name given to the plant inserted in a note at the foot of the page,” one can only regret that these explanatory footnotes are so often wrong and so often omitted altogether. The modern names of species from the eastern side of the Continent are given in the footnotes with tiresome reiteration to Pacific Coast trees seen by Douglas; also when he mistakes the identification of a species in numerous cases no correcting note is given—instances are his record of Pinus strobus on the Arrow Lakes and Pinus Banksiana in the Rockies, the trees he saw being undoubtedly /rnus monticola and Pinus contorta respectively. Abies balsamea, Picea nigra, Picea rubra, Picea alba, Tsuga Canadensis, and Quercus velutina do not occur west of the Rockies, in fact the notes indicate an injudicious use of the Jrdex Kewensis. Where Douglas gives a description of a plant which makes it clearly recognisable, a footnote indicating the modern name would have been welcome; for instance, his tall alder on the Columbia (on page 106) is clearly A/nus Oregona, his Cornus (on page 109) “30 to 4o feet high with profusion of large white flowers” is Cornus Nuttallii, and the admirable description (page 222) of Umbellularia Californica leaves no doubt whatever of the identity of the tree described, yet there are no notes to tell us so. DAVID DOUGLAS. 137 Scotsmen may feel proud to read the names of their country- men who explored and traded in that Columbia River valley long before it passed under the American flag; of Douglas’ friends at the Hudson Bay Company’s posts there is not one in five whose name does not clearly betray which side of the Tweed he came from. Of Douglas’ extraordinary death in the Sandwich Islands on r2th July 1834, a sad account is given by the two missionaries who looked after his body. The journal is a record of hardships and privations cheerfully endured in his passionate enthusiasm of collecting; it is also a record of his immense success as a collector and of the indefatig- able energy he devoted to his task. The Royal Horticultural Society are to be congratulated on at last giving us the opportunity of seeing the whole journal in print, but the price might more reasonably have been 6s. than a guinea, and the book a more complete record of Douglas’ life than it is. Last letter of David Douglas to Sir Wm, Hooker, 6th May 1834. ‘* SANDWICH ISLANDS, ‘* 6th May 1834. ““My DEAR AND ESTEEMED SIR, “T am two letters in your debt; for last autumn at the Columbia River I had the great pleasure to receive, through Dr Meredith Gairdner, a very long letter from you, and the same happiness was conferred on me on the 16th of April, by your last, which was exactly a year old, and in which you mention having addressed me just two months previously. I imagine this last letter must have been sent by Captain Back, or the annual express of the Hudson’s Bay Company ; but I had left the sea before the express arrived. “My meeting with Dr Gairdner afforded me heartfelt satisfac- tion, not only because he is a most accomplished and amiable young gentleman devotedly attached to Natural History, and warmly recommended by you, but also because he told me of your health, and that of your family; the additions to your herbarium, etc. I endeavoured to show him the attentions to which every friend of yours is justly entitled at my hands, and only regret that our time together was so short, for he is a person whom I highly respect. Mr Tolmie had quitted the Columbia 138 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. for the North-west coast before I arrived, and thus deprived me of the pleasure of seeing a late student of yours. I wrote to him at once indicating those parts of the country which promise to yield the best harvest to the naturalist, and particularly requesting his attention to the sea-weeds, but have not heard from him since, nor, indeed, at any time. I very much regret not having seen this gentleman, for I should have told him many things useful for a young man entering this country as a botanist or traveller to know. However, I explained them all to Dr Gairdner. “You will, perhaps, enquire why I did not address you by the despatch of the ship to Europe last year. I reached the sea coast quite broken down, having suffered no ordinary trial, and on my arrival was soon prostrated by fever. My last letter to you was written from the interior of the Columbia, and bore date about the middle of April (1833) last year, just before starting on my northern journey. Therein I mentioned my intention of writing a few lines to you daily, which I did up to the 13th June, a most disastrous date for me, on which I lost what I may call my all! On that morning at the Stony Islands of Fraser’s River (the Columbia of M‘Kenzie—see the map in his 4to edition) my canoe was dashed to atoms, when I lost every article in my possession saving an astronomical journal, book of rough notes, charts, and barometrical observations with my instruments. My botanical notes are gone, and what gives me most concern my journal of occurrences also, as this is what can never be replaced even by myself. All the articles needful for pursuing my journey were destroyed, so that my voyage for this season was frustrated. I cannot detail to you the labour and anxiety this occasioned me, both in body and mind, to say nothing of the hardship and suffering I endured. Still I reflect with pleasure that no lives were sacrificed. I passed over the cataract and gained the shore in a whirlpool below, not, however, by swimming, for I was rendered helpless, and the waves washed me on the rocks. The collection of plants consisted of about 400 species—z250 of these were mosses, and a few of them new. This disastrous occurrence has much broken my strength and spirits. The country over which I passed was all mountainous, but most so towards the Western ocean: still it will ere long be inhabited. I have written to Mr Hay, Under-Secretary of State, respecting the boundary line of the Columbia, as the American Government is anxious to obtain a footing there. DAVID DOUGLAS. 139 ‘‘ After this misfortune in June, I endeavoured as far as possible to repair my losses, and set to work again, and I hope some good new species were obtained for the //ora Boreali-Americana, which I am very anxious should reach you without delay. It is more than probable that I may have the pleasure of presenting these to you myself, say in March next, as it is my intention to return to England by the very first opportunity ; and I hope this small collection may give you some satisfaction, as it is all I can offer you from North-west America. It reconciles me somewhat to the loss, to reflect that you now have friends in that country who will probably make up the deficiency. I have given Dr Gairdner my notes on some more new species of Pznus. This gentleman and Mr Tolmie will have a good deal to contend with. Science has few friends among those who visit the coast of North-west America solely with a view to gain. Still with such a person as Mr M‘Loughlin on the Columbia they may do a great deal of service to natural history. “T sailed from the Columbia in November last, in the Hudson Bay Company’s vessel, which visited these islands, touching on the way at San Francisco, where I made a short stay, but did nothing in the way of botany. I arrived here on 23rd December, and after spending Christmas Day with two English ladies, the wife of our consul, Mr Charlton, and her sister, I started on the 27th for the island of Hawaii, which I reached on 2nd January 1834. You knew I have long had this tour in contemplation, and having spent three winter months in botanizing here, I proceed to give you a short notice of my proceedings. “The view of this most interesting island from the sea is sublime indeed, combining the grand, sweet and beautiful in a most remarkable degree. For 2500 feet above the level of the sea, the banana, sugar-cané, coffee, pandanus, bread-fruit, etc., grow in the greatest perfection. Then comes a thickly timbered country as high as 8000 feet, and for 3700 feet more a space covered with short verdure; after which the reign of flora terminates. I made a journey to the summit of Mouna Kaah which occupied fourteen days and found it only 13,851 English feet above the sea; a height, you may observe, much less than has been ascribed to this mountain by early travellers. In this expedition I amassed a most splendid collection of plants, principally ferns and mosses; many, I do assure you, truly beautiful and worthy to range with the gigantic species collected I40 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, by Dr Wallich. Of ferns alone I have fully 200 species and half as many mosses, of other plants comparatively few as the season is not yet good for them, nor will be so until after the rains. On my return, I must consult with you on the best mode of publishing the plants of these islands. “IT also visited the summit of Mouna Roa, the Big or Long Mountain, which afforded me inexpressible delight. This mountain, with an elevation of 13,517 feet, is one of the most interesting in the world. I am ignorant whether the learned and venerable Menzies ascended it or no, but I think he must have done so, and natives assert that this was the case. The red-faced man, who cut off the limbs of men and gathered grass, is still known here; and the people say that he climbed Mouna Roa. No one, however, has since done so, until I went up a short while ago. The journey took me seventeen days. On the summit of this extraordinary mountain is a volcano, nearly 24 miles in circumference, and at present in terrific activity. You must not confound this with the one situated on the flanks of Mouna Roa, and spoken of by the missionaries and Lord Byron, and which I visited also. It is difficult to attempt describing such an immense place. The spectator is lost in terror and admiration at beholding an enormous sunken pit (for it differs from all our notions of volcanoes, as possessing cone- shaped summits, with terminal openings), 5 miles square of which is a lake of liquid fire, in a state of ebullition, sometimes tranquil, at other times rolling its blazing waves with furious agitation, and casting them upwards in columns from 30 to 170 feethigh. In places the hardened lava assumes the form of gothic arches in a colossal building, piled one above another in terrific magnificence, through and among which the fiery fluid forces its way in a current that proceeds 3} miles per hour, or loses itself in fathomless chasms at the bottom of the cauldron. The volcano is 1272 feet deep, I mean down to the surface of the fire, its chasms and caverns can never be measured. Mouna Roa appears, indeed, more like an elevated tableland than a mountain. It is a high broad dome, formed by an infinitude of layers of volcanic matter, thrown out from the many mouths of its craters. Vegetation does not exist higher than 11,000 feet, there is no soil whatever, and no water. ‘The lava is so porous, that, when the snow melts, it disappears a few feet from the verge, the ground drinking it up like a sponge. On the higher DAVID DOUGLAS. I4I parts grow some species of Rubus, Fraserta, Vaccintum and some June. “T visited also the volcano of Kirauea, the lateral volcano of Mt. Roa; it is nearly 9 miles round, 1157 feet deep, and is likewise in a terrific state of activity. I go immediately to Hawaii to work on these mountains. May God grant me a safe return to England. I cannot but indulge the pleasing hope of being soon able, in person, to thank you for the signal kindness you have ever shown me. And really were it only for the letters you have bestowed on me during my voyage you should have a thousand thanks from me. “I send this, under cover, to Captain Beaufort, to whom I have written respecting some of my astronomical observations, as also to Captain Sabine. “T would beg to be affectionately remembered to Dr Scouler and Mr Murray. “IT am, my esteemed Sir, “ Your obedient Servant, [OD DOUGLAS. 22. The Selecting of Telegraph Poles in the Forest of Enzie. By T. SHARPE, Manager of Woods, Gordon Castle. In the January issue of the Zransactions there appeared a full account of the facilities which the Postmaster-General is prepared to extend to owners of woodlands and forests in the United Kingdom, or to merchants concerned in finding markets for native timber, in order that they may be able to contribute a share of the supply of wooden poles necessary for the require- ments of the Post Office. The essential feature of the Postmaster-General’s proposals— the opportunity given to the home-grower or merchant of having the trees he wishes to dispose of as poles examined by a Post Office inspector on the ground, and passed or rejected as the case may be—is a concession much in advance of anything of the same nature that has previously been made, and is probably being widely taken advantage of. Statistics which may be of some general interest are given on p. 143 regarding the numbers and dimensions of trees felled 142 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. in the White-Ash section of the forest of Enzie, on the estate ot His Grace the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, and ultimately sold to the Post Office under the new conditions. _ The rocks of the region in which the forest of Enzie is situated are mostly of Old Red Sandstone age, but in the area covered by the woods the sandstone is for the most part over- spread with a thick mantle of boulder clay or gravelly till. On White-Ash Hill, where the poles were cut, this glacial deposit, although of considerable depth, is thin in texture. Judging from the appearance of the surface vegetation, consisting largely of heather, the soil and subsoil are not capable of supporting a large crop of trees, and are only suitable for being planted with the least exacting species. The existing wood consists exclusively of Scots pine. Its age ranges from 75-80 years, and as the trees which were converted into poles were on the whole, as regards size, only slightly under the dimensions of the remainder of the crop, it will be seen that the rate of growth has been slow. The wood has, however, always been grown fairly close. No excessive thinnings have been made at any period in its life-time, with the result that clean stems well suited for being used as telegraph poles have been produced. As this was noted, and as it was also thought that an opportunity was afforded under the new scheme for profitably disposing of the thinnings which it was deemed necessary to make in order that the final crop might increase consider- ably in diameter before being felled, it was decided to mark a number of trees for sale. They were purchased by Messrs Jones, timber merchants, Larbert, who after the felling operations were completed arranged for an examination to be made of the poles before they were barked or dispatched to the creosoting yards. Under the supervision of Mr Roberts, inspector of telegraph poles, who had been sent for the purpose of examining the felled trees set aside for poles, the tops were sawn off at the point where the minimum diameter specified for was reached. The poles were then classified according to their length, the diameter at 5 feet from the butt end, and at the top. Poles classified stout were stamped with three crowns on the butt end, medium with two, and light with one, Each pole was also stamped with the initials of the inspector, and with a mark SELECTING OF TELEGRAPH POLES IN THE FOREST OF ENZIE. 143 indicating the depot to which they were to be consigned. ‘The rejected tops can be utilised as pit props. In addition to the above measurements, which were all that were required for the official classification, the girth at the centre of the pole was also measured in the case of what seemed average examples, and the cubical contents estimated in order that a comparison might be made of the measurements with those given for Scandinavian red fir poles in the January issue of the Zransactions. The accompanying table shows these measurements :— Light uarter-Girth ° * Cubic Content No. of Poles Length Kinder pare) 0 ae = Pol ay s 2 20 Feet 54 Inches 3°67 Cub. feet I 22 > 6 99 5°50 99 2 24 9 5 = 4°16 99 3 26:3; 5b ons Lig Vie 12 28 ? 6 ” | 7°00 9 Medium 38 26 Feet 74 Inches 9°48 Cub. feet 62 28) 55 64 ‘A 8:20 - 64 30 55 64s, $78.) 45 32 >, FA eee 10°38: .. 45 57 34 39 7 99 I I “57 be 92 36 5: 78 gs 14°06, 42 40 ,, 72 dine 14°60 sy, 13 45 9 Ta iss 16°32, 2 50 99 83 9 26°50 9 Stout 102 32 Feet 7% Inches 13°34 Cub. feet 97 34» 8) as ig ee 148 . 36 i) 8} 9 18°00 2”? 183 49 » 83 29 20°06 ” Lele) 45 » 4 9 26°77 ” 28 50 5, Ios ly, 2827053, I 55 103 ” 42°10 ar It will be seen from a study of these data that the dimensions of the poles agree fairly closely with those given for Scandinavian poles in the tables referred to above. The figures are therefore of some value in demonstrating I44 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. that it is possible to grow in home woods, even when the quality of the soil is below that of the average type of plantable moorland, poles as suitable for the requirements of the Post Office as those which are produced in the forests of Scandinavia and Russia; and there is no reason, if the State showed the same zeal in encouraging and assisting afforestation as it has done in helping us to find markets, why the country should not become largely independent of these sources of supply. 23. A Braconid Parasite on the Pine Weevil, Hylobius abietis.' By J. W. Munro, B.Sc.(Agr.), B.Sc.(Arb.), Edin. The following notes are the result of observations made on pine weevils and parasites collected in a plantation on the estate of Banchory-Devenick near Aberdeen. The plantation in question was formed in the spring of 1g11, a year after the removal of the old crop, which was a pure wood of Scots pine. The stumps and roots of this old wood afford ideal breeding places for the pine beetle (47. pzntperda) and the pine weevil (Hylobius abietis), and they are to be found in considerable numbers. The work of the pine weevil is familiar to all interested in forestry. It is harmful only in the adult state and does considerable damage by gnawing the tender bark of young conifers, causing them to wilt and die. Where conifers are not to be got it will readily attack birch, mountain ash and oak. In the larval stage Hylobius is harmless. The adult deposits her eggs in or under the bark of the stumps of various conifers but prefers Scots pine. The larva on hatching out commences to tunnel between the bark and the sapwood, and when full grown pupates at the end of this tunnel, either in a cavity or hook gallery in the sapwood, or in a cavity in the bark. The tunnels are filled with frass, consisting of tiny chips of wood bitten out by the larva and passed through its body. The whole of the larval life is passed in such a tunnel. In the spring of 1912 I noticed a few tiny cocoons lying in one of these tunnels, but I attached no importance to them at the time. In July of last year, however, I found several weevil larve ! Reprinted from the Azxnals of Applied Biology, vol. i., No. 2, July 1914. A BRACONID PARASITE ON THE PINE WEEVIL. 145 apparently in the resting stage, which were attacked by a small legless maggot feeding on them externally. I collected a number of weevil larva both attacked and immune, and also a number of the attacking maggot. In some cases the weevil larve were sucked quite flat, and in a few days all those which had been attacked were in this condition. Accordingly I supplied the parasitic larva with more grubs and found that they fed on them readily, crawling 2 or 3 inches to reach their new prey. These parasitic larvae measured somewhat over a quarter of an inch in length, and were covered with very short reddish-brown hairs. Unfortunately I was unable, through lack of proper instru- ments to make a close examination of them, and I could not make out the mouth parts. Observation showed, however, that they fed through the skin of their host and were purely external parasites. In September the parasites ceased feeding, and a few days after they moulted and became more definite in shape, and I assumed then that they were Hymenopterous. A fortnight later, on 25th September, they commenced spinning silky cocoons, and in a few hours they were completely hidden. All through the winter I examined a few of these cocoons every week, but no alteration in the external appearance of the enclosed larve was visible until zoth February, when in two out of five cocoons I found pupe. Nine days later the first imago emerged, which I recognised as a Braconid of some sort. Dr MacDougall informs me that three years ago he obtained a Braconid parasite on /y/odius, but in such a battered condition as to be unrecognisable. So far as I have been able to ascertain, I know of no other British record of a Braconid on Ay/odzus. In Ratzeburg’s /chneumonen der Forstinsekten, however, there is a short account of the rearing, by Nordlinger, of 40 99 and 4 ¢¢ from the larve of #. abietis. I may be permitted to quote Ratzeburg’s account. ‘“ Nordlinger bred 40 9? and 4 ¢¢ from this species (/ylobius abietis) each of whose larvze supports about ten parasites. The cocoons of the latter are firm, oat- shaped and papyraceous, woven among their hosts’ frass and dead bodies, and often constructed at the end of the beetles’ tunnels beneath fir bark.” ‘This description agrees in every respect with my own observations, and accordingly I looked up Ratzeburg’s description of the species which he calls Bracon hylobit. It again agrees with the insects I have bred out, and as I have been unable to identify my specimens with any of the VOL. XXIX. PART II. K 146 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Bracons in the South Kensington collection, or with those described by Marshall, I think it highly probable that the species I have reared is B. Aylobii. If so it is a species new to Britain, and in order to be sure of this I have sent specimens for identification to Dr Szepligeti in Budapest. The degree of parasitism by 2. Ay/odit on the pine weevil may be of. interest. In winter 1911-I observed no cocoons. In the spring of 1912, two years after the old crop was removed and presumably in the second year of the beetles’ occurrence there, I observed a few cocoons, while in 1913 and 1914. every third pupating chamber was occupied by them. This represents parasitism in the third and fourth years of the pest of over 30 per cent. I think I do not exaggerate when I suggest that Lracon hylobit, Ratz., may prove of considerable value in combating the pine weevil, which is every year becoming more and more common in newly-formed plantations, especially in Scotland. The parasite is, in all probability, fairly common where Aylodius is found. The fact that it has hitherto apparently been unrecorded does not imply that it is scarce. The persons most interested in Ayobzus, the forester and the factor, are interested only in the adult beetle when it begins its attacks on their plantations, and any measures they may take against it areas a rule confined to the trapping and collecting of the adult. As to the possibility of using 2. Aylobit in combating ZH. adzeris, I have not yet obtained a sufficient knowledge of the former’s life-history to make any definite statement, but such observations as I have been able to make lead me to believe there are no special difficulties to overcome. If BB. hylodii is fairly or reasonably common, and there is no reason to suppose it other- wise, there should be little difficulty in obtaining batches of its cocoons, or numbers of its larvae to breed from. The larve of Hylobius, too, can readily be kept alive if they are not removed from the roots on which they are feeding. I have reared several weevils by removing the smaller roots containing their larvae and keeping these sufficiently moist. The parasite itself is easily reared, inasmuch as I bred one batch in an ordinary collecting tube in which I placed a weevil grub as food. Out of about 70 cocoons, I have obtained no hyperparasites on the Braconid. This again is favourable. The parasite too is evidently hardy. The plantation from which my specimens PLaTeE XIII. Fic. 5. LiGHT RAILWAY LEADING TO UprER TERMINAL OF AERIAL ROPEWAY AT FARLEY, (Seeip, 131); [Zo face p. 146. PLATE XLV. ‘(peyruseu Ajys1y [[e) sppunq qepnosea-oiqy ‘A ‘ waapoddy ‘H ‘stugapida ‘a $ Surusdo o1yvu0}s *s £190971%] 94] UT [eURO-UISaI ajajosqo ‘4 * fxau0J ay1 UT padoTaaap {jam jeuvo-ulsat ‘« *Y £JOOYS WOYS jo Jeay Jo uoroas -ssola ‘qf {JoOYS Suc] jo jeay jo uonoas-ssory ‘Vv “SISNHDTO XIUVT 9‘? “DIY PAeRasenacnongn rat rescor tree at we SEES, pune VY S \ SISNIIIO Rta teeta 1! 1l@) Stmq syrwak puoosas ‘£ {31mq srvad juaims ‘9 {spaas ‘$ fyo¥Iq ‘bh fayeas jo apis asuur *€ £ayeos Jo apis zayno ‘z £ aU0y ‘I ‘SISNEDIO XINVY “I “DI as A BRACONID PARASITE ON THE PINE WEEVIL. I47 were obtained is a bleak hillside near the coast and over 300 feet above sea-level. It is often swept by cold north and east winds. Another interesting fact is that B. hylobit attacks the weevil larva in its resting stage, at a time when the latter is practically inactive. . Since the above paper was written I have been enabled to renew my investigations and experiments on Bracon hylobit. Both laboratory and field experiments are now in progress, and until these are completed and their results ready for publication it would be inadvisable to make any further statements. I may say, however, that so far as observations go they confirm those given above. JS. hylobii has now been found in several widely separated areas. Much still remains to be done before the relations of Bracon Aylobit and the weevil are fully understood, and especially before the practical value of this parasite as a check on Aylodius ona large scale can be fully demonstrated, 24. A New Species of Larch. (With Plate.) The following description of a new species of larch, by Prof. Augustine Henry, is taken from the Gardeners’ Chronicle, 27th February 1915, p. 109 :— In the Kew herbarium there are two or three twigs with leaves and cones of a peculiar larch, gathered in 1860 by Maximowicz on the shores of Olga Bay, about 120 miles north-east of Vladivostock, in the maritime province of Eastern Siberia. This larch was labelled Larix sibirica by Maximowicz ; but is remarkably distinct, having different branchlets, leaves and cones, and, moreover, it occupies an isolated district far removed from the region inhabited by the well-known Siberian larch. It is readily distinguishable from all the species hitherto published, and will now be described (Plate XIV. Fig. 1) as a new species, Larix olgensis.! 1 Larix olgensis, A. Henry, sp. nova. Larix sibirica, Maximowicz, ex M.S. inherbario (non Ledebour) ; Masters, in Journ. Linn. Soc. (Bot.), xviil., 523 (ex parte) ; Komarov, /. Manshuriae, i., 194 (1901) ; Patschke, in Engler, Bot. Jahrob., xiviii., 602 (1913). 148 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. A tree, of which little is known concerning habit or dimensions, unique amongst the genus in having reddish-brown, slender young branchlets, densely covered with long hairs, traces of which remain on the greyish, older twigs; lateral buds shining dark brown. Short shoots, slender, conic, with similar buds, fringed around the base when opening with reddish-brown hairs. Leaves, short and slender, not exceeding # inch long and 0'025 inch wide, curved, rounded at the apex, convex above, deeply keeled beneath, with one stomatic line on each side of the keel. Microscopic section! (Fig. 2) shows a fibro-vascular bundle, circular, with scattered wood cells; hypoderm of thick- walled cells, continuous under the epiderm all round. Resin- canals present in leaves of the long shoots, large, placed more inwards than usual in the genus, being separated from the epidermis by two layers of thick-walled hypoderm. Leaves of the short shoots, with rudimentary or obsolete resin-canals, differing also from the leaves of the long shoots in being slightly deeper in proportion to their width and without stomatic lines above. Cones 0°6-0°8 inch long, o*5—0°6 inch wide when closed, with the exserted tips of the bracts visible between the scales, which are 20 to 30 in number, in 4 to 6 rows, 0°3 inch wide and slightly less long, reniform-orbicular, entire and rounded at the upper margin, covered externally with a dense minute pubescence. Bract o:2 inch long, oblong, but widest at the base, truncate at the apex with a minute mucro. Seed with wing } inch long; body o'r inch long, marbled grey on the surface next the scale, shining dark brown on the other surface ; wing short, brown, broadest towards the base. The description of this larch is mainly drawn up from a few twigs with cones, which were sent home by Captain Clinton- Baker, R.N., in 1911, with the note: ‘‘The only conifer at Olga and Vladimir Bays, all nearly cut down for timber.” It is possible that this larch extends farther inland and to the north- ward ; but Komarov,? who confused it with Z. szézrzca, states that ‘The microscopic details, diagram and photograph, are due to Mr M. O’Beirne, research scholar in Forestry at the Roy, Coll. Science, Dublin. The blocks have been kindly lent by the editor of the Gardeners’ Chronicle. 2 Dr Komarov, of the Petrograd Imperial Botanic Garden, in a recent letter to Prof. Henry, states that this larch only occurs in two forests of small extent, one on the coast of Olga Bay, the other a little south of this in the valley of the river Pihusun. In Kamtschatka, and elsewhere on the main- land of eastern Siberia, Larix dahurica is the species of larch met with. A NEW SPECIES OF LARCH. 149 it is only found on the shores of Olga Bay, and quotes a letter written by Maximowicz. ‘“‘Common on the east coast of the great bay, forming an open wood on rocky ground in mixture with Quercus mongolica and Betula Ermanit. ‘Trees often occur up to a foot in diameter, with very brittle, wide-spreading gnarled branches.” The district where this larch occurs is on the continental coast immediately opposite Yezo. It is characterised by a severe climate, the average annual temperature being only 4o° F. with an average summer temperature of 68° F., while the sea, though not actually frozen over in the winter, is often coated with ice near the shore. Reclus, Wouv. Geog. Univ. vi., 835 (1881), states that the temperature at Olga rises in August sometimes to 96° F. The climate appears to be an extreme one; and in all probability this larch would be of no economic value in this country ; but seeds ought to be obtained, as it possibly might thrive high up in the mountains. 25. The ‘“‘ Hybrid Larch.” (With Plate.) By J. M. Murray, B.Sc. The name ‘hybrid larch” is usually applied to plants raised from seed of Japanese larch, Zarix /epfolepis, collected in this country. Many foresters have doubts as to the hybridity of the plants, and it is impossible to say as yet how far these doubts are justified. The chief arguments for and against hybridity will be given, but at the same time it is not intended to introduce any bias towards either side; the question should at present remain an open one. It is often assumed that a first cross should show characters which are intermediate between those of the parents. The earliest recorded crosses made by a botanist were of this nature (Kolreuter, 1761), and horticulturists to the present day usually start operations on the hypothesis that their hybrids will show intermediate characters. This, however, is only one of many possibilities. Recent work has shown that in hybrids between members of closely-related races intermediate characters are often wanting, 150 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. and the plants resemble one or other of the parents. It is then customary to speak of dominant and recessive characters. The former is the character which determines the appearance of the hybrid ; the latter lies suppressed and apparently lost. A further complication not infrequently arises when in certain hybrids it cannot be determined which character is recessive and which is dominant. The results may vary in each individual case where the characters are brought into conjunction. On occasion also, an apparently new character may be introduced. Weismann, in Zhe Germplasm (1892), has ex- plained that this character is not new but had been present in a latent condition in one of the parents. A much more frequent variation of the hybrid from the parent lies in the rate of growth. This may be slower or faster. With nearly-related parents it is usually faster, but no generalisa- tioncan be made. Asan instance of this, Buddleia hybrids have been known to grow as big in three years as the parents would grow in five or six. These examples do not, by any means, exhaust the recorded variations in hybrids, but they will serve to broaden our views on the possibilities. We may now proceed to examine the case for and against hybridity in the larch. _ In the first place, it is found that most of the plants show somewhat intermediate characters in their shoots. These lack the red colour which is so characteristic of Japanese larch and approach nearer to the colour that is found in the European species. It must be observed, however, that all the plants raised from seed collected off one tree do not always show this blended character. It is often possible to divide the plants into three groups, viz.—(1) Those that show distinct Z. /eptolepis characters ; (2) those in which there are intermediate characters; (3) those in which there is an approach to Z. europea. The presence of pure Japanese larch plants need not be associated with any dominance of characters. The plants, if hybrids, are natural ones, and there is always a chance of no specific cross taking place. The appearance of an approach to European larch is not so easily explained. It cannot be said that there is any difference in the leaves and cones of the known parent and offspring. Both are of the normal Z. J/epftolepis type. The rapidity of growth will be referred to in detail later on, here it is sufficient THE “‘ HYBRID LARCH.” I51 to say that, so far as yet observed, the “hybrid” is much more rapid than Z. /epéolepis or L. europea in the same locality. In the seedling state the “hybrids” are, like Z. europea, semi- evergreen. From this evidence it will, I think, be admitted that there is a fairly strong case for hybridity. It is said that plants raised from seeds got in pure Japanese larch plantations show little or no difference from the parents. If this be so it is another strong argument in favour of hybridity in the case of the progeny of isolated trees, since it was from such that the first and best-known “ hybrids” showing variation were raised. Those who doubt hybridity base their case mainly on the difference in the times of flowering of Japanese and European larch. I have observed that the former produces its male and female flowers at from ten to fourteen days before the latter. It is not uncommon io find that some of the earliest Japanese larch female flowers are just beginning to close when the male flowers of the European species are just mature. On the other hand there are trees which, either on account of environmental factors, or on account of some inherent quality, come into flower much later than the mass of their fellows. So far, it has not been observed that the seeds from these produce plants which differ in any way from the offspring of the earlier flowering trees. Moreover, among conifers, hybrids are notoriously rare. The best-known examples are Vilmorin’s cross between Adzes Pinsapo and A. cephalonica, and the supposed natural cross between Pseudotsuga Douglasit and Abies pectinata, which is said to have given rise to P. Douglasti var. Standishit. It has been suggested that the ‘“‘hybrid larch” is merely a variation resulting from climatic influences. It is a well-known fact that plants may undergo a more or less marked change of habit when transferred to a new soil or climate. ‘These modi- fications appear in succeeding generations, probably owing to re-impression. Alongside this there is yet the other possibility that a radical change of environment may produce variations in succeeding generations. These variations have been found to breed true. It must be left to those who have studied the Japanese larch in its native habitat and in this country to say what changes they have observed. I52 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, Setting aside this rather uncertain question of parentage, we may come to matters of perhaps greater interest to the forester, namely, the rate of growth and liability to become injured by fungi, insects or frost. One of the oldest groups of ‘hybrid larch” that I know is on the Murthly estates.! The site selected for this group was not by any means an ideal one for larch, being rather low. In fact, the place is an ideal one for the spread of disease. The soil is poor and gravelly, but on the whole not unsuited to conifers. In the spring of 1908 about three hundred 3-year old plants twice transplanted were planted in this place at an average distance apart of about 4 feet. Growth immediately after planting was only moderately fast, but it has been making up every year since then. Unfortunately no measurements were kept, so that now, in order to find out something of the rate of growth, it has been necessary to have recourse to the method of ‘stem analysis.” The method of making a stem analysis is quite simple and would provide much matter of interest to the forester who can find time to make it. A stem was selected for analysis, and in this case it was considered that for all ordinary purposes measurement in four-foot lengths would be sufficient. These four-foot lengths were then marked on the stem as shown in Fig. 1 (by dotted lines). + - 2° 5<-2" 69% Saye ea ee ae a a ee 1? Jeees Ie Each of these divisions was again divided into two (marked in the diagram by heavy line), and a section was taken at each of these new divisions. ‘These sections were taken to be the mean of the four-foot divisions to which they referred. In order to check the results and also to give a rather more representative diagram, sections were made at the four-foot divisions also, but this is not usually necessary. The number of year-rings in each section was then counted, and the diameters at the several ages measured. The measure- 1 It is possible that plants about two years older exist on Dunkeld estate. THE ‘HYBRID LARCH.” 153 ments were then plotted so that a representation of a longitudinal section through the tree was obtained (Fig. 2). From this B feet enec eden eu- [I years 7' 6 5 eR ek a aE ie 4 8 9 10 years : Ace— Since Planting : Totar AGE H Fic. 2. A VERTICAL SECTION OF THE TREE. The thick black line represents the bark. picture the increment at any period in the life of the tree can be calculated. Since only the present thickness of the bark is I54 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. obtainable, these investigations only refer to increment in wood. To facilitate comparisons the following results have been tabulated :— Lleight- Increment. Age . — —| Total Height Annual Increment Since Planting | Since Sowing | Years Years Feet Inches Feet Inches Bie I fo) 4 o) 4 sia 2 fo) 9% oO 54 tas 2 I 24 fe) 5 I 4 2 Os I zi 2 5 AMD oe 0 108 3 6 6 3 2 8 4 7 fe) 4 4 I 5 8 1A = 3 Sup ak 6 9 18 3 4 fe) 7 10 22 6 4 g The mean annual height-increment for the ten years’ period has been 2 ft. 3 ins. No explanation can be offered for the very erratic growth between the third and fifth years. It may have been due to atmospheric or soil factors, but leaving this out of account it is seen that the annual height-increment has been exceptionally good. “ Although it is rather unfair to compare these figures with those for true Larix Jleptolepis grown in another part of the country, still something may be gained by doing so. Probably the figures so obtained will be more valuable if it is stated that Japanese larch on Murthly estates does not compare favourably as regards measurements with those that are given. From Mr Leven’s report in vol. xxvili., part 2, it is seen that at seven years from planting the highest tree recorded is 15 feet, or exactly 7 ft. 6 ins. smaller than that of this average “hybrid” tree. The increase in diameter can also be traced out, and it is given on the following page. Here again some irregularity is to be noted in the increment. This is not uncommon near the base of young stems, however. The drop last year is probably due to increased density of canopy. The girth may be compared with that of the Japanese larch quoted above. It is then found that there is a difference PLATE XV. Hysrib LARCH GROUP. SUMMER 1912. [To face p. 154. PLATE XVI, f Rue 1 EY % y FM. Fic. 1. DouGLAs FIR PLANTATION AT STANLEY, NEAR PERTH, ABOUT 55 YEARS OLD. Fic. 2. THUYA PLICATA PLANTATION AT BENMORE, ON THE CLYDE, 30 YEARS OLD. THE ‘“‘ HYBRID LARCH.” 155 of about an inch in favour of the ‘‘hybrid larch.” A volume analysis might also be prepared, but as yet it is not considered advisable to do so, At the same time the height and diameter increment indicate a good volume increment. Diameter at 4 ft. 3 ins. above Ground. | Age | Diameter Annual Since Planting | Since Sowing Increment | merieet ae ta | Years Years Inches Inches | z 4 a / = 5 . Sex 3 6 “= "3 : z Te 9 | 5 8 1&7 J | 6 9 2°2 i | 7 + fe) 2°5 = | As will be seen from Plate XV. this group is of very robust growth. It is exceptionally healthy, comparatively free from chermes attack, and absolutely free from canker. It is true fructifications of Dasyscypha have been found on the stems, but, probably owing to the rapid growth of the trees affected, no cankers were formed. At the same time absolute immunity from disease is not claimed for this plant, since elsewhere several plants have already been destroyed through this cause. On the whole, however, so far as I have seen, the “hybrid” is much less attacked by chermes, or by fungoid disease, than any European or Japanese larches growing alongside it. It also shows straighter stems, and less tendency to branch at the crowns than does the Japanese larch. As regards frost it seems to be as hardy as the European species. It will be well not to be over-sanguine in our hopes of the “hybrid larch.” It may, like its known parent, the Japanese larch, grow well only in certain localities—that is, it may be a “locality tree.” If so we must be prepared to hear of many shattered expectations regarding its growth. . Further, it is impossible to say how long the present recorded rate of growth will be kept up. Extremely rapid growth in early youth is not always a good quality in forest trees, since it frequently leads to an early maturity and culmination of growth. Of this there are many examples, one of which, referring to the growth of Larix leptolepis in the Japanese castanetum, is cited in 156 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Professor Henry’s article in vol. xxix., part 1. Time only can settle this question for the “ hybrid larch.” In conclusion, I may mention that cross fertilisation experi- ments in larch were commenced at Murthly last year. In these the crossing was done both ways, viz., Z. europea x L. leptolepis &, and L. /eptolepis 9x L. europea g. The resulting seeds have been sown recently, but so far only some half-dozen plants have been got. These are all from the Z. exropea @ and Z. leptolepis 3 cross. It is hoped that some of the others will yet germinate. I might suggest here that these experiments might be tried elsewhere, and further that branches bearing male and female Japanese larch flowers be also enclosed in bags so that pollination is only possible with pollen of the same species. In this way it may be possible to arrive at some definite conclusion as to the nature of the plants. 26. North American Forest Trees in Britain.) (With Plates.) By Prof. A. HENRY. Many North American species of trees are cultivated in this country, but most of them are only of ornamental or botanic interest. ‘Those which are of value as producers of timber are few in number, but of immense importance, and it is to this class that I shall confine my remarks. Exotic trees are absolutely necessary for the economic production of timber in the British Isles. This is admitted in practice, and is sound in theory. Our native species are few in number, all being late immigrants from the continent of Europe after the glacial epoch, and are by no means those that are most suitable to the climate conditions of the present day, or that are most fit for producing, as quickly as possible, valuable timber. The Scots pine, our solitary forestry conifer,2 was widely ' Reprinted from the Gardeners Chronicle, March 191 5. Weare indebted to the editor for the loan of the accompanying blocks. * Our other indigenous conifers, the yew and juniper, are not used in modern planting. The spruce is not a native of the present epoch; but cones of Picea obovata have been found in preglacial beds at Cromer, Mundesley, Bacton, and Happisburg in Norfolk, and near Cappard in Galway. Picea obovata is the species now existing in Northern Scandinavia, Finland, Northern Russia and Siberia. NORTH AMERICAN FOREST TREES IN BRITAIN. 157 spread over the British Isles in the dry, warm continental climate that prevailed at the beginning of the neolithie period ; but it has, with the advent of our present humid, cool climate, gradually disappeared from all parts of the islands, except in the great mountain massif of the Scottish Highlands. It is at the present time distinctly a tree for use in certain districts only, characterised by a low annual rainfall and much sun in late summer and autumn, as in Speyside and Deeside in the north, and in the sandy heaths of the south and east of England. In such districts it regenerates freely, and attains a great height, producing a satisfactory volume of timber of good quality. Our own foresters in their early introduction of the spruce, larch, silver fir and sycamore from the continent of Europe were distinctly improving on nature. All these trees were largely used in plantations in the eighteenth century. The movement towards extensive use of exotic trees was accelerated by the discovery in the early part of the nineteenth century of the trees of the Pacific Coast region of North America, where, in a climate absolutely similar to our own, the highest and most valu- able type of coniferous forest on the planet has been evolved. The North American forests deserve careful study, as they comprise three great regions,! which are absolutely distinct in climatic conditions. These are :— I.—Eastern region, which is the largest, and extends from the edge of the Rocky Mountains region eastwards to the Atlantic. II.—Rocky Mountains region, which comprises. that great mountain range, with its ramifications and foothills down to the plains on either side, and includes roughly the Yukon, eastern part of British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. III.—Pacific Coast region, which extends from the western boundary of the last region to the coast, and includes Alaska, the western part of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. 1 See map given by Sargent as frontispiece of Manual of the Trees of North America (1905). I have omitted, as unimportant, three small districts on this map, one in the extreme south of Florida, where the vegetation is tropical, and two narrow bands lying along the Mexican boundary, where the trees are similar to those of Mexico. The Eastern division and the Pacific Coast region are each subdivided by Sargent into a northerly and a southern area. 158 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, The climate of both the Eastern region and the Rocky Mountains region is an extreme one, a so-called continental climate, distinguished by great cold in winter, an abrupt change from winter to spring, with an absence of spring frosts, followed by a sunny, warm summer and autumn. The climate of the Pacific Coast region and that of the British Isles and the western border of Europe generally may be called insular, or maritime, being characterised by the absence of great cold in winter, an erratic transition from winter to spring, with great liability to spring frosts, and no great heat in summer, while dull, cloudy days and fogs occur at all times of the year. The trees which live in a continental climate are rarely adapted to thrive in an insular climate. The great distinction between the regions of North America is well shown at the Arnold Arboretum,! near Boston (U.S.A.), where the Douglas fir, Abies grandis and Thuya plicata from the shores of the Puget Sound refuse to grow, while individuals of all these species from Idaho and Colorado make thriving specimens. The trees in the Pacific Coast region are remarkable for their great height and vigour of growth, resulting in an amazing volume of timber per acre, and constituting a unique type of forest. No complete explanation of this phenomenon has been offered, but it is evident that the trees along the coast are not checked in growth by any xerophytic conditions, The evapora- tion from their foliage is small, being hindered by the humid atmosphere which surrounds them. The heavy rainfall and the splendid condition of the soil, which is usually deep, nearly always heavily shaded, and invariably covered with the humus of a thousand years, provide an immense supply of moisture. Possibly the dull, cloudy light which prevails is an optimum one for the chlorophyll function. ‘The combination of all these factors enables timber to be built up at an extraordinary rate by the trees in this region. It is fortunate for us that when introduced into our congenial climate, these wonderful trees preserve their vigour. It may be noted that the Pacific Coast region has a climate singularly like that of the extreme west of Europe, Alaska corresponding roughly to Norway, British Columbia to Scotland, Washington to Ireland, Oregon to Western France, and California to Portugal. These climatic subdivisions are important in regard 1 Cf. Arnold Arboretum Bulletin Pop. Inf., No. 60 (1914). NORTH AMERICAN FOREST TREES IN BRITAIN. 159 to the selection of proper seed-collecting stations. Some species, such as the Douglas fir and the Sitka spruce, are distributed over an immense area, and on that account require special study. Itis well known how superior in vigour is the Douglas fir growing close to the coast to the same species growing in the mountains far inland. Furthermore, individuals of northern stations are not so vigorous as those of southern stations.. All such differences are doubtless inheritable; and this is of importance in regard to the following point. Very little is known of wind force on the Pacific Coast; but it is believed that trees of immense size occur in localities where the winds are as constant and as strong as in Ireland, and if this is the case seeds of such trees would be specially valuable. Special forms of Sitka spruce for our mountain plantations could no doubt be found superior to any yet introduced. There are at least two types of Thuya plicata now growing in England, one characterised by much greater vigour than the other; and as this important tree is widely distributed, seeds from the most suitable locality should alone be employed. We should establish at once, with the aid of the Governments of British Columbia and Washington State, seed-collecting stations under the supervision of a trained forester. The localities where vigour and good form of the different trees exist with considerable exposure to wind, would serve as collecting grounds for the seed to be used in raising plants for similar stations in Ireland, and also Scotland and Wales. The value of the conifers of the Pacific Coast region is now universally admitted, not only in this country, but also in Belgium and Germany. Three species—Douglas fir (Plate XVI. Fig. 1), Sitka spruce and Zhuya plicata (Fig. 2)—are being planted more and more every year throughout these islands, not only by private owners, but also by public bodies like the Department of Agriculture in the State forests of Ireland, the Commissioners of Woods at Inverliever in Scotland, and various municipal corporations in their water-catchment areas. These three species provide, under suitable conditions of soil, climate . and shelter, vast quantities of timber at an early age. Rotations of forty years are possible; and in afforestation on a large scale, a necessary work in this country in coming years, we must mainly rely on the Pacific conifers and on the European larch for obtaining quick and remunerative returns. As an instance, 160 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. I may cite the figures of a plantation of Douglas fir and Zhuya plicata at Gairletter, near Dunoon, on the Clyde. This yielded, thirty-five years after the date of planting, 7430 cubic feet (quarter-girth measurement) of timber per acre, or more than 200 cubic feet per annum. ‘The timber was sold in Glasgow for scaffold poles and other similar uses, the net proceeds being #130 per acre. Allowing for the expenses of planting, taxes, maintenance, and all the other charges actually incurred, and reckoning compound interest at 3 per cent., this plantation yielded “£2 per acre per annum net revenue! The land, while well situated near a market, was rough and rocky and of no value for tillage. Of the other conifers of the Pacific Coast region, the most important are Lawson cypress, Nutka cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Pinus insignis (P. radiata). Pinus insignis, if planted in suitable localities near the sea, in the western parts of England, Wales and Ireland, would produce a large volume of coarse timber in a short term of years. It will, however, probably prove more useful for shelter-belts near the sea. It. has been planted with great success for the purpose by Mr Dorrien Smith on Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles, where the violence and constancy of the wind are extreme. The Lawson cypress, a native of south-western Oregon, is remarkable for its freedom from injury by frost, insects or fungi ; moreover, it bears wind well. It is very cheaply raised from seed, and is easily transplanted. It is not, however, so fast in growth as the species mentioned above, and there are no records of its volume as a forest tree in dense plantations. It would certainly yield valuable timber if planted closely at the start. It thrives on peat at Abbeyleix and other places in Ireland, and might prove admirable for planting in bogs either pure or introduced by groups into areas which have already been covered by seedlings of maritime pine. The Nutka cypress, coming from a more northern region, Alaska and British Columbia, is still slower in growth; but possibly more vigorous trees might be raised by getting seeds from its most southerly stations in Vancouver Island, and these would be invaluable for shelter in wind-swept regions in the north of Ireland. This tree might also be propagated by cuttings for hedges around gardens in exposed parts of Donegal, Mayo, etc. 1See Trans. Roy. Scot. Arbor. Soc., xxviii. p. 175 (1914). PLATE XVII. ‘NITAAd ‘MNYVd XINWDHA NI SGULINVIg SUVAX 61 ‘VdYVOOUOVINN SASSAYd nd 48, CaM [To face p. 160. IRN! OW INT, ‘ANNOUOMOVA AHL NI HOUV'Y ASUNVaV[ NORTH AMERICAN FOREST TREES IN BRITAIN. 161 Cupressus macrocarpa, though it has scarcely been tried as a forest tree, appears to be one of the most desirable species in the milder parts of the British Isles, where it will produce with extreme rapidity a large volume of valuable timber in situations at no great elevation above sea-level. The wood is very durable, being heavier than that of other cypresses, and possessing only a faint odour. This tree grows naturally in a restricted area at Monterey in California, between the sea-beach and the inland belt of Pinus cnsignis, in a climate characterised by absence of frost, frequent cloudy days, and an atmosphere kept humid by the strong winds off the ocean. It is much hardier than its natural habit would lead one to suppose, and has been planted with success in many parts of the world as a wind-screen and hedge plant. It grows readily from cuttings; but seedlings are preferable. From 1 lb. of seed costing a few shillings, 20,000 to 30,000 plants may be raised which are ready for planting out at a year old, when they average 8-10 inches in height. The tree appears to grow rapidly on most soils, succeeding even on hot shallow chalk downs in Sussex. Planted close it forms clean stems free from branches to a considerable height, as may be seen in a mixed plantation at Enys, in Cornwall. A grove in the Phoenix Park, 19 years planted, has trees ranging from 40 to 55 feet in height (Plate XVII. Fig. 3). Another valuable tree of the Pacific Coast region is Zsuga Alvertiana, which produces natural seedlings in many places where it. has been introduced. It appears to be a very vigorous and healthy species, which can be used for under- planting and in mixture with larch and other valuable timber trées, as a fast-growing soil-improver. Pinus ponderosa has never been tried as a forest tree in this country. Individual specimens in the southern half of England, as at Arley Castle and Bayfordbury, have grown about as fast and as tall as Corsican pine, attaining about too feet in height and 8 to ro feet in girth, in 70 or 80 years. If tried, the seed might be obtained from stations in Washington, west of the Cascade Mountains. Pinus muricata grows in northern California in situations described as ‘“water-soaked sandy plains, covered with heath plants.” It might be tried on peat bogs, though their afforesta- tion had better not be attempted at present, seeing that a large VOL. XXIX. PART II. L 162 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. quantity of land much better suited for planting is available in most districts. The two species of Segwoca grow extremely fast in suitable situations in these islands, but the quality of the timber produced does not justify their employment on an extensive scale. Of the silver firs of the Pacific Coast region, Adies grandis is decidedly the most promising, surpassing even the Douglas fir in rapidity of growth. At Avondale, it is less subject to spring frosts than the common European species. Mr Crozier states that at Durris, in Kincardineshire, it has been free from all trace of disease (chermes, etc.), producing a great volume of soft, white timber available for box-making. It may be useful in situations unsuitable for Douglas fir or larch. For explanation see text, p. 187. [Zo face page 186. CANKER OF SCOTS PINE CAUSED BY DASYSCYPHA SUBTILISSIMA. 187 We desire to thank Messrs J. Murray and Mowat who have kindly forwarded specimens of the fungus. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Fic. 1. Photograph of stem of Pinus sylvestris showing cankered area and fructifications of Dasyscypha subtilissima, Cke., about half natural size. », 2. Photograph of side view of specimen seen in Fig. 1 about half natural size. », 3- Photograph of part of cankered area showing (a) ascigerous and (0) conidial fructifications of Dasyscypha subtilissima, Cke. ( x about 3). », 4. Ascus of Dasyscypha subtilissima, Cke. (x 400), . Ascus of Dasyseypha Willkommiz, Hartig (x 400). . Median longitudinal section of conidial fructification of Dasyscypha Ssubtelisstma, Cke. (x 28). ; », 7- Conidiophores and conidia of Dasyscypha subtilissima, Cke. (x about II00). lopment 31. The Two Rust Diseases of the Spruce.! (With Plate.) : By A. W. BorTHwick, D.Sc., Advisory Officer for Forestry to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and Matcotm WitLson, D.Sc., F.L.S., Lecturer in Mycology in the University of Edinburgh. CHRYSOMYXA RHODODENDRI, De Bary. The Spruce Blister Rust, Rust of Rhododendrons. Chrysomyxa Rhododendri was first recorded in Britain by D, A. Boyd in June 1913, who discovered the uredospore and teleutospore stages on Rhododendron hirsutum at Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire. Shortly afterwards, in October 1913, material of the aecidial stage of the fungus on /cea excelsa was sent for identification to one of the writers from the south-west of Scotland, and its discovery was recorded in the Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh in June 1914.? The life-history of this species was first described in 1879 by De Bary,? who showed that the forms previously known as Aecidium abtetinum and Uredo Rhododendri were stages in the 1 Reprinted from /Vofes of the Royal Botanic Garden, No. xli., 1915. ? Proc. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. xxvi., p. xxxili., 1913-14. 3 Bot. Zett., Bd. xxxvii., p. 761, 1879. 188 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, development of one species to which he assigned the present name. This species is found frequently in the Alps wherever the Alpine Rose (Rhododendron hirsutum and R. ferrugineum) occurs. The yellow clusters of uredospores are developed in September on the lower surface of the leaves and also on the bark of the shoots of the previous year. The uredospores are oval in form and are produced in chains; they may further propagate the disease on the rhododendron. Slightly later the development of the teleutospores commences, and in the following spring the sori appear as small dark red cushions on the lower surface of the leaf. The teleutospores are formed close together in groups covered by the epidermis, and each spore consists of a series of superimposed cells. A section of a mature sorus is shown in Plate XX. Fig. 1. Immediately before germination the epidermis is ruptured and the terminal cell of the teleutospore, the only one capable of germination, gives rise to a four-celled pro- mycelium, each cell of which produces a sporidium. The sporidia are set free in June, and if they alight on the young leaves of the spruce may cause infection. A well-developed mycelium is produced in the leaf, and the infected area becomes yellow in colour. In some cases almost the whole of the leaf is infected, but generally the fungus is confined to certain zones and the remaining portions retain their normal green colour. As a result of infection small yellow spermogonia are first produced, and these are soon followed by the aecidia. Each aecidial sorus is surrounded by a long white pseudoperidium which, in the early stages, completely encloses the spores. The aecidio- spores are arranged in chains and are produced from the base of the aecidium ; they are orange-yellow in colour. At maturity the pseudoperidium breaks down at its apex and allows the aecidiospores to escape as a powdery orange-yellow mass, Before dehiscence the pseudoperidium has the form of a cylinder terminated by a rounded cone and possesses a yellow tint due to the colour of the enclosed spores. After the spores are shed the form is that of an open cylinder and the pseudoperidium is perfectly white. The aecidiospores are distributed by the wind, and if they alight on the leaves of the rhododendron are capable of producing infection. The material of the aecidial stage of the fungus was obtained THE TWO RUST DISEASES OF THE SPRUCE. 189 in October, some time after its maturity, and the greater part of the spores had already been shed. An examination showed that in addition to the aecidia small yellow spermogonia are present. The number of aecidia present on a leaf varies. Fig. 2 is from a photograph of a leaf bearing two pseudo- peridia; several other aecidia were present, but the pseudo- peridia surrounding them had fallen away. The pseudoperidium consists of a single layer of thick-walled pitted cells with strongly verrucose walls (see Fig. 3. in which the upper cells are shown in surface view and the lower in optical section). The aecidio- spores are subglobose or ellipsoid, usually with a somewhat flattened side 20-24 x 20-23 yp in size. The wall is strongly verrucose and pitted except at the flattened portion; Fig. 4 shows a spore in surface view, and Fig. 5 one in optical section. The peculiar flattening of the aecidiospore depends on its method of development. Numerous rows of cells are produced in the young aecidium, and in each row only every alternate cell gives rise to a spore. The intermediate cells which do not produce spores remain thin-walled and at maturity become gelatinous and almost disappear. ‘The flattened part of the wall of the aecidiospore is the portion which was originally in contact with the intermediate cell below it, and, in some cases, the shrivelled remains of this cell are still attached and may be seen as a black line when the aecidiospore is seen in optical section (Fig. 5). In districts where the spruce does not occur it is probable that the fungus: may exist through the winter in the form of hibernating uredospores, which, in the following spring, can infect the rhododendron ; it appears therefore that the presence of the spruce is not essential to the continued existence of the fungus. The aecidial stage on the spruce, however, can only exist where the rhododendron is present, as the infection of the needles is only brought about by the sporidia. Since this is the case, the removal of the rhododendron will completely check the disease. It appears, therefore, that the spread of the disease on the spruce will be limited in this country since Rhododendron hirsutum and R. ferrugineum, although frequent in parks and gardens, are not usually grown in plantations. The fungus has been found on &. dahuricum, but does not attack R. ponticum, R. catawbierse, nor their hybrids, which are so commonly grown. I90 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. The effect of the disease on the rhododendron is not serious ; on the spruce the diseased needles fall in the summer of infection, and in severe cases the trees may be almost stripped of foliage. CHRYSOMYXA ABIETIS, Wallr. The Needle Rust of the Spruce. Chrysomyxa abietis was first recorded in Scotland by Somer- ville,! from Durris near Aberdeen, and, writing in January 1915,” the same investigator stated that up to that time he had received no further reports of its occurrence. A quantity of the fungus was recently obtained from Aberdeenshire, and in view of the omission of this species from recent works on British Uredinez, as well as of its importance as a disease of the spruce, further inquiries as to its distribution in Scotland have been made. Professor Trail has _ kindly forwarded the following information :— ‘‘Tt is not more than six or seven years ago that I first observed Chrysomyxa abietis in Aberdeenshire, and it is probable that the fungus has only recently made its appearance in the north of Scotland. I have seen trees attacked by the disease in the Monymusk and Farland districts. The disease is now also very common in the spruce woods on the banks of the Findhorn, where it was first noted some three or four years ago by Mr William Watt, Assistant Forester on the Moray estates. When the infected trees in this locality are standing singly and foliaged to the ground, only the leaves on the lower branches are as yet attacked.” Mr P. Leslie, Lecturer in Forestry at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, informs us that Chrysomyxa abietis is stated to be quite common on the Novar estate, Ross-shire.’ It is evident, therefore, that the disease is spreading to a consider- able extent. Chrysomyxa abietis, which is widely spread in Switzerland and Germany, is an autoecious species completing its life-history on the spruce. It differs from C. Rhododendri in producing only one kind of spore, the teleutospore. The hibernating teleutospores germinate about May and produce sporidia which 1 Quart. Journ. Forestry, vol. v., p. 277, 1911. 2 Quart, Journ. Forestry, vol. ix., p. 68, 1915. 5 In material from Novar the Chrysomyxa abietis is itself attacked by the parasitic fungus Darluca Filum, Cost. Further investigations will be carried out to determine how far it is possible to check the ravages of the disease by inoculation with this parasite. THE TWO RUST DISEASES OF THE SPRUCE. IgI infect the young leaves of the spruce. An abundant intercellular mycelium is developed in the tissue of the leaf which sends haustoria into the cell cavities. The hyphz contain numerous yellow oil-drops, and in consequence yellow bands appear on the leaf. Soon afterwards teleuto-sori are produced which take the form of elongated yellow cushions on both the under surfaces of the leaf (Fig. 6). During the winter the sori are covered, but in the following spring the epidermis is ruptured and the teleutospores project as an orange-yellow mass (Fig. 7). Each teleutospore is cylindrical and consists of 8-12 superimposed cells of which only the terminal one produces a promycelium (Fig. 8). At about the middle of May the sorus becomes brighter yellow and the promycelia grow out. Each produces four small spherical sporidia, which become easily detached and are distributed by the wind. When the sporidia have been shed, the sorus loses its bright colour and shortly afterwards the diseased leaf falls. On coming into contact with the young needles of the spruce the sporidium produces a germ tube which bores through the epidermis and so brings about infection. It frequently happens that certain spruces in a wood remain free from the disease, while others are badly attacked. This may be explained by the fact that infection of the young leaves only takes place at a certain stage in their development; trees which are in a backward condition when the sporidia are ripe are not infected, while at the same time others may have passed the susceptible stage and thus escape the disease. As a result of the attack the infected leaves die and fall from the tree, and thus a considerable defoliation may take place. The disease, however, usually fails to maintain itself through a long series of years on any one tree, and in consequence felling is not desirable. In the last issue of the Quarterly Journal of Forestry (ix., 1915, p. 253), which we have just received on going to press, Dr Somerville states that on April 21st specimens of spruce branches badly attacked by Chrysomyxa abdietis were sent to him by Mr Neil MacGregor, Bridge of Dye, Banchory, Kincardineshire. The specimens were from trees about 20 years old which were planted under old larch and Scots pine, and were situated about 7 miles from the nearest part of the Durris woods, in which Dr Somerville discovered the disease in rgrt. 192 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. We desire to thank Professor Trail and Mr. P. Leslie, M.A., B.Sc., who have kindly supplied information as to the distribution of Chrysomyxa abtetis. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Fics. 1-5 refer to Chrysomyxa Rhododendri ; Figs. 6-8 to Chrysomyxa abzetzs. Chrysomyxa Rhododendri. Fic, 1. Photograph of transverse section of leaf of Rhododendron hirsutum bearing teleuto-sorus. x about 126. »» 2. Photograph of leaf of Picea exce/sa bearing two aecidia. x 3.5. . Part of pseudoperidium ; the upper cells are shown in surface view, the lower in optical section. x 48o. ,, 4. Aecidiospore seen in surface view. x 960. 5» 5- Aecidiospore seen in optical section. x 960. - . Go Chrysomyxa abietis. Fic. 6. Photograph of leaves of Picea exce/sa bearing teleuto-sori. x 3}. 5, 7+ Photograph of transverse section of leaf of Picea exce/sa bearing two teleuto-sori. x57. ,, 8. Two teleutospores. x about 192. 32. The Great War. LHE SOCIETY'S ROLE, OF HONOUSS NAMES OF MEMBERS, SO FAR AS KNOWN, WHO HAVE JOINED THE COLOURS. ABERCROMBY, Sir George William, Forglen, Turriff. Captain, 8th (Service) Black Watch, A.D.C. to General Sir Charles Fergusson, 2nd Army Corps. AvkIN, B. C., Emmanuel College, Cambridge. 2nd Lieutenant, Army Service Corps. ALLISON, Thomas, Solicitor and Factor, Fort William. Captain, 4th Cameron Highlanders (T.) (killed). BaILuik, Lieutenant-Colonel A. C., D.S.O., Factor, etc., Kirklands, Melrose. 2/2.Lovat Scouts. BINNING, The Lord, C.B., M.V.O., Mellerstain, Kelso. Colonel, 1/1 Lothians and Border Horse. Buiack, Robert, 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Lieutenant, 2/5 Royal Scots. PLATE mpl dU reo 20° Sco esyonsoer® Ye PLATE XX. Chrysomyxa Rhododendri 6-8 Ch. Abietis —5 l THE GREAT WAR. 193 Bortuwick, Henry, Borthwick Castle, Gorebridge. Lieutenant, 5th Scottish Rifles. Bropte, Ian, of Brodie, Brodie Castle, Forres. Major, 2 Lovat Scouts. BuRNLEY-CAMPBELL, Colin W., Ormidale, Colintrave. 2nd Lieutenant, 3rd (Res.) A. and S. Highlanders (killed). Butrar, Fernie Louden, Forestry Student, 7 Linkfield, Musselburgh. Private, gth Royal Scots. CapDELL, John Macfarlane, M.B., Lieutenant-Colonel,. Indian Medical Service (Ret.), Foxhall, Kirkliston. Major, R.A.M.C., 10th (Res.) Royal Scots. CAMERON, Donald Walter, of Lochiel, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge. Colonel, 5th (Lochiel’s) Cameron Highlanders. CARRUTHERS, Major Francis John, of Dormont, Lockerbie. King’s Own Scottish Borderers. CAVERHILL, W. R., Factor, The Glen, Innerleithen. S.Q.M.S. Lothians and Border Horse. , CuRistiz, Thomas, Nurseryman, Rosefield Nurseries, Forres. 6th Seaforth Highlanders. CLERK, Sir George James Robert, Bart., of Penicuik, Midlothian. Captain, Royal Scots Depot, Glencorse. CuInTON, The Lord, Fettercairn House, Fettercairn. Lieutenant- Colonel, 2nd Royal North Devon Hussars. Cook, Melville Anderson, Assistant Forester, Glamis, Forfarshire. Sergeant, 5th Black Watch (T.). Cowan,‘ Henry Hargrave, Seafield Estates Office, Cullen. 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Highland Brigade, R.F.A. (T.). Craic, Sir Archibald Gibson, Bart. of Riccarton, Currie (killed). CRAwFoRD, The Earl of, Balcarres, Fife; 7 Audley Square, London, W. Private, R.A.M.C. Da.Housik, The Earl of, Brechin Castle, Forfarshire. Lieutenant, 2nd Scots Guards (wounded). Drummonp, A. Hay, of Cromlix, Dunblane. Colonel, 6th Black Watch. Durr, James, Forester, Balboughty, Perth. Army Service Corps. Dunpar, John Christie Flockhart, Factor, Crathes Castle, Crathes. Captain, 7th Gordon Highlanders (wounded). E.uice, Captain Edward Charles, of Invergarry. Grenadier Guards. FaicHney, John, Forester, Blythswood, Renfrew. Private, 6th A. and S. Highlanders. VOL. XXIX. PART II. N 194 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. FitzwitLiiam, The Earl of, Wentworth, Rotherham. FLAHERTY, Ewen C., Assistant Forester, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Private, 3rd Scottish General Hospital, R.A.M.C. FLETCHER, J. Sydney, 13 Braidburn Terrace, Edinburgh. Private, Malay State Volunteer Rifles. FOTHRINGHAM, W. Steuart, of Murthly, etc. Colonel, 2nd Scottish Horse. Fow.er, Sir John Edward, Bart. of Braemore. Captain and Adjutant, 4th Seaforth Highlanders (T.) (killed). Fraser, Alexander, Solicitor and Factor, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Northern Branch, 63 Church Street, Inverness. Colonel, 4th Cameron Highlanders (T.) (killed). FRASER, James, B.Sc.(Agr.), Lecturer in Forestry, West of Scotland Agricultural College, Glasgow. Private, 14th A. and S. Highlanders. FRASER, John Cameron, Assistant Forester, Innerbuist Cottage, Stormontfield, Perth. Scottish Horse. FRASER-T'YTLER, James Francis, of Woodhouselee, W.S., 22 Young: Street, Edinburgh. Captain, 1 Lovat Scouts. GILBERT, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Midhope Castle, Hopetoun, South Queensferry. Private, 15th Divisional Cycling Corps. GRAHAM, James, Marquis of, Brodick Castle, Arran. Commander of the R.N. Volunteer Reserve, Clyde Division, and Competent Naval Authority for a part of the West of Scotland. Grant, Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur, D S.O., House of Monymusk,. Aberdeen. 5th Gordon Highlanders (T.) (wounded). Grant, Donald, Forester, Fersit, Tulloch, Inverness-shire. Corporal, 4th Cameron Highlanders (killed). GreiG, Robert Blyth (Hon.) M.Sc., LL.D., Member of Board: of Agriculture, 29 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. Captain, 15th (Service 1st Edinburgh) Royal Scots. | GrirritH, Sir Richard Waldie, of Hendersyde Park, Kelso. Lieutenant-Colonel, 2/4 King’s Own Scottish Borderers. GuTHRIE, Charles, Assistant Forester, The Biggins, Keir Estate, Dunblane. Private, rst Scottish Horse. Hatt, Thomas, Superintendent of Public Park, 2 Vicarland Road, Cambuslang. Private, 6th Highland Light Infantry. Hamitton, The Lord, of Dalzell, K.T., C.V.O., Dalzell House,. Motherwell. Captain, 1st Scots Guards. THE GREAT WAR. 195 Harrison, Alexander, C.A., 3 Napier Road, Edinburgh. Lieutenant, 7th Royal Scots. Hay, Malcolm V., of Seaton, Seaton House, Aberdeen. Captain, 1st Gordon Highlanders (prisoner). HinckeEs, Ralph T., of Foxley, Hereford. Captain, 1/2 Hereford- shire Regiment. Hopkinson, Andrew Douglas, B.Sc.(Agr.), Lecturer in Forestry, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Gordon Highlanders (wounded). HopkINson, James Garland, Factor, Drumtochty Estates Office, 11A Dee Street, Aberdeen. Captain, 4th Gordon Highlanders. HowarpD DE WALDEN, Baron, The Dean, Kilmarnock. Major, Westminster Dragoons. InnEs, Alexander B., of Raemoir and Dunnottar, Raemoir House, Banchory. Lieutenant, 7th Gordon Highlanders (killed). Irvine, Alexander Forbes, J.P., B.A.(Oxon.), Drum Castle, Aberdeen. Corporal, zoth Royal Fusiliers. Jack, David, Assistant Forester, The Park, Guildtown, Perth- shire. Private, 3rd Black Watch. KINNAIRD, The Master of, ro St James Square, London (killed). Lamincton, The Lord, G.C.M.G., Lamington. Lieutenant- Colonel, Lanarkshire Yeomanry. LEATHER, Major Gerard F. T., Middleton Hall, Belford, Northumberland. 1/5 Northumberland Fusiliers. LESCHALLAS, Major John Henry Pigé, Glenfinart, Ardentinny. 4th A. and S. Highlanders. Lesuiz, Archibald Stewart, W.S., 33 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Major, 2nd Scottish Horse. LinLiTHGow, The Marquess of, Hopetoun House, South Queens- ferry. Lieutenant, Lothians and Border Horse. Locan, Rev. Innes, M.A., United Free Manse, Braemar. Chaplain, 4th Class (Captain) R.F.A. LovaT, The Lord, K.T., C.B., D.S.O., Beaufort Castle, Beauly. Brigadier-General, Highland Mounted Brigade. LUKE, Nicol, Forester, Cairndow, via Inveraray. Corporal, 8th A. and S. Highlanders. MacatpineE-Leny, Major R. L., of Dalswinton. 16th Lancers. M‘Catium, D., Assistant Forester, The Groan Cottages, Logie- almond, Perth. Highland Cycle Battalion. Macpona.p, Arthur J., Assistant Forester, Stormontfield Road, Scone. Highland Cycle Battalion. 196 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. MacDonatp, Donald R., Assistant Forester, Pitcairngreen, Almondbank, by Perth. Lovat Scouts. MacpbonaLpD, The Hon. Godfrey Evan Hugh, Factor, Macdonald Estates Office, Skye. Scots Guards (killed). MacponaLp, John Ronald M., of Largie, M.A., D.L., J.P., Largie Castle, Tayinloan, Kintyre. Red Cross Orderly in a French Military Hospital. M‘Ewan, W., Assistant Forester, Innerbuist Cottage, Stormontfield, Perth. Scottish Horse. MackKENzIk, Lieutenant-Colonel A. F., of Ord, Ord House, Muir of Ord. roth A. and S. Highlanders. MAacKENzIE, Evan North Barton, Kilcoy Castle, Kuillearnan. Captain, Lovat Scouts. Mackenzik, Nigel Blair, Factor, Fort William. Captain, 4th Cameron Highlanders (wounded). M‘LEAN, James Smith, Forester, Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire. Lance-Corporal, 4th Scottish Rifles. MacRae-GitstrapP, John, of Ballimore. Lieutenant-Colonel, 11th (Service) Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). MAxweELL, Aymer, Yr. of Monreith, Port William, Wigtownshire. Lieutenant-Colonel, Collingwood Battalion, First Brigade, Royal Naval Division (killed). MAXWELL, Wellwood, of Kirkennan. Major, 3/5 King’s Own Scottish Borderers. MitnE-Home, David William, of Wedderburn, Caldra, Duns. Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Garrison Artillery. Minto, The Right Hon. The Earl of, Minto House, Hawick. Lieutenant, Scots Guards. MoncreEIFFE, Sir R. D., Bart. of Moncreiffe. Colonel, 6th Black Watch. MorcGan, John, Assistant Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock. Corporal, 7th Royal Scots Fusiliers. Mowat, William, Assistant Forester, Innerbuist Cottage, Stormont- field, Perth. Scottish Horse. Murray, William, of Murraythwaite, Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire. NeELson, John Ross, Assistant Forester, North Stables, Kelburn, Fairlie. Private, 4th Cameron Highlanders. NELson, Thomas Arthur, of Achnacloich. Lieutenant, Lothians and Border Horse. Norris, Henry, E. Du C., Agent Basildon Park, Reading. Major, Royal Naval Division. THE GREAT WAR. 197 Pitummer, C. H. Scott, of Sunderland Hall. Major, 2/1 Lothians and Border Horse. PRINGLE, James Lewis, of Torwoodlee, J.P., D.L., B.A, Torwoodlee, Galashiels. Captain, Lothians and Border Horse. Ratston, Claude, Factor, Estates Office, Glamis. Captain, 5th Black Watch. Rerp, Alexander, T., Milldeans, Star, Markinch. Lance-Corporal, 7th Seaforth Highlanders. REID, James, jun., Probationer, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Private, 5th (Lochiel’s) Cameron Highlanders. Rerp, Robert Matelé, Thomanean, Milnathort. Captain, 3/7 A. and S. Highlanders. RitcuHi£, Charles Ronald, W.S., 37 Royal ‘Terrace, Edinburgh. Lieutenant, Lowland Mounted Brigade, A.S.C. Rosertson, Andrew, Assistant Forester, Dean Road, Kilmarnock. Private, 7th Seaforth Highlanders. Rosertson, George, Foreman Forester, Budby, Ollerton, Newark, Notts. Private, 1st Sherwood Foresters. Rosser, The Earl of, Birr Castle, Birr. Major, 1st Irish Guards (wounded). ROxBURGHE, The Duke of, K.T., M.V.O., Floors Castle, Kelso. Lieutenant, Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) (wounded). Scott, John A., Forester, The Gardens, Knockbrex, Kirkcudbright. Private, 6th (Service) King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Scott, Andrew, Assistant Forester, Keir. Private, 6th Black Watch. Spiers, Thomson B., Assistant in Timber Yard, 4 Warriston Crescent, Edinburgh. Lothians and Border Horse. Sprot, Captain Mark, of Riddell, Adjutant, 2/1 Lothians and Border Horse. Starr, The Earl of, Lochinch, Castle Kennedy. Captain, Scots Guards (prisoner in Germany). STraRK, Thomas, Head Forester, Holker, Cark-in-Cartmel, Lancs. Private, 5th King’s Own Royal Lancashire Regiment (T.). STEWART, William, of Shambellie, Kirkcudbrightshire. Captain, toth Black Watch. Strruinc, Archibald, of Keir, President. Colonel, 2 Lovat Scouts. Stirtinc, Thomas Willing, of Muiravonside. Lieutenant- Commander, The Admiralty. 198 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. STRATHARN, Tom Dalrymple, Land Agent, P.A.S.I., Grimeshill. Inns of Court O.T.C. Stuart, Lord Ninian Edward Crichton, M.P., House of Falkland, Fife. Lieutenant-Colonel, 6th The Welsh Regiment. SUTHERLAND, The Duke of, Dunrobin Castle, Golspie. Serving with the British Mission to the Belgian army. Tait, James, Westshiel, Penicuik. Captain, 8th Royal Scots. THREIPLAND, Lieutenant-Colonel W. Murray, Dryburgh Abbey, St Boswells. TipBLE, Ernest Frank, Assistant Forester, Bridgend, Inverkip. 195th Company A.S.C. TULLIBARDINE, The Marquis of, D.S.O., Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. Brigadier-General, Scottish Horse Brigade. Vescl, The Viscount de, D.L., Abbeyleix, Ireland. Captain, Irish Guards. WADDINGHAM, James Hart, Elsham, Grimsby. Bombardier, 2nd Lincolnshire Royal Field Artillery. WaLkeER, Austine Harrington, Chemical Manufacturer, Richmond House, Dullatur, Dumbartonshire. Lance-Corporal, gth H.L.I. (1st Glasgow Highlanders). Warinc, Captain Walter, M.P., of Lennel, Coldstream. Major, 1st Lothians and Border Horse. Watt, William, Assistant Forester, Redstone, Darnaway. Lance- Corporal, 2/1 Scottish Horse. Wuippey, Alan Cecil, Assistant Forester, 11 Lindfield Road, Ealing, W. Private, Royal Berks Regiment (T.). Witson, Adam Frank, C.D.A.(Edin.), 164 Braid Road, Edinburgh. Lieutenant, A.S.C., Scottish Horse Brigade. Witson, Andrew Robertson, M.A., M.D., Hopewell, ‘arland, Aboyne; and Cairnmore, Liscard, Cheshire. Lieutenant- Colonel, R.A.M.C. Commanding 1/3 Welsh Field Ambulance. The List will be continued in the January Zvansactions, and the Secretary will therefore be glad to receive additional names of members serving, with particulars of their rank, battalion, regiment, etc. Corrections on the above List should also be intimated to the Secretary. FOURTH REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS. 199 33. Fourth Report of the Development Commissioners for the year ending 31st March 1o14. The following extracts are taken from the above report as being of special interest to Scottish foresters :— “Fourteen applications falling mainly or entirely under the heads of forestry and afforestation were received during the year 1913-14. The total of the advances for which application was made amounted to £221,000. The Commissioners recommended advances of £91,114 in all. **The measures which can be taken by the State to promote forestry and afforestation fall obviously into two main divisions ; first, provision for improved education, research, and technical advice; and, secondly, afforestation by the State itself, or the giving of pecuniary assistance by the State to other bodies desirous of afforesting land. These two lines of work cannot be dissociated from one another; forestry education, for instance, implies in this country a certain amount of actual afforestation work, both for the practical part of teaching and as a demonstra- tion of the lines on which local authorities and private owners should proceed ; afforestation on any considerable scale requires a trained staff of foresters and woodmen, which is scarcely yet available here in any numbers. “Under the first head (education, research, etc.) the Develop- ment Fund already supports a scheme to provide instruction and advice at five centres in England and Wales (Oxford, Cambridge, Cirencester, Bangor, and Newcastle) and provides also for research work and minor experiments. During the year this scheme has been supplemented by the completion of arrange- ments for the utilisation of Dean Forest and the adjoining woodlands as a demonstration area, at an estimated cost to the Fund of £13,700 for capital expenditure, and £1700 for maintenance. In Scotland, considerable provision was made during rg12-13 for higher forestry instruction at Edinburgh University, by a grant to cover a period of five years. During the past year the financial and other questions relating to the appointment of advisory officers have at length been settled, and the Commissioners have agreed to an advance of £1500 for the salaries and expenses of advisory officers to be attached to the three centres of education at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. 200 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. The main outstanding requirement of a Scotch demonstration area has received much attention from the Commissioners, who were not altogether satisfied with the scheme put before them by the Scottish authorities. They are aware of the importance of this question, and hope that a scheme may shortly be submitted which can be accepted by all parties concerned. . In Ireland where there is little likelihood of private enterprise in this direction, it has been thought best to devote to State afforestation the funds available. * As regards afforestation, the Commissioners pointed out last year that the amount of the Development Fund, in relation to the claims upon it, does not permit the Commissioners to contemplate afforestation upon any large scale, unless it is possible to draw also upon other funds. ‘Excluding the purchase of land, it may be taken that £10 per acre is the minimum expenditure usually required before the planting operations begin to produce returns. As the total amount guaranteed to the Development Fund is £2,900,000 for numerous purposes, of which forestry is only one, it will be clear that the afforestation of even 100,000 acres solely from that Fund is scarcely feasible unless its resources are considerably augmented.’ For this reason, two main lines of action were proposed ; to assist the purchase and planting of experimental and demonstration areas of, perhaps, 5000 acres, in different districts in England and Wales, and to make loans to local authorities already possessing suitable land. ‘The Commissioners are consulting with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on a scheme for acquiring the first experimental area, and they have during the past year succeeded in settling the difficult questions arising out of the most important application for a loan to afforest land which has been made by a local authority. A loan of £25,000 to the Liverpool City Corporation has been recom- mended, for the afforestation of a large part of its water- catchment area at Lake Vyrnwy. ‘The Commissioners hope that now that the first advance of this kind has been settled (it is always the first case of a new problem which causes trouble and delay), it will serve as a precedent for other great municipalities. In Scotland the Commissioners are conferring with the Board of Agriculture on the question whether arrangements can be made to lease land for afforestation from private landowners, on the ~ basis of a division of the ultimate proceeds; they have been FOURTH REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS. 201 advised that loans cannot legally be made from the Development Fund to individual estate-owners to encourage them to place their land under timber. In Ireland they have consented to raise to £40,000 the total sum set aside for the purchase of land for afforestation, and have agreed in principle with the Depart- ment of Agriculture and Technical Instruction on a policy of concentration on areas of not less than 5000 acres. About gooo acres in Ireland have been purchased, and the working-plan has been settled for the first of the areas to be afforested (Ballyhoura in County Cork), and the first instalment paid of a total advance of £31,430 for planting and maintenance. Communications are proceeding for the settlement of the working-plans of two other areas.” Scotland.—“ Provision was made for higher Forestry Education in 1911-12 by a grant of £11,000 (to cover a period of five years) to Edinburgh University, for the joint benefit of students at the University and at the East of Scotland College of Agriculture. During the past year a further step has been taken. A settle- ment has been reached of the differences (mainly on financial questions) between the Commissioners and the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in regard to the Board’s application for a grant for the appointment of forestry officers for advisory, survey and research work, and the Commissioners have recom- - mended a grant of £1500 for the salaries and expenses of three such officers during 1914-15. ‘“‘ Towards the end of the year the Commissioners received an application from the University of Aberdeen for advances of 42500 to pay the salaries of a permanent assistant to the present lecturer, and of an additional lecturer for five years, £2000 for the equipment of a forestry museum and laboratories, and a further sum (from £4000 to £7500) for the building of a forestry class-room, museum and laboratories; they could not, however, see their way to recommend advances on the scale desired, and have asked the University to submit a revised and reduced scheme. “They think that the provision already made for forestry education at Edinburgh (together with further provision to be made at Aberdeen) and the appointment of the three forestry officers will go a great way towards meeting immediate require- ments; but they have always been of opinion that, in addition, a demonstration area should, if possible, be provided for Scottish 202 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. forestry students, as for English. During the past year this subject has received much attention from the Commissioners. Two estates (one in Aberdeenshire and one in Kincardineshire) were brought to their notice as worthy of consideration for the purposes of a national demonstration area; but the Commis- sioners were advised that neither of them is suitable. The Board of Agriculture, however, were disposed to think that the Aberdeenshire estate would be satisfactory, and made provisional application in December last for an advance of £100,000 to meet expenditure on its purchase and equipment. “‘On the whole question the Commissioners have heard the views of the University of Edinburgh, and have conferred repeatedly with representatives of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Forestry. They are now endeavouring to frame a scheme which would render available for forestry demonstration and instruction a large area near the geographical centre of Scotland; and sincerely hope that that scheme, if it can be reduced to a definite and practical shape, will be accepted by all concerned as a reasonable solution of a difficult problem. “They have been in communication during the year with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on another question of importance, viz., the afforestation of privately owned lands. As soon as the ‘test case’ of the afforestation of the Liverpool water-catchment area at Lake Vrynwy is settled! they hope to enter into communication with one or two of the Scotch munici- palities in regard to similar schemes; the Dundee area at Lintrathen in Forfarshire was inspected some time ago and parts of it were reported to be suitable. But they have been advised that advances cannot legally be made from the Development Fund to private individuals to assist them in afforesting their 1 ** Last year the Commissioners gave the terms of a statement which they had issued for the guidance of local authorities who might contemplate applying for State aid in carrying out schemes of afforestation on areas under their control, and mentioned that they had received communications on the subject from several of the great municipalities. With one of these munici- palities, viz. Liverpool, negotiations were well advanced at the commencement of 1913-14, and the Commissioners thought it best to concentrate on the settlement of that scheme, in order that it might serve as a guide for others. The first application of a novel character is bound to raise questions which require time and care; but when they have been settled in one case, the principles on which that case has been decided can more easily be adapted to other schemes of a like character.” FOURTH REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS. 203 land ; and the Commissioners have, therefore, been compelled to consider an alternative plan, under which land could be leased by a suitable executive authority from the owner, and afforested with assistance from the Development Fund. The question of the authority to work out and execute such schemes (the Commissioners themselves having no executive power) now requires a solution, which they hope will be found shortly. They trust that in the event of this obstacle being overcome, private landowners will be willing to share the financial burden and risk of afforesting their land, by letting it on what may be called a proceed-sharing lease instead of payment of a fixed rent from the beginning of the lease. It is clear that if a landowner himself starts afforesting his land, he loses for many years any grazing rent which he has previously received for the part afforested. The object of a proceed-sharing arrangement is to defer payment for the use of the land till the proceeds of the afforestation accrue, and thereby set free for actual afforestation that part of the limited resources of the Fund which would otherwise have to be devoted not to planting but to the acquisition of land preliminary to planting. It is possible also by lease to select only land suitable for afforestation, whereas a purchase scheme must almost always include land more fitted for agricultural or other purposes. “One minor matter may be mentioned in conclusion. The Distress Committee of the City of Glasgow applied for a grant of £640 for the afforestation of about 80 acres of their estate at Palacerigg. After an inspection of the area by one of the Commissioners, they came to the conclusion that the site does not lend itself to a practical scheme of afforestation. The Distress Committee have since submitted another scheme, which was being considered at the close of the year, for the reclamation and development of parts of the Palacerigg estate by means of shelter belts.” 204 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. NOTES -AND QUERIES: APPOINTMENT FOR Hon. EDITorR. (With Portrait.) The members of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society will learn with interest that the Hon. Editor of the Transactions, Dr A. W. Borthwick, has been appointed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, with the approval of the Secretary for Scotland and H.M. Treasury, to be their Advisory Officer for Forestry in succession to the late Dr John Nisbet. Dr Borthwick, who has acted as Hon. Editor since the death of Col. Bailey at the end of 1912, was educated at the Madras College, St Andrews, and the University of St Andrews, where he took high places in botany and mathematics and obtained the degree of B.Sc. Subsequently he proceeded to Bavaria, where he remained for three years, and passed with distinction through a complete theoretical and practical course of forestry. On his return to this country he was appointed in 1899 assistant to the Professor of Botany and Lecturer in Plant Physiology in the University of Edinburgh, an appointment which he held until, in 1908, he took up the post of Lecturer in Forest Botany. In 1904 he obtained the degree of D.Sc., and in 1905 was appointed Lecturer in Forestry in the East of Scotland College of Agriculture. During his long period of work at the Royal Botanic Garden as assistant to the Professor and Lecturer in Forestry and Forest Botany there, Dr Borthwick devoted himself especially to those aspects of botany which have a bearing upon forestry, and most of the numerous special pieces of research which he undertook were concerned with problems connected with the normal and abnormal growth of trees. During the period of his residence in Edinburgh Dr Borthwick has taken a conspicuous part in the work of the scientific societies dealing with the various aspects of botany and forestry, and, as the members know, has been especially active as a member of the Council of this Society. Since 1903 he has been Hon. Consulting Cryptogamist, and in 1909 he acted as guide in the Society’s excursion to the forests of Bavaria. His contributions to the Zransactions have been numerous, and his work as judge of exhibits at the Society’s exhibitions and in connection with the competitions for Estate Nurseries and PATE XO: A. W. BorTHWICcK, D.Sc. By kind permission of the Proprietors of the North British Agriculturist. [Zo face page 204. NOTES AND QUERIES, 205 Plantations has always been very highly appreciated. He has also been frequently consulted by proprietors of forestry estates in regard to the management of their plantations, and in this way has acquired a wide knowledge of the conditions under which successful silvicultural operations can be carried out in Scotland. His new appointment should greatly promote the cause of forestry in the country. kG, EXcuRSION, EXHIBITION, AND NURSERY AND PLANTATION COMPETITIONS. The Council, after careful consideration of all the circum- stances, came to the conclusion that it would be advisable to abandon the excursion this year. The directors of the Highland and Agricultural Society having also decided to postpone their show, this necessarily implied the postponement of this Society’s annual exhibition of forestry. The competitions for estate nurseries and plantations, while not so dependent as the exhibition on the show, were closely identified with it, as the competitions were always confined to the area of the show, and the Council accordingly decided that they also should be postponed, so as to keep them in the same rotation with the show and the exhibition. The Council regret very much this temporary interruption of part of the Society’s work owing to the war, and they hope that those who had been making preparations for this year will reserve them for the future. JAPANESE LARCH. I have read some interesting reports in your Zyamsactions on the growth of Japanese larch as compared with British, but I have not seen any discussion on the merits of the two timbers compared. I now beg to forward you some figures which I think may be of interest to some of your readers, and I enclose copy of report made to me by one of the biggest iron mines in Cumberland. These tests were carried out with common and Japanese larch 13 years old, grown on the same ground, and I think you will agree with me that there is no com- parison whatever between the two timbers. The tests, which 206 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. were carried out on the two species of larch were identical with the tests to which all timber used by the mine is subjected, and I can vouch for the accuracy of the figures, which may, I think, be looked on as conclusive as to the inadvisability of planting Japanese larch on a big scale commercially. As an ornamental tree I have not a word to say against the species, in fact it will out-grow the common larch by inches in a year. Please note that I do not wish to put forward my views as to the Japanese larch, but simply to state facts. I myself have been a planter for some years in this country and in the East, and my father and grandfather and many of my relations have been planters in this country on fairly extensive lines for a great many years. ‘* Report on the comparative strength and durability of 13- year-old Japanese and European larch carried out by the timber tester at Hodbarrow mine, Cumberland, at the pit head, 24th May 1915. “The pieces of larch were each placed on supports 4 ft. 6 ins. apart, and subjected to gradual pressure at the centre by means of a screw, having a pitch of half an inch, turned by four men at the end of a lever— Test No. 1.—Japanese larch, 6 x 5 ins. Broke at 2} turns =1 deflection. Test No. 2.—English larch, 6 x 5 ins. Broke at 44 turns = 2} deflections. Test No. 3.—Japanese larch, 7} ins. diameter over bark. Cracked at 6 turns = 3 deflections. Broke at 8turns =4 Test No. 4.—English larch, 7} ins. diameter over bark. Cracked at 14 turns=7 deflections. Broke at 154 turns = 7# A Test No. 5.—Japanese larch, 8? ins. diameter over bark. Cracked at 6 turns = 3 deflections. Broke at 7 turns =34 5 Test No. 6.—English larch, 8} ins. diameter over bark. Cracked at 12 turns = 6 deflections. Broke at 16 turns =8 a “In all the above tests the nature of the fracture was greatly in favour of the European larch, the Japanese larch broke PLATE XXII. SITKA SPRUCE AT MounT MELVILLE, ST ANDREWS. DouGLAS Fir ar Mount MELVILLE, St ANDREWS. [Zo face page 200. PEATE, XXIII. Fic. 1. LOADING THE TIMBER TROLLEY. = Fic. 2. THE TROLLEY LOADED. NOTES AND QUERIES. 207 shorter and did not show the toughness of fibre exhibited by the European larch.” I vouch for the accuracy and dona fides of these measurements. JAMEs MARSHALL, MounNrT CONISTON. SITKA SPRUCE AND DoucLas Fir at Mount MELVILLE. (With Plate.) I am sending you two photographs (Plate XXII.), one of Douglas fir and one of Sitka spruce growing on the estate of Mount Melville, St Andrews. Planted in the spring of 1911 as 2-year 1-year they were inserted by the notch system, and have, I think, done remarkably well. Last year’s growths have in many instances reached 44 feet, and not a few of the young trees of both sorts are over to feet high. There are about 2 acres—adjoining—in each section, both of which, as regards soil, situation, etc., are in exactly similar conditions. The plantation is about 300 feet above sea-level, on sloping ground facing south and south-east, and fairly well sheltered. The soil for most part is rather shallow and rests on boulder clay. Wo. GILCHRIST. TIMBER REMOVING. (With Flate.) The removal of timber from awkward places in the forest and policies is very often a difficult operation, and one which calls for great care and consideration on the part of the forester or timber merchant. The method of transport adopted, while involving the smallest possible outlay, should be such that the minimum amount of damage is likely to be done to the roads, walks and grass of the policies. The writer has had five years of forestry experience in England, and has during this time used with success a small trolley or bogey. The trolley consists of two low, broad wheels upon which rests a bolster with a pole attached. When the trolley is loaded, the root end of the tree to be removed rests on the bolster, while the small end trails lightly on the ground behind. 208 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. For the purpose of loading, a runner is placed in position and attached to hooks on the bolster. A horse is used to draw the tree-trunk on to the trolley. For this purpose a chain, attached to the neck of the trolley-pole, is slipped under the log, brought round and finally fastened to the hook of the swing-tree (see Plate XXIII. Fig. 1); the horse then draws the log into position. The chain is now unhooked from the swing-tree and hitched round the log towards the small end. When the hojse, which is next yoked to the trolley, begins to draw, the chain tightens round the log without any racking (Fig. 2). The writer has used the trolley most successfully at Poltalloch, and several timber merchants here and elsewhere have adopted the device with equally successful results. Those used by the writer in England were well finished by an expert cartwright, and cost £10 each; but they can be made in rougher fashion for half this sum, as is the case with those in use here. The following are the part measurements of the trolley :— 1. Breadth of wheel tyres, made up of two 6-inch wide rings . : : 12 inches. 2. The wheels, made of three 4- cceH ene are bolted together, so that the centre of the 6-inch tyre crosses the joint. The writer has substituted round blocks of wood. Diameter of wheel . : . 184 inches. 3. Bolster between wheels (length) : oh les boars 4. Bolster on top . . : ots CAs 5. Depth of bolster between heels - . AO ee 6. Length of pole inserted through bolster including ring at point end . : 7 ae eee 7. Length of square frame on which the pole lies. The writer has substituted different bolster arrangement . ; eee 8. Length of pole for loading, bacladige two hooks which drop into staples on each side of bolster end above wheel . sO aap The breadth of the wheels prevents the breaking-up of ground or grass surface, while since it is low of build the trolley is easily loaded and unloaded. As the root-end of the tree is loaded on the bolster the load is a great deal easier for the horse NOTES AND QUERIES. 209 to draw than it would be otherwise. The expense in removing timber, where the trolley can be suitably worked, is greatly reduced, thereby increasing the value of the timber. ALEXANDER MAcPHERSON. CUCURBITARIA PITHYOPHILA, Fries. In May trg07 I found a parasitic fungus on stems and branches of living Scots pine in a plantation near Inver (Torvald Wood) on the Dunkeld estates. Mr Carleton Rae, of Worcester, to whom specimens were sent for identification, named it Cucurbitaria pithyophila, Fries., but could not at the time tell whether it was British or not. Tubeuf and Smith mention this fungus as occurring on the living branches of various conifers, e.g. Pinus Cembra, but do not say that it had been found in Britain,} Since 1907 the fungus has also been found in the neighbour- ing plantation of Ladywell. The trees in Torvald Wood vary from 30 to 40 years of age, while those in Ladywell Plantation are somewhat older. Both plantations are said to have been made with plants raised from foreign seed, and this is not unlikely, as the trees assume a spruce-like appearance which is not common in the other trees in the locality. The parasite can be seen with the naked eye, and appears as minute, black, globose bodies, closely clustered together in patches 1 to 3 inches long and nearly as much broad. Some- times it forms a ring right round the stem or branch; in other cases it forms a patch at one side. When a stem or branch is ringed by the parasite it soondies. In the case of the stem a new leader may be formed ultimately, or in many cases a fascicle of twigs, resembling the ‘“ Witch’s Broom” which occur on many trees, is produced. When the parasite is confined to one side of the stem or branch, swellings and contortions are produced, and the wood becomes flooded with resin. Indeed, the effects pro- duced resemble those arising from Peridermium pint corticola (Cronartium sp.). Where the parasite has been present the parts attacked have a blackened and scorched appearance. This scorched appearance, 1 Tubeuf and Smith, Déseases of Plants induced by Cryptogamic Parasites, 1897. VOL. XXIX. PART II, oO 210 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. together with the fasciculated and abnormal branching of many trees point to the presence of the parasite even although the fruits (perithecia) may not be found. The Torvald Wood has just been heavily thinned for pitwood, and I find a large proportion of the trees are affected in the manner indicated, and on many the fruits of the parasite are to be found. It might be well for foresters to keep on the outlook for this disease, since it is possible that some of the damage formerly attributed to the ordinary pine blister (Peridermium pint corticola) may be due to this Cucurbitaria pithyophila. CHARLES M‘INTOSH. TIMBER GROWING FOR PROFIT. If all landowners went in for timber growing with the same method and enthusiasm as they give to the raising of agricultural crops, there is no reason why it should not become equally if not more profitable. The great trouble is, they do not or will not regard trees as a crop, but rather look upon them as useful or ornamental objects. The rule is to go into the wood and cut down the tree most suitable for the purpose in hand regardless of the effect that the removal of the said tree may have on its neighbours. This is a big question and would require a lengthy article itself. On this estate a piece of waste land of about 100 acres was taken in hand in the year 1907, for the purpose of forming a plantation. The ground was formerly covered with a mass of heather, rough grasses and rushes with a few scraggy old conifers. The old trees were cut and removed, heather and grass burnt over, the whole area drained and fenced, and 3 feet wire-netting erected. In the spring a quantity of 2-year 2-year Scots pine was purchased from a public nursery and planted out. These proved a failure. In the autumn of that year an estate nursery was made and stocked with 2-year seedlings of the various kinds of conifers. A fresh start was made with the planting of the area in question by putting in four rows of trees as a wind-break all round the margin, in the following order :— First row larch, second row sycamore, third row larch, fourth row beech. The altitude runs from 600 feet above sea-level at the lowest point, up to 950 feet at the top of the ridge, and has a NOTES AND QUERIES. 2IL north-west aspect. The plants used were 2-year 2-year Scots pine with a slight mixture of birch on the higher ground, and on the lower reaches Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, and a few Douglas fir. The plants were all notch-planted, and those put in in the spring have done best on the whole. Black game were pretty severe on the Scots pine at first, but after using a mixture of archangel tar and tallow, this trouble was got over. The trees that were disbudded took on rather a bushy appearance, but in the course of the fourth and fifth years they regained their normal shape. A judicious use of the pruning knife at this stage was a great help to them in this direction. Sitka spruce was rather troublesome at first owing to its leading shoot being nipped back by the early frosts, but once it got about 3 feet above the ground line it quite left the common spruce behind. Douglas fir has not done so well. This area was fully stocked in the spring of the present year, and is now doing well. Very little beating up was necessary after using the home nursery plants, and the whole operation cost about 47, tos. per acre. The notch system of planting was the only practical one in the circumstances, and it answered quite well. Gro. Mowat. EMPLOYMENT IN FORESTRY FOR WOMEN AND DISABLED SOLDIJERS. The Council has issued the following circular, copies of which may be obtained on application to the Secretary :— “ A committee of the Council has for some time been co- operating with the Scottish Committee on Women’s Employ- ment in securing employment for women whose ordinary occupations have been interfered with by the war, and already a considerable number of women have been suitably placed on estates in various districts throughout the country. En- couraged by the success which has so far attended the committee’s efforts, the Council has now decided that the committee should also try to find light work for soldiers who, owing to partial disablement, are unable to undertake work of a heavy nature. The work which men who have lost an arm or a leg could do would naturally be somewhat limited in variety, but many other kinds of partial disablement would not present such difficulties, and there are many forms of light 212 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. work associated with forestry which can be quite efficiently done by women and partially disabled men, such as the following :— 1. Bracken cutting and switching on land to be cleared for planting. 2. Planting, or carrying plants to planter. 3. Cleaning young plantations, ¢g. cutting out rank weed growth or weed tree species. . Gathering and burning brushwood on felling areas. . Cutting and bundling birch twigs. . Cutting and bundling hazel rods. Cutting, bundling, and peeling willows. . Seed collection. . Barking and stacking pit props. . Nursery work. 0D OT AN SH (a) Seed cleaning and preparation for sowing. (2) Weeding and hoeing. (c) Lining out. (2) Lifting and sizing plants. “Tn addition to the above, other departments of estate work of a light nature would be suitable, and, under present circumstances, might otherwise be neglected, such as the keeping in order of drives, walks, paths, borders, lawns, parks, and policies. There should also be suitable work in the gardens of places with small or depleted staffs. “The Committee would be glad to have your co-operation in the matter, and to know whether you would be willing to take any workers—men or women—and how many, if they were available, and suitable terms could be arranged; also whether any of the estates in your district would be willing to help in this way.” AFFORESTATION, AND SOLDIERS AND SAILORS RETURNING AT THE END OF THE WAR. The following resolution was passed at the meeting of the Society, held on Wednesday, 14th July 1915 :— “The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, in General Meeting assembled, while recognising that the first duty of the Nation at this time is to do everything in its power to bring the war to a speedy and successful termination, respectfully points NOTES AND QUERIES. 213 out that at the end of the war a large number of soldiers and sailors who return may not be able to resume their former occupa- tions and may desire to find outdoor employment and a comfort- able home in the country, which, under present circumstances, they would not be able to do, and that Afforestation—with which might be advantageously combined. Small Holdings and other Rural Industries —if carried out on a considerable scale in various centres, would afford suitable employment, under healthy conditions, for a large and ever-increasing rural population. The Society therefore, without repeating the now familiar arguments in favour of Afforestation, all of which have been greatly strengthened by events since the war began, respectfully draws the attention of the Government to the urgent need of immediate preparation for the emergency referred to, and suggests that the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, as the body charged with the care of Forestry in this country, should be authorised to prepare schemes of Afforestation on the lines indicated, and should be assured that adequate funds will be provided to put those schemes into operation whenever the war is over, so as to meet the needs of returning soldiers and sailors and others who desire to settle upon the land.” REVIEWS ‘AND NOTICES OF “BOOKS: Chinese Forest Trees and Timber Supply. By NORMAN SHAW, B.A. 351 pp. with a map and 33 illustrations. Price 1os. 6d. net. London and Leipsic: T. Fisher Unwin. This book is a useful compilation of facts derived from correspondence or conversation with missionaries and others, and from a large number of books and articles, of which a comprehensive list is given. As a great part of China is still unexplored by the foreigner, accurate information regarding the state of its forest resources is not available, but on every side there is evidence of centuries of neglect, waste and actual devastation. Manchuria in the north contains large tracts of valuable forests, and several provinces in the south-west have a considerable trade in home timber, but upon the whole China imports one-third of the amount of her timber consumption. In a section devoted to “The Forest Problem,” the writer describes the steps that have 214 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. been taken in countries such as France, India, the Philippine Islands and Japan to deal with their problem, and indicates how the example of these countries might to some extent be applied to Chinese conditions. There is evidence, however, that the Government of China has at last awakened to the importance of the forestry problem. A Department of Agriculture and Commerce, which includes a Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry, has been established ; a School of Agriculture and Forestry has been instituted at Pekin, and a course in forestry is given in a number of agricultural colleges. At Moukden, the capital of Manchuria, a forest school has been in existence since 1907, and the Government has set aside about 25,000 acres for forest- planting in that province. Following the Government’s example, various private owners, and mining and railway companies, have also made some progress with the planting of the lands belonging to them. In addition to other matter, the book contains a general description of the forests in each province, notes on Chinese forest trees, appendices regarding rafts and rafting, and notes on the timbers used by the railways, an index of place names, and a general index. Pocket Register of Woods and Plantations. By James W. Mackay. Published by The County Gentleman’s Associa- tion, Ltd. This little book is of a convenient size for the pocket, and in it columns and spaces are provided whereby notes can be readily jotted down, on the spot, concerning the methods of planting, rate of growth, fencing, etc., together with the cost of these various operations. Spaces are also reserved for records of beating up, cleaning and thinning. If such notes were systematically entered in this little pocket register, they would in time become of considerable interest and value, as the various entries would ultimately give a complete history of the planta- tions to which they refer. Sufficient space is provided for any additional notes which may be found necessary. The principal value of this useful little register lies in the fact that it makes possible the recording of information in its proper place and at the proper time, and in such a form as to be readily available on any future occasion. REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS, 215 The Law of Forestry in Great Britain and Ireland, comprising the Law relating to Trees and the Law relating to Trespass and Game. xlviii+4o0o pp., including index and tables. By BenalAH W. ADKIN, Fellow of the Surveyors’ Institution, etc. Price ros. London: Zhe Estates Gazette, Lid. The author writes in an interesting manner and very fully on the English law on these subjects, and adds short chapters dealing with Scots and Irish law. The book will be very useful to landowners, agents, students and others interested in forestry in England, and also, although in a less degree, to such readers in Scotland and Ireland, while members of the legal profession will welcome it as a valuable addition to their library. A full index and exhaustive table of cases enhance the value of the work. Wood-Pulp and its Uses. By C. F. Cross, E. J. Bevan, and R. W. SINDALL, with the collaboration of W. N. Bacon. xi+270 pp., with 25 illustrations. Price 6s. net. London: Constable & Company, Ltd., rgrr. The above work deals in a very lucid and interesting manner with the highly important industrial subject of wood-pulp. From cover to cover the work contains a great amount of valuable and interesting information concerning an important industry to which we have in the past paid far too little attention. The authors do not claim that the book is an exhaustive monograph of the subject, but they have managed to encompass within remarkably reasonable dimensions a wonderfully complete account, from the theoretical, scientific and industrial points of view, of the constituents of wood and especially of cellulose. To the forester who grows the wood, and to the technological expert whose scientific methods and knowledge enables him to derive materials of the highest industrial importance from that wood, this work will come as a welcome addition to the present literature of the subject. The book touches in many places on the past history of wood- pulp, which is an extremely interesting history; but of equal interest and certainly of greater practical importance is the clear and concise information given regarding the present position of the industries which rely on wood-pulp as their raw material ; and last but not least many suggestive hints are given which indicate possible lines for further investigation, that is, the lines along which future research might be pursued with a view to 216 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. the solution of certain problems which, if once successfully solved, would add very materially to the future prosperity of the industries concerned in the manufacture of wood derivatives. There are great opportunities here for co-operation between the scientist and the manufacturer, and if the book succeeds (as we think it ought to) in one of its objects, namely, that of sustaining and awakening the interest of readers and students, it will have served a purpose of national importance. A very useful biblio- graphy and index are added at the end. The book is well printed and contains many well-reproduced illustrations. OBITUARY. Tue Late Mr Davip W. THomSON. By the death of Mr D. W. Thomson, which occurred on the rtxrth of March last, the Council of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society has lost an esteemed member, and the Edinburgh nursery and seed trade one of its most popular representatives. On leaving school, Mr Thomson served an apprenticeship to gardening under his father, the late Mr David Thomson, at Drumlanrig. He afterwards spent some time in the nurseries of Messrs James Veitch & Sons at Chelsea, and in 1876 he commenced business as a nurseryman and seedsman in Edinburgh. He became a member of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society in 1893, and at the time .of his death was serving his second term of office as a Councillor. He was intimately associated with the horticultural societies in Edinburgh, and at the time of his death was the senior vice-president of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. He was an ex-president of the Scottish Horticultural Association, of which he was one of the original members, and for a number of years was a member of the council of the Horticultural Trades’ Association of Great Britainand Ireland.) He wasalsoa Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society and of the Edinburgh Botanical Society, and amongst bodies outside forestry and horticulture he occupied the position of Moderator of the Holyrood High’ Constables, with whom he had been connected for a number of years. Mr Thomson wasa generous contributor to charitable and other objects connected with forestry and gardening, and personally he was one of the most likeable of men, (z 4 pe 2 Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society, Instituted 16th February 1854. PATRON ? HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING. PROCEEDINGS IN 1914.—Continued. THE GENERAL MEETING. The General Meeting of the Society was held in the Show- yard at Hawick, on Thursday, 16th July 1914, at 2.30 P.M. In the unavoidable absence of the President, Mr CHARLES Bucuanan, Vice-President, was Chairman of the meeting, which was well attended. MINUTES. The CuHairRMAN explained that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting were now in print, and would be circulated along with the Zransactions in the course of next month. The Minutes were accordingly held as read and approved. APOLOGIES. Apologies for absence were intimated from the President ; Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, Honorary Secretary; Sir James Bell of Montgreenan; Mr James Whitton, Glasgow; Mr James Johnstone, Ayr, and others. DeEatTH OF Mr ELIs NILSON. THE CHAIRMAN said he was sure that the members would desire to record in their Minutes the loss which the Society had sustained through the death of Mr Elis Nilson, one of the Foreign Honorary Members of the Society, and a gentleman who was known to many of them by his visits to this country, and who had rendered great service to the Society when the a 38 members visited Sweden in 1902. He explained that the Council had already sent their sympathy to Mrs Nilson, but he thought it right that the members in General Meeting should pass a motion to the effect suggested. This was unanimously agreed to. ; CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The CHAIRMAN explained that as he had expected the President would be present to take the Chair, he had not prepared any remarks for the occasion, but he asked the Secretary to read the following letter which he had received from the President :— 15th July 1914. Dear MR GALLoway, I am very sorry that a bad cold and Soeaaune loss of voice will prevent me from being present at the Society’s meeting at Hawick. However, after the recent Edinburgh meeting, I should have very little to say except to congratulate the Society on the success of its Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The emphatic opinion expressed by our guests (which will no doubt be amplified in the notes which some of them are to send to the Zransactions) should leave no doubt of the prudence of the policy advocated by the Society, and it is to be hoped that the plain speaking from those members of the Society who have been in contact with Government officials and Departments, will lead the public to fix the blame for the absence of progress in the proper quarter. The obstruction with which we are met would needs give way before an insistent popular demand. Unfortunately the voice of country districts is little heard in Parliament as compared with the voice of the industrial population of the towns. Lord Lovat’s plea for the education of our legislators points to the first step towards public demand which could not be denied. Yours very truly, ARCHIBALD STIRLING. JupcEs’ REPORT ON THE Essays. The SECRETARY gave in the awards on the Essays received, as follows :— 1. “Treatment of Forest Crops up to Middle Age.” By ‘‘Do nor PLant a HUNDRED ACRES WHEN YOU CAN ONLY LOOK AFTER Firty.” No Award. a9 2. “Pine Weevil Traps” (illustrated). By Frep W. Law, M.A., B.Sc., 30 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. Award—a No. 2 Silver Medal. 3. “The Pine Beetle.’ By Wittiam S. Nasu, Assistant Forester, Airds Mill, Muirkirk. Award—a No. 3 Silver Medal. 4. “The Various Methods of Working up Underwood.” By E. S. Grant, Head Forester, Bedgebury Park, Goudhurst, Kent. Award—a No. 2 Silver Medal. 5. “On the Fringe of an Old Forest” (with 3 Photographs). By ‘‘WANDERER.” No Award. 6. ‘Removing Timber” (with 3 Photographs). ] | 7. “Protection of Scots Pine against Black Game.” | | 8. ‘Larch Canker” (Dasysevpha Calycina). J By ALEXANDER MAcpHERSON, Forester, Poltalloch, Kilmartin, Argyll. Award—a No. 2 Silver Medal. EXHIBITION AT HAWICK. The SECRETARY explained that the Judges’ awards in these Competitions had already been published in the newspapers, and it was agreed that they should be held as read. The awards were as follows :— Competition No. TI. Specimens of the Timber of Scots Pine (Pinus silvestris). tst Prize, £1, Sir John A. Dewar, Bt., of Dupplin, per James A. Donald. and .,, 15s., The Right Hon. The Earl of Minto, fer Francis Berry. mo :,, tos. The Duke of Buccleuch, fer David Crabbe, Eskdale Estates. Competition No. I. Specimens of the Timber of Norway Spruce (Picea excelsa). 1st Prize, £1, Sir John A. Dewar, Bt. 2nd _ ,, 15s., The Duke of Buccleuch. 6 10os., The Earl of Minto. 40 Competition No. L111. Specimens of the Timber of Larch (Larix europea). 1st Prize, £1, The Earl of Minto. end ,, 15s., Sir John A. Dewar, Bt. pio Rear 1os., The Duke of Roxburghe, fer George Leven. Commended The Duke of Buccleuch. Competition No. LV. Specimens of the Timber of Ash (/raxinus excelsior). rst Prize, £1, The Earl of Minto. and ,, 15s., The Duke of Buccleuch. 1c as tos., Captain Stirling of Keir. Competition No. V. Specimens of the Timber of Oak (Quercus robur). 1st Prize, £1, The Earl of Minto. end<.; 15s... The Duke of Buccleuch. era ec. tos., Captain Stirling of Keir. Commended The Duke of Roxburghe. 55 Captain Palmer Douglas of Cavers, fer J. Leishman. Competition No. VI. Specimens of the Timber of Elm ( Udmus montana). rst Prize, £1, Duke of Roxburghe. 2nd...» 15s., Captain Stirling of Keir. ard. |, 1os., The Earl of Minto. Competition No. VIZ. Specimens of the Timber of any three Coniferous Trees other than the above. A. OPEN SECTION. 1st Prize, £2, 1os., The Duke of Roxburghe. 2nd Prize, #1, 10s., Captain Stirling of Keir. (Douglas Fir, Lawson’s Cypress and lVel/ingtonia gigantea.) 3rd Prize, £1, Sir John A. Dewar, Bt. (Silver Fir, Douglas Fir and Lawson’s Cypress.) _ 4I B. Locat SECTION. £1, The Duke of Roxburghe. “_~ 1st Prize, Competition No. VILL. Specimens of the Timber of any three Broad-Leaved Timber Trees other than the above. A. OPEN SECTION. 1st Prize, £2, 10s., Sir John A. Dewar, Bt. (Spanish Chestnut, Sycamore and Beech.) 2nd Prize, £1, ros., The Duke of Roxburghe. 3rd Prize, £1, The Duke of Buccleuch. B. Locat SEcTION. ist Prize, £1, The Duke of Roxburghe. Competition No. XZ. Gate for Farm Use, manufactured from Home-grown Timber shown in working order (confined to Foresters). James A. Donald, Forester, Dupplin, Perth. No. 1 Silver Medal. Lewis S. Rae, Assistant Forester, Dupplin. No. 1 Silver Medal. D. M‘Millan, Forester, Keir, Dunblane. No. 2 Silver Medal. Competition No. XII. Gate, manufactured from Home-grown Timber, shown in working order. James A. Donald, Forester, Dupplin. No. 1 Silver Medal. W. M. Price, Factor, Minto, Hawick. No. 2 Silver Medal. Francis Berry, Forester, Minto. No. 2 Silver Medal. Captain Sprot of Riddell. No. 3 Silver Medal. Competition No. XILI. Self-closing Wicket Gate made from Home-grown Timber. The Duke of Buccleuch. No. 1 Silver Medal. Competition No. XV. Full-size section of the best Rustic Fence made from Larch or other thinnings. Captain Sprot of Riddell. No. 3 Silver Medal. 42 Competition No. X VIL. Specimens of Stems illustrating the effects of Dense and Thin Crops in Branch Suppression and quality of Timber. Duke of Roxburghe. No. 1 Silver Medal. Captain Sprot of Riddell (2 stems Spruce 4o years old). No. 3 Silver Medal. Competition No. XIX. For a collection of Fungi injurious to Forest Trees and Shrubs. Hugh R. Munro, The Park, Great Witley, Worcester. No. 1 Silver Medal. George Fraser, Midhope, Hopetoun. No. 2 Silver Medal. Andrew Fish, Ladywell Cottage, Kinneil Estate, Bo’ness. No. 3 Silver Medal. Competition No. XXI. For any useful invention or marked improvement on any of the Implements or Instruments used in Forestry. The Duke of Buccleuch (Portable Tramway and Bogies). No. 2 Silver Medal. Robert G. Grant, The Manse, Aberdalgie, Perth (Stump- jack or Root Lifter, with Lever, Chain and Hook). No. 3 Silver Medal. Robert G. Grant, The Manse, Aberdalgie, Perth (Pit-trap for Rabbits). Bronze Medal. Medals were awarded to the following for Articles sent in for Exhibition only, namely :— The Duke of Roxburghe. No. 1 Silver Medal for Stems of Japanese and European Larch. Lochiel, Achnacarry. No. 3 Silver Medal for Specimens of Timber. G. P. Gordon, B.Sc. No.1 Silver Medal for Photographs showing method of eradicating bracken. Charles Burton, Longtown, Staffs. No. 1 Silver Medal for a collection ef Wooden Flowers made from pit Timber and forest Timber. The Earl of Mansfield, ser Frank Scott. No. 2 Silver Medal for specimens of Transplanted Seedlings and Frame used in the transplanting. 43 W. A. Edmond, Joiner, Floors Castle. No. 2 Silver Medal for articles of Turnery. The following received Medals for their collections of Exhibits :— The Duke of Buccleuch. No. 1 Silver Medal. The Duke of Roxburghe. 4 Captain Palmer Douglas. Es William Peffers, Electric Sawmills, Hawick. No. 1 Silver Medal. The Earl of Minto. No. 2 Silver Medal. Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bt., of Haystoun. No. 2 Silver Medal. Sir John A. Dewar. No. 2 Silver Medal. Captain Sprot of Riddell. 3 The Judges’ awards were unanimously approved of. NURSERY AND PLANTATION COMPETITIONS. (Restricted to the Hawick Show District.) I. NURSERIES. Crass I. For the best managed Estate Nursery not exceeding two acres in extent. F. R. S. Balfour, Dawyck. Gold Medal. Captain Sprot of Riddell. Bronze Medal. GCLAss E For the best managed Estate Nursery exceeding two acres in extent. The Earl of Minto, ger F. Berry. No. 1 Silver Medal. The Duke of Roxburghe, fer G. Leven. Bronze Medal. The Lord Binning of Mellerstain, fer G. H. Dove. Highly Commended. II, PLANTATIONS. Crass IV. For the best young Plantation, mainly of Conifers, not exceeding ten years of age, and not less than 5 acres in extent. Duke of Roxburghe (Nine-year-old plantation of Japanese Larch). No. 1 Silver Medal. . F. R. S. Balfour, Dawyck (Five-year-old plantation of Menzies Spruce). Bronze Medal. 44 Captain Sprot of Riddell (Mixed coniferous plantation four to five years old). Bronze Medal. Duke of Roxburghe (Bowmont) (Seven-year-old plantation). Bronze Medal. F. R. S. Balfour, Dawyck (Six-year-old Japanese Larch plantation). Highly Commended. The Judges’ awards in these competitions were approved of. DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. It was reported on behalf of the Diamond Jubilee Committee that the Tour, Conference and Dinner had been very successfully carried through, and that the Society’s guests had expressed themselves as highly satisfied with the country and with the arrangements made for their comfort. Letters of thanks had been received from the gentlemen who had been elected to the Honorary Membership of the Society. The CHAIRMAN mentioned that the Society was greatly indebted to the President, Sir John Stirling-Maxwell and Sir John A. Dewar, who had been kind enough to lend their motor cars during the first week of the tour; and also to the President, Sir John A. Dewar and Mr Fothringham of Murthly for entertaining the foreign and colonial guests for the first week- end embraced in the tour; and to Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, Mr Hector Munro Ferguson and Mr J. Harry Dods, Factor, Novar, for entertaining a number of the guests during the second week-end. It was mentioned that the Council had elected Mr R. G. Robinson, New Zealand, and Mr K. A. Carlson, Orange Free State Conservancy as Correspondents in their respective countries, and these elections were confirmed by the Meeting. The CuHarirMANn concluded his remarks on this subject by appealing for new members, and urged that each member should endeavour to help in this matter. The CHAIRMAN mentioned that Mr Rauner, representative of Russia, had brought with him a piece of silver plate in the form of a Quaich as a present from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, and a conversation took place as to the custody of the Quaich. The matter was ultimately remitted to the Council. 45 Mr James Watt pointed out that at the General Meeting at Paisley last year, a Resolution moved by him had been carried, authorising subscriptions to be taken up for the purchase of a President’s badge, and he asked why the Resolution had not been given effect to or rescinded. Some discussion took place on the subject, and the Resolution was then formally rescinded. EXCURSION I9QI5. The CHAIRMAN mentioned that the Council had considered as to a locality for next year’s Excursion. Two places had been mentioned, namely, Wales and the district of Ireland in the neighbourhood of Dublin, and the Council’s recom- mendation was in favour of the visit to Ireland. The Meeting agreed with this recommendation, and remitted the matter to the Council. DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORESTATION. On this subject the CHAIRMAN said there was little to add beyond what had been said at the Conference and Dinner. He pointed out that the Diamond Jubilee Party had visited the Loch Ordie area mentioned by Lord Tullibardine in his speech of 22nd April, and also Ballogie, in the course of their tour, and that the unanimous opinion of the party was in favour of Ballogie. So far as the Council was aware no further steps had been taken since the Annual Meeting to acquire a Demonstration Area, and he proposed that this Meeting should re-affirm the Society’s Resolution of 7th February last, and he accordingly moved the following Resolution :— “That this Meeting of the Society re-affirms the Society’s Resolution of 7th February last to the effect that the Government should acquire, without further delay, the Ballogie Area on Deeside for Demonstration purposes ; and should also select and purchase, as soon as possible, supplementary areas in other districts of Scotland for further demonstrations.” Mr J. H. Mitne Home, Irvine House, Canonbie, in seconding the Resolution, expressed the hope that the Area would be purchased before another meeting of the Society. 46 Mr Francis Berry, Forester, Minto, Hawick, who supported the Resolution, said that he had known Ballogie from his early boyhood, and he thought it would be a very suitable Demonstration Area. The motion was unanimously agreed to. VALUATION OF WOODLANDS FOR RATING PURPOSES. The SECRETARY explained that the Council had appointed a Committee to look into this matter; that a meeting on the subject had been held with the Scottish Branch of the Land Agents’ Society, and that the finding of the joint meeting was that Proprietors should take more advantage of their privileges of negotiation with Assessors, and, if necessary, should appeal to the Valuation Committees, and failing satisfaction from them to the Lands Valuation Appeal Court in Edinburgh. He urged that members who knew of cases of hardship should send in particulars which would be helpful to the Committee in endeavouring to find remedies where these were required. Notice or Morion. Notice on behalf of the Council was given of the following motion, to be discussed and disposed of at the next meeting :— “That Law XIV. as it at present stands be rescinded, and the following new Law be substituted for it, viz.:— “The affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a President, five Vice-Presidents and twenty-five Councillors, with Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor; provided always that nothing herein contained shall prevent the same person being appointed both Secretary and ‘Treasurer. The President, one Senior Vice-President, five Senior Councillors, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor shall retire annually; but the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor shall be eligible for re-election. The retiring Vice-President or one of the retiring Councillors may be elected as President, and one of the retiring Councillors may be elected as Vice-President, but the retiring Vice- President or retiring Councillors shall not be eligible for re-election to the same office till after the expiry of one year. The other vacancies shall be filled by the election of eligible members of the Society. Every member who 47 has filled the office of President shall be eligible for election by the Council as an Honorary Life Member of the Council.” TELEGRAPH, EtTCc., POLES. The SecrETarY read a circular issued by the Post Office to the Press on the subject of the supply of poles for telegraph and telephone purposes. Some discussion followed, in the course of which one applicant for particulars remarked that he had received no reply from the Post Office to his letter. The Secretary was instructed to communicate with the Controller of Stores on the subject, and to suggest that the conditions regulating the inspection of the poles should be modified. The meeting was closed by a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding. Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society Prizes Offered for Papers—1915. The Council has decided to discontinue the Syllabus of specific subjects for which prizes are offered, and to award medals or their converted values for papers dealing with any branch of forestry. They hope that the new arrangement will not only serve to increase the number of papers submitted in competition, but will place at the Hon. Editor’s disposal a large number of valuable papers suitable for publication in the Transactions. In this connection they invite attention to the late Hon. Editor’s appeal for literary contributions, printed at p. 234 of Vol. xxvi., from which an extract containing suggestions as to the class of papers which would be welcomed is here given :— “The subjects on which communications would be welcome are numberless, but a few of them may be mentioned by way of suggestion :— Nature of localities here found to be most suitable for forest crops of various species, including exotics. Species, including exotics, here found to be most suitable as forest crops in localities which are unfavourable from various causes, such as high elevation, exposure to cold or strong wind, frost, bog, etc. Cheap and successful methods of planting. Successful “ direct” sowings. Successful natural regeneration. Successful treatment of crops up to middle age, especially with regard to mixed crops. Successful under-planting of crops of light-crowned species. Successful protection of nurseries and forest crops from injury by animals, birds, insects, fungi, weeds, smoke or meteoric phenomena (such as frost, wind, snow,etc.). 2 Successful use of mechanical appliances for the moving of timber. Cheap and successful methods of increasing the durability of timber. Cheap and successful methods of converting and seasoning timber. Utilisation of waste wood (slabs, tops and branches, etc.). But of course there are many other subjects. As a rule, successful operations are more instructive than failures, but where the cause of non-success can be indicated with certainty, an account of such failure may be of much interest and value.” Conditions to which Writers must conform. The Judges are empowered to fix the value of the Medals to be awarded according to the respective merits of the Essays. All Essays, Reports, Models, or other Articles intended for Competition must be lodged with the Secretary not later than Monday, 1oth May 1915. Each such Essay, Report, Model, or Article must bear a Morro, and be accompanied by a sealed envelope bearing outside the SAME Morro, and containing a CARD with the NAME, DESIGNATION, amd ADDRESS of the Competitor. Essays should be written on one side of the paper only; the left-hand quarter of each page should be left as a blank margin. The lines should not be crowded together. Manuscripts for which medals have been awarded, or which have been wholly or partly reproduced in the Transactions, become the property of the Society and are not returned to their authors. Judges cannot compete during their term of office. Successful Competitors may have either the medals or thetr con- verted values, which are as follows :— Gold, £5; No. 1 Silver Gilt, 43; No. 2 Silver, £2; No. 3 Silver, £1; Bronze, tos. Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society, Instituted 16th February 1854. PATRON: HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE KING. PROCEEDINGS IN 1915. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The Sixty-second Annual Business Meeting of the Society was held in the Goold Hall, 5 St Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh, on Saturday, 6th February 1915, at 1 P.M., and was attended by about forty members. Inthe unavoidable absence of Colonel STIRLING of Keir, President of the Society, SypNEY J. GAMMELL, Esq., of Drumtochty, Vice-President, was called to the Chair. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland was represented by Joun D. SUTHERLAND, Esq., Commissioner for Small Holdings and Chair- man of the Advisory Committee on Forestry. APOLOGIES. The SECRETARY intimated that apologies for absence had been received from the President, Lord Lovat, Vice-President, and Mr Irvine of Drum, who were all on active service ; and from Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, Sir Andrew Agnew, Sir Arthur Mackenzie of Coul, and Messrs Robert Allan, J. F. Annand, A. T. Gillanders, John A. Howe, H. Rutherfurd, and John M‘Kerchar. The PrReEsIDENT’s letter, dated from the camp of the 2nd Lovat Scouts in England, was read to the meeting by the Chairman, as follows :— “T am very sorry my duty here will not allow me to be present at the Annual Meeting. “Tf the Society does me the great honour of electing me as their President for another year, I shall accept it not as establishing a dangerous precedent for an absentee holder of the office, but as a mark of the Society’s goodwill towards those members who have been called up for service in His Majesty’s forces. a 2 ‘“‘The Society, in common with the greater part of the world, has grave cause to complain of the war which has been forced upon our country by the aggression of Germany. We regret it all the more because the Society has had pleasant relations with German foresters in the past, and because Scottish arboriculture owes a great deal to German research and German practice. “The war comes as an unwelcome disturbance of all peaceful economic progress, and it is only too likely to limit and hamper the progress of silviculture by diverting public expenditure into other channels. It is true that in the case of silviculture in Scotland this expenditure has hitherto been rather a matter of hope than of reality. “The Society will no doubt continue to press the claims of afforestation in Scotland, for which an unanswerable case has been established by the unanimous testimony of our foreign and colonial guests in 1914.” MINUTES, The Minutes of the General Meeting, held at Hawick on 16th June last, which had been printed and circulated with the Transactions, were held as read and adopted. REPORT BY THE COUNCIL. The Council’s Report was as follows :— p The Society’s Diamond Jubilee year—1914—will be a memor- able one to the members, not only as arboriculturists but as citizens of this great empire. The celebration of the Society’s sixtieth anniversary had just been successfully concluded, when the great war broke out, which has now been raging for six months with, unhappily, little prospect of a speedy settlement. Membership. With such a war in progress, almost at our doors, it was only to be expected that many members of this Society would take their places amongst the active defenders of our country, and that casualties would be sustained. It is not possible to say accurately what those casualties have been up to the present time, but the following at least are known to have fallen :— Sir Archibald Gibson Craig, Bart., of Riccarton ; Colonel Aymer Maxwell, Yr. of Monreith ; andthe Master of Kinnaird. As you are aware, a Roll of Honour is being prepared which will be published in the Zransactions. In addition to these war casualties the usual list of deaths has to be recorded. This list includes the following names :— Sir John Ramsden, the father of the Society; the Duke of Buccleuch ; the Earl of Stair; Sir John Macpherson Grant; Major Stirling of Fairburn; Colonel Campbell Walker; Mr 3 W. L. Nicol of Ballogie; Mr W. J. Woodman-Smith; Mr A, M. Burn Murdoch; Mr Alex. Pollock; Mr Colin M. Cameron; Mr James Crabbe, Glamis; Mr William Fisher, Wentworth; Mr D. Tait, Owston Park; Mr D. G. Shiell; Mr John Brunton; Mr P. D. Gow; Mr W. G. Mitchell; and Mr Alex. Wight; with Mr Elis Nilson, Sweden, and Dr John Nisbet, who were both Honorary Members of the Society. The total members at the date of last report was 1425. Ninety-five new names have been added to the Roll in the course of the year, but 88 have had to be removed owing to death, resignation, lapsing or other cause. The membership at this date is, therefore, 1432. The Hon. Secretaryship, Members will recollect that at last Annual Meeting, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, who had been so long associated with the Society as President and Hon. Secretary, resigned the latter office, owing to his appointment as Governor-General of Australia. The Society’s message to Sir Ronald, and the reply received from him, were duly recorded in the “ Proceedings” of that meeting, which are appended to the Diamond Jubilee part of the Transactions. The Society was exceedingly fortunate in securing Sir John Stirling-Maxwell as his successor in the office. Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. The programme outlined in the Council’s last report for the suitable celebration of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee was successfully carried out. The following countries accepted the Society’s invitation and sent representatives, viz. :— Denmark, France, Holland, Hungary, Russia, Sweden, India, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. A number of representative silviculturists from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland were also invited to accompany those foreign and colonial guests on the Tour of Inspection of Woods and Afforestable lands in Scotland. At Oban these guests were joined by the Society’s Annual Excursion party, numbering about 80, on a three days’ tour in Argyllshire. On returning to Edinburgh, the Diamond Jubilee guests were entertained by the Corporation to a drive through the city and neighbourhood, and to a luncheon in the City Chambers. In the afternoon of the same day a Conference was held, when the Society’s guests had an opportunity of expressing their views on what they had seen, and the proceedings were brought to a close by a dinner in the evening, at which the Lord Provost, amongst other guests, was present. Unfortunately the Secretary for Scotland, the President of the . Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Scottish Members of Parliament were, owing to the political situation, prevented from attending. ° There was a large attendance of members of the Society at 4 both the Conference and Dinner. At the close of the Dinner, M. Rauner, the representative of Russia, handed to the President, on behalf of the Society, a beautiful piece of silver plate—in the form of a fruit dish made in the old Crimean style and set with two carbuncles and one chalcedony—as a present from the Russian Imperial Ministry of Agriculture. It has been deposited for safe custody with Messrs Hamilton & Inches. In the course of the Conference the Honorary Membership was conferred on the six foreign representatives present. There being only four vacancies on the list for Home and Colonial Honorary Members, two of these were given to colonial representatives and two to home members. The representatives of New Zealand and South Africa were subse- quently elected Correspondents of the Society in their respective countries. To meet the expenses of the celebrations, the Excursion Fund of £187, 18s. 7d. was converted, for the time, into the Diamond Jubilee Fund, to which the special contributions received were added. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland gave a generous donation of £150; the Society gave £100 odds; and a number of the invited home guests contributed £90. In addition to these cash payments, the following entertained some of the guests for a week-end, viz.:—The President, Sir John A. Dewar of Dupplin; Mr Fothringham of Murthly; and Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson: and the following generously gave the use of their motor cars for the first week of the tour, viz. :—the President; Sir John Stirling-Maxwell; Sir John A. Dewar; and Mr Elwes. His Majesty the King, the Princess Royal, and other proprietors not only most cordially permitted their woods to be visited, but also hospitably entertained the Society’s guests. The Committee is most grateful to all who in these various ways contributed substantially to the success of the proceedings. The resources thus put at the disposal of the Committee were found to be ample for the purpose, and the Excursion Fund has been restored to its former position with a balance at its credit of about £50. A full report of the proceedings was printed in the Diamond Jubilee number of the Zyvansactions, which was held back beyond the usual time to allow of this report being included. A reprint of the report has also been sent to Ministers and all the Scottish Members of Parliament, with a circular drawing their attention especially to the resolution passed by the foreign and colonial guests on the subject of the suitability of Scotland as a field for afforestation. A large photograph of the Excursion party, taken at Benmore, has been presented to the Diamond Jubilee guests with the exception of Messrs Pardé and Czillinger, whose copies have been held back, meantime, owing to the war. 5 At the meeting which was held at Hawick, it was decided that next Excursion should be made to the district of Ireland in the neighbourhood of Dublin. Transactions. Two parts of the Zransactions have been issued since last Annual Meeting. The Diamond Jubilee part includes the reports of the celebrations already referred to, and also the Index to the Transactions which was prepared at the instigation of the Earl of Crawford, who most generously defrayed the expense. It is hoped that the Index will be of great service to members and those institutions which receive the Society’s Zransactions. Many other interesting and valuable papers are included in these two parts, which, unfortunately, a number of members have not been able to see because of delay in forwarding their subscrip- tions. On this occasion the list of arrears is much larger than usual, but this is believed to be due to the war. Exhibition at Hawick. The usual Exhibition of Forestry in the Highland and Agri- cultural Society’s Show was held at Hawick. The catalogue contained go entries in all, 70 being in the Competitive section, and 20 in the section for Exhibition only. The local Committee were Messrs Price, Leven, Leishman and J. H. Milne-Holme; and Mr F.L Buttar, Student of Forestry, was a very efficient attendant. The judges were Messrs ANNAND, MITCHELL and SPIERS. The thanks of the Society are specially due to Mr Price for the assistance provided by him in connection with the reception, staging and removal of the various exhibits. The schedules in connection with the Exhibition, which is this year to be held at Slateford, Edinburgh, were issued with the notice calling this meeting. Members will see that slight alterations have been made upon them. The timber boards which last year were permitted to be from 4 to 7 feet in length are now restricted to form 6 to 7 feet; and different scantlings of timber are invited for exhibition instead of merely different kinds of timber. ‘he proposal that a tree-felling competition should be held in connection with the Exhibition has been remitted to the Education Committee for consideration, along with other matters affecting the practical training of assistant foresters. A remit has been made by the Council to the Committee to consider as to the advisability of the Society acquiring a suitable building for exhibition purposes instead of being dependent annually upon the canvas shed which has been supplied by the Highland and Agricultural Society. 6 Nursery and Plantation Competitions, The third of these competitions, which it is hoped will now be held annually, took place within the Show district, being the counties of Berwick, Peebles, Roxburgh and Selkirk. Five nurseries were entered—two in class 1, for nurseries not exceeding 2 acres in extent, and three in class 2, for nurseries exceeding 2 acres. Eight entries were received in the Plantation competition—seven being in class 4—mainly conifers not ex- ceeding ro years of age, and not less than 5 acres in extent, confined to estates having more than 300 acres under woods, and one in class 5, in which the age is from ro to 20 years. No hardwoods were entered. The judges were again Dr BorTHWICK and Mr G. U. MacponaLp. Essays. In the Essay competition, five essays and three notes were received and submitted to the Judges. Of the essays two obtained No. 2 Silver Medals, one a No. 3 Silver Medal, and two were not considered worthy of any award. A No. 2 Silver Medal was awarded to the writer of the three notes. Unfortun- ately no essays were received in competition for the special prizes, amounting to £15, 15s., offered by the President in connection with the Diamond Jubilee. A list of the suggested subjects was printed in the January Zvramsactions, but members are reminded that they are entitled to write on any subject they choose connected with forestry. General Meeting. The General Meeting was held in the Showyard at Hawick, on Thursday, 16th July, when the Judges’ awards in these various competitions were submitted and approved, and other business transacted. The proceedings, containing the Prize lists, are appended to the Zransactions which were issued in the course of last month. Prizes and Certificates. As will be seen from the Accounts the prizes awarded in the various competitions consisted of £56, 10s. in cash; £24, 17s. 6d. in medals; and £5, os. 6d. in books. To account of the cash prizes the Highland and Agricultural Society paid £20, and the directors of that Society have again been good enough to intimate that they will offer a like sum towards the prize list this year. Amongst the medals awarded was one Gold Medal to Mr Balfour, Dawyck, for his nursery. Last year a certificate was given along with each medal or prize awarded, but the Council has now decided that one certificate 7 only will be given to each prize winner, and where more than one prize has been gained, a note of these prizes will be written upon the certificate. Development of Afforestation. The resolutions on the subject of the acquisition of a Demonstration area and the appointment of Advisory and Research Officers, which were passed at last Annual Meeting and included in the report of the discussion on Forestry in Scotland held that day, and printed in the Diamond Jubilee part of the Zvansactions, were duly forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Treasury, the Secretary for Scotland, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the Development Commissioners... These resolutions with a reasoned statement appended were also sent to all the Scottish Members of Parliament, a large number of whom wrote express- ing approval of them. A letter was subsequently received intimating that at a meeting the Scottish Members unanimously agreed to support the resolutions. As no progress had been intimated these resolutions were re-affirmed at the General Meeting held at Hawick, and were again sent to the Ministers mentioned above. A reprint of the report of the proceedings in connection with the celebration of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee, which, as was already stated, was taken part in by a number of Foreign, Indian and Colonial foresters representing their respective Governments, was sent to all the Ministers mentioned above and all the Scottish Members of Parliament, along with a circular drawing their attention particularly ‘to the resolution passed by those distinguished guests expressing their opinion in favour of afforestation in Scotland on a large scale with the active support of the nation, and to the Society’s resolution homologating that opinion and asking the support of the State. A memorandum by the Development Commissioners on the subject of the afforestation of privately owned lands was published in the newspapers, but has now been superseded by a memorandum on the same subject published by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. A copy of this latter memorandum and a letter from the President on the subject appeared in the Transactions. The fourth annual report of the Development Commissioners to 31st March 1914 was issued in the autumn of last year, from which it appears that in the course of the year under review they had agreed to advance to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland the sum of £1500 for salaries and expenses to Advisory Officers to be attached to the three centres of education at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is understood that the Advisory Officer for the Glasgow district has now been appointed, 8 but so far as known the other appointments have not yet been made. On the subject of a Demonstration Area, the Commissioners say that they were not satisfied with the two estates, Ballogie and another, brought under their notice by the Scottish Advisory Committee, and that they were endeavouring to frame a scheme which would render available for forestry demonstration and instruction a large area near the geographical centre of Scotland, and they sincerely hoped that that scheme, if it could be reduced to satisfactory and definite shape, would be accepted by all concerned as a reasonable solution of a difficult problem. It is not yet known what progress has been made with the scheme referred to. An interesting scheme for the afforestation of the Camps Catchment area, Middle Ward, Lanarkshire, extending to about 6000 acres, which is explained by Mr Gordon in an article printed in the January Zransactions, is understood to be receiving the support of the Development Commissioners, and it is hoped that this large undertaking will be successfully carried out. Conferences with the Board of Agriculture. Conferences and communications have taken place between the Council and the Board of Agriculture for Scotland on the following subjects :— Duke of Sutherland’s offer of land in the North of Scotland. Appointment of Forestry Correspondents by the Board. Preparation of Phenological reports. Supply of home-grown pitwood. The production of potash salts from woodlands and waste lands. . The utilisation of home-grown timber for building purposes, etc. On all those subjects the Council are heartily co-operating with the Board. Some progress has been made with several of the subjects, and notes on pitwood and the production of potash salts will be found in the Zramsactions. The Council regret that further and more rapid progress was not made in connection with the pitwood problem, but they are glad to be able to say that although the Committee, on which the Society is represented, has not been able to fix prices, they have secured from the railway companies the concession of a maximum rate of ros. per ton on all home-grown timber consigned direct to Scottish collieries from Scottish timber-growing centres. Valuation of Woodlands for Rating Purposes. The Secretary reported at the General Meeting at Hawick that certain negotiations had taken place with assessors and with representatives of the Scottish Branch of the Land Agents 9 Society on this subject, and that meantime he had advised that proprietors should take more advantage of their privileges of negotiation with assessors and, if necessary, should appeal to the Valuation Committees, and, failing satisfaction from them, to the Lands Valuation Appeal Court in Edinburgh. He urged that members who knew of cases of hardship, should send in particulars which would be helpful to the Committee in endeavouring to find remedies where these were required. Proposed Alteration of the Laws. The Council carefully considered the Motion and Amendment regarding the proposed alteration of the Law regulating the election of Office-Bearers which were remitted at last Annual Meeting; and the proposed new Law, giving effect to the Council’s views on the subject, which is printed in the notice calling this meeting, will be submitted for consideration at a later stage of to-day’s proceedings. Briefly, the Council’s pro- posals are that the Vice-Presidents should be reduced from 6 to 5, the Councillors increased from 21 to 25; that a fifth of the Vice-Presidents and Councillors should retire annually and should not be eligible for re-election to the same office till after the lapse of a year. The normal period of service would thus be increased from 3 to 5 years, but it will be seen that the retiring Vice-President and retiring Councillors are not eligible for re-election to the same office till after a lapse of a year. The Dunn Memorial Fund. The greater part of the available revenue of this Fund has been expended in binding Messrs Elwes and Henry’s great book on the Zyrees of Great Britain and Ireland. ‘There remains a small balance over of 12s. 11d. to carry forward to next year. Library. The usual list of additions to the Library will be appended to the proceedings of this meeting, and it will include a number of items which have been kindly given by the representatives of the late Colonel Bailey. To them and other donors the cordial thanks of the Society are due for these gifts. Telegraph and Telephone Poles. The Post Office regulations regarding the inspection of home- grown telegraph and telephone poles have now been amended, to the effect that in certain cases the standing timber may be inspected to ascertain the probable suitability of the trees. An article on this subject is printed in the January Zransactions. IO Belgian Refugees. As intimated in the notice calling the meeting, it has been made known that a number of refugees are capable of doing forestry work, and it would be desirable that members of the Society who cannot obtain local labour should endeavour to give employment to some of those refugees. They can only be employed on estates outside the prohibited area, which is all along the East coast from north to south. Applications should be made through the local Labour Exchange offices. Local Branches. Reports have been received from the Aberdeen branch, which will be submitted later in the ‘ Proceedings.” ‘The report from the Northern branch has not yet been received, but when it arrives, the Council, with the approval of this meeting, will deal with it in the usual way. Economic Botany Section of the Royal Scottish Museum. In the course of the summer it was brought to the notice of the Council that alterations were being made on this section which it was feared might impair or destroy its usefulness. A joint Committee of the various Societies interested in the subject inspected the section, and found that there were ample grounds for such fears, and their subsequent interview with the Director did not reassure them. He indicated that some of the specimens might be transferred to other Museums, such as the University Forestry Class Museum, but gave no assurance that any of the specimens which had already been removed would be replaced. The Committee has accordingly been continued. As to the Society’s own specimens included in the section it appears from the ‘‘ Proceedings” of the Society, at a meeting in 1886, that the then President said:—‘“ With regard to the specimens and illustrations of Forestry which they had in their possession, the Council were unanimous in making over the collection to the Director, Colonel Murdoch Smith, R.E., for exhibition in the Museum of Science and Art, with the view of a School of Forestry being instituted at an early date.” The Council think that they should not object to the transfer- ence of these specimens to the new Forestry Museum in the University, provided the members of the Society and all others interested have reasonable facilities for inspecting the specimens in that Museum, and they have accordingly instructed their representatives on the joint Committee dealing with the whole matter, to put forward that view. The report was unanimously adopted. Be FINANCES. ' The Abstract of Accounts, which as usual had been printed and circulated amongst the members, was formally submitted. The SEcreETARY also submitted the accounts in connection with the Dunn Memorial Fund and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and Annual Excursion, all of which had been duly audited. Mr J. W. M‘Hartrtir, Convener of the Finance Committee, in moving the adoption of the various accounts said that the money given in prizes in connection with the Annual Exhibitions and the Competitions for Nurseries and Plantations, and the like, was well spent. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations were a pretty severe tax on the Society, but even if the amount spent had been double what it was, he thought it would have been very well laid out. As they had heard from the Council’s report, the actual cost to the Society for these celebrations was not much over #100. He thought the Council and the Society were to be congratulated on the position of their finances considering the large claims they had to meet, and he had very great pleasure in moving the adoption of the accounts. Sir JoHN STIRLING-MAXWELL seconded, and the accounts were adopted. REPORTS FROM ABERDEEN BRANCH. The Srecrerary having read the reports from Aberdeen branch, Mr CuariLes BucHanan, Penicuik, said there seemed to be some misunderstanding about the Aberdeen branch not being represented on the Diamond Jubilee Tour. It should be known that the President of the branch, Mr Irvine of Drum, who represented the branch on the Council, was invited. The CHAIRMAN said :—‘“TI think the position is this, that the branch is now properly represented on the Council by its President or by one other member put forward by the branch. The President or that other member of the Council had the opportunity of going on the Jubilee Tour. Unfortunately, Mr Irvine was not able to take advantage of it, but he would have done so if he had been able, and the branch in that way would have been represented. I am sure that is Mr Irvine’s view of the matter, and I do not think there need be any feeling in regard to the Council on the subject.” 12 Mr C. S. France said he considered that the invitation to the President should have been sent through the Secretary of the branch and not direct to the President. Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXwWELL, in moving the adoption of the report, said that with regard to what Mr Buchanan and Mr France had said it is quite possible that a mistake had been made in that matter. Certainly no one wished to do other than honour to the Aberdeen branch. That branch was a living thing, and the Society there was flourishing in a district where forestry was in evidence on a larger scale than in any other part of Scotland, and where it had the prospect of development. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The CHAIRMAN said :—“ TJ am very proud that you have placed me in the Chair to-day to preside over a meeting of a Society with which I am glad to say I have been for a very long time connected, and I am sure at the same time you will regret with me the absence of our President, Colonel Stirling, whose letter I read to you. Along with him many others are taking upon themselves the burden which falls upon the whole country in carrying on this disastrous war, which has been brought about in Europe by no wish of the people of Great Britain. But as it is now upon us it is our duty to see it through in the right way by every means in our power, and I am sure the Society appreciates the patriotism of those of its members who have joined His Majesty’s forces and are bearing their full share of the burden which is now on the whole country. We shall have a Roll of Honour, and there will be many.-names upon that roll. Already the Secretary has intimation of some fifty names among our members who are now, or have been since the commence- ment of the war, serving in the forces of the Empire, and there will be many more names tocomein. I ask you individually, those of you who may know of any of your friends who are members serving in that way, to intimate the same to the Secretary, so that the roll may be made as complete as possible. We have various things to congratulate ourselves upon, I am glad to say, during this year that has passed, and so have some of our individual members. I am sure members will join with me in congratu- lating Lord Lovat on the dignity of Knight of the Thistle which has been bestowed on him. Lord Lovat we look upon as one of 13 the most influential and certainly one of the most useful members our Society has had for a long time. Like all societies we have had our losses. You heard those who had been taken from us by death during the last year in the Secretary’s report, and I wish particularly to again bring to your notice the names of two Honorary Members, Mr Elis Nilson and Dr Nisbet, who have been taken from us by death. Some of you knew Mr Nilson possibly better than I did, and some possibly knew Dr Nisbet better than I did, but I knew him very well and I am sure we all feel his loss very greatly—a loss to Scotland, a loss to silviculture, and a very great loss to the Society. Coming to the report which was presented to you, it is possibly the Chairman's business to amplify it in some small particulars. You heard that we had now got an Index to the Transactions com- pleted through the generosity of Lord Crawford, for which we thank him very much as being a. work very necessary to the Society, and one which will become of greater value as time goes on. That Index has now been brought up to date, and I trust it will be continued in time to come. Various other matters are referred to. One is the Nursery and Plantation competitions for which the Society has been awarding medals and prizes for the last two or three years. There is a suggestion, and | think a very good one, that the scope of those awards should be enlarged, and that the whole idea of the woodland management of an estate might well be taken into account in making those awards, and in that particular matter I think we might look to the Board of Agriculture to assist us. We say sometimes hard things about the Board of Agriculture, but I think we can say also good things, and particularly with regard to Mr Sutherland, whom we have with us to-day, and from whom we have on many occasions received most valuable assistance. I may mention one thing which has not possibly been very much published abroad. In spite of the discouragement which sometimes comes to him, he has been persistent in giving us his help, for instance with regard to the recovery of potash salts from tree refuse, and things of that kind. All these things are most useful, and we acknowledge his help, and we feel sure that we shall get the same generous help in the future as in the past. No one can pass over, on an occasion like this, the great event which took place during the past year—the celebration of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee. 14 I make bold to say that the Society could not have taken a wiser course or a more Satisfactory way of marking the attainment of the sixtieth year of its existence. Those who, like myself, had the honour of meeting the foreign representatives who came to this country on the invitation of the Society, presented through His Majesty’s Government, I am sure look back with great pleasure on that visit. And we felt all the time more than strengthened in the views which we had put forward with regard to the suitability of our country for afforestation. We were told sometimes inside this Society, more often outside of it, that our ideas were much too rosy as to the prospects of profitable afforestation in this country. What we learned from our foreign friends, whose opinions cannot be gainsaid, as they represent much larger forestry organisations than we can possibly have in this country—all were men whose words carry weight throughout Europe—was that we had not been rosy enough in our prophecies. They said we had boundless possibilities. All we wanted to do was to take advantage of them. It is very pleasant, looking back on that time, to feel that by far the larger number of those who then honoured us with their presence are now on our side in this disastrous war which has been forced upon us. I am sure we have not got very much further, notwithstanding all the encouragement we have received in words, with what we as a Society are always pressing for—the development of afforestation in Scotland. The Society stands very much where it was. It will continue to press with all the power which it can use for the necessary preliminaries to the economic development of forestry in Scotland. We laid down some number of years ago what we thought was necessary—a demonstration area and a survey of the country. Unfortunately we have as yet got neither the one nor the other, but they are absolutely essential, and I think it is high time they were put into operation. I am not one of those who wish in any way to limit our patriotism to Scotland only, or to say that we should have in Scotland more than our fair share, or even our fair share, of what is going for the development of the country at large. But I am perfectly certain I am justified in saying this—that Scotland contains very much more land which is likely to be useful for the purpose of afforestation than does the country farther south. And yet we see that the expenditure made in England is considerably larger than the expenditure made in this country. Looking over some 15 Government contracts only a few days ago, I saw that one of the contracts let in December was for the building and equipment of the forestry buildings for the School of Forestry in the Forest of Dean. Very excellent—I would be the last to say ‘don’t do it’—but why will they not do the same for us here? We shall continue to press this point because we have every justification for doing so, and I trust the Government, as they are backed up by every Department which have anything to do with it, will see that this matter is no longer delayed. Now is an important time. We are at present engaged, as I say, ina war which taxes to the utmost the whole resources of the country, and what is going to happen when this war ends? Weare going to have coming back to this country a very large proportion of unskilled labour. We must be ready to meet that emergency, and there is no better way in which preparation could be made than by pressing forward this question of afforestation and providing us with the essentials for bringing it into being. We cannot afford to delay, and I would strongly press on all those concerned that now is the time when we really ought to act in order to be prepared for a state of things which I trust may not be very far in the distant future. I do not think I need add anything more. There are many details into which I might go, but this is not the time for it. Our thoughts are possibly taken up with other things, and I will conclude by saying that I hope we may hear from the representative of the Board of Agriculture, who is with us, something much more definite than he has been able to give us at previous meetings. ‘‘ Meantime we proceed to the “* ELECTION OF THE OFFICE-BEARERS FOR I9QI5. “At a time like this it was the view of the Council that as little change as possible should be made in the office-bearers. I move the re-election of our President, Colonel Stirling, which I am sure will be received with most whole- hearted support by every member of the Society. I have also to move the election of Mr Buchanan and Mr Massie in room of the two retiring Vice-Presidents. Lord Lovat’s name was put forward, but he desired to be relieved of ‘the office of Vice-President for this year, but hoped that we would do him the honour of allowing him to occupy that position at some other time. To such a request we cannot say anything but ‘Yes.’ So Lord Lovat falls into the Council in 16 place of Mr Buchanan, who becomes a Vice-President. I have also to move the election of seven Councillors—Messrs A. T. Gillanders, G. P. Gordon, James Whitton, A. D. Richardson, Frank Scott, Lord Lovat, and the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres.” Mr H. M. Cape tu of Grange seconded, and the motion was agreed to. Mr J. H. Mitne Home, Canonbie, moved the re-election of the Honorary Secretary, the Secretary and Treasurer, the Honorary Editor, the Auditor, and the Honorary Consulting Scientists. Mr W. H. Massiz, Edinburgh, in seconding, said that the Society was admirably served by its officials. This was also agreed to. The Local Secretaries were also re-elected ANNUAL ExcursIon.! Mr CHARLES BUCHANAN, Convener of the Excursion Com- mittee, said that at the General Meeting at Hawick it was decided to visit Ireland this year in preference to Wales, which was also suggested. He thought, however, it would be wise to remit the matter to the Council and leave it to them to determine whether, in the circumstances, an Excursion should be held this year or not. This was agreed to. ANNUAL EXHIBITION,! Mr Rosert ForseEs, Kennet, in drawing attention to the Exhibition to be held in the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show at Slateford, Edinburgh, expressed the hope that members would bring forward numerous exhibits and make the Exhibition a success. On his motion a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Highland and Agricultural Society for their generous contribution to the Prize Fund. NURSERY AND PLANTATION COMPETITION.} Dr BorrHwick in a word reminded the meeting of the suggestion that the scope of the competition might be extended, and said that the point should not be lost sight of. DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORESTATION. The Chairman then called on Mr J. D. SuTHERLAND, of the Board of Agriculture, to address the meeting. He said:—‘ Mr Gammell and Gentlemen, I thank you for your references to the 1 The Council decided to abandon the Excursion, Exhibition, and Nursery and Plantation Competition this year owing to the war. See Note on p. 205 of the 7ramsactions, 17 Board and also for your references to myself. I will convey the suggestion that you have made to the Board, that they might consider the possibility of giving a prize or prizes, or assisting in some way to encourage the people to have proper working-plans of their woodlands, but I may mention that we have already in sight the appointment of three advisory officers in the three districts of Scotland, and these gentlemen will be available to all proprietors who wish to have working-plans prepared. I think that is probably a better and more permanent way of securing the proper management of planting in Scotland than perhaps by offering an award for the working-plans of an estate, or for the management of an estate, which is a somewhat unusual proposal. In connection with the demonstration area, which I believe you all have very much in your minds, I think it is best for me to make a perfectly clear and frank statement. Some years ago it was decided by the Development Commissioners and the Board of Education for Scotland, that it was desirable to have a demon- stration area, in fact that it was necessary to have a demon- stration area, in which to establish a school for forestry apprentices. An Advisory Committee was appointed to select a site, and I think in 1911, or early in 1912, they made a very full report, and that report you all know about. Then the Board of Agriculture came into existence, and the Board of Agriculture was asked to consider the whole question. The Board did consider it, and the Secretary for Scotland asked some gentlemen whom you know to assist the Board, and to advise them in the selection of a proper place for the demonstration of forestry in Scotland. The Committee searched the whole of Scotland, not in a cursory way, but in a very thorough manner indeed. You know how difficult it is to find an ideal place for the demonstra- tion of forestry. You must of necessity have growing woods of various ages. You should have healthy woods, also young plantations, and you should have land that pertains as nearly as possible to the general character of plantable land in Scotland. That seems to me to be a short description, at all events, of what a demonstration area should consist of. "The Committee found in Aberdeenshire land and woods that they considered in every way suitable, and they so reported. The views of the Advisory Committee have been confirmed by every reliable forestry expert in Scotland. I know of no one who has been consulted about that area who has said one word unfavourable to it. The Board b 18 passed the recommendation on to the Development Com- missioners. The Development Commissioners, as you heard to-day and have already, I think, heard frequently before, came to the conclusion that the selection of this area was not a proper one, and they informed the Board that they would endeavour to find a suitable place nearer the centre of Scotland than the area in Aberdeenshire. They did select a place—being the area surrounding Loch Ordie in Perthshire—and they also negotiated for, not a purchase of it, but a lease. The general terms of the lease had come before the Board for consideration. The Board, fortified by the views of the Advisory Committee, and supported strongly by the late Dr Nisbet, intimated that, as advised, they could not approve of the terms proposed for the purposes of forestry demonstration. The Board were of opinion that the area which I have described to you should certainly belong ~ to the State. The proposal of the Development Commissioners was that the area should be leased for a period of years, and at the end of that period certain arrangements would have to be made whereby either a new lease would be entered into or the proprietor of the land would step in again and take over the crops. In the latter event the demonstration area carried on for 100 years or so would revert to the owner of the land, probably upon quite reasonable terms, but the result would be that the continuity of the demonstration would end. The position now is, as far as I can gather, that we shall have to begin again. The Board will have to consider the question afresh, and no doubt they will, as far as possible, take all those interested in afforestation into their confidence. I should now like to refer briefly to one or two other matters connected with forestry. The Development Commissioners have proposed, because they are not allowed to lend money to landlords for planting, to permit the Board to lease land for that purpose, and the terms proposed by the Development Commissioners have been already made public. I would like that these terms should be carefully considered by the Society and the members, and I would be very glad to have any observations or criticisms they might have to make upon them. Local authorities have obtained the privilege of borrowing money from the Development Com- missioners for planting which has been denied to the private landowner ; and it is most hopeful to find that the Mid-Lanark District Committee have actually secured an area of about 19 6000 acres, which they are going to devote to a proper scheme of afforestation. I do not know of tooo acres elsewhere in Scotland utilised for the same purpose by a local authority. In the Board’s general operations this year we have had certain things to do because of the war. Whether they will be helpful or not I do not know. We must judge by the results. We have found that there was much to learn about the supply of pitwood, and we were glad of the help of the practical forester as well as the scientist. I hope we may very soon be able to publish a report upon the whole investigation into that subject. I would, however, like to say that I hope the growers of pitwood will not all want to sell it at once. All the wood now growing in Scotland will be required during the next two or three years, and it would be a great misfortune if growers should lose any benefit that there might be to them by a wise conservation in that respect.” The CHAIRMAN said :—“I am sure the meeting will join with me in thanking Mr Sutherland for having come here to-day, and for the extremely frank statement he has made to us on a subject which we all appreciate so much.” MoTION TO BE DISPOSED OF. Mr J. W. M‘Hattie moved the following motion on behalf of the Council :— “That Law XIV. as it at present stands be rescinded, and that the following new Law be substituted for it, viz.:— “The affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a President, five Vice-Presidents and twenty-five Councillors, with Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor; provided always that nothing herein contained shall prevent the same person being appointed both Secretary and Treasurer. The President, one Senior Vice-President, five Senior Councillors, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor shall retire annually; but the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor shall be eligible for re-election. The retiring Vice-President or one of the retiring Councillors may be elected as President, and one of the retiring Councillors may be elected as Vice-President, but the retiring Vice- President or retiring Councillors shall not be eligible for re-election to the same office till after the expiry of one 20 year. The other vacancies shall be filled by the election of eligible members of the Society. Every member who has filled the office of President shall be eligible for election by the Council as an Honorary Life Member of the Council.” He said that the motion now submitted was the result of a compromise arrived at after giving careful consideration to the motion brought forward at last Annual Meeting, and to the views expressed by the mover and seconder of that motion, and of the members who took part in the discussion. The principle of the former motion was adopted in this one, namely, that retiring members could be promoted to any available vacancy but could not be re-elected. It was further proposed that the period of service should be extended from 3 to 5 years. He hoped the new motion would receive the support of the meeting. Mr A. D. RicHarpson seconded the motion, which he said embodied the principle of his motion which was discussed last year. Mr C. S. France, Aberdeen, moved certain verbal amendments —which he had previously intimated to the Secretary—the object of which he explained was to ensure that one-third of the Council and not one-fifth, as proposed by the motion, should retire annually. He also proposed to delete the last paragraph of the motion referring to the election by the Council of past Presidents as Honorary Life Members of the Council. Mr Joun CampsBeEL1, Land Steward, Carron House, seconded, and said that Councillors should be drawn from a wider area than had been the case in the past. Mr Joun LersHMAN, Cavers, and Mr CHARLES ROBERTSON, Colstoun, both thought that more members should have the opportunity of serving the Society on the Council or otherwise. Mr Cave tt of Grange, while agreeing that Councillors should as far as possible be drawn from all parts of the country, pointed out that it might be difficult for men in outlying places to attend the meetings. He supported the motion because he thought it would have the effect of introducing new blood. Mr Dons, Novar, and Mr Jounstong, Ayr, both suggested that some sort of local or district representation might be devised. Sir Joun Strr_inc-MaxwEL_ said that the motion had been 21 carefully prepared, and the Council thought that for the present at least it would be better that one-fifth only should retire annually rather than one-third as proposed by Mr France. It seemed to them that such an arrangement would provide for a good deal of fresh blood and allow members from different districts to come in. Mr M‘HartieE in his reply pointed out that the Aberdeen branch had the right to send a special member to the Council in addition to members who might otherwise be elected as representing their district. The CuHarrMAN then put the amendment to the meeting, when seven members voted for it. He afterwards put the motion to the meeting, when a large majority of those present voted for it. The Chairman accordingly declared that the motion had been carried by the necessary majority and adopted by the meeting. Sir JoHN STIRLING-MAXWELL said: ‘‘As a member of the Advisory Committee to which Mr Sutherland referred, I should like to say that I and others, members of this Society, who belong to that Committee, recognise that in remaining as we have done on a Committee which has made so little progress on the objects which were in view when we joined, we feel we have incurred certain responsibilities, and I want to say that we recognise that the slow progress made has been disappointing ; but, at the same time, we have remained on that Committee because we have perfect confidence in the work Mr Sutherland is doing, and in the support he is receiving from the Secretary for Scotland. Were it not for that we should not have remained on the Committee. I am very glad Mr Sutherland took the Society so much into his confidence, in regard to those matters which every one considers of the greatest moment. The reason so little progress has been made, I am perfectly certain does not lie in any want of effort on the part of Mr Sutherland or the Secretary for Scotland. The reason progress has not been made is partly due to the entanglement of Departments into which, through the unwisdom of Parliament, this whole subject has been plunged; partly to the fact that the whole control lies not with those who understand the business but with an outside body, the Development Commission ; and also partly, I think, to the fact that those members of the Development Commission who are particularly dealing with forestry do not seem to be able to hold their own with their colleagues in such a way as to t 22 keep that subject forward in the position to which it was certainly assigned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer when that Commission was first appointed. While in those major operations which require large sums of money there has been a standstill, in other matters progress has been made, and under Mr Sutherland’s guidance the Department of which he is the head has become, and is becoming every month more and more of real value to forestry in Scotland. That Department has done a great deal of useful work within the last twelve months. Take, for instance, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. We were immensely assisted by the fact that we received a sum of £150 from the Board of Agriculture towards the expenses of entertaining the foreign guests. Then a number of useful leaflets on the different subjects have been circulated. Then, too—Mr Sutherland spoke very modestly on the subject—the necessities of the war found his Department quite alive, and thanks to its intervention, an arrangement was made with the railways that must have made an immense difference in the bringing of pit-timber to pits from woods at a great distance, the rate being reduced to a maximum of ros. during the war. He also took up the matter of the important by-product of potash salts. And then there is that step in advance, the appointment of Advisory Officers, which will make for every working forester who wishes to carry out his work on scientific lines a very great difference, and will open up a very great opportunity. In all those matters advance has been made, and therefore as one who has had more than once, in fact very often indeed, to pitch into Government Departments for their want of attention and want of sympathy, I should like if I might on this occasion say, that we all owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr Sutherland for the work he has been doing on our behalf during the last twelve months.” On the motion of Mr JAMes Wuirtton, Glasgow, the Chairman received a cordial vote of thanks for presiding. 23 APPENDIX A. ABSTRACT OF DIAMOND JUBILEE TouR AND ANNUAL ExcuRSION ACCOUNTS, Year 1914. Balance from last year ; : : Sei 7. 18. 3 Less Auditor’s Fee for 1913 . - BORG roy 10744 RECEIPTS. Donation from Board of Agricul- mxe : eer Oe ene Donation from the Society . TOL “Try a5 Donation from Diamond Jubilee Home Guests. P : 99 0 Oo Common Purse (Ordinary Members) . E ; : ay ele a> OLS TO) 11 Interest. : ; ; ; : ‘ ; pea ARS So2), B75 PAYMENTS. Preliminary Expenses : 49 6 6 Motors ; ; ; ’ 2K Ait G Hotels ‘ : ; , 240. 0% Railways and Steamers... 64 15 Io Printing and Miscellaneous : Oh P40Er ea 747 II 4 Balance carried forward to next year . : eee 6 consisting of— 1. Sum on Deposit Receipt of National Bank of Scotland, Ltd. : : ; £50 © Oo 2. Sum at Credit of Account Current with Do. : EY Gn ey 3. Sum in Treasurer’s hands . Bee wl 454 15 1 EDINBURGH, 27¢4 January 1915.—Examined with Memorandum Bovuk and Vouchers produced and found correct. The above Deposit Receipt and Bank Certificate of above balance on Current Account have been exhibited. The balance of £54, 15s. Id. at credit as above to be resumed in next Account. Joun T. Watson Auditor. 24 APPENDIX B. ABSTRACT OF ACCOUNTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE Matcotm DuNN MEmorRIAL FUND, 1914. RECEIPTS. Balance in Bank at close of last Account. :*) Shantou Income Tax recovered . : : : ; ; rowers eT: Dividend on £100 3 per cent. Redeemable Stock of Edinburgh Corporation, payable at Whitsunday and Martinmas, 1914, £3, ess Income Tax, 3s. rod. . ; ; ; 5 2. TG es PAYMENTS. Henderson & Bisset—account for binding books and periodicals. £6 8 3 John Bartholomew & Co. for British Isles Gazetteer ; : 6.85.0 Balance carried forward, being sum in National Bank of Se Se Scotland on Account Current . 4 intphounenmn Wote.—The Capital belonging to the Fund con- sists of £100 3 per cent. Redeemable Stock of Edinburgh Corporation. EDINBURGH, 19¢h January 1915.—Examined and found correct. The Certificate by the Bank of above balance, and Edinburgh Corporation Stock Certificate, have been exhibited. Joun T. Watson, Auditor. 26 “opr ‘NOSLVM ‘L NHOL ‘aI 0} pazqryxe Weeq Osye oavy ‘AAoqe sv spun oY} Surjuosorda. ‘serqtinoeg ey], "4ooI1100 May} puNoy aavyg pue ‘jouIysqV WE S} eA0g’ ON YOIM JO ‘PIGL taquiaceq ISLE 0} awk oy} AoOJ ToaNsvety, 94} JO syUNODDW ayy poultMexe savy | yeqy Ajy100 Aqoroy [—'G[ 6, Awwnwne ps[G ‘HOAUNANIAA IL 9L OOOLF IL 9T OOOLF LEG role [ 388 00 £1659 7 6 Furniture, etc., in Society's Room, . 40 0 0 7 6 Less Balance at Debit of Capital, Be 2. Life Members’ Subscriptions in 1914, . “ 5 . 181 6 0 w Members, £105 0 0 Ordinary Members by commutation, 76 6 0 et £1841 1 4 CHARGE. 1, Balance in hand at 31st December 1913, £343 17 10 2. Ordinary Members’ Subscriptions, 396 3 0 Arrears at 31st December1913, £20 9 6 Add Arrears written off but since recovered, 016 0 — £215 6 Subscriptions for 1914, . £43312 6 Less Received in 1913, 919 0 ——_ 13 13 6 Subscriptions for 1915 received in 1914, 318 6 £44817 6 Deduct — Cancelled or written off as irrecoverable at 31st December 1914, .» £1210 6 Arrears at 3lst Decem- ber 1914, 40 4 0 ——-_ 8214 6 8. Proportion of Life Members’ Sasi transferred from Capital, : 4. Dividends and Interest, 5. Transactions and Reports sold, 6, Income Tax Recovered, 7. Donation from the Earl of Crawford to account of cost of Index to Transactions, & os £1000 16 11 DISCHARGE. 1, Proportion of Life Members’ Subscriptions transferred to 7 Havens, A . £146 12 7 Rea ty of Full Life Subscriptions, £123 9 197.19 1 yo of Commuted Subscriptions, 28 3 8 — 2. Funds, etc., at 31st December 1914, as valued at close of 1913— £500 Caledonian Railway ay So y 4 per cent. Gieacas Annuity oes No. 2, at 944, £472 10 0 £500 Caledonian Railway Company 4 per cent. Debenture Stock, at 1008, 50117 6 £400 North British Railway Company 3 per cent, Debenture Stock, at 74; 1 » 29710 0 £400 North British Railway Company, No, 1, 4% Preference Stock, at 97, . 388 0 0 £1659 17 6 Furniture, etc., in Society's Room, sny, 40 0 0 £1699 17 6 Less Balance at Debit of Capital, O 58 9 1694 8 9 £1841 1 4 —— DISCHARGE. 1. Printing, Stationery, etc., ' . £273 12 1 Vol. XXVIII, PartI. 7rans., £9417 5 Authors’ Reprints, Bis. 3 —————— 07 108 Vol. XXVIII. Part II. of Trans., including Index, - £145 8 6 Authors’ Reprints, 218 9 — 148 7 8 £245 17 11 General Printing and Stationery, £50 14 6 Forestry Periodicals, Binding, etc, 817 2 — 5411 8 £300 9 7 7 Less Receipts for Advts. in Trans., 2617 6 £273 12 1 —} 2, Prizes (Money, £56, 10s. ; Medals, £24, 17s. 6d.; Books, £5, 0s. 6d.), « £86 8 0 Less Donation from the Highland and } Agricultural Society, for Prizes awarded for Home-Grown es exhibited at | Inverness, 20 0 0 66 8 0 8, Forestry Exbibition at the Highland and Agricultural | Society's Show at SES £10 2 6 200 | ntal xpenses, o 6 4 2 | ee | 4. AR and Plantation Competition in Show Printing, . . Bey OG) Judges” expenses, s z 5 90 2 £14 1 8 Less Entry Money received, 5 3 6 —— 818 2 5. Contribution to Aberdeen Branch, 7 , 500 6. Contribution to Diamond J ue Celebration Fund,” - 101 18 11 7. Fee to Reporter, . 414 6 8, Expenses of Management, 322 411 Rent of Room and Taxes for Te and Hall for Annual Meeting, - £2411 8 Auditor, . 38.30 Hon. Editor's Assistant, £30 ; and Authors of German French Notes for Trans. £10 ; and assistance with Index, £1, 41 0 0 Secretary and Treasurer, including extra £35 for Diamond Jubilee Year, 160 0 0 Advertising, Insurance, and Premium on Secretary's Bond of Caution, 419 11 Councillors’ Railway Fares and Luncheons 18 7 3 Postages and Miscellaneous Outlays, viz.: Postages of Parts I. and II. of Vol. XXVIII. of Transactions, £40 10 0 General Po. ages, Commis- sions on Cheques, and Petty Ontlays, 84138 1 DI aL £322 411 — 9. Balance of Revenue carried to next year, subject to pay- ment of cost, etc., of January Transactions, 199 18 8 Note.—Balance of Revenue as above, . . £19918 8 Less Balance at debit of Capital as aboye, 68 9 £194 9 11 Consisting of— Sum at credit of National Bank of Scotland, Ltd,, £191 7 5 Sum in Treasurer’s hands, . 3.26 £194 9 11 —— £1000 16 11 — EDINBURGH, 21st January 1915,—1 hereby certify that I have examined the Accounts of the Treasurer for the year to 81st December 1914, of which ‘The Securities, representing the Funds as above, have also been exhibited to me. JOHN T. WATSON, Auditor. the above is an Abstract, and have found them correct, Sz Qz oy ae APPENDIX D. Roya ScoTTIsH A ®BORICULTURAL SOCIETY (ABERDEEN BRANCH). REPORT 1914. The Committee beg to submit the Ninth Annual Report of the Branch. The Membership of the Branch is 131, seven new members having joined the Branch during the year. The Branch has lost several members through death and removal from the district, including Mr W. E. Nicol of Ballogie, and Mr W. J. Woodman-Smith of Laithers. The four quarterly meetings of the Branch, fixed for 13th December 1913, and gth May, 8th August, and 17th October 1914, were all held with the exception of the one on 8th August, on which date it was arranged to hold an excursion to Haddo House, but, on account of the outbreak of war, it had to be abandoned. At the Annual Meeting held in December, Sir John Stirling- Maxwell, Bart. of Pollok, a former’President of the Society, gave an address, the subject being ‘Planting of Moorlands,” and, in the course of the address, he dealt specially with the approved method of planting on moss and peaty soils, and draining and ventilating the same for that purpose, giving the result of his own experience in planting this kind of soil. The address was of a most interesting nature, and the discussion on it which followed was taken part in by Sir John Fleming, and Messrs Gammell, Duthie, France, Leslie, and the Chairman, Mr A. F. Irvine. The meeting held in May took the form of an excursion to the paper mills of Messrs Thomas Tait & Sons, Ltd., at Inverurie, and to the woods of Keithhall, the property of the Right Honourable the Earl of Kintore. Much of interest was seen and discussed at both places, and especially at the Inverurie Mills, where the process by which wood is converted into pulp and afterwards manufactured into paper was seen and explained. This is believed to be the only mill in Scotland where the full process is carried out. At the meeting of the Branch in October, a paper was read by Mr Peter Leslie, 'M.A., B.Sc., Lecturer in Forestry at the University of Aberdeen, on the “Planting of Sand Dunes at Culbin,” followed by an 28 interesting discussion on the subject of the paper, which was taken part in by the Chairman and several other members. During the year a sub-committee was appointed by the Branch to lodge memorials with the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, and the County Committees on Secondary Education for Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine, anent lectures and bursaries in connection with forestry. The memorials in all cases have been lodged and favourably received by all the Committees in question. The County Committees indicated that they were willing to do everything in their power to promote forestry and the objects aimed at in the memorials, but at the present time they had not adequate funds to warrant them inaugurating a scheme for the establishment of special bursaries. The Governors of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture pointed out that there was a difference at the present time between their Board and the Board of Agriculture in regard to the appointments which were necessary to fully equip the college in the matter of the teaching of forestry, but indicated that they were in favour of the scheme. The Committee note with pleasure that this year the Society has attained the sixtieth anniversary of its institution, and that as a fitting recognition of the event the Society was honoured by the presence of many foreign foresters of note on the occasion of the celebration of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee. As a Branch of the Society we, however, regret that Branches in their corporate capacity were not allowed any participation in these celebrations. The Committee have again to record their thanks to Professor Trail and the University authorities for the use of the Botany class-rooms for the meetings of the Branch. CHARLES S. FRANCE, Vice- President. ABERDEEN, December 1914. 29 ‘AITIAM “WA Ha pGr Tiss ray see £6£ on Yoog ‘uaas ose aavy J yorym “f6E ‘on ‘Yoog xue_ ssuravg sod ssvq yueg ssulavg rad youeig jo WperD ye souveg ‘yuvg SSUIABS Usaplaqy eq} YI paytsodap st wins yoy ‘-o-ye—_ FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP. To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned to ROBERT GALLOWAY, S8.S.C., SHCRETARY, Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh, ( Full Name, Designation, | Degrees, etc., Candidate's | Life, or Ordinary Member .......... \ Signature, . ( SECHELUAC Ne Lea i.) gt) |)! tl, SRR ae ne eee Proposer s”\ Address, f SESAEBTE, 0 « « Vience etic sonnoneee= ee SERA boas Seconder’s AGAFESS «os, wieae det ee tog Dale Sa OE soe Peek onan oS osc s AR Address, . . A ; Fe cae [CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP, see Over. CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP (excerpted from the Laws). III. Any person interested in Forestry, and desirous of pro- moting the objects of the Society, is eligible for election as an Ordinary Member in one of the following Classes :— 1. Proprietors the valuation of whose land exceeds £500 per annum, and others, subscribing annually : . One Guinea. 2. Proprietors the valuation of whose land does not exceed £500 per annum, Factors, Nurserymen, Timber Merchants, and others, subscribing annually . . Half-a-Guinea. 3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, Tenant Farmers, and others, subscribing annually . é . Six Shillings. 4. Assistant-Foresters, Assistant-Gardeners, and others, sub- scribing annually é : : : . Four Shillings. IV. Subscriptions are due on the lst of January in each year, and shall be payable in advance. A new Member's Subscription is due on the day of election unless otherwise provided, and he shall not be enrolled until he has paid his first Subscription. V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Zvansactions, and shall not be entitled to vote at any of the meetings of the Society. Any Member whose Annual Subscription remains unpaid for two years shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member shall be eligible for re-election till his arrears have been paid up. VI. Any eligible person may become a Life Member of the Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :— 1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, : ; £10,50:/.6 to . Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, Timber Mer- chants, and others, : : : : : 5) eo 3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, Tenant Farmers, and others, Gs G2 O° VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zife Member on payment of Two-thirds of the sum payable by a mew Life Member. XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made in writing, and shall be signed by two Members of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the Secretary to be laid before the Council, which shall accept or otherwise deal with each Proposal as it may deem best in the interest of the Society. The Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new Member’s first Subscription. The Council shall have power to decide the Class under which any Candidate for Membership shall be placed. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCTETY. I. Two Forest Arboretums near Brussels. By D. E. HUTCHINS. In the summer of 1913, while visiting the magnificent suburban forest of Soigne, at the gates of Brussels, I spent some time in the two Government arboretums which it contains. They are both “‘ group” arboretums, not single tree arboretums, so that they represent forest conditions. The following notes regarding the growth of trees in them may perhaps be of interest to British foresters. It will be many years before similar results can be obtained in Britain; and in any case, these Belgian trees have got a start of a quarter of a century while British State Forestry in the mossy island has slept its deadly sleep! These two arboretums near Brussels have the special advantage, to Britons, of being in a climate differing but slightly from that of the south-east of England. From Dover to Brussels is but 140 miles as the crow flies, and the warm westerly winds sweep on to Belgium with the same maritime effect which we experience in England, Belgians insist upon the essentially maritime character of their climate, as far as a good deal south of Brussels. This, of course, is not to say that the climate of Brussels does not differ slightly from the climate of Kent. The summer heat at Brussels is a few degrees higher; skating in winter is more certain than in England, and there are trees which succeed fairly well in parts of Britain and Ireland, but fail in Belgium. An example is the tree which I have long considered the finest and most valuable on this globe, Seguoia sempervirens ; many of the heavy rainfall Japanese trees ‘also, which, though feeling the lack of sun-power, get along fairly in the British Isles, have bad spells in Belgium from drought. Douglas too fears drought in parts of Belgium. But, after all, this difference is VOL. XXX. PART I. A 2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. small; and this is certain, that while we have no systematically- arranged oldish arboretums in England reproducing close forest conditions, these two, in the forest of Soigne, are those which, on the Continent, are nearest to us and most instructive for us. It should be noted that sentiment, which is so strong in favour of indigenous trees in France and Germany, is in Belgium rather in favour of exotics. Bommer and Comte Visart, in their excellent text-book of Belgian exotics, lay down very clearly what exotics have to do in Belgium before they can hope to oust the indigenous trees ; and I think there is no fear of the practical common sense of the matter being exceeded in Belgium. It must be remembered that South African forestry depends mainly on exotics; Australian forestry must do the same to a great extent; and possibly New Zealand to a larger extent. The question is mainly one of geographical history and geographical accident. Bommer gives the following list of the most important foreign species now growing well in Belgium :— Populus canadensis. Pinus Laricio. Quercus rubra. Pinus Laricio var, austriaca. Robinia pseudacacia. Pinus Strobus. Juglans nigra. Pseudotsuga Douglasii. Picea excelsa (not now found Abies alba (pectinata) (not wild in Belgium). now found wild in Bel- Larix europea. gium). And the following list of foreign species most worthy of experimental forest cultivation in Belgium :— Betula lenta. Abies nobilis. Betula lutea. Picea sitchensis. Carya alba, Picea orientalis. Carya amara. Thuja gigantea (plicata). Quercus tinctoria. Tsuga Mertensiana. Prunus serotina. Chamecyparis (Cupressus) Fraxinus alba. Lawsoniana, Fraxinus nigra. Pinus contorta var. Murray- Abies Nordmanniana. ana. To this list M. Drion would add Zzbocedrus decurrens and Abies concolor var. Lowtana. TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS. 3 When in the larger of the two arboretums, I was so fortunate as to meet M. Drion of Brussels, who, most kindly, has looked through my MS., checked a number of the measurements, and given me notes regarding the growth of various trees in Belgium which are incorporated here. The diameters are measured, at 5 feet above the ground, to the nearest inch; the heights are estimated. In a few of the plots there may be a little loss of growth from a too long deferred thinning in the case of certain light-demanding species, but this is rare. There is also lost growth in a few cases with species that have special soil proclivities. Thus black Austrian pine does not get in the forest of Soigne the lime it wants. This is referred to in the note on its growth. The soil in both the arboretums is a good average loam ; running into blackish meadow loam in the lower part of the Tervueren arboretum. The rainfall is 28 inches: the elevation not enough to effect the climate. All the arboretum plots are grown close and kept under normal forest conditions. It will be noted that most of the plots of trees in those two arboretums range between 15 and 30 years of age. The ages given here are from seed. In the Groenendaal arboretum /icea sitchensis, Chamecyparis pistfera, Picea Schrenkiana, and many Japanese conifers suffered severely from the drought of 1911. In cases where only two figures are mentioned, as 7 x 34, the meaning is 7 inches of average diameter at 5 feet above the ground level, and 34 feet total height. Douglas fir is the fastest-growing conifer in both arboretums, and averages about half an inch diameter and 2-3 feet height-growth per year. In certain places in this list, there are two references to the same tree.. That refers to two plots in the arboretum where there is some striking difference of growth or other point that seemed worthy of note. GROENENDAAL ARBORETUM. Larix leptolepis (Japanese larch), At 15 years old is about 5 inches diameter by 30 feet high, and at 22 years 7 inches by 34 feet. It compares very favourably with the European larch, but M. Drion considered that the latter here is not a fair sample. He adds that the Japanese larch in Belgium suffered badly from the dry summer of 1911: trees 20 and 25 feet high were killed 4 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. out. As compared with the European, the Japanese larch here is of a decidedly lighter green and has a rougher bark. Larix occidentalis. A failure. Larix stbirica. A failure: suffers like so many other con- tinental species from spring frosts. Pseudotsuga Douglasit, Douglas (var. glauca or Colorado variety). Quite healthy-looking with a fine dense covert; in growth between the two larches; it is 19 years old against the 15 years of the Japanese larch. So that here Japanese larch has beaten the “ g/auca” Douglas easily, in rapidity of growth. Quercus macrocarpa. Almost one of the best trees in the arboretum. It runs up with good straight stems and a dense covert. At 19 years averages 3 inches diameter by 18 feet high. Quercus tinctoria. One of the best oaks in the good collection of oaks here. At 18 years, 3 inches by 23 feet high. This I may add is one of the best oaks in the fine collection of the Melbourne Botanic Garden. Quercus tinctoria var. macrophyllum. This looks even better. It shows good growth and is of a handsome appearance with its big dark-green leaves. At 20 years it averages 3 inches diameter by 37 feet high, and shows a vigorous even growth. Quercus palustris, At 21 years it averages 4 inches diameter by 40 feet high. In the fine collection of oaks here it is only surpassed by Quercus rubra. It is one of the best of the American oaks. ' Quercus rubra. Easily the best in growth of all the oaks here. Average, 7 inches diameter by 32 feet high at 27 years of age. Maximum, to inches diameter by 55 feet high. The average diameter strikes the eye as 30 per cent. and the height 25 per cent, above that of Quercus sessiliflora alongside, this being 20 years old, or 7 years younger than the Quercus rubra. Quercus rubra grows very well generally in Belgium, in damp soil, says M. Drion, but fails elsewhere. Shoots like a poplar, he adds, in favourable soil, viz. plateaux with fertile soil and the edge of water-courses and marshes. At Rawenstein, near Quatre-Bras close to Brussels, is a hectare planted pure with Quercus rubra and doing well. I saw quite a show of timber specimens of Quercus rubra at the Ghent Exhibition, and there were photographs of oaks cubing 44 cubic metres. Quercus sesstlifiora. Is of exactly the type I noted in the forest of Soigne, generally. There is a good description of this TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS. 5 in the excellent arboretum pamphlet. At 20 years these trees average 4 inches diameter by 26 feet high. Quercus pedunculata. The same timber growth as Quercus sesstiiflora, but not the same clear stems nor good covert. The foliage is sparser than Quercus sessilifiora, and the growth somewhat less. Quercus pedunculata var. “ Chene de Juin.” At 17 years the average diameter of non-dominated stems is 3 inches and the height 16 feet. Thus this late-leafing variety shows no advantage in growth here over the common oak. Castanea vesca. Shows an uneven growth. At 15 years, maximum 5 inches diameter by 22 feet high, down to trees of all sizes. In Belgium, says M. Drion, it does best as copse. As in Kent, timber trees are liable to disease and rot at the heart. It is liable too when young to suffer from cold and spring frosts. 8-year-old chestnut copse sells in Belgium up to £16 the acre. Robinias. ‘There is a good collection of various species and varieties of Robinia here. They make a remarkable show with a growth about equal to the common oaks. This is the best collection of Robintas I have seen anywhere, not excepting those at Kew. M. Drion says that it pays to plant this tree in Belgium, while oak now does not pay—the private tree-grower. Robinia pseudacacia var. Bessoniana. At 21 years, averages for dominating stems 6 inches diameter. Rodinta pseudacacia at 18 years, 5 inches diameter. This result is not so good as one might expect generally in Belgium. Larix leptolepis. A larger plot at 20 years old, has trees averaging 4 inches or 5 inches diameter by 45 feet or 50 feet high, and showing a grand growth with no apparent disease. It thus averages between 2 feet and 2} feet height-growth per year. The best stems would now furnish telegraph poles. For its tenderness to drought, see above. Picea sitchensis. Sitka spruce shows a good regular growth but has had a leaf disease for the last two years, and is now far from having the vigorous look of the common spruce. It certainly does not look so well, nor has it nearly so good a covert as Picea excelsa (the common spruce) adjoining it. At 22 years it averages 5 inches diameter by 30 feet high at one end of the plot, and 4 inches by 18 feet at the other: barely 1 foot per year height-growth. Pinus Thunbergii. Shows a sturdy though somewhat stunted 6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. growth ; different to its luxuriant growth in the wetter parts of South Africa. Cupressus Lawsoniana, At 20 years of age the best trees average 7 inches diameter and 33 feet high: mean 6 inches by 30 feet ; an excellent-looking growth, but with a tendency to bifurcate. Is being tried as a forest tree: the Belgian Government has several trial plots of this species in the forest of Hertogenvald. It is said to do best in Belgium in damp situations. Cupressus Nutkaensis. Does not average half the growth of C. Lawsoniana. Thujopsis dolabrata. Again only about half of the last species : a failure as a forest tree. Thuja occidentalis. Poor growth. Acer rubrum. At 15 years, stem 15 feet high only. The fine autumn tints are now (September 24th) in full show. It is worth planting for its autumn tints. Cupressus pisifera. A handsome tree; but at r9 years shows but a poor growth. Like other Japanese trees the growth in Belgium is uncertain. Cryptomeria japonica. Of no use in Belgium (Comte Visart et Bommer) as a forest tree, but those here look fairly well. All the Japanese trees are liable to suffer from drought in Belgium. At 20 years the growth here is only 18 feet high. In 1880 many of the Crypfomerias in Belgium were killed by frost. Acer platanoides var. purpurea. This shows some good colouring now. Sequoia sempervirens. One poor specimen here out of ten planted, and this is one of the few in Belgium, says M. Drion. It will scarcely grow at all out of doors in Belgium. I presume the South of England marks the extreme limit of its climatic habitat on the cold damp soil. Sequoia gigantea, Looks well here. It grows well in various places in Belgium where sheltered from the east wind, says M. Drion. There are some fine samples of this tree in Belgium. Cedrus Deodara. Good young trees. All the old trees in Belgium, says M. Drion, perished in the severe winter of 1880. They are now planting them again in Belgium. Those here look quite well. Lirtodendron tulipifera. Looks well here and does well enough generally in Belgium, says M. Drion; to be tried as a forest tree. TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS. 7 Libocedrus decurrens. At 16 years has a maximum growth in this plot of 8 inches diameter by 30 feet high; a tree that seems hardy and well worth more extended planting in Belgium. It grows with the aspect of a very vigorous churchyard cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) in the sub-tropics: and seemingly, may be planted very close. It is less a tree of a temperate than of a sub-tropical climate, and I was surprised to see it doing so well here. It looked as well as the trees I saw in the Villa Borghese at Rome. M. Drion says that in the Pare Royal d’Ardenne are trees that at 30-40 years have diameters up to 20 inches, and heights of 46 feet. Thuja gigantea. Is growing well here, as it generally does in Belgium, says M. Drion. Picea Omorica of Servia. Looking very well: it seems quite worthy of trial in Belgium against the common spruce, says M. Drion. Pinus Pinaster. This, it will be remembered, is the pine which has been more planted, and has spread more rapidly, than any other pine (or than any other tree) in South Africa. In the arboretum plot here, cluster-pine at 16 years of age runs about 3 inches diameter, and in height the trees are growing with strong leading shoots like spruce. At 20 years the average diameter of dominating trees is 5 inches. The Leiria (Portugal) tables give 4 inches by 39 feet as the normal for cluster-pine at age 20 years. These trees look better than any I have seen in England ; but they have a stunted look compared to the cluster- pine in South Africa, and a lower rate of growth. They suffered badly from the snow this spring (1913), and bad winters, like that of 1879, almost wiped out the cluster-pine in Belgium and the centre of France. Nevertheless it is con- sidered that cluster-pine is worth planting on the Belgian dunes as a temporary nurse for other species. M. Drion is much in favour of planting cluster-pine near the coast. It does quite well, he says, near the sea in Belgium. Pinus Strobus. ‘These trees show splendid covert and a clean soil, but many of them are yellow with a leaf disease. Growth now very regular and good. At 20 years the tree averages 5 inches diameter by 25 feet high. Abtes Nordmanniana. Fromthe Caucasus. The growth of this tree is one of the best among the conifers here. It is about the same age as the common silver fir below and shows a better 8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. growth, while two or three of the trees run 5 inches diameter by 31 feet high. The official catalogue of. the arboretum has much to say in favour of this silver fir as compared with the common silver fir. Its appearance is more ornamental, its growth more vigorous, and it suffers less from spring frosts. There are some fine specimens of this tree in the Ardennes. Does well generally in Belgium, says M. Drion, especially at the Parc Royal d’Ardenne where there is a good natural reproduction. I may add that in Australia (from whence I am despatching these notes) it shows a beautiful growth in the cooler parts of the country, ¢.g. in the mountains of Victoria and Tasmania. Abies pectinata. The common silver fir. [Adzes alba (after Engler) is the more correct botanical name which is happily coming into use: appropriate not only in describing the silvery leaves, but the whiteness of the bark in the forest, the only distinction, at_a distance, from the spruce.] Our old friend of the Black Forest and the glory of the Apennines gives one the impression of being one of the most vigorous-growing and healthy conifers here. At 22 years the average growth, however, is only 3 inches diameter by 18 feet total height, or perhaps less ; and further, the growth is uneven and difficult to estimate. It is sending up strong leading shoots now. Abies Pinsapo. A failure here. Does well in the Ardennes, says M. Drion. It grows well tooin Tasmania, and as a planted tree on the mountains of Southern Spain, far from its present natural habitat there. Pseudotsuga (Abietia) Douglasii. Oregon Douglas fir. Zhzs zs easily the best among all the conifers here for healthy and rapid growth, At 23 years it averages in this plot, which is one of the worst, 5 inches diameter (with maximum of 7 inches) by 33 feet high (with maximum of 43 feet). M. Drion cites another plot of Douglas, which, at 19 years of age, with a somewhat irregular growth, had (on the stems which were not dominated) an average growth of 54 inches diameter; heights about 26 feet. He cites also the dictum of Crahay (the head of the Belgian Forest Department), that Douglas fir should not, in Belgium be planted in dry, hot localities. Another plot, 25 years old, has trees which are now 14 inches by 70 feet high, or an average height-growth of nearly 3 feet per year. Quercus rubra var. Texana. The trees here average 11 feet high at 12 years of age, and have a vigorous look. They take a TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS. 9 very fine colour in autumn, said the forest guard who had been deputed to go round the arboretum with me. This seems a case of a sub-tropical tree growing well in a cold temperate climate, like Cupressus macrocarpa, Pinus insignis, and some others. Quercus cerris, At 19 years, average 4 inches diameter by 30 feet high, and shows a first-rate growth. Picea sttchensis. Sitka spruce. Has been failing here since the drought of 1911. Picea Omorica, from Bosnia and Montenegro. Shows a quite good growth and a handsome appearance, the leaves glistening white in the sun. Picea alba. White spruce of America. Grows vigorously here, more especially when young. The catalogue says that the growth of the three American spruces—white, black and red—are all good at Groenendaal ; but this is questioned by M. Drion. Pinus contorta var. Murrayana. Very rapid growing. The forest guard with me here says he has seen leading shoots one metre in length on these trees. It is only the M/urrayana variety that shoots up so well, says the forest guard. At 14 years it now averages 4 inches diameter by 26 feet high. This is somewhere near two-thirds the growth of Douglas. In this connection, I may mention that the Murray pine is the straightest and nearly the tallest conifer in a small pinetum here at Hobart, Tasmania. Pinus Laricio var. austriaca. Austrian pine. Not doing well at Groenendaal; wantslime. But P. Laricio var. corsicana shows a better growth; also P. Laricio var. calabrica. M. Drion notes that the Corsican Zaricio would show a better growth here, but has been left too long unthinned. A plot here at 16 years of age shows (in the trees not dominated) average diameters of 5 inches and heights of 23 feet, and similarly a plot at 23 years 7 inches diameter. The Corsican Zavicio is valued in Belgium as being straighter and faster-growing than Scots pine, and hardier as regards soil, insect and fungoid pests: but so far it has not ousted the Scots pine, because it is more difficult to transplant, and the timber has not the same assured value. He cites a small plot at Roosveld (near Thouront), which, at 66 years of age, had a mean height of over 83 feet and diameters varying from ro inches to 30 inches. Fraxinus excelsior. At 18 years the plot averages 4 inches diameter by 36 feet high—all well grown. IO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Fraxinus americana. Same age and rather larger than the common ash, but not so straight. Bommer sums up European practice with the opinion that among all the American ashes that have now been tried for many years in Europe, only £. americana is really equal in all respects to /. excedstor. Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea. At 32 years averages only 6 inches diameter by 30 feet high. But, says the forest guard, two things have held these trees back—(1) the purple variety grows rather more slowly than the other; (2) it has been planted far too sparsely for beech. In any case the beech always grows slowly at first. Fraxinus juglandifolia. Same age. Growth a good deal inferior to the common ash. Fraxinus oregona. Same age and about two-thirds the growth of the common ash (/. excelsior). Juglans nigra. The big tree near the old castle, still in full vigour, measures 26 or 28 inches diameter with 30 feet bole and 88 or go feet total height. This fine old tree is one of the sights of the neighbourhood: age unknown. It is close to the arboretum, which is the reason for my mentioning it here. There are one or two similar great trees of Juglans nigra in the Botanic Garden at Brussels. ARBORETUM AT TERVUEREN. This, the second and smaller of the two arboretums in the forest of Soigne, is, at the express wish of the late King of the Belgians, arranged geographically. Thus the trees of the Pacific slope are in one place, of N.E. America in another place, of Japan in another place: and so on for all the trees in the world that are climatically suited to the climate of Brussels. The collection is not yet complete. More funds are required both to complete it and to label it. It occupies two sides of a valley, and consideration of landscape beauty have entered into the grouping and arrangement of the trees. This arboretum is at some distance from Groenendaal, and is reached by quite another route from Brussels. It has no labels, so that the visitor cannot do much without a guide. On this occasion, I had the good fortune to be accompanied by M. C. Bommer, the maker and caretaker of the arboretum. M. Bommer is the head of the Botanic Garden in Brussels, and TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS. EE the author of two useful works on trees—(1) The Arboretum Cataloge of the Tervueren Arboretum, a well got-up bound work of 211 pages; (2) a large classic on the exotics of Belgium : one of the best and most complete works on mid-European exotics. The following are the chief trees we saw in our walk round the arboretum :— Pinus contorta. Grows well here. Picea sitchensis. Sitka spruce. The largest and one of the most quick-growing of the spruces: the most northern of the Pacific conifers, says the arboretum hand-book. This is well represented in the arboretum. Has here got the same leaf disease I saw at Groenendaal. Before this they grew very well, with yearly shoots up to 3 feet in length. Trees up to 3 feet in diameter exist in Belgium. Picea rubra. Doing well here. Planted in the forest it seems neither better nor worse than the common spruce, says my guide, M. Bommer. But M. Drion cites 4 acres of P. rubra in the forest of Hertogenvald where the growth is only half that of the common spruce. Tsuga Mertensiana. At 11 years, 20 feet high and up to 8 inches in diameter; very healthy. Handsome trees with thin nodding tops, but M. Bommer fears it may be too dry for them eventually. Rainfall 28 inches here, which is rather above the average rainfall in the south-east of England. In growth, up to now, they are close on Douglas fir which is the fastest-growing tree in the Tervueren arboretum. In this arboretum they have been planted, not only in their own group, but mixed with other groups for forest purposes on account of their good growth and handsome appearance. Tsuga Pattoniana. A slow-grower from the Pacific mountains. Pinus contorta var. Murrayana. A quick-growing tree with important forest qualities. This tree ranks very high in Belgium aimong exotics on account of the rapidity of its growth, its hardiness, and good natural reproduction. It will grow on all sorts of soil and has a wide natural habitat on the Pacific slope of North America. See note on its good growth in the Groenendaal arboretum. Pseudotsuga Douglassii. Douglas fir. As at Groenendaal this is the fastest-growing conifer. At 17 years (from seed) the largest trees are some 12 inches in diameter and 40 feet high. About g inches diameter by 24 feet high is the average size, I2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Fagus ferruginea. From North America. It makes large forests there, but has not the importance of Fagus sylvatica in Europe, says M. Bommer, There is also a southern form which might be useful for sub-tropical work. Betula pubescens. Birch. Very striking, with its pure white bark in the waning light of this fine autumn afternoon. The white rubs off like whitewash. Betula excelsa. With better timber than the European birch : growing well here. It should have a forest value, says M. Bommer. Cornus florida. An underwood tree from North America with foliage striped red and green: the flower, says M. Bommer, is splendid. Platanus occidentalis. The true tree from America: certified by Dode, the French plane specialist, says M. Bommer. This does away with the statement that the true P. occidentalis will not survive in northern Europe. No doubt it is scarce. M. Bommer cites three good trees at Plantieres near Metz. But for all practical purposes it is useless in northern and mid-Europe. (Belgian Exotics, p. 111). Carya sulcata. Looks well. At 8 years is 18 feet high: a fine yellow colour now. Its great pinnate leaves recall the Caryas at Kew. Carya tomentosa had the best autumn tints this year among the Kew hickories. Carya alba. With huge leaflets now all yellow and brown; shows fine autumn tints. But at 13 years from seed is only 2 inches in diameter by 15 feet high. I cannot compare this slow growth with the Kew trees, as the ages of the latter are not stated. It is a general defect, in nearly all the Kew labels, that the age of the trees is left out: the only defect in the model labelling at Kew. Acer rubrum. Now ablaze with all its fiery autumn tints. Some years, says M. Bommer, it is more brilliant. This (1913) autumn is a mild season, for Brussels, so that there are quiet tree-tints, as in England. Quercus rubra. Never, says M. Bommer, has much autumn tints, but the young shoots are reddish. It is the same at Kew, where I have observed it for some years. Acer sactharum. Sugar maple; growing well here. At I2 years averages about 18 feet high: good autumn tints. Prunus serotina. A fast-growing tree with mahogany-like TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS, 13 timber. At 12 years the three trees here average 5 inches diameter by 25 feet high. Liriodendron tulipifera. At 11 years of age is nearly the size of the “common ash” at 30 years. For many purposes it . 1s as useful a timber as Fraxinus excelsior, and for some purposes more useful. It does not seem to have received in England (U.K.) the attention that it deserves. The leaves, as with the “common ash” and many other trees of a temperate climate, are smaller than in South Africa. Vyssa sylvatica. The best of all the trees here for autumn tints, but very slow-growing. Quercus laurifolia, which was green at Groenendaal yesterday, has a deep copper coloration here; but, says M. Bommer, this may be a hybrid. Liquidambar styraciflua is as brilliant in its autumn tints here as in South Africa or at Amani—the botanical and forest station in German East Africa that some day may vie with Buitenzorg. Its leaves are here aglow with colour. ‘This year at Kew the leaves are colourless, The difference struck me at once on my return to Kew. It is probably climatic. Pseudotsuga Douglasii var. glauca. Colorado Douglas. This, they say, is the true Colorado Douglas: not a glaucous form of the Oregon Douglas. It looks to me more like a spruce than typical Douglas. It is certainly different from the Colorado Douglas that I have frequently been shown in England, and is in fact much more like what one would expect in a tree from Colorado, It is still less like the Pseudotsuga macrocarpa figured at page 104 of Sudworth’s Forest Trees of the Pacific Coast. And that tree seems properly sub-tropical and would probably not be growing here. This tree is slow-growing, not averaging more than 1 foot a year. Picea pungens. Wandsome but slow-growing. At 12 years the trees average about ro feet high. They vary much in size and several have died recently. Libocedrus decurrens. Does well here. A _ useful tree for South Africa, says my guide M. Bommer. It has been little planted there so far. Abies concolor. Average of dominating stem 4 inches diameter at 25 years, shows a vigorous but slow growth, with 1 foot or 1} foot leading shoots. Almost the only dry-country silver fir, I4 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. says M. Bommer. The continental form is glaucous. The tree of the wetter coast ranges is green with leaves disposed flat. The two forms shown me were so different that I wondered if there were not some mistake. See above regarding the two forms of Douglas. Says M. Drion, there are two quite distinct forms (1) Adzes lastocarpa (=A. concolor Lowitana), and (2) Adies concolor. Some botanists consider these as different species and others as varieties. There are many intermediate forms between these two types. Araucaria imbricata. Doing well both here and at the Groenendaal arboretum. The older trees in the Bois de la Cambre at Brussels give fertile seed ; but few good seeds to the cones. The seeds themselves are equal to South American ones and germinate quite well, says M. Bommer. The above notes were taken by me nearly a year before the war broke out. M. Drion had the MS. for some months, and I have since had a very busy time in Australia. Hence some delay in editing these notes. They will have a historical interest if the beautiful forest of Soignes has suffered, like so much else, from the German invasion of Belgium. 2. The Black Poplars.! (With Five Plates.) By Prof. A. HENRY. About ten years ago, when I began the study of different species for Zhe Trees of Great Britain and Ireland, no group seemed so obscure as that of the cultivated poplars. Nowadays one knows that such a group probably comprises not only natural species and varieties, but also sports and hybrids. A natural species is a set of individuals uniform over a large area ; or, in some cases, it consists of two or more geographical varieties which correspond to distinct territories. Such areas of distribution are delimited by conditions of soil, climate, etc. Hybrids, which occur in nature on the boundary line between ' A part of this article appeared in Gardeners’ Chronicle, lv. pp. 1, 46, 66 (July 1914). We are indebted to the editor for the loan of the blocks of Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. We are indebted to the Department of Agriculture, Ireland, for.the loan of the block of Fig. 10. THE BLACK POPLARS. 15 areas occupied by two distinct species, are more likely to arise in nurseries or gardens where several species are cultivated together. The fine elm,! which is universally planted in Holland and Belgium, is not a natural species or variety peculiar to those countries, but a hybrid, as is shown by the nature of its seedlings. It is invariably propagated by layers, and originated probably as a single tree about 4oo years ago. Sports in trees arise in two ways, either as abnormal and often solitary seedlings in the seed-bed, or as a single peculiar branch on an otherwise normal individual. Sports, like hybrids, are usually propagated by grafting, layers, cuttings, etc. Both sports and hybrids may, through the readiness with which they can be multiplied, exceed natural species or varieties in numbers of individuals. Sports are generally selected for the curiosity or beauty of their appearance; whilst hybrids, especially first crosses, are mainly valued for the vigour of their growth. The origin of many cultivated trees can only be elucidated by a study of an historical character, supplemented by experiments, such as sowing large numbers of seeds to ascertain the characters of the resulting offspring. No genus shows more clearly than Populus the distinctions between natural species or varieties, sports, and hybrids. The two wild species? of black poplar with which we are concerned in this article occur, one in Europe, the other in eastern North America. The European black poplar is dis- tinguished from the American species by the absence of two characters in the leaves, viz. cilia on the margin and glands on the base of the blade in front. These are invariably present in the American species. In the flowers of the latter the stamens are 40 to 60, and the stigmas and placentz, 3 or 4; in those of the former there occur 12 to 25 stamens, and only 2 stigmas and 2 placenta. ‘The shape of the leaf is markedly different; in the American species it is deltoid-ovate, as broad as long, contracting abruptly into a cuspidate apex, the base being shallow-cordate or truncate. In the European black poplar the leaf is longer than broad, being drawn out at the apex into a long acuminate point, while the base in well-developed leaves is wedge-shaped. ‘ Ulmus latifolia, Poederlé. For its history, see Zrees of Great Britain, vii., pp. 1869, 1870. * The only other species in cultivation in England, not mentioned in this article, is Populus Fremontiz, Watson, which is still a rare tree in botanic gardens. It has leaves ciliate in margin, without basal glands. 16 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. Both these species have well-marked geographical varieties, there being a pubescent and a glabrous form of each, Populus nigra is the comprehensive name under which Linnzeus included all forms of the European black poplar; and as the tree planted by his own hands at Upsala is of the glabrous kind, we call this form Populus nigra var. typica. The glabrous variety appears to be strictly limited to southern and south-eastern Europe, being widely spread in southern Germany, Italy, Austro-Hungary, Balkan States, and southern Russia, It is rarely seen in cultivation in this country. Its natural habitat is the alluvial lands bordering on great rivers, like the Danube and its tributaries, and the Po and Volga. The pubescent variety, Populus nigra var. betulifolia, has dense, short pubescence on its orange-yellow twigs, readily seen with a lens. It is apparently wild in southern England and throughout France, where I have seen it from Picardy and Normandy to the foot of the Pyrenees.! It is remarkable that while well known to the pre-Linnzan English botanists, whose numerous specimens may be seen in the British Museum, it first received a distinctive name? from Michaux, who saw a few trees in New York city and on the banks of the Hudson near Albany, evidently introduced from England. It has not spread in the United States, though it is said to be sold by nurserymen there under the name Populus elegans. The English or pubescent black poplar usually forms remarkable burrs on its trunk, and is a wide-spreading, graceful tree, the habit of which is shown in Fig. 1, from a tree growing near Bishop’s Stortford. It attains an enormous size—one of the largest, which was cut down in 1912 at West Stow, near Bury St Edmunds, being 92 feet in height, and 19 feet in girth at 5 feet above the ground. This was a planted tree, as the original set, about 4 inches in diameter, was recognisable in the centre of the butt, being separated from the exterior wood by a ring-shake. Near the base 225 annual rings were counted. The timber was quite sound, the first length measuring 39 feet by 444 inches quarter- girth, or 536 cubic feet, the total contents being 748 cubic feet. This species, being a native tree, occurs in both sexes; and seedlings that were raised in June, 1907, from seed of a tree at 1 There are two fine trees at Lourdes on the side of the river opposite the shrine. 2 Populus hudsonica, F. A. Michaux (1813). 19 Castle Street, EDINBURGH, 27% July 1916. DEAR Stir, As you are no doubt aware, the question of National Afforestation is at length engaging the serious attention of the Government. Any progress that has been made in forestry in Scotland during recent years has been largely due to the efforts of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society; and there can be no doubt that our aid will be sought in any future development. We ought, therefore, to see that we are in a position to speak with the greatest possible weight. Our Society already includes a great number of men who are recognised authorities upon forestry: but we should have still more of them. The aim of the Society should be to include every one in Scotland who takes a real interest in the subject. This is not the time to issue a public appeal for an increase of membership,—so many men who sympathise with our objects being away from home in the service of their country. But I venture to make this private appeal to you and others to assist us in increasing our numbers. If every one who reads this letter will do his best to enlist at least one new member, he will be doing good service, not only to the Society, but to the cause we all desire to promote. The name and address of any one whom you may persuade to join us should be sent to the Secretary, R. Galloway, Esq., S.S.C., at the above address. Yours truly, ANDREW N. AGNEW, President, R.S.A.S, a PLATE I, _ SG Om me =e = oe Se et oe oe — < ‘ : Fic. 1, ENGLISH BLACK PopLAR (POPULUS NIGRA VAR, BETULIFOLIA), AT BisHop’s SrortTForRD, 16. p. [Zo face Garth rae : WJMec Ye Fic. 2. FEMALE LOMBARDY POPLAR, AT KEW. 5 Gardchrar > W, E Woloh. ‘ Fic, 3. Hysrip Poputus HENRYANA, AT WHITE KNIGHTS THE BLACK POPLARS. 17 Bury St Edmunds which was pollinated by adjacent staminate trees, had attained 5 to 7 feet in height in October 1911. There are three English black poplars of great size in Green Park, about 100 yards from Piccadilly, opposite Down Street, London. This tree is eclipsed in rate of growth by the hybrids, and is of little value for commercial planting. The Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra var. ttalica) is a sport, being the fastigiate form of the glabrous European black poplar, from which it differs only in the peculiar habit, all the branches being directed vertically upwards. Much erroneous matter has been written about the origin of this tree, some old writers considering it to be a distinct species, native of Asia Minor or Persia. I have given elsewhere! historical evidence proving that it originated, probably as a single tree, between 1700 and 1720 in the plains of Lombardy. From here it spread rapidly by cuttings over the whole world, reaching France in 1749, England in 1758, and the United States in 1784, while it was carried to the Levant about 1750 by the Genoese. It is unknown except as a planted tree in Asia Minor, Afghanistan, and India. The original Lombardy poplar was a staminate tree, and all trees propagated from this are consequently of the male sex. The rare female Lombardy poplars, which have been reported to occur in Germany from time to time, have not strictly vertical branches, and appear to be seedlings from poplars of the ordinary spreading form, which were pollinated by the pollen of the Lombardy poplar. The only female Lombardy poplar with a truly fastigiate habit which I have seen is a tree (Fig. 2) in Kew Gardens, about 50 feet high, which produced pistillate catkins in 1908, 1910 and 1914. The origin of this is quite unknown. Populus plantierensis* is the fastigiate form of the pubescent (or English) black poplar, and derives its name from the nursery of Simon-Louis at Plantiéres, near Metz, where it originated. M. Jouin, the present proprietor of this famous nursery, where ' Trees of Great Britain and Ireland, vii., 1798 (1913). Seguier, in Plante Veronenses, ii., 267, published in 1745, states that the fastigiate and ordinary black poplars differ only in habit, and in the first being a planted, the latter a wild tree. 2 So named by Dode (1905). This name is convenient, but it is more properly called Populus nigra var, plantierensis, Schneider (1906). VOL, XXX. PART I. B 18 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. so many sports and hybrids have been raised, told me that there existed in 1868 a line of female trees of Populus nigra var. betulifolia, alongside some Lombardy poplars, and that fifteen seedlings of fastigiate habit were found, which constituted the original stock (both sexes occurring). One of the original trees, which is a male, measured 74 feet high by 5 feet in girth in 1908. This tree can only be distinguished from the ordinary Lombardy poplar by its hairy twigs and petioles. It is doubtful if it is more vigorous, but its growth can be seen at Kew and at Glasnevin, where there are excellent specimens of this and most of the other remarkable poplars. The fastigiate habit may occur as a sport in any species of tree. Some are still very rare in cultivation, as the fastigiate beech, which is only known as a single tree at Dawyck, and the fastigiate Scots pine, the original example of which is at Dryburgh. Amongst the cypresses and junipers, fastigiate seedlings are more numerous than in other genera, and appear to breed true to the habit. Lord Selborne gathered from an upright Mediterranean cypress at Scutari in 1884 two or three cones, which lay forgotten in a drawer till 1895, when their seeds were sown. Seventeen seedlings resulted, all like the parent in habit. These were about 6 to 15 feet in height at Blackmoor in 1910. With an increase from seed in the number of fastigiate individuals, as occurs in the cypress, we see the transformation from a sport to a constant form, which, if more suitable than the spreading ordinary form in some environment, might become by selection a geographical variety. In North America, east of the Rocky Mountains, there occurs one species of black poplar, divisible, like the European species, into distinct geographical varieties. This widely-distributed American poplar has been identified by American botanists with Populus deltoidea, Marshall, an old name to which is attached a vague description. The first certain description of any form of the species was given under the name Fofulus monilifera, Aiton, a type specimen of which can be seen in the British Museum ; and I adhered to this name in Z7ees of Great Britain, vii., 1807 (1913); but as the business of nomenclature is to get some name fixed to a species, I think it now better to adopt the name favoured by American botanists. There are three distinct forms of the American black poplar in the wild state, all of which have identical floral characters, THE BLACK POPLARS. 19 and all differing in foliage from the European species as given above. ‘These are distinguishable as follows :— 1. Populus deltotdea var. monilifera, Henry | Populus montilifera, Aiton, Hort. Keur., ili., 406 (1789) |. Leaves deltoid-ovate, about 3 inches long and wide, abruptly contracted into a long non-serrated apex; base wide and shallowly cordate, bearing two glands at the junction with the petiole in front; margin densely ciliate; both surfaces and petiole quite glabrous, except for a few evanescent hairs on the midrib and main nerves. This variety, which may be conveniently called P. monilifera, is wild in Ontario, Quebec, New England, New York and Pennsylvania. Its habit is shown by Fig. 4, representing a tree growing near Ithaca (N.Y.), about roo feet in height and 13 feet in girth at 5 feet above the ground. This poplar was introduced early (about 1700) into France and England, but has not been propagated for many years as it was supplanted by the fast-growing hybrids. The only tree that I have seen in England was one in the Cambridge Botanic Garden, cut down some years ago, but replaced by a cutting, which is thriving. There are two other old trees in England which have been identified with this species. No tree is more easy to identify by the form of the leaves; and it is remarkable that the unlikeness of the hybrid forms escaped notice, the latter still masquerading in books and nursery catalogues as P. monilifera or its synonym P. canadensis, names only applicable to the true American species. 2. Populus deltoidea var. occidentalis, Rydberg [Populus Sargentit, Dode (1905); Populus occidentalis, Britton (1906) |. Leaves smaller than in the preceding, thicker in texture, and lighter in colour, deltoid, truncate at the base, with fewer and coarser serrations; glabrous. This, which is the xerophytic form of the species, grows in North America in the territory east of the Rocky Mountains, from Saskatchewan and Alberta southwards to New Mexico and western Texas, and is the characteristic tree on the river flats of the western prairies. It has not been introduced. 3. Populus deltotdea var. missouriensis, Henry [P. angulata var. missouriensis, Henry, in Zyees of Great Britain, vii., 1811 {1913)]. Leaves similar in shape to those of var. monzilifera, but larger, 20 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 5 or 6 inches in width and length; both surfaces of the leaf and petiole pubescent, some of the pubescence remaining in summer ; basal glands three or four. This variety occurs in the south and south-eastern parts of the United States, ascending the Mississippi basin from Louisiana to Missouri; also in Georgia. This large-leaved, more pubescent form is probably the large poplar referred to by Marshall as growing on the banks of great rivers in Carolina and Florida, but I have seen no speci- mens from there. If these turn out to be identical, this form may be considered to be typical Populus deltoidea, Marshall. I have seen no tree of this variety in Britain; but it is occasionally cultivated in southern France and in Italy. Hysrip POPLARS. The black poplars which are extensively cultivated for timber in France and Belgium, and also in England, are almost invariably of hybrid origin. This fact is easily established from their history and from a study of their botanical characters. With the introduction at the end of the seventeenth century of American trees into Europe, hybrids between them and the allied European species soon began to appear as natural seedlings in nurseries, and in no genus are they so readily produced as in Populus, where the individuals occur in two sexes. Moreover, hybrid seedlings are early noticed as endowed with exceptional vigour, and the propagation of any vigorous seedling poplar by cuttings is so easy that it was often done. I have given elsewhere! the history of the different hybrids, and I need only now indicate the characters by which they differ from the parents which are, on the one hand, the glabrous or the pubescent European black poplar, and, on the other, Populus deltotdea. The hybrids have leaves intermediate in shape, never shallowly cordate at the base as in /. de/ltoidea, and never cuneate as in P. nigra; cilia on the margin sparse and irregular; basal glands variable on the leaves of the same branch, absent or one or two, not invariably? present as. in P. deltoidea, nor always absent as in P. nigra. ' Trees of Great Britain, vii., 1814 (1913). * In Populus angulata, the glands are always present, constituting an exception in this respect to the other hybrids. PA Helle v NI LS aN ein Q AMERICAN BLACK POPLAR (POPULUS DELTOIDEA VAR. MONILIFERA), 3. 4. Fi NEAR ITHACA (N.Y,). O. 2 [ To Jace p- BLACK IrALIAN POPLAR (POPULUS SEROTINA), AT BELTON. 5. Fic. THE BLACK POPLARS. 21 The principal hybrid black poplars are :— 1. Populus angulata, Aiton (1789). This has been cultivated in England and France since 1750, always being popularly known as the Carolina poplar. It was said by Michaux to be common in the two Carolinas and the other southern States, but it has never been recognised as a wild tree in any part of America. It differs remarkably from P. de/focdea in the scales of the flowers, which are small, cucullate or concave, simply dentate and not divided on the margin into long filiform lobes. The flowers, which occur in both sexes, are, however, often malformed, and I formerly considered that P. angulata was merely one of the forms of P. deltotdea which underwent a mutation in its flowers after cultivation in Europe. Though in most respects the leaves, which persist green on the tree till late in November, are similar to those of P. de/toidea var. missourtensis yet they are not identical, as they tend to be longer than broad, rounded or acute (rarely acuminate) at the apex, deeply cordate or truncate at the base, and are glabrous except for the pubescent petioles. I now believe that P. angulata originated as a seedling of a female P. nigra typica, the flowers of which had been pollinated by a male P. deltoidea missouriensis. The persistence of the leaves till late in autumn is due to the southern origin of the male parent, which was introduced into France from Carolina about 1700. The latter tree, the true Carolina poplar, was soon neglected, its place and name being taken by its more vigorous hybrid offspring. There are a few fine examples of P. angulata in England, the most remarkable being a very old tree at Danny Park, Sussex, which has layered, producing a great number of stems, and altogether covering an area over 150 yards in circumference. The hybrid Carolina poplar is more suitable, however, for the climate of the south of France and of northern Italy, where it is common in avenues and in plantations. 2. Populus serotina, Hartig (1851), otherwise Populus helvetica, Poederlé (1792). This, which is a male tree, is always known in England as the black Italian poplar, and in France as Peuplier suisse or (erroneously) Peuplier de Virginie. It appears to have been one of the earliest hybrid poplars to be selected, being described by Duhamel in 1755, and introduced into England before 1787. It has glabrous twigs 22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. and leaves, and is the latest of all the poplars in unfolding its leaves, which in the young state have a fine bronzy tint. The parents, judging from the botanical characters and the late open- ing of the foliage, were evidently P. nigra typica and P. deltoidea monilifera. The latter had been introduced into France from Canada, where it is wild in the valley of the St Lawrence. The black Italian poplar has a characteristic habit and can be readily distinguished, even a mile off, by its ascending branches and wide head, as is well shown in Fig. 5, which represents a tree at Belton, near Grantham, about 125 feet in height and 15 feet in girth at 5 feet from the ground. Mr A. B. Jackson records one at Albury as 150 feet in height. The remarkable fast growth of this valuable poplar is evidenced by a tree, exactly roo years old, which was felled at Cassio Bridge, near Watford, in 1907. It was 130 feet in height, and 16 ft. 11 ins. round the trunk at 5 feet up, the contents of the butt being 701 cubic feet, and of the timber of the whole tree about rooo cubic feet. 3. Populus regenerata, Schneider. This is a female tree, exactly resembling the black Italian poplar in twigs and leaves, but the latter open at least a fortnight earlier. In habit this is narrower in outline (see Fig. 6). Most of the so-called eucalyptus poplars are really this hybrid, which appears to have been picked up as a seedling in a nursery near Paris in 1814. In France it is now more common and grows faster than P. sevo¢ina, and at Pontvallain has attained, in 22 years from the planting of the set, 110 feet in height and 6 ft. to 6 ft. ro ins. in girth. At Culford, Suffolk, a plantation of these trees, 14 years old, averaged 55 feet in height in 1913. 4. Populus Eugenet, Simon-Louis. This is a male tree, with twigs and leaves similar to those of P. sevotina, but the leaves are smaller and open earlier, and in habit it is distinctly narrower than the black Italian poplar. It was found in 1832 asa chance seedling in a bed of silver firs in the nursery of Simon-Louis, near Metz. The only female poplar then existing in this nursery was P. regenerata, which was very probably fertilised by the pollen of a Lombardy poplar near by, these two poplars being evidently the parents of this remarkable hybrid. The original tree is, in my opinion, the most wonderful tree in Europe in point of vigour, as it measured in 1913, when 81 years old, no less than 150 feet in height and 25 feet in girth at 5 feet above the ground, and appears to be still growing rapidly. eine U0 ( De Sea? ieee om Wh Ewe LC. Fic. 8. Populus ROBUSTA, AT GLASNEVIN, ON THE RIGHT; ORDINARY LOMBARDY POPLAR ON THE LEFT. THE BLACK POPLARS. 23 Another tree, a cutting of the last, planted in 1870, was 140 feet high by 15 feetin girth. P. Hugene/ thrives in sandy soil at Kew, where, of eight trees 24 years planted, the two largest, in 1912, measured go feet by 5 ft. 1 in. and 84 feet by 4 ft. 5 ins., whilst the others ranged from 50 to 60 feet in height and 2 ft. 4 ins. to 3 ft. 5 ins. in girth. All preserve the narrow pyramidal form (see Fig. 7). 5. Populus Henryana, Dode (see Fig. 3), is one of the hybrids with a branching habit, recalling that of P. montlifera. Itisa staminate tree, with leaves cuneate at the broad base. It is very rare, and is probably of no particular vigour, but forms a picturesque tree when old, as shown in the illustration, which represents a fine specimen at White Knights, about roo feet in height and 14 feet in girth. The origin of this hybrid is unknown. 6. Populus marilandica, Bosc. This hybrid, like the preceding five, has glabrous twigs, but the leaves in shape strongly resemble /. zzgra, from which it may be distinguished by the presence of glands at the base and stray cilia on the margin of the blade, and by the placentz and stigmas being variable, 2, 3, or even 4 in number. This originated early in the nineteenth century, and specimens so named from trees at Montpellier in 1833, and Carlsruhe in 1845, can be seen in herbaria. It is always female, and has been erroneously identified by Hartig, Koehne, Schneider, etc., with 7. canadensis, Michaux, which is one of the later names of the true American species. It is not very vigorous, but a tree at Kew near the palm-house measures go feet high by 8 feet in girth. The two remaining hybrids (7 and 8) have as one parent Populus nigra var. betulifolia, and in consequence their twigs are covered, like it, with pubescence. In the preceding six hybrids, the corresponding parent is the glabrous Populus nigra, either in its ordinary spreading form (var. /yfzca) or in its fastigiate sport (Lombardy poplar), and in consequence the twigs are glabrous. 7. Populus robusta, Schneider (see Fig. 8). This was found in 1895 in Simon-Louis’ nursery near Metz, and during my visit there in 1913 I was shown the spot where the seedling was picked up, about 20 feet distant from an old tree of Populus anguiata (about 80 feet high and 8 feet round). This bears female flowers regularly ; and one of these, giving origin to the seedling, must have been pollinated by the pollen of Populus 24 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. plantierensis, a tree not far off (see p. 17). From the latter parent is derived the hairy twigs and the narrow columnar habit, with ascending (not vertical) branches, which characterise P. robusta, This is believed by M. Jouin to be the finest of all the hybrids, and three trees on good soil in his nursery are at 18 years old about go feet in height, with stems 5} to 6} feet round at 5 feet from the ground. At Glasnevin, on poor, shallow soil, in an exposed situation, there is a fine specimen of P. robusta, which was obtained as a cutting in 1899. It measures about 46 feet in height and 2 ft. 4 ins. in girth. Its remark- able straight stem, with very narrow ascending branches, is well seen in Fig. 8 contrasting with the fastigiate habit of the much older Lombardy poplar on the left. If this tree is found to bear wind well, as it appears to do at Glasnevin, it may be of con- siderable economic importance in Ireland, where the black Italian poplar is broken to pieces by the constant prevailing wind and heavy storms that are so common in most districts. It would provide speedily excellent timber for box-making, as the stem can be pruned readily to a considerable height before the branches become too large. 8. Fupulus Lloydit, Henry (see Fig. 9), is similar to P. robusta in the pubescent branchlets and shape of the leaves, but is a * female tree with flowers bearing 2 or 3 stigmas. Its origin is obscure, but one of the parents is probably the English black poplar (P. nigra var. betulifolia), The only large specimens that we have seen are at Leaton Knolls, near Shrewsbury, the residence of Major Lloyd, where three trees measured, in rgro, 120 feet high by 13 feet in girth, 110 feet by t1 ft. 2 ins., and 98 feet by rod feet (see Fig. 9). Smaller trees have been noticed near Cambridge, and at Turnham Green, London. Until lately all the hybrid poplars in cultivation had originated as chance seedlings (the result of accidental crossing by wind- pollination), which observant nurserymen or gardeners found desirable to propagate on account of their vigour. The artificial production of fast-growing hybrids is now being attempted. The most interesting so far obtained by me is one named Populus generosa, which was raised from seed produced in 1912 by fertilising a Populus angulata (Q) tree at Kew with pollen of the Pacific Coast (U.S.) balsam poplar (P. ¢vichocarpa). Four seedlings (Fig. 10) were obtained, which have made very rapid growth and bear beautiful large leaves intermediate between the PuaTE IV. Fic. 9. Hysprip Poru.us LLoypil1 GROWING AT LEATON KNOLLS, SHREWSBURY. [To face p. 24. FIG. 10, POPULUS GENEROSA, TREE 27 MONTHS OLD, FROM SEED, THE BLACK POPLARS. 25 two parents. It will be noticed that this new hybrid is a cross between two poplars belonging to different sections of the genus. Populus generosa, Henry, was first described in Gardeners’ Chronicle, \vi. 258 (17th October 1914); but the reader’s attention may be drawn to the account of this and other artificial hybrids, which has been published in Journal of Department of Agriculture, Ireland, xv. 44, fig. 6 (October 1914). Populus generosa is easily propagated by cuttings, and will shortly be on sale at a trade nursery, where the valuable P. robusta also is obtainable. The following Key, together with Figs. 11 and 12, reproduced from Zyrees of Great Britain, vol. vii. t. 409 (1913) will serve for the discrimination, by the leaves and twigs, of the various poplars mentioned above. The black poplars constitute the section Azgetros, Duby in De Candolle, Syx. Fl. Fl. Gall. i. 427 (1828), and are distinguished from the other groups (aspens, white poplars, balsam poplars, etc.) by their leaves, green on both surfaces and bordered with a clearly defined translucent margin. KEY TO THE BLACK POPLARS. I.—LEAVES NEVER CILIATE IN MARGIN. 1. Populus nigra, Linneus. Wild in Europe, Caucasus, Siberia. Leaves rhomboid, about 3 inches long, 2 inches broad, cuneate at the base, gradually tapering above into a long acuminate apex 5 glands never present on the base. Stigmas 2. Stamens 15 to 30. Branchlets and petioles glabrous in var. ¢yfzca, pubescent in var. detz/zfolza. The Lombardy poplar (var. ztalica) is the fastigiate sport of var. ¢yfzca, and var. plantierensis is the fastigiate sport of var. be/u/ifolia. II.—LEAVES CILIATE IN MARGIN. * Glands absent on the base of the leaf. 2. Populus Fremontii, Watson. Wild in California, Utah, Texas. Leaves on young cultivated trees, reniform or rhombic, with a cuneate base ; on old trees deltoid with a truncate base ; about 24 inches wide; apex cuspidate ; serrations few, coarse, incurved. Stigmas 3. Stamens about 60. ** Glands always present on the base of the leaf. 3. Populus deltoidea, Marshall, var. montlifera, Henry, in Gardeners’ Chronicle, lvi. 2 (4th July 1914). [Populus monilifera, Aiton. | Twigs rounded. Leaves deltoid-ovate, about 3 inches wide, shallowly cordate or truncate at the base, cuspidate at the apex; serrations sinuate 26 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. with incurved tips, fewer and coarser than in its hybrids. Stigmas 3 or 4. Stamens 50 to 60. 4. Populus deltoidea, Marshall, var. mzssouriensis, Henry, in Gardeners’ Chronicle, lvi. 46 (18th July 1914). Twigs angled. Leaves similar in shape to the last, but larger, 5 to 6 inches wide and long ; petiole and both surfaces pubescent, some of the pubescence persisting in summer; basal glands 3 or 4. Stigmas 3 or 4. Stamens 50 to 60. 5. Populus angulata, Aiton, Hort. Kew., iii. 407 (1789). | Populus deltoidea, var. mtssouriensts x Populus nigra var. typica. | Twigs angled. Leaves similar to the last, but longer than broad and differing in the rounded or acute apex, deeply cordate or truncate at the base, glabrous except for the pubescent petioles ; basal glands 30r4. Flowers with small, dentate scales. Stigmas 4. Stamens 50 to 60. *** Glands variable at the base of the leaf, absent or one or two in number. Hybrids between the European P. 2zgra and the American P. deltoidea var. sondlefera.| Leaves with irregular marginal cilia, which are often sparse and usually deciduous in summer; serrations not coarse and not sinuate. + Branchlets glabrous. 6. Populus serotina, Hartig. Branches ascending, wide-spreading. Leaves unfolding latest of all the poplars and with a red tint, ovate-deltoid, about 3 inches wide, with a broad truncate base. A staminate tree ; stamens 20 to 25. 7. Populus regenerata, Schneider. Similar to P. Augenez in habit ; with foliage like that of P. sevotina, but unfolding a fortnight earlier. A pistillate tree ; stigmas usually only 2. 8. Populus Eugenet, Simon- Louis. A narrow columnar tree with short ascending branches. Leaves unfolding early with a reddish tint, smaller than those of P. sevotina, broadly cuneate at the base, with a slender sharp-pointed non-serrated acuminate apex. A staminate tree ; stamens about 20. 9. Populus marilandica, Bosc. A tree with irregular branches. Leaves early in unfolding, rhomboid, cuneate at the base, tapering into a long acuminate apex. A pistillate tree ; stigmas variable, 2, 3, or 4. P. robusta excepted. BEATER IW. lypica. oui > ) rusra v Fremontit. @ © aa! | rr} G ) ‘waagq Ww 1H [Zo face p 106. Fic. 5. TABLE-TOP OF SCOTTISH-GROWN OAK. THE NEGLECT OF HOME TIMBER. 107 Elm also makes most attractive panelling if properly selected and used. It is also admirable in wide plain boards for linings of such rooms as a garden room, estate office or business room. I hear the reader object that it twists. So it does if improperly used and in an unseasoned condition, but if the wood be well seasoned and sympathetically handled the twisting can be got over. Ash also makes good panelling, and so do both beech and plane tree, the latter being a most beautiful wood, hardly ever seen inside a house, but used for calendering and other commercial purposes. Veneers, whether those known in the trade as “curls,” or those with waved or fiddle back markings, can also be got from this wood (Plate IX. fig. r). As king of the hardwoods—for the variety and beauty of its figure, for the multitude of the uses it can be put to, and for the glorious part it has played in “ our rough island story” —oak is too well known to require any remark here, except that the Scottish-grown oak is in figure or “ chamf,” if possible, more interesting than English, owing to the fact that the growth has been slower and the fight with the elements more severe (Fig. 5). As a result of the efficient organisation of the foreign trade, and also owing to the apathy of architects and of the public, it is lamentable to think of the enormous percentage of Austrian and other imported oak for panelling, flooring, etc., that was used in this country before the war. For character, for variety of figure, there is no sort of comparison between the two materials. Austrian is tamer, though slightly easier to work, but if the native trade were properly organised and marketed, the price for the home material ought to be slightly lower than the foreign, which would pay for the extra cost of working. Scots walnut makes beautiful panelling for a room, but the supply is very limited. This is an example of a hardwood that might be much more grown as a feature in mixed planta- tions, and the timber always commands a high price. A room panelled in home walnut is a joy to live in. When we come to furniture, the range of choice is considerable. (1) Oak, from which interesting burr veneers can be got. (2) Walnut. (3) Ash. (4) Elm; this tree also yields fine burr veneer (Figs. 3 and 4). (5) Birch, which is excellent for bed- room furniture. (6) Maple. - 108 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. / Among the rarer woods, which might be more grown and which would be much more used in cabinet work if they could be got with any certainty, are cedar, gean (wild cherry), mulberry, laburnum, holly, cherry and yew. Yew stands almost by itself. It is a most beautiful wood for cabinet work, and owing to its scarcity itis almost always used in the form of veneer. If left for some length of time in pond water, or better, if a log can be got that has been long submerged in a bog, it becomes a lovely purplish violet colour, cooler in colour than the famous West Indian King wood which the French are so fond of using in their fine veneered cabinet work. Let us hope that one of the indirect results of this disastrous war may be to stimulate interest in the use of all our home products. If users of timber will demand home timber in any work, whether building or furniture, in which they may be interested, the battle will be already won and the public will soon follow. Whenever home timber comes to what is called a “ brisk inquiry,” it will be worth while for the home timber merchant to employ his capital in stocking and seasoning it. 15. Meeting with Development Commissioners. At a special meeting of the Council, held on 8th March, the President reported that he had received a letter from Sir William Haldane, suggesting that the Council might appoint repre- sentatives to confer with the Development Commissioners on the subject of afforestation of land in private ownership. He said that such an invitation could not be ignored, and he proposed that it should be accepted. The Council agreed, and appointed the President, Mr Price, and the Secretary, as the Council’s representatives. The meeting took place on Friday, 7th April, and on reporting to the Council the committee were authorised to send the following letter to the Development Commissioners :— ‘19 CASTLE STREE!, ‘© EDINBURGH, 14th April 1916. “‘S1r,—Our committee reported to the Council of the Society on Saturday, 8th inst., what took place at the informal discussion on Friday with representatives of the Development Com- Prate XI. be: Gc fc f NaA ¥ wag HSV SLOOS ‘9 SI [Zo face p. 108. VENEERED QUARTERED PANEL OF ScoTTISH ASH. fe FIG. MEETING WITH DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS, 10g missioners on the subject of the advancement of afforestation in Scotland, and we were authorised to submit the following suggestions to you with the view of enabling your Commission, if so advised, to issue fresh proposals for consideration :— ‘‘r, We were informed by your representatives that the Treasury was not disposed to find money for the purchase of land for afforestation. We therefore dropped a very modest scheme which we had prepared in hopes of getting a start made without delay—a scheme which would have cost the country less in five years than the price we pay for imported timber in a single day. It is suggested, however, that the objection to the purchase of land might not apply if payment of the price were made by annual instalments extending over a period not exceeding fifty years. ‘‘2. It appears that the leasing scheme outlined in the Memorandum issued by the Board of Agriculture in November I914 is not acceptable to landowners, mainly because they cannot as a rule afford to do without some annual payment to account of their interest in the undertaking. It is suggested that the lessee should offer to pay the rent at present appearing in the Valuation Roll during the currency of the lease, and also a bonus or percentage on the profits of the undertaking, with the object of inducing the landowner to take a helpful interest in the venture. The landowner should, of course, be bound to pay all the owners’ taxes. “3. It might be advisable to make clear in any future Memorandum what use the lessee would desire to make of existing estate machinery (subject to supervision) for the purpose of carrying on the work. “4. If only existing woodland is to be dealt with, claims for compensation should not arise, but if land is taken which is occupied by any existing industry or interest, some compensation might be necessary to recompense the person disturbed or displaced, and this would form a charge on the new industry. ‘5. It is assumed that all land included in the scheme will be properly forest land, which should, therefore, be kept under forest in perpetuity, and that this is the explanation of the provision that the landowner must, at the termination of the lease, either take over the lessee’s share of the crop at valuation, or continue the lease. Would the continuation be on the same terms or subject to adjustment of rent ? IIO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. ‘‘As you are aware, the Society does not claim to speak on behalf of the landowners of the country, but these suggestions are put forward with the view of endeavouring to have the former proposals brought more into line with what are known to be their views, in the hope that an arrangement may be arrived at which will induce landowners freely to take advantage of the terms offered.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, *“R, GALLoway, ** The Secretary, ‘* Secretary. ‘* Development Commission, **6a Deans Yard, ‘* Westminster, S. W.” To the above letter the following reply was received :— °°6a DEANS YARD, ‘© WESTMINSTER, S.W., “* 20th April 1916. “‘Sir,—I am directed by the Development Commissioners to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, which they will carefully consider.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, ‘“°G, Sracc, ‘