ae)
ahi
han MEAs iN bY iy vt x % M - east ph eGek - :
rience ra fi) We. DW [ N B 4. Se 4 : ; kee
Mey aie % Mg! 3 Wye , gi Q asd ey “
Hate ; ag Weta, 4 , AY \. an’
a ie i WAL) a) tt ae : a : 4 Wi bah 6 Hrae ¥ : ’ Re ey ae
“ae me ‘ Se 7 re ; %
uy
Rial
rate ae Hh AN
may) eae hy
CRC Roy
: v4 4
ereeine i
», is
eo ie ¥) t:
( age thet
» it ht Wat f in Rs
eC UI AMM a: YTS al
Dt x eX
Pa? fib | Menta A
RCRA manne
H . " ai cf Ah ie aN
byrny! eony ry vie wk Giaeheh ah As MA ‘i
alee vn + ih iN
ist ,
*
rey
HA
av) $
-
aoe
aS i
t ry
+i Weal (s Ho shit ,
tues a ont Ch bal ens Mi
»
Lay sy ak
nes
ans Ou
5
nN
4
Stas “4 Y ai sah oh Oe
OLRM MMOs ks A
tN nya ahnie Miele se iy Sieh chy erties oy
os 3
ae
. At
ae
4,
A
t
LIBRARY NEW YOR™ ROTA AL GARDEN
[LIBRARY NEW YORK BOT.*> ICAL GARDEN
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL
SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCLETY.
Eireur-CoOLoNneEL F. BALLEY, F.R.S.E,
HONORARY EDITOR,
A. D. RICHARDSON,
ASSISTANT EDITOR.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, S3.C.,
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
VOL. XIX.
E DIN BU-RG H.:
PRINTED FOR: THE SOOLETY.
SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
1906,
“LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
Vite Le
i gf i
:
_
+
.
3
*
CONTENTS OF VOL. XIX,
The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or
views expressed by the authors of papers.
PAGE
I. Timber: Its Strength and How to Test It. By T. Hupson Beare,
M.Inst.C.E., Regius Professor of Engineering in the University
of Edinburgh, . | : ‘ : : : : 1
II. Concerning Natural Regeneration in general, together with Special
Details regarding a typical example of Natural Regeneration of
the Scots Pine at Beauly, Inverness-shire (with Photographs).
By Gitsert Brown, Beaufort Cottage, Kiltarlity, Inverness-
shire, . s : ; : & ; 2 17
III. The Prospects of growing Timber for Profit in the United Kingdom.
By ArcuiBpaLpD E. Morran, Land Agent, Palmerston House,
Portumna, Co. Galway, . : : : s : 25
IV. The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Maintenance for
the first Twenty-five Years. By Donatp M. Macponatp,
Assistant Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, x 32
VY. The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Maintenance for
the first Twenty-five Years. By Joun M. Murray, Assistant
Forester, Murthly, Perthshire, . : 4 ; 4 44
VI. Megastigmus spermotrophus, Wachtl, as an Enemy of Douglas Fir
(Pseudotsuga Douglasii), with two Plates. By R. Srrwarr
MacDouecat., M.A., D.Se., F.R.S.E., Hon. Consulting Ento-
mologist to the Society, ‘ . A : ‘ 52
VII. Some Notes on the Home Timber-Trade in the East of Scotland.
By ApAm Spiers, Timber Merchant, Edinburgh, x - 66
VIII. Notes on the Rate of Growth of Mature Timber-Crops in Eastern
Perthshire. By the Hon. Epiror, F : : : 70
IX. Note on ‘‘ The Railway Fires Act, 1905.” By the Hon. Epiror, 73
X. On some Japanese and North American Trees suitable for growing
in British Woodlands. By H. J. Evwss, F.R.S., Colesborne,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, . : 4 : : 76
XI. Working-Plan for the Alice Holt Forest. By Dr W. Scuticu,
assisted in the Field-Work by Mr W. F, PERREE, " : 83
iv
XIII.
XIV.
Ve
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
CONTENTS.
. The Conversion of Stored Coppice into Highwood, and how I
became converted to the latter System of Sylviculture. By
_H. J. MARSHALL, Gayton Hall, Ross, Hereford,
The Destruction of Rabbits Injurious to Woodlands and Fields.
By the Hon. Epiror,
The Training of Probationers for the Indian Forest Service. By
the Hon. Epiror,
The Chief Timber-Trees of India. By the Hon. Eprror,
Notes on Indian Forestry in 1905. By the Hon. Epiror,
Some Recent Developments in Swedish Forestry. By Jigmiastare
Eis Nitson, Kolleberga, Ljungbyhed, Sweden, a
Belgian Forestry in some of its Aspects (with Photographs). By
A. T. GILLANDERS, Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumber-
land,
. The Town- Woods of Carlsbad (Bohemia). By the Hon. Epiror,
. Notes on Continental Forestry in 1905. By the Hon. Epiror, .
. The Twenty-eighth Annual Excursion—Argyll, Ayr, and Renfrew,
5th to 8th July 1905. By the Assisranr Epiror,
. Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s
Show at Glasgow, July 1905. By the Assisranr Eprror,
REPORTS BY THE HonorARY SCIENTISTS—
Report by A. W. Borruwick, D.Sc., Honorary Consulting
Cryptogamist, - 4 ; : :
Report by R. Srewart MacDoveatt, M.A., D.Se., F.R.S.E.,
Honorary Consulting Entomologist, .
Norges AND QuERIES:—A Note upon Dr Nisbet’s Criticism of
the Report of the Departmental Committee on Forestry in
the Preface to The Forester, and his Reply thereto—The
Decline in the Value of Coppice- Woods—The Prices of Timber
in the South of England in 1904 and 1905—Profits from
Timber-Growing in Hampshire—Rooks Feeding on Pine Beetles
—The Birch and Alder Saw-Fly—Experiment with Lime and
Arseniate of Soda for Protection against the Pine Weevil—A
Fine Larch—Russian Larch—Hungarian Ash—A New Tas-
manian Wood—Tupelo Wood—Hickory Becoming Scaree—
Water in Creosote for Timber Preserving—A Gigantie Cedar
of Lebanon—Trees at Auchincruive, Ayrshire—Forestry in
Japan—Mexican Forestry—Artificially Coloured Wood—The
Seasoning of Timber—What is a Load of Timber ?—Weight of
Timber—The Royal English Arboricultural Society—Appoint-
ment to Forestry Lectureship—Imports of Timber into the
United Kingdom, 1905,
PAGE
99
104
107
111
128
136
139
150
161
180
190
195
196
199
.
}
‘
;
CONTENTS.
REVIEWS AND Norices or Books—
The Forester: A Practical Treatise on British Forestry and
Arboriculture for Landowners, Land Agents, and Foresters.
By Joun Nisper, D.dic., formerly Conservator of Forests,
Burma, Author of ‘Burma under British Rule,’ ‘ British
Forest Trees,’ ‘Studies in Forestry,’ ‘Our Forests and Wood-
lands,’ etc., and Editor of the Sixth Edition of ‘ The Forester’
by the late James Brown, LL.D.,
Elementary Forestry. By CHaruss EH. Curtis, F.S.L.,
The New Forestry, or the Continental System adapted to British
Woodlands and Game Preservation. By Joun Simpson,
Future Forest Trees. The Importance of the German Experi-
ments in the Introduction of North-American Trees. By
A. Haroup Unwin, D.Cic., .
The Estate Nursery. By Jonn Simpson,
Vocabulaire Forestiere: Francais—Anglais—Allemand. By
J. Gerschel, Agrégé de l'Université, Professeur d’Anglais et
d’ Allemand a l’Kcole nationale des Eaux et Foréts de Nancy,
Manual of the Trees of North America (exclusive of Mexico).
By CHARLES SPRAGUE SARGENT, Director of the Arnold
Arboretum of Harvard University,
The Royal Forests of England, By J, Cuartes Cox, LL.D.,
F.S.A., ; : ; : i
Webster’s Practical Forestry: A Popular Handbook on the
Rearing and Growth of Trees for Profit or Ornament. By
A. D. WEBSTER,
Osiruary Norices:—Patrick Neill Fraser—David Pringle Laird
—Alexander Pitcaithley—Robert Baxter,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE RoyAL ScorrisH ARBORICULTURAL
Socigery, 1905.
XXIII. The Possibilities of Artificial Manures in Forestry. By
A. W. Bortruwick, D.Se., Honorary Consulting Crypto-
gamist to the Society, : :
XXIV. The Planting of Waste Land for Profit. By Joun NIsser,
D.e., : - : 2
XXV. On the Advantages of Growing Pit-wood Timber. By
W. Marrnanp Stewart, Edinburgh, :
XXVI. Protection of Young Spruce from Frost. By Gero. U.
Macponatp, Forester, Raith, Fifeshire, . : :
XXVII. Profitable Co-operative Timber- Growing. By Roserr
GaLLoway, 8.S.C., Edinburgh, : ‘ :
PAGE
219
229
231
232
234
235
236
238
240
241
245
259
282
287
291
vi CONTENTS.
XXVIII. Notes on a Visit to Switzerland and Germany, 1905. By
JoHN J. R. MeErkLEJOHN, Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire,
XXIX. Example Plots or Forest Gardens. By Lieut.-Colonel
F. BAtey, . . c ; ; :
XXX. Training of Foresters. By J. Parry, M.Inst.C.E., .
XXXI. Deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. By the
PRESIDENT, ; i
XXXII. The Irish Forestry Society, . 5 : c 2
XXXIII. Memorandum as to the Law relating to Trees, Woods, and
Plantations in Scotland. By Roperr Ganttoway, S.S.C.,
Edinburgh, .
XXXIV. Anticipated Curtailment of Timber Supplies from Sweden.
By Lieut.-Colonel F, BArLey, : : : .
XXXV. The Novar System of Combating Larch Disease,
XXXVI. Supply of Telegraph Poles to the Post Office. By Lieut. -
Colonel F. Battery, ' . 3 5
XXXVII. Area of Woodlands in Great Britain, .
XXXVIII. The Society’s Register of Foresters and other Estate-men.
By the SEcRErARY, : ; ; 5 .
Nores AND QUERIES :—Appeal by the Honorary Editor for
Contributions—Diploma in Forestry at Oxford—South
African School of Forestry—Sir Herbert Maxwell on
Neglected Woodlands—A Tree-Strangling Fungus—A
Conifer Disease—Forestry in Kiao-chau—Aleohol from
Sawdust—Note on Review of The Forester—Aberdeen
Branch of the Society,
REVIEWS AND Norices or Booxs—
Fremdlindische Wald-und-Parkbiume fiir Europa. By
Hernrich Mayr, Dr. philos. et eoc. publ., 0. 6 Pro-
fessor der forstlichen Produktionslehre an der k. Univer-
sitit zu Miinchen,
Kiinstliche Diingung im Forstlichen Betriebe. Von Dr Fr.
GIERSBERG, : ; : ; : -
OsituARry, Norick:—Earl of Mansfield, ex-President of the
Society,
ee OF THE RoyaL ScorrisH ARBORICULTURAL
Soctgery, 1906.
PAGE
308
317
320
323
327
332
337
339
343
347
350
353
363
365
367
TRANSACTIONS
OF THI
ROYAL
; SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. —
| VOL. XIX. PAR T. |
g JOHN NISBET, D.(c,
| HONORARY EDITOR.
| | A. D. RICHARDSON,
} ASSISTANT EDITOR.
. ROBERT GALLOWAY, 8.8.C.,
‘| SECRETARY AND TREASURER. 2
Gg |
@g
| |
: 8
SF PEALE PALA
EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
MCMVI.,
oR ERD A
mF ;
Price to Non-Members, = LIBRARY
ie Si- NEW YORK
: BOTANICAL
-_ CARNMNENI ae ele SF eee ee,
ADVERTISEMENTS.
DOUGLAS & FOULIS
BOOKSELLERS anv LIBRARIANS
STANDARD WORKS ON FORESTRY
Priced List Free on Application
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
ADAM WILSON & SONS,
bome Timber Merchants and SawzMillers,
AUCHINLE@CK, AYRSHIRE.
Every description of Round and Cut up Home Timber supplied for Collieries,
Cartwrights, Coachbuilders, Boatbuilders, &c,
Branches: TROON AND DAILLY, AYRSHIRE.
Telegraphic Address: Telephone No.
‘“WILSONS, AUCHINLECK.” 0200 CATRINE.
THE NEW FORESTRY; © the Continental
System adapted to British Woodlands and Game Preservation.
Copiously Illustrated. By Joun Simpson, lately Head Forester to
the Right Hon. the late Earl of Wharncliffe.
SECOND EDITION, Price 15s. net. Postage 4d. extra.
Also QUICK FRUIT CULTURE. New methods
for Gardens great or small. By JoHNn Simpson, Author of “The
New Forestry.”
Price 7s. 6d. net. Postage 4d. extra.
PAWSON & BRAILSFORD,
Publishers and Printers, SHEFFIELD.
a
ADVERTISEMENTS.
SBy Special Appointment to this Majesty the ting.
Telephone—
Teleqrams— Central No. 2674.
¢ : Edinburgh Central No. 2675.
‘‘Treibhaus, London.”
s i, a Glasgow—
‘Hothouse’ or “‘Iron, Gorbals No. 446, National.
Edinburgh. Lonaotee
No. 2117 P.O. Hampstead.
MACKENZIE & MONCUR, LTD.
Hothouse Builders,
Heating, Ventilating, & Electrical Engineers,
and Ironfounders.
LONDON: 8 CAMDEN ROAD, N.W.
GLASGOW: 443 EGLINTON STREET.
Registered Office, . BALCARRES STREET.
EDINBURGH, Works, . - “ : Do.
Foundry, . - . SLATEFORD ROAD.
Forest, Fruit <%.4'"
Trees & Plants.
EVERGREENS, ROSES,
DECIDUOUS SHRUBS.
Herbaceous Plants.
STOVE anp GREENHOUSE PLANTS,
SEEDS ror FARM anp GARDEN.
JOHN DOWNIE,
foacAND // SHANDWICK PLACE,
EDINBURGH.
Nurseries: Beechhill, Murrayfield, and Belgrave Park, Corstorphine.
Telegraphic Address—‘‘ DOWNIE, EDINBURGH.” Telephone, 2155.
Established 1801.
SEEDLING AND TRANSPLANTED FOREST TREES,
A Large Stock of
= ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHRUBS,
ROSES and FRUIT TREES.
Special Prices for Larye Quantities, and Estimates given
for Planting.
JAMES DICKSON & SONS,
46 HANOVER STREET and INVERLEITH ROW,
Een UR GE
CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
SPECIAL AWARD For Exhibit of CHOICE CONIFERS
———— —— at the SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY’S CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW in Waverley Market,
Edinburgh, November 1904 and 1905.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
DAVID W. THOMSON’S
Forest Trees.
An extensive Collection of Seedling and Transplanted Forest Trees,
comprising
SCOTS FIR,
LARCH FIR (Native and Japanese),
SPRUCE FIR,
SILVER FIR,
ABIES DOUGLASII,
LARICIO and AUSTRIACA,
aud other trees in great variety, and in good condition for Removal.
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS and TREES in all Sizes.
Rhododendrons, Ponticums, and Hybrids,
ALSO FINEST NAMED SORTS.
HOLLIES, YEWS, LAURELS, PRIVEE
and other Game-Cover Plants all recently transplanted.
GATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS AND
CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS.
See Catalogue of Selected Seeds for 1906, Post Free on application.
Wurseries—
WINDLESTRAWLEE, GRANTON ROAD and BOSWELL ROAD.
Seed Warebouse—
113 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegraphic Address—‘‘ LARCH, EDINBURGH.” Telephone, 2034.
a
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The West of Scotland Agricultural College,
6 BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW.
es
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.
Day and Evening Classes are held in the College for the purpose
of preparing Students for the Certificate of the College, for the
Certificate in Forestry of the Highland and Agricultural Society,
and for the Examinations in connection with the Surveyor’s Institute.
A Special Month’s Course of Instruction for Foresters is given
in October of each year. Subjects of Instruction :—
Forestry, ; : . W.F. A. Hupson, M.A., P.A.S.I1.
Soils and Manures, . Professor WRIGHT.
Forest Entomology, > JAMES |]. 2. OS SKiInc, FEBS:
Chemistry and Physics, Professor BERRY.
Prospectus of the Day and Evening Classes and of the Special
Class for Foresters may be had on application to the Secretary.
SWEDISH FOREST SEEDS
OF ANY KIND
JAGMASTARE ELIS NILSON,
LJUNGBYHED, SWEDEN.
FOREST AND HEDGE PLANTS
Seedlings and Transplanted. MI/LLIONS of Alnus, Acer, Betula,
Corylus, Crataegus, Fagus, Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Populus,
Quercus, Tilia, Ulmus; Abies balsamea, concolor, pectinata,
DOUGLASII; LARIX EUROPAA and LEPTOLEPIS;
Picea excelsa, pungens, Sitkaensis; Pinus Banksiana, Strobus,
sylvestris, etc., ete. Briars, Fruit Plants, etc., from sandy
soil with excellent roots.
Best Shipping opportunities 77a Hamburg at lowest freight. Catalogue free
on application. Nurseries 300 acres, the Greatest in Germany.
Shipments of 150 Millions of Plants ‘annually.
J. HEINS’ SONS, Halstenbek, Near Hamburg, GERMANY.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE NEW LARCH.
No Planter can afford to overlook Larix
leptolepis, the Japanese Larch.
ITS ADVANTAGES:
Rapidity of Growth. Hardiness. Immunity from disease
and the ravages of Insects.
Adaptability to almost any situation.
Rapidity with which it recovers from an injury.
Highly ornamental appearance. Quality of Timber.
DICKSONS & CO..
Che King’s WMurserymen,
1 Waterloo Piace, EDINBURGH,
Hold the finest stock of it in Europe, and invite correspondence.
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 GaRpDeEN.
Estimates for Planting by Contract furnished.
CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION.
W. & T. SAMSON, KILMARNOCK.
ESTABLISHED 1759.
EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE,
13 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH.
The Cenrrat Cxiasses in Edinburgh afford Complete Courses of
Instruction in AGRICULTURE AND Forestry, and qualify for all the
Higher Examinations.
SESSION, - - OCTOBER to MARCH.
Prospectus may be had on application to W. Scorr Stevenson, Secy.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
KEITH & CO. a-n.scnvo.ue,
ADVERTISING AGENTS,
43 George Street,
EDINBURGH.
ADVERTISEMENTS inserted in the Edinburgh, London, and
Provincial Newspapers and Periodicals; also in all Colonial and
Foreign Publications. A single copy of an Advertisement sent to
Keith & Co. ensures immediate insertion, without further trouble to
the Advertiser, in any number of newspapers, and at an expense
not greater than would have been incurred if the Advertisement or
Notice had been forwarded to each Newspaper direct.
A SPECIALITY is made of ESTATE and AGRICULTURAL
ADVERTISEMENTS, such as FARMS, GRASS PARKS,
MANSION HOUSES, &c., to Let, ESTATES for SALE,
TIMBER for SALE, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, &c.; and
Messrs J. M. Munro, Lrp., having been appointed
Official Advertising Agents to the
SCOTTISH ESTATE FACTORS’ SOCIETY,
and to the
HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
Agents and Factors can have every confidence in placing their
Advertising in the hands of the firm.
REGISTRY for Servants (Male and Female) of all Classes.
KEITH & CO.,
43 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegrams—‘‘ PROMOTE, EDINBURGH.” Telephone No. 316.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
HARDY FOREST TREES
FROM THE
DEESIDE HIGHLANDS.
Best for planting im cold and exposed sttuations.
SPECIAL PRICES FOR LARGE QUANTITIES.
CATALOGUES POST FREE.
BEN. REID & CO., LTD.,
Nurserymen and Seedsmen to the King,
+ ABERDEEN. +>
A. & G. PATERSON, LIMITED.
HEAD OFFICE:
ST ROLLOX, GLASGOW.
Branches at ABERDEEN, BANCHORY, INVERGORDON, etc.
Buyers of Scotch Growing Woods.
Sellers of Larch Fencing of all descriptions,
JAMES JONES & SONS, LTD.,
LARBERT SAWMILLS,
j= 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.
ane °C.G.A.”
Directors.
WILLIAM SELBY LownDEs, Jun., Esq., Selby House, Bletchley, Bucks.
JOHN Henry ARTHUR WHITLEY, Esq., Bourton, Much Wenlock, Salop.
WILLIAM BROOMHALL, Managing Director.
THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION, LTD.,
Popularly known as the ‘‘C.G.A.,” is a society of Landowners, Land Agents,
Farmers, and others interested in the land, numbering many thousands, and
residing i in all parts of the kingdom.
Its work is divided into the following departments :—
THE COUNTRY CLUB,
The object of which is to provide comfortable, homelike accommodation for
Members whilst in London, and a centre for the discussion of all matters affecting
the landed interest. The subscription to country Members is £3, 3s. per annum,
which includes Membership in the ‘‘C.G.A.”
EXPERT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE.
Professional expert advice provided for Members on all subjects connected with
estate management.
MANAGEMENT OF SMALL ESTATES.
Properties, however small, are managed by the “‘C.G.A.,” in conjunction with
Land Agent Members resident in all parts of the country.
SALE AND LETTING OF ESTATES AND FARMS.
The ‘‘C.G.A.,” in conjunction with affiliated firms in all parts of the kingdom,
transacts business in the sale and letting of property for its Members.
SALE OF LIVE STOCK, TIMBER, AND OTHER PRODUCE.
Markets are found, when possible, for produce of all kinds.
EMPLOYMENT REGISTER.
Very complete registers are kept of situations vacant and wanted, and intro-
ductions between employer and employed are frequently brought about.
PURCHASE AND SUPPLY OF ESTATE REQUISITES.
The ‘‘C.G.A.” forms a centre for the combined purchase, on wholesale terms, of
all kinds of estate requisites for building, farming, gardening, water supply,
fencing, etc. Members by purchasing in this way obtain the lowest possible terms,
and protect themselves against adulteration and other frauds.
PUBLISHING.
“THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN'S EstaTE Book” (annually), and ‘‘THE EsTATE
MaGaZInE” (monthly), form the official publications of the ‘‘C.G.A.” In addition,
other books on estate matters are issued from time to time in the Estate Library
Series.
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
Gentlemen representing the interests of the ‘‘C.G.A.” are appointed in all districts
throughout the United Kingdom. There are a few vacancies yet to be filled, and
applications are invited.
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.
Deposit accounts are opened with Members and others upon very favourable terms
as to withdrawal and interest (which at the present rate is 5 per cent. per annum),
particulars of which will be sent on application.
MEMBERSHIP.
The subscription for Membership is 10s. 6d. per annum, which includes the official
publications and all Members’ privileges with the exception of the Club. There is
no further liability. Members may also become shareholders with limited liability.
Applications for Membership and all Correspondence should be addressed to—
THE ‘‘C.G,A.,’’ 2 Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, S.W.
Telephone—984 Central. Telegrams—‘‘ Ruralness,” London.
b
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Telegrams : Telephones .
‘“ROBINSONS, GLASGOW.” National, No. 3 PARTICK.
Corporation, No. W333.
ROBINSON, DUNN & GO,
Timber Importers,
Partick Sawmills, GLASGOW.
Sawing, Planing, and Moulding Mills at
PARTICK and TEMPLE.
Creosoting Works at TEMPLE.
Dedicated by Special Permission to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
Che Handy Roval Atlas
OF Modern Geoaraphv.
A Uniform Series of 52 Accurate Maps, accompanied by a Complete Index of up-
wards of 78,000 Places contained in the Atlas, and referred to by Initial Letters.
PRICES.—Strongly bound in Rexine (Imitation Leather), Gilt Titles, £1, 5s.
Neatly Bound Half Morocco, Gilt Titles and Edges, £1, 17s. 6d. Imperial
4to (15 by 11 inches; Maps, 184 by 14% inches).
DETAILED PROSPECTUS ON APPLICATION.
W. & A. K. JOHNSTON, Ltd.,
Edina Works, Easter Road, and 20 South St. Andrew
Street, EDINBURGH ;
7 Paternoster Square, LONDON, E.C.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
“EUREKA.”
a
The Weed Killer that Kills Weeds. Cheapest and Best.
Ask for this Make. Prices and Proofs on Application.
ALSO
FU REKATI N E A SAFE TOBACCO
5 INSECT KILLER.
Bordeaux Mixture, Summer Shade, Lawn Sand, etc.
WRITE FOR LIST.
TOMLINSON & HAYWARD, Ltd., LINCOLN.
M‘FARLANE & ERSKINE
bithoetapnic < .- -
) HaYWARDS »
Three-Colour Printers
BLACK AND COLOURED PLATES FOR SCIENTIFIC
WORKS - - - PLANS OF ESTATES, ETC.
COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS FOR SEEDSMEN
BOOKS, MAGAZINES, CATALOGUES, PRICE LISTS,
CIRCULARS, - - AND EVERY DESCRIPTION OF
PRINTED FORMS
ww
14 and 19 St James Square
EDINBURGH
Notices to Members.
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Subscriptions for 1906 became due on Ist January.
Members who have not yet remitted will greatly oblige by
doing so now.
FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT PEEBLES.
(17th to 2oth July.)
Applications for Space and Offers of Exhibits should
reach the Secretary not later than Saturday, 12th May.
ESSAYS.
Competitors are reminded that Essays, &c., should reach
the Secretary not later than Saturday, 12th May.
EXCURSION.
The Annual Excursion will be held in the Counties of
Northumberland and Durham. The dates provisionally
fixed are 31st July and Ist, 2nd, and 3rd August. Full
particulars will, as usual, be sent when ready.
ROBERT GALLOWAY 3a
Secretary and Treasurer.
1g CASTLE STREET,
EDINBURGH, Afrzl 1906.
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.
54-56. JAMES Brown, Wood Commissioner to the
Earl of Seafield.
The Right Hon. THe Haru or Duct.
The Right Hon. THE Fart or Sratr.
Sir Joun HAut, Bart. of Dunglass.
His Grace TH& DUKE oF ATHOLL.
JoHN I. CHaumeErs of Aldbar.
The Right Hon. THe EARL oF AIRLIE.
The Right Hon. T. F. Kennepy.
. Ropert HurcuHison of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E.
Hues CiecHorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E.,
of Stravithie.
. JOAN Hutton BaurFour, M.D., M.A.,
F.R.SS.L. & E., Professor of Botany in
the University of Edinburgh.
adam, M.P.
Place, Edinburgh.
fHOMAS GIBSON CARMICHAEL, Bart. of Castle Craig,
falleny House, Balerno.
ES COOK, Land Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge.
RGE U. MACDONALD, Forester, Raith, Kirkcaldy.
LIAM MACKINNON, Nurseryman, 75 Shandwick Place,
Edinburgh.
. MATHER, Nurseryman, Kelso.
M SPIERS, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-mills, Edin-
urgh.
IN oF BAILEY, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
N ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cot-
age, Peebles.
i. W. BORTHWICK, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
ES JOHNSTONE, F.S.1., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr.
RGE LEVEN, Forester, Auchencruive, St Quivox, Ayr.
FORMER PRESIDENTS.
|
}
|
. The Right Hon. W. P. ApAm of Blair- | 1898.
|
\
1879-81. The Most Hon.
Loruian, K.T.
THE MAraQuis oF
1882. ALEXANDER Dickson, M.D., F.R.S.E., of
Hartree, Professor of Botany in the
University of Edinburgh.
1883-85. Hucu CLecuorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E.,
of Stravithie.
1886-87. The Right Hon. Sir Hersert Evsracr
MAxwett, Bart. of Monreith.
1888-89. The Most Hon. Tok Marquis oF
LINLITHGOW.
1890-93. IsAAc BayLEY Batrour, M.D., Se.D.,
F.R.S., LL.D., Professor of Botany in
the University of Edinburgh.
1894-97. R. C. Munro Fereuson, M.P.
Colonel F. Battry, R.E.
1899-02. The Right Hon. THE EARL oF MANSFIELD.
OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1906.
President.
W. STEUART FOTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perthshire.
Vice=Presidents,
NETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray|JOHN W. M‘HATTIE, Superintendent of City Parks, City
Chambers, Edinburgh.
Rieut Hoy. THE EARL OF MANSFIELD, Scone Palace,|D. F. MACKENZIE, F.S.I., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Mid-
Perth. lothian.
JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollok-
haws.
Council.
JOHN METHVEN, Nurseryman, 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
JOHN SCRIMGEOUR, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
DAVID W. THOMSON, Nurseryman, 113 George Street,
Edinburgh.
JOHN BOYD, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.
A. T. GILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Nor-
thumberland.
W. H. MASSIE, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
CHARLES BUCHANAN, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
JOHN D. CROZIER, Forester, Durris Estate, Drumoak,
Aberdeenshire.
W. A. RAE, Factor, Murthly, Perthshire,
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City
Chambers, Glasgow.
Hon. Editor.
CoLonEL F, BAILEY, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
Assistant Editor.
A. D. RICHARDSON, 1 West Brighton Crescent, Portobello.
Auditor.
JOHN T. WATSON, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
Hon, Secretary.
R. C. MUNRO FERGUSON, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith House, Kirkcaldy.
Secretary and Treasurer.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, S.S.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Membership.
HE Roll contains the names of over to00 Members, compris-
ing 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.
With the view of encouraging young Foresters to study, and to
train themselves in habits of careful and accurate observation, 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 to the present time, and have yielded satisfactory
results. Medals and Prizes are also awarded in connection with
the Exhibitions aftermentioned.
School of Forestry.
Being convinced of the necessity for bringing within the reach
of young Foresters, and others interested in the Profession, a
regular systematic course of Instruction, such as is provided in
Germany, France, and other European countries, the Society, in
1882, 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.
As a further step towards the end in view, the Society, in
1890, instituted a Fund for the purpose of establishing a Chair
of Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and a sum of
3 .
4,584, 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. It is recognised, how-
ever, that a School of Forestry is incomplete without a practical
training-ground attached to it, which would be available, not only
for purposes of instruction but also as a Station for Research and
Experiment, and as a Model Forest, by which Landowners and
Foresters throughout the country might benefit. The Society
has accordingly drawn up a Scheme for the Establishment of a
State Model Forest for Scotland which might serve the above-
named objects. Copies of this Scheme were laid before the recent
Departmental Committee on British Forestry, and in their
Report the Committee have recommended the establishment of
a Demonstration Area and the provision of other educational
facilities in Scotland.
Meantime Mr Munro Ferguson, M.P., for a part of whose
woods at Raith a Working-Plan has been prepared, and is now in
operation, has very kindly agreed to allow Students to visit them.
Excursions.
During the past twenty-seven years, well-organised Excursions,
numerously attended by Members of the Society, have been made
annually to various parts of Scotland, England, and Ireland. 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, and during the summer of 1904
the Forest School at Nancy and Forests in the north of France were
visited. 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, in which are exhibited
specimens illustrating the rate of growth of trees, different kinds of
wood, pit-wood and railway timber, insect pests and samples of the
damage done by them, tools and implements, manufactured articles
peculiar to the district where the Exhibition is held, and other
objects of interest relating to Forestry. Prizes and Medals are also
offered for Special Exhibits.
ry
4
The Society’s Transactions.
The Zyvransactions of the Society are published annually, and
issued gratis to Members. A large number of the Prize Essays and
other valuable Papers, and reports of the Annual Excursions, have
appeared in them, and have thus become available to Students as
well as to those actively engaged in the Profession of Forestry.
Copies of the Zransactions, which now extend to eighteen volumes,
are to be found in the principal Libraries of the United Kingdom,
as well as in those of the British Colonies and of America,
Honorary Consulting Scientists.
Members have the privilege of obtaining information gratuitously
upon subjects connected with Forestry from the following Honorary
Scientists appointed by the Society.
Consulting Botanist.—ISAAC BAYLEY BALFOUR, LL.D., M.D., Sc.D.,
Professor of Botany, University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper,
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Chemist.—ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sc., 13 George Square,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Cryptogamist.—A. W. BORTHWICK, D.Sc., Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Entomologist.—ROBERT STEWART MacDoucGat1, M.A.,
D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 13 Archibald Place,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Geologist. JOHN SMITH FLETT, M.A., B.Sc., M.B., C.M.,
Geological Survey, 28 Jermyn Street, London, S.W.
Consulting Meteorologist.—ROBERT COCKBURN MossMANn, F.R.S.E.,
F.R. Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place, Edinburgh.
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 Foresters, Etc.
A Register of Foresters and others desirous of obtaining situations
is now in operation. 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.
Counties. ~
Aberdeen,
Argyle, .
Ayr,
Banff,
Berwick,
Bute,
Clackmannan, .
Dumbarton,
Dumfries,
East Lothian, .
Fife,
Forfar, .
Inverness,
Kincardine,
Kinross,
Lanark, .
Moray,
Perth,
Renfrew,
Ross,
Roxburgh,
Sutherland,
Wigtown,
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
Scotland,
JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
JoHN Micure, Factor, Balmoral, Ballater.
WALTER E.tiot, Manager, Ardtornish.
JoHuN D. SUTHERLAND, Estate Agent, Oban.
ANDREW D. Paces, Overseer, Culzean, Maybole.
A. B. Rozpertson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock.
JOHN Brypon, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
Wo. MItne, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Wo. Ineuts, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick.
JAMES Kay, Forester, Bute Estate, Rothesay.
Ropert Forses, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
Rozert Brown, Forester, Boiden, Luss.
D. CrasseE, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie.
Joun Hayes, Dormont Grange, Lockerbie.
W. S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk.
Wo. Gitcurist, Timber Merchant, Ladybank.
EpMunND SANG, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy.
JAMES CRABBE, Forester, Glamis.
JAMES ROBERTSON, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie.
James A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness.
JoHN Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven.
JAMES TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam.
JOHN Davipson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell.
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers,
Glasgow.
D. Scorr, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres.
W. Harrower, Forester, Tomnacroich, Garth, Aberfeldy,
JoHN ScrimGeEouR, Doune Lodge, Doune.
S. MacBgan, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
JoHN J. R. MEIKLEJOHN, Factor, Novar, Evanton.
Miss AMy Frances YULE, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord.
JouN LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick.
R. V. Maruer, Nurseryman, Kelso.
Donatp Roserrson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
JAMEs Hocarru, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer.
H. H. Waker, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill.
Counties.
Beds,
Berks,
Cheshire,
Devon,
Durham,
Hants,
Herts,
Kent,
Lancashire,
Leicester,
Lincoln,
Middlesex,
England.
JoHN ALEXANDER, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
FrAncis MircHeEwt, Forester, Woburn.
W. Sroriz, Whitway House, Newbury.
Wm. Exper, Cholmondeley Park, near Malpas.
JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington.
A. C. Fores, Professor of Forestry, Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. R. Browy, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield.
JAMES BARTON, Forester, Hatfield.
Tuomas SMITH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring.
R. W. Cowrer, Gortanore, Sittingbourne.
D. C. Hamitton, Forester, Knowsley, Presevt
James Martin, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham.
W. B. Havetock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park.
Professor BouteErR, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill,
London, 8. W.
Northumberland,Jounxn Davrpson, Secretary, Royal English Arboricultural
Notts,
Salop,
Suffolk, .
Surrey, .
Warwick,
York,
Dublin, .
Galway, .
Kilkenny,
King’s County,
Tipperary,
Wicklow,
Society, Haydon-Bridge-on-Tyne.
W. Micutz, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop.
Witson ToMLInson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop.
Frank Hutt, Forester, Lillieshall, Newport.
ANDREW Boa, Agent, Great Thurlow.
Grorck Hannan, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds.
ANpDREW PEEBLES, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford.
A. D. Curistiz, Warriage Hill Farm, Bidford.
AbAM MAtn, Forester, Rose Cottage, Loftus.
D. Tatt, Estate Bailiff, Owston Park, Doncaster.
Treland,
JameEs WILSON, B.Sc., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
THoMAS RoBERTSON, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn.
Auex. M‘RaAkg, Forester, Castlecomer.
Wma. Henperson, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore.
Davin G. Cross, Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh.
ADAM JOHNSTONE, Forester, Coollattin, Shillelagh.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned
to ROBERT GALLOWAY, S&.S.C., SHCRETARY, Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
LGU IRIVLTITC NL ena ee AR Oe HRS Re CR SS
Designation,
LON SCIDS CLI aay, Sepa AP eREP ro POCO R EEE LEEPER oP a LEE DEC EER ere a EOE pe ae
Candidate's 4 Address, Re At : Sad A mrsachenae a Bae dun caved tecdachaadven’ sapennviamuieenaas
Life, or Ordinary Member,
Signature, E iH aa OPPO rere eer o ties es pe areas ene deni wku sidoces dcapduoneswdnes eis suaecun tans amaeemay
Signature, .
Seconder’s
Address, . . eM yet, eee ti
Signature, .
Proposer 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, and others,
subscribing annually . : ; 5 . Half-a-Guinea.
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, sub-
scribing annually ; . : . . Six Shillings.
4. Assistant-Foresters, Assistant-Gardeners, and others, sub-
scribing annually - ; : F . 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.
V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Zransactions. Any
Member whose Annual Subscription remains ugpaid for three years
shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member
shall be eligible for re-election till all his arrears are paid up.
VI. Any eligible person may become a Zzfe Member of the
Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :—
1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, ; : . 10°10! '°
2. Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, and others, . iets) 0
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, . : Z: 2:gO
VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid
Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zz/e Member on payment
of Two-thirds of the sum payable by xezw Life Members.
XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made on the Form
provided for the purpose, which must be signed by two Members
of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the
Secretary to be laid before the next meeting of the Council. The
Proposal shall lie on the table till the following meeting of the
Council, when it shall be accepted or otherwise dealt with, as the
Council may deem best in the interests of the Society. The
Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new
Member’s first Subscription.
CONTENTS.
The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or views expressed
by the authors of papers.
PAGE
I. Timber: Its Strength and How to Test It. By T. Hupson Brarg,
M. Inst.C.E., Regius Professor of Engineering in the University
of Edinburgh, . : : - : . : 1
II. Concerning Natural Regeneration in general, together with Special
Details regarding a typical example of Natural Regeneration of
the Scots Pine at Beauly, Inverness-shire (with Photographs).
By GILBERT Brown, Beaufort Cottage, Kiltarlity, Inverness-
shires. 2 : : : : : : 17
III. The Prospects of growing Timber for Profit in the United Kingdom.
By ArcuispaLD E. MorrAn, Land Agent, Palmerston House,
Portumna, Co. Galway, . : : : : : 25
IV. The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Maintenance for
the first Twenty-five Years. By Donatp M. MAcpoNnaLp,
Assistant Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, s 32
V. The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Maintenance for
the first Twenty-five Years. By Jonn M. Murray, Assistant
Forester, Murthly, Perthshire, . P j ‘ : 44
VI. Megastigmus spermotrophus, Wachtl, as an Enemy of Douglas Fir
(Pseudotsuga Douglasti), with two Plates. By R. Sr—EwArtT
MacDovuea tt, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., Hon. Consulting Ento-
mologist to the Society, 3 : 5 ; : 52
VII. Some Notes on the Home Timber-Trade in the East of Scotland.
By ApAmM Spiers, Timber Merchant, Edinburgh, - : 66
VIII. Notes on the Rate of Growth of Mature Timber-Crops in Eastern
Perthshire. By the Hon. Epiror, ; : F - 70
1X. Note on ‘‘ The Railway Fires Act, 1905.” By the Hon. Epiror, 73
X. On some Japanese and North American Trees suitable for growing
‘in British Woodlands. By H. J. Exwes, F.R.S., Colesborne,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, . F ‘ ' . 76
XI. Working-Plan for the Alice Holt Forest. By Dr W. Scurica,
assisted in the Field-Work by Mr W. F. PERREE, d 83
a
7
li
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
KY
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
CONTENTS.
The Conversion of Stored Coppice into Highwood, and how I
became converted to the latter System of Sylviculture. By
H. J. MARSHALL, Gayton Hall, Ross, Hereford, ‘
The Destruction of Rabbits Injurious to Woodlands and Fields.
By the Hon. Eptror,
The Training of Probationers for the Indian Forest Service. By
the Hon. EpirTor,
The Chief Timber-Trees of India. By the Hon. Eprror,
Notes on Indian Forestry in 1905. By the Hon. Epiror,
Some Recent Developments in Swedish Forestry. By Jagmistare
Euis Niuson, Kolleberga, Ljungbyhed, Sweden,
Belgian Forestry in some of its Aspects (with Photographs). By
A. T. GILLANDERS, Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumber-
land,
The Town- Woods of Carlsbad (Bohemia). By the Hon. Epiror,
Notes on Continental Forestry in 1905. By the Hon. Eprror, .
The Twenty-eighth Annual Excursion—Argyll, Ayr, and Renfrew,
5th to 8th July 1905. By the Assisranr EpIToR,
Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s
Show at Glasgow, July 1905. By the AssisrAnT EpITor,
REPORTS BY THE HoNoRARY SCIENTISTS—
Report by A. W. Borruwick, D.Sc., Honorary Consulting
Cryptogamist, - :
Report by R. Stewart MacDoveat.., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.,
Honorary Consulting Entomologist, .
NoTres AND QuUERIES:—A Note upon Dr Nisbet’s Criticism of
the Report of the Departmental Committee on Forestry in
the Preface to The Forester, and his Reply thereto—The
Decline in the Value of Coppice- Woods—The Prices of Timber
in the South of England in 1904: and 1905—Profits from
Timber-Growing in Hampshire—Rooks Feeding on Pine Beetles
—The Birch and Alder Saw-Fly—Experiment with Lime and
Arseniate of Soda for Protection against the Pine Weevil—A
Fine Larch—Russian Larch—Hungarian Ash—A New Tas-
manian Wood—Tupelo Wood—Hickory Becoming Scarce—
Water in Creosote for Timber Preserving—A Gigantic Cedar
of Lebanon—Trees at Auchincruive, Ayrshire—Forestry in
Japan—Mexican Forestry—Artificially Coloured Wood—The
Seasoning of Timber—What is a Load of Timber ?—Weight of
Timber—The Royal English Arboricultural Society—Appoint-
ment to Forestry Lectureship—Imports of Timber into the
United Kingdom, 1905,
PAGE
99
104
107
111
128
136
139
150
161
180
190
195
196
199
CONTENTS.
REVIEWS AND Norices or Books—
The Forester: A Practical Treatise on British Forestry and
Arboriculture for Landowners, Land Agents, and Foresters.
By JouNn Nisser, D.(c., formerly Conservator of Forests,
Burma, Author of ‘Burma under British Rule,’ ‘ British
Forest Trees,’ ‘Studies in Forestry,’ ‘Our Forests and Wood-
lands,’ ete., and Editor of the Sixth Edition of ‘ The Forester ’
by the late James Brown, LL.D.,
Elementary Forestry. By CHaAr.es E. Curtis, F.S.I.,
The New forestry, or the Continental System adapted to British
Woodlands and Game Preservation. By JoHN Simpson,
Future Forest Trees. The Importance of the German Experi-
ments in the Introduction of North-American Trees. By
A. Harotp Unwin, D.(Cc., .
The Estate Nursery. By JoHN Simpson,
Vocabulaire Forestiere: Frangais—Anglais—Allemand. By
J. Gerschel, Agrégé de l'Université, Professeur d’Anglais et
d’Allemand a l’Ecole nationale des Eaux et Foréts de Nancy,
Manual of the Trees of North America (exclusive of Mexico).
By CHARLES SPRAGUE SARGENT, Director of the Arnold
Arboretum of Harvard University,
The Royal Forests of England, By J. CHartes Cox, LL.D.,
EE Seale : : ‘ F :
Webster’s Practical Forestry: A Popular Handbook on the
Rearing and Growth of Trees for Profit or Ornament. By
A. D. WEBSTER,
Osituary Norices:—Patrick Neill Fraser—David Pringle Laird
—Alexander Pitcaithley—Robert Baxter,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE RoyaL ScorrisH ARBORICULTURAL
Socrery, 1905.
ili
PAGE
219
229
231
232
234
235
236
238
240
241
|
Oe 7 a eee * te
PUAN MAIS ME b>
olak oy Dud wr
etait) Ye eee dts Peart is
ary) eat ee
sane bat bleh?
3 Wwatan jit ‘
fice
are,
vu
ft
= ‘
i
i
‘
“I j
i
= bi
4 i Tek
; “i
: ‘ ‘
F, \
|
'
‘
,
»
fee
a
iy *
F
ce i
yay :
a bpd a
+ rr a oe
——— == = - ~~"
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
I. Zimber: Its Strength, and How to Test [t+ By T. Hupson
Beare, M.Inst.C.E., Regius Professor of Engineering in the
University of Edinburgh.
A very large number of experimental observations on the
strength and other properties of the various kinds of timber
which are used by engineers, architects, and builders has been
published in the proceedings of various technical societies, in
technical journals, and in text-books. Unfortunately, many of
these older tests are unreliable, and if the data deduced from
them are employed in calculations, considerable judgment is
needed before such data can be adopted with safety. Justifica-
tion for such a statement is to be found in the following facts :—
1. In no case, so far as I know, in these older experiments
was any attempt made to determine the moisture present in
the timber at the time the test was carried out, and in very
few cases were data given as to the time of felling, the length
of time during which the timber had been seasoned, etc.; now
the amount of sap or moisture present in timber is a very vital
factor in determining its mechanical properties.
2. Owing to the fact that the apparatus at the disposal of
the experimenters was not sufficiently powerful to make any
other method possible, the tests were mainly made upon very
small specimens, usually selected with great care on account of
their freedom from knots and other blemishes; the results are,
therefore, not really representative of the average quality of
the particular kind of timber the specimens were supposed to
represent.
Tc the late Professor Bauschinger is due the credit of institut-
ing a really scientific method of carrying out tests of timber,
1 Lecture delivered before the Dundee Institute of Engineers, November
17, 1904.
VOL. XIX. PART I. A
2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
in which careful records were kept not only of the moisture
conditions, but of the previous history of the wood from which
the specimens were prepared. Professor Bauschinger carried
out at Munich, in 1883 and in 1887, two classical researches
upon this subject, and the results obtained were published in
Mittheilungen aus dem Mechanisch-Technischen Laboratorium der
K. Technischen Hochschule in Miinchen, in 1883 and 1887.
These original publications should be consulted by anyone
anxious to learn the exact way in which these experiments
were conducted, but the substance of the results obtained is
given in Professor Unwin’s work on the Testing of Materials of
Construction.
One of the earliest points in the research was the determina-
tion of the influence of the moisture present in the sample of
timber upon its compressive and bending strength. The method
adopted by Bauschinger for determining the dryness of his
specimens was as follows :—sawdust, or small chips from the
actual specimen, was carefully dried in a current of warm air
kept at a temperature of about 212° F., and maintained for
about eight hours: the sample of sawdust or chips was weighed
carefully before subjection to this drying current, and immedi-
ately afterwards; the difference of weight in the two weighings
gave, therefore, the amount of moisture present, and therefore
its percentage in terms of the dry weight of the sample. In
his later research Bauschinger adopted, in preference to this plan,
the method of drying the whole tested specimen for a period
of from two to four days in an oven, where the air temperature
was maintained at 212° F., as in the previous method, and again
the difference between the weighings before and after the
specimen had been placed in the oven gave the total moisture
present in the entire specimen. This second method is no
doubt a better plan, because any local differences in the
moisture present in the specimen are eliminated, but it is a
little more difficult to ensure uniformity of dryness throughout
the whole specimen, unless the specimen is kept in the hot-
air oven for a considerable length of time.
I may point out here that timber thus artificially dried very
rapidly reabsorbs moisture from the air, and, in fact, timber
which has been used and kept in a well-warmed, dry house
for a long period of time would probably have as much as
Io per cent. of moisture present in it. It is, therefore, not
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. 3
possible to carry out the actual tests on perfectly dry specimens,
since, if the specimens were perfectly dry. before the tests began,
they would rapidly reabsorb moisture during the time the
experiment was being carried out.
In order to be able to compare results of different tests, it
is desirable that a standard of dryness should be adopted, and
Bauschinger, as the result of his research, recommended that
all tests upon timber should be reduced to a standard of
15 per cent. dryness.
L8S
10 000
i
1
{
& 000 :
$
fo FIG.1
YW
,
Q
6000 >
ix
iC)
z
R
kK
1)
ts
4,000 s
y
y
&
Q
5
uv
2,000
MOISTURE IN W008, PER CENT
° 70 20 30 40 50%
To reduce results to such a standard, it is clear that we
must have for each quality of timber a definite numerical law,
connecting together the mechanical strength and the percentage
of moisture present. This law can be experimentally determined
by making tests of a number of samples of the same quality of
timber with different percentages of moisture in the different
specimens.
Fig. 1 shows the plotted results of such an experiment
4 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
carried out in America on specimens of short-leaf, or yellow, pine
(Pinus echinata, Mill.) sap-wood. The vertical ordinates give the
crushing strength in lbs. per square inch, and the horizontal
abscisse give the percentage of moisture in the different specimens.
It will be observed that the strength falls off exceedingly rapidly in
the same quality of timber as the percentage of moisture increases ;
and further, it is interesting to note an important point in
connection with this law of variation of strength with variation
of moisture. When the moisture reaches about 4o per cent.,
any further increase appears to have but small influence upon
the strength of the wood; this is due to the fact that any
increase in the moisture present beyond about 4o per cent.
merely fills up the empty cell-spaces with moisture, and this
does not affect in any way the strength; it is the wetting of
the cell-walls by the first portion of the moisture absorbed
which is injurious and reduces the strength of the timber.
The equation to the curve shown in Fig. 1 at once enables
the strength at 15 per cent. moisture to be calculated, when
the strength at some other percentage of moisture has been
experimentally determined.
Another good series of thoroughly scientific tests upon timber
was that carried out on behalf of the Forest Department of
the Board of Agriculture of the United States, between the
years 1891 and 1895. In this great series of tests the
mechanical experiments were carried out mainly by Professor
Johnson of Washington University, St Louis, U.S.A.; while
the microscopic and other examination of the cellular structure
of the woods was carried out at Washington itself. The
experiments were carried out on wood specimens prepared
from about three hundred trees, embracing about ten different
kinds of pine or needle-leaf trees, that is, soft woods, and about
five different kinds of broad-leaf trees, or hard woods, of the
United States; and when each tree was felled, an accurate record
was kept as to the condition of the soil in which the tree grew,
the climatic conditions of the district in which it grew, the
size of the tree, the conditions of its growth, the age of the
tree, and the date of felling. You will see, therefore, that
most careful records were kept not only of what happened
during the actual tests, but of the previous life-history, so to
speak, of the trees from which the samples were prepared, and,
unless such a record is kept, the value of the research, from the
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. 5
point of view of forestry, is almost entirely lost. It is only by
such elaborate records that those responsible for the upkeep
and the maintenance of State forests can obtain data upon which
they can work in the management and treatment of the trees
in the forest, and of course it is equally important to the
engineer and to the architect to know, when he has the data
of the tests before him, what was the previous history of the
timber from which the specimens were prepared.
As in Bauschinger’s tests, so also in those of the American
Board of Agriculture, careful determinations were made of the
moisture conditions of the tested bars. The plan adopted by
the American observers was to cut a thin disc across the whole
section of the tested bar, as close up to the point of fracture as
possible; these thin discs were then at once weighed, and
immediately placed for a number of hours in a warm current of
air, maintained at a temperature of 220° F.; they were then
re-weighed when perfectly dry, and the difference between the
two weighings gave the total moisture present, and the ratio of
this difference to the dry weight was the percentage of moisture
present.
A reference again to Fig. 1, which shows this law of
variation of strength with variation of moisture, brings out
clearly the interesting fact that the maximum strength is not
reached when the timber is perfectly dry, but when there is
about 3 per cent. or 4 per cent. of moisture present in it. It is
rather a difficult piece of experimental work, however, to
determine this point very accurately, because, as I have already
mentioned, when timber is dried below ro per cent. of moisture,
it tends to reabsorb moisture from the air extraordinarily rapidly.
In connection with this question of the influence of moisture
upon the strength, the American experimenters investigated
whether or not moisture reabsorbed into a specimen which had
been dried had the same weakening effect. as the original sap of
the tree, and this was found to be the case.
The two curves in Fig. 2 represent (1) a series of tests with
timber which was dried by gradually driving off the natural sap,
and (2) a series of tests with very dry timber which was
gradually allowed to reabsorb moisture, and you will notice
that the two curves practically coincide. This is a matter of
considerable practical importance in the case of timber used in
underground situations, or in water itself, or in a water-logged
6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
soil, where, unless special means are taken to prevent the
absorption of water, the timber rapidly becomes very wet.
The American experimenters suggested a standard of dryness
of 12 per cent. for comparing different sets of observations, and
they found in their experiments that timber in such a condition
of dryness was on an average about 75 per cent. stronger than
timber which was quite “green,” that is, filled with the natural
sap.
485
40,000
8.000
Fil Ge)
6000
FULL LINE, TIMBER UNDERGOING DRYING
CONPRESSION STRENGTH PER SQ. (NCH
7
DOTTED LINE, TINBER RE -ABSORBING (MO/STUPRE
MOISTURE IN WOOD, PER CENT
O° to 20 30 40 50%
Before leaving this question of the influence of sap or moisture
on the strength of wood, I may mention that the American
research dealt also with the effect of “bleeding,” as it is called,
or tapping the long-leaf (pitch) pine (Pinus palustris, Mill.) for
its turpentine. It was commonly held that this process con-
siderably weakened the timber, and also affected its durability.
The investigation conducted by the Forest Department of
the United States, with a very large number of tests, showed,
fairly conclusively, that there was no marked effect produced
by previous “bleeding” of the tree on the mechanical properties
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. if
of the timber, and similarly, apparently no effect upon these
properties, or no marked effect, was produced by the modern
system of rapid artificial seasoning of wood, as usually carried
out by currents of hot air. Whether or not the durability
may be affected is another matter, and that it was impossible
to determine in an investigation of this nature.
Of the mechanical tests made upon specimens of timber,
there are practically four of importance—tensile tests, compressive
tests, cross-bending tests, and shearing tests. I will now deal
briefly with each of these in order.
TENSION EXPERIMENTS.
Tension experiments are difficult to carry out, owing to the
fact that, unless the specimens are prepared with very great
care, it is almost impossible to ensure a pure tensile fracture.
Most wood has little power to resist shear stress along the
grain, or, in other words, the lateral adhesion of the longitudinal
FIG. 3.
fibres to one another is very slight, hence shear very easily
takes place along this line of weakness, and, therefore, unless
the longitudinal fibres run perfectly truly through the specimen,
which it is very difficult to ensure, a shear fracture very often
occurs long before the real tensile strength of the material has
been developed.
For the purpose of this lecture, I made a series of experiments
on four different kinds of home-grown timber, viz., ash, beech,
birch, and oak, and on hickory and mahogany, and the results
that I have obtained are represented in the attached Tables.
One set of specimens was flat (see Fig. 3), carved so that in
the centre the cross section was rectangular, 1} inches wide and
4 inch thick; the ends were left very much larger in section, and
8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
were held by means of wedges in the dies of the testing machine.
All the six specimens prepared in this manner broke fairly well
in tension, except the fourth, the specimen of hickory; the
results obtained are shown in Table I. Of course, I do not for a
TABLE I. Zension Tests of Timber.
Fiat Bars (Cross Section }” x 13”).
Tensile
| 2 of | Kind of Wood. Stress at
Specimen. Fracture.
Tons persq. in.
6796 | Ash, : 5 ; 4°08
6797 | Beech, . ; : Zim
| Gros | Biren,
| 6799 Higees +i {ian sl a eeneeel
| 6800 | Mahogany, . : 5:9
| 6801 Oak, : ; é 4°97
moment wish to assert that the actual tensile stresses obtained in
these few tests are a fair measure of the tensile strength of these
different kinds of wood; my object, in these particular experi-
ments, was more to bring out the extreme difficulty of carrying
out satisfactorily tensile tests.
FIG. 4.
Two other sets of specimens were prepared, which were
turned in the lathe into a cylindrical form (see Fig. 4), the ends
being left enlarged, so that they could be held securely in the
testing machine, and pulled from the shoulders thus formed.
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. 9
One of these sets of round specimens was turned down to such
a diameter in the centre as to give a tensile cross-sectional area
of only about ? square inch, and the other set so as to have a
very much larger cross-sectional area, of about 1? square inches.
The first series of these round bars had ends so heavy and strong
that, in order to shear the ends off, a shear area of 134 square
inches had to be destroyed, while in the second series the ends
were reduced in size so as to give only about 9g square inches of
shear area. The results of these two sets of tests are given in
Tables IT. and III.
TABLE II. Zenston Tests of Timber.
Rounp Bars (see Fig. 4).
Mumbercl | Kind of Wood. Strssar Sh" SESS| atethod of Fracture
maaan pet adn. fa pears ia
6780 Ash, : , 6°62 0°37 Sheared at head.
6781 Beech, . : 6°93 A Tension.
6782 Birch, |: on a ae Se | Bs
6783 | Hickory, . : 6°30 | 0°37 | Sheared at head.
6784 | Mahogany, ; Arg | SOr25" 1?" 99 >»
6785 Oak, ; ; 2°95 | ap | Tension.
/
TaBLeE III. Zenston Tests of Timber.
Rounp Bars (see Fig. 4).
Bamber of | Kind of Wood. Suess a | Shear Stress | Method of Fracture.
Tons per sq. in. Tons per sq. in.
6786 Ash, : : 2°22 0°45 Sheared at head.
6787 Beech; | );. - 2°37 | 0°50 ” »
6788 Birch, 4 : 2°39 0743 | 9 ”
6789 Hickory, . : 2°06 0°40 » ”
6790 Mahogany, . 0°76 | Ov15 Tension inside head.
6791 Oak, : : 1°92 | 9°40 Sheared at head.
IO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
You will observe that in the case of the first set, those with
a small tensile area and a very large shear area, no less than
three of them sheared at the head instead of breaking in fair
tension, and you will notice how very low the shear strength
per square inch is, as compared with the tensile strength, in
these specimens. On the other hand, the tensile strength of
those specimens which did give way in tension appears to be
rather greater in the form of a flat specimen than in the form
of a round specimen.
From Table III., which gives the results of the bigger round
specimens, you will see that they practically all went by shearing
at the head, though one would have been inclined to believe
(in view of the fact that the shearing area was so large),
had one not made the experiment, that there was abundant
strength in the head to prevent any action of this kind taking
place.
These few tests show then, first, that it is extremely difficult to
get accurate and reliable tensile tests, and secondly, that in
designing any part of a structure in which timber is subjected to
a direct tension, the utmost care must be taken to see that it is
strong enough in its various parts to resist the possible shear
stresses which may be set up.
Other experimenters have found exactly the same difficulty.
Professor Lanza, who made a series of tension tests on large
specimens, stated that, in his opinion, tie bars in constructional
work will always give way in some other manner than by direct
tearing, for instance, by tearing out the fastenings, by shearing,
and by splitting the timber.
Professor Johnson, in his research, meeting with the same
difficulty, decided to abandon tensile tests, on the ground that
timber would never fail in pure tension in practice.
Bauschinger, in his research, found that the elastic limit in
tension practically was of the same value as the ultimate breaking
strength, that is to say, that there is no marked limit of elasticity
in timber when tested in tension; and he also found that the
influence of the time of felling upon the strength in tension very
soon disappeared.
I give in a Table some figures taken from Bauschinger’s first
research, in order to show the great difference between the
strength in tension of the living sap-wood and the dead heart-
wood. The figures in the Table represent the mean of eight tests
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. II
of the sap-wood and four tests of the heart-wood, and they
include both summer-felled and winter-felled specimens.
Comparison of Strength of Heart-Wood and Sap- Wood in Tension,
and of Summer and Winter Felling.
Tenacity in lbs. per square inch.
Summer felled. Winter felled.
Kind of Wood. |
Sap-Wood. | Heart-Wood.| Sap-Wood. | Heart-Wood.)
Scots Pine, ‘ : : 14,940 3,270 10,660 4,120
Norway Spruce, : : 13,790 4,413 17,630 4,905
COMPRESSION TESTS.
It is a much easier matter to carry out crushing or compressive
tests of timber, that is, it is much easier to make our specimens,
and, as a rule, the results obtained are much more concordant
among themselves. I shall deal here with only the more modern
results, in which records have been kept of the moisture condi-
tions at the time of the tests.
As a result of his investigation, Bauschinger was of opinion
that when the point which it was desired to elucidate was the
average quality of any given sample of timber, then compression
tests were the best. For example, if it was desired to investigate
for a particular kind of wood, say Scots pine, the influence of the
time of felling upon the mechanical strength, then it could best
be carried out by a series of compressive tests. Bauschinger’s
plan was to cut a disc out of each end, and from the centre of
each log, then to slice these discs into four sections, and from
each of these sections to trim out a square prism with its length
about one and a half times its cross sectional dimension.
Further, he decided that these specimens (twelve of them) should
then be brought to a state of dryness such that the moisture was
about 15 per cent., the density being determined by careful
weighing and measurement. In his investigation into pine
wood, Bauschinger found that the strength of short columns of
this nature varied directly as the density of the wood.
I2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
I give below, in a Table, Bauschinger’s results, reduced to a
ro per cent. dryness, for the same qualities of timber as those for
which I have given the tensile results.
Summer felled.
Scots Pine, . : ‘ 5310 lbs. per square inch.
Norway Spruce, . : A779: 9 -
Winter felled.
scots Pine,.. ; : 7167 lbs. per square inch.
Norway Spruce, . : 5600 ,, ss ”
Professor Lanza made an exhaustive investigation into the
strength of a large number of full-sized specimens of American
timber, from 7 inches to ro inches in diameter, and about 12 feet
long ; these all collapsed by pure compression, and the average
results are given in the Table below :—
Max. Min. Mean.
Yellow Pine(Pinus echinata), 4720 3920 4370lbs. persquareinch.
Old and seasoned White \ 5197 3065 4480
Oak (Quercus alba), : 7 @ 5.
Professor Johnson, in the experiments for the American
Forest Board, used compressive specimens 8 inches long and
4 inches square in cross section, these specimens being cut from
the ends of other specimens, which had been used as beams.
For the purpose of this lecture, I tested a couple of specimens,
one of beech and one of white (Weymouth) pine (Pinus Strobus).
In all such tests there is a tendency to give way by shear, especially
near one end, that is to say, the direct compressive force when
resolved on a plane inclined to the axis of the specimen, produces
a shear in this plane which soon exceeds the maximum shearing
strength of the material, and thus a short strut in wood tends
rather to give way by shear than by direct compression. The
white (Weymouth) pine specimens only carried 2°31 tons per
square inch of direct compression when shear set in.
Professor Johnson also agreed with Bauschinger that com-
pression experiments were easier to carry out, and were the most
valuable of all tests; he advised a factor of safety of 8 for dry
timber and of 5 for green timber, when designing timber struts.
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. 13
So far I have been considering merely compression applied
endwise and with the grain, that is, compression upon the column
of wood as it would ordinarily be used when built into a structure,
but it frequently enough happens in actual practice that a piece
of vertical timber stands or rests upon a horizontal piece, and
transmits a crushing load to this horizontal piece, and the
horizontal piece is, therefore, subjected to a crushing across the
grain. Only comparatively few experiments have been made to
determine what is the strength of wood under such conditions.
Tredgold many years ago found in his experiments that rooo
Ibs. per square inch was sufficient, when applied in this way, to
distinctly indent Memel fir, while about 1400 lbs. per square
inch was required in the case of good English oak.
Of course it is very much a matter of judgment as to what
constitutes the limiting crushing load in such a case, that is, what
amount of indentation shall be considered to be the limit which
can be allowed. Some authorities give ,,th inch in depth of
indentation. Professor Johnson took 3 per cent. compression as
a working limit, which would amount to an indentation of 2 inch
in a beam 1 foot thick, and 15 per cent. as a destructive indenta-
tion, which would amount to about 1? inches in a 12-inch bar.
He experimented with specimens 2 inches and 4 inches thick,
and he found in the case of pines or soft woods that the com-
pressive strength, when dealing with this cross grain compression,
was only about one-fifth of that which could be developed when
the compression was applied along the grain, and in the case
of American oak it was about one-third.
I made a couple of tests for this lecture; for the white (Wey-
mouth) pine I found a compressive strength across the grain of
only 0°79 ton, as compared with 2°31 tons when tested in direct
compression along the grain, that is, the strength was about
one-third, and this, too, when the direct compression strut was
a fairly long one.
I have said enough to indicate the importance of considering
this matter of strength across the grain when designing structures
in which timber is used in this way.
Cross-BENDING TESTS.
Tests of timber beams are a very favourite method of determin-
ing the mechanical properties of any specimen of timber, partly
because large pieces can be used, and the loads are not excessive,
14 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
if the span is a big one, and secondly, because it is a kind of test
which can be carried out quite readily on the works, with a fair
degree of accuracy, without any elaborate apparatus. Two knife-
edges, or supports, for the ends of the beam, a cradle to sling
from the centre, in which pig-iron or any other convenient kind of
heavy weight can be placed, a stretched cord, and a 2-foot rule,
are practically all that is needed to give fairly good tests when
this description of stress and strain is adopted.
I give again ina Table some of Bauschinger’s results, made on
beams 74 inches by 74 inches, with a span of 98 inches.
Kind of Wood. | eiatiety. | Blastienty.| Surease | Density: | Percent
i |
Scots Pine— Ibs. sq. in. |Ibs. sq. in. | Ibs. sq. in. |
Summer, . : - | 1,535,000 |) 2,867" |) 6.720 | 0°50 23
Winter, . : . | 1,465,000 | 3,136 6,405 0°55 | 33
Norway Spruce— |
Summer, . : . | 1,563,000 | 3,247 | 5,957 0°45 | 29
Winter, . , . | 1,650,000 | 3,719 6,406 0°45 27
It is desirable that I should point out at once that the
calculated stresses produced in the outer fibres of a beam when
it is subjected to cross bending, as determined by the ordinary
formula employed for that purpose, are only reliable, and only
represent the real condition of affairs when the stress does not
exceed the elastic limit, because beyond that elastic limit the
assumptions upon which the ordinary beam formule are based
do not in the least apply; hence the figures given in the above
Table, under the heading “ Breaking stress in lbs. per square
inch,” are not really actual stresses at that instant, but they are
figures useful enough for comparison purposes.
In the following Table, results are given which were obtained
by Professor Lanza in a number of experiments on American
timbers, and in this case I have given the maximum, minimum,
and mean results obtained for each quality of timber, in order
to show the very great variation there is in the strength of
timber of apparently the same quality.
TIMBER: ITS STRENGTH, AND HOW TO TEST IT. 15
Cross Breaking Stress per square inch, tn lbs.
: Mean
. Kind of Wood. Maximum. Minimum. Mean. Modulus of
Elasticity. |
|
Spruce, . , : Sa et a | 2, 88 I, 330,000
Mien eA 75 994 4,093 339;
Yellow Pine, . : : = PLEE;300 | | “3,962 7,239 | 1,744,000
(Pinus echinata). | |
Oaks. : ; 2 ; 7,660 4,985 | 6.074 | 1,292,000
| (Quercus alba).
| White Pine, . ‘ : silk Ja25o 3437 4,807 | 1,080,000
(Pinus Strotus).
Professor Johnson’s experiments upon cross bending for the
Forest Department research were made upon beams 4 inches
square, and tested upon a 6 foot span; and, in his investigation,
great care was taken to arrange the load in such a way that
it increased gradually, and increased the deflection gradually,
at a rate of about + inch per minute, until the final rupture point.
There is no doubt whatever that different results can be
obtained in cross-bending tests of timber by varying the rate
at which the load is applied. This is a fact well known, of
course, to all experimenters, and is true not only of timber, but
of all other materials.
The next Table gives the results obtained by Professor Johnson,
and I have collected into this Table not only the cross-bending
stresses, but the crushing strength, both endwise and across the
grain, and also the shearing strength of the timber.
Cross Breaking Stress per Crushing >tress Sh
Weight square inch. Lbs. persq in. Lbs. Ena
Kind of Wood. Sp. gr. | Pei. ] in Ibs.
| foot. | Limit of | Final | Modulus of | End- | 4.0... | POS?
Elasticity.| Load. Elasticity. | wise 5 :
4 | Ibs.
Long-leaf Pine, .| o61 38 10,000 | 12,600 | 2,070,000 | 8,000 | 1,260} 835
(Pinus palustris).
Red Pine, . =| O750,| 31 7,700 | 9,100 | 1,620,000 | 6,700} 1,000} 500
(Pinus resinosa).
White Oak, . . | 0°80 | 50 9,600 | 13,100 2,090,000 | 8,500 | 2,200 | 1,000
(Quercus alba).
White Elm, . IMO s4cl 34 7,300 | 10,300 | 1,540,000 | 6,500} 1,200| 800
(Ulmus americana).|
All these results have been reduced to 12 per cent. moisture conditions.
In order to give some idea of the great variation in the
strength of timber, I may say that in these tests, out of one
hundred samples of the same kind of timber, 54 per cent. of
16 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
them gave results within ro per cent. of the mean, while 96 per
cent. of them came within 25 per cent. of the mean.
It is well to state here that in all these researches with which
I have been dealing, only absolutely bad stuff was rejected for
testing ; no attempt was made to pick specially good specimens.
One important result brought out in Bauschinger’s research,
and confirmed in that of Johnson, was that the mechanical
strength of timber is considerably affected by the ratio of the
summer, or solid, growth to the spring, or open, growth in each
annual ring; or, in other words, that the density or specific
gravity is a very important factor. It was also proved, in this
investigation, that there was a definite relation between the
modulus of elasticity, as determined in the bending tests, and the
crushing strength and bending strength, as determined in tests of
the same timber.
SHEAR TESTS.
In testing timber beams, I frequently find that the beam gives
way, not by tearing across, but by shearing along the neutral
axis, and other experimenters have found exactly the same
condition of things.
For example, in Professor Lanza’s tests of beams, no less
than eleven gave way in this fashion, the shear stress at the
time when the rupture took place along the neutral plane being,
in the case of spruce, only 191 lbs. per square inch, and in the
case of yellow pine, 248 lbs. per square inch, and, by calculation,
he showed that this was also about the intensity of the shearing
stress, in a vertical plane, in the case of those beams which did |
give way by actually tearing across. There has not been a
very large number of direct shearing tests.
The round tensile specimens which I prepared for this lecture,
with intentionally small heads, act very satisfactorily as shear
specimens, and the results given in Tables II. and III. give very
accurately the shear strength of these different kinds of wood.
In the Watertown experiments, the results obtained in direct
shear tests were somewhat higher than those in the case of the
beams which gave way by shear; this effect is due largely to the
following cause—in a special shear test one fixes, by the form of
the specimen, the particular plane at which shear shall take
place; on the other hand, in the case of the beam, the shear
takes place along the plane weakest to resist shear near to the
neutral axis, and therefore one gets a lower shear strength.
CONCERNING NATURAL REGENERATION IN GENERAL, 17
II. Concerning Natural Regeneration in general, together with
Special Details regarding a typical example of Natural
Regeneration of the Scots Pine at Beauly, Inverness-shire
(with Photographs). By GILpert Brown, Beaufort Cottage,
Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire.
In natural forests a process is continually going on which
ensures their perpetuation from one generation to another; and
“natural regeneration” is the formation of a new wood by the
natural fall of seed from the mother-trees, which germinates and
develops into a crop of seedlings. This term distinguishes such
a process from “ artificial sowing or planting” in the nursery or
forest, otherwise the methods involved are as natural in the one
as in the other.
In forests of vast extent, in which regeneration has taken place,
the preponderance of a very few species is usually a character-
istic feature, and the nature of the climate and the composition
of the soil determine in great measure what this species shall
be. Throughout America and parts of the Continent of Europe,
pure coniferous forests are often found resulting from natural
regeneration, because, when any particular tree is specially
favoured by the soil, situation, or climate, it propagates itself
readily, to the more or less complete exclusion of others. Thus,
on a fine, deep soil several different species may be found grow-
ing side by side, while on rocky, bare ground only a few hardy
trees, endowed with special qualities, are to be found, and on
a swamp, alder or poplar. These are extreme examples, but
the more similar the nature of the trees, the keener and the more
prolonged will be the struggle, though the result will ultimately
be the same. This may also occur in woods under careful
management, owing to such reasons as a desire for uniformity
of appearance, or for the easy management of the woods,
because, wherever a system in any way favours one kind of tree,
it is placed in a more advantageous position than other kinds,
with the ultimate result that these latter become greatly
diminished in number.
When it is desired to restock a wood with young seedlings
after the old crop has reached maturity, three conditions are
essential, viz.—(1) Presence of seed-bearing trees; (2) soil suitable
Jor the germination of the seed and the growth of the plant;
(3) ¢émely removal of the old trees.
VOL. XIX. PART I. B
18 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
1. PRESENCE OF SEED-BEARING TREES.
In order to eliminate the chances of failure, and to benefit the
production of seed, the crowns of the old trees ought to be well
exposed to sunlight, so as to stimulate the production of flowers
and fruit. When coniferous trees are crowded together, the
cones are invariably small, and the germinative power of the
seed is weak. Therefore a few of the most vigorous trees, or
at least such a number as may be necessary, should be carefully
isolated a few years before the main crop is cut. When thinning
is required, the first aim is to remove all such trees as are not
desired to reproduce themselves, such as birch, which springs
up like a weed whenever an opening occurs, and which, if left
alone, will overrun the ground and check other species. Partly
suppressed trees are next removed, and those with wide-spreading
crowns occupying an unduly large growing-space. ‘The extent
to which a wood should be thinned when approaching maturity
depends, of course, on the density of the crop, and while the
thick parts may perhaps have to be thinned freely, the thin
parts may sometimes remain almost untouched, or possibly the
whole may be left until seed-production.
2. SOIL SUITABLE FOR THE GERMINATION OF THE SEED
AND THE GROWTH OF THE PLANT.
The average Scottish woods, being usually rather thinly
stocked, are often more or less over-grown with weeds, such as
rough heather, bramble, bracken, bilberry, and thick masses of
wire-grass and moss. The first three are not generally difficult
to dispose of. Heather, when very dry, can be destroyed by
burning against the wind, so as to keep the fire partly in check
and to burn closely. After burning, however, the soil is seldom
in a fit state to receive seed, and soil-preparation has to be
resorted to, as will be dealt with later on. Brambles can be cut
or grubbed up, the latter being by far the preferable method, as it
also serves to loosen the soil and make it more suitable as a
seed-bed. The heads of bracken are easily nipped off when they
begin to form; and, generally, wherever bracken is growing, low
weeds are kept so much in check that the mineral soil is usually
to be seen, which forms a good seed-bed. The other weeds are
not so easy to cope with. Where Jdz/berry exists in masses,
natural regeneration is well-nigh impossible, as it forms such a
CONCERNING NATURAL REGENERATION IN GENERAL. 19
thick net-work of roots that no seed gets near the mineral soil.
The bilberry also exhausts and dries the surface-soil so much,
that very few seeds can germinate owing to the dry, dead
nature of the ground. In planting it is quite useless to put in
plants with the T-notch unless the bilberry is first cut away,
and the roots and dead surface removed; and if this is im-
perative before artificially-inserted plants can thrive successfully,
neglect of it gives little hope for successful natural regenera-
tion. Where a combination of wére-grass and moss exists, the
case is equally difficult. In woods with such a soil-covering,
it is a difficult matter to determine how to clear the ground.
Tearing up the moss in strips yields fair results, but is expensive;
burning, when very dry, reduces the moss to a slight degree,
but generally leaves a layer of moss and grass-roots which no
radicle can push through, and in such cases it is useless to
trust to natural regeneration.
The rational method of treating woods is to keep the trees in
close canopy throughout the entire life-period of the crop, so
that the shade prevents the growth of surface-weeds. To keep
a wood in such a manner is difficult, because, generally, as a
wood grows older it gets more open, and especially if formed
of light-demanding trees without any shade-bearer having been
introduced to help to maintain close canopy, and thus protect
the soil. In plantations of hardwoods (and especially of beech)
with a dense leaf-canopy, the fallen foliage and other débris
usually accumulate at a more rapid rate than decomposition
proceeds, with the result that a mass of leaves and dead branches
(raw humus) covers the ground. When such is the case, the
seed is not likely to germinate to any great extent, and the
ultimate result is that the seedlings damp off in a few weeks.
This is easily remedied by raking the leaves together when dry,
and burning them, nothing else being required to make the mould
below a good seed-bed. But though the supply of seed may be
abundant, and its quality good, the seedlings have little chance
of establishing themselves unless the surface is comparatively
free from weeds and rubbish, and is in a loose friable condition.
3. REMOVAL OF SEED-BEARING TREES.
The proper time for the removal of seed-bearing trees depends
mainly on the light or shade required by the young seedlings.
Some kinds of young growth are more liable to be injured by
20 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
late frosts than others; and although old trees do not prevent
this altogether, yet the shelter afforded by the crowns lessens
the danger considerably. Again, if the parent trees are allowed
to stand too long, they have a deteriorating effect on the young
seedlings, by checking their growth or causing them to grow up
weak and crooked.
On ground stocked with light-demanding species, the old trees,
and especially oak, may be dispensed with early.
The removal and cutting of old standards on a regenerated
area is always a matter of difficulty, as a certain amount of
damage cannot be avoided. But if the trees have been carefully
selected, and only those with narrow crowns left, the damage is
not so serious as one would expect. Young trees quickly replace
a broken leader, and if the crop is thick a few are never missed.
In removing the trees, it is a wise policy only to use a janker,
as the logs can then be lifted and taken out easily with little
damage, because the tramping and moving about of men and
horses necessary for loading on an ordinary cart often causes
more damage than the fall of the trees.
As regards coniferous woods, the two principal factors which
determine the success or failure of natural regeneration are the
surface-weeds, and the annual fall of dead needles. As to
the former, much depends on the leaf-canopy. Shade-bearing,
heavily-foliaged trees, such as spruce or silver fir, check under-
growth much more effectually than the majority of pines, which
allow more light to penetrate through their crowns. But a great
deal also depends on the density of the crop. As the majority
of Scots pine-woods are too open, undergrowth of a varied
character is then always to be found. Open woods are un-
doubtedly more pleasing to the eye than close canopy with
comparatively bare poles; and the prospect of a quick return
from early thinnings may induce over-thinning, present require-
ments being considered before future advantages.
In over-thinned woods the thick undergrowth not only retards
the germination of seed, but also uses up a great deal of plant-
food otherwise available for the growth of the crop. In woods
covered with weeds, seedlings may often be found wherever the
mineral soil has been laid bare, ¢.g., as where wood has been
dragged. Hardwood seedlings, being stronger and more robust
than those of conifers, are able to push their radicle through the
roots of the grass to the soil beneath; but seedlings of conifers
CONCERNING NATURAL REGENERATION IN GENERAL, 21
are less successful in doing this, and therefore soon die for want
of sustenance. And as the seeds of most hardwoods are
heavier than those of conifers, this also gives them a better
chance of getting into contact with the soil.
A light soil-covering of heather is not altogether a drawback,
as it affords some shelter to young seedlings; but in sheltered
positions good moss often grows thickly about its roots, and
intercepts the seed as it falls, while seeds which may happen
to germinate soon damp off, as they do on a grassy surface.
Before attempting natural regeneration, therefore, it is import-
ant that the ground should be fairly clear of weeds, though their
subjugation is often impossible. Where heather abounds along
with moss, burning has on certain kinds of soil the drawback
that it leaves a hard surface, owing to the fire eating into the
fibrous layer. The weeds ought therefore to be burned before
the trees are felled, for in quick burning no harm is done to the
standing trees, while dragging and removing the felled timber
break up the crust thus formed, and allow the seed to fall at
once on loose soil. :
In many Scots pine-woods the lack of young seedlings is
often attributed to the shade of the old trees, but this is not the
sole cause. Around Scots pine-trees there is invariably a mass
of needles, the decomposition of which is assisted by saprophytic
fungi (chiefly Botrytis cinerea, the common grape-mould), whose
mycelium permeates the layer of fallen needles; and as seedlings
germinate there, they push their tender radicle into this fungous
mass and are killed. That this damping off is due to fungous
infection, and not to atmospheric conditions, is probable from
the fact that when part of the dead leaves has been re-
moved, artificially or otherwise, young seedlings spring up and
thrive on these disturbed parts, if not checked by other agencies ;
whereas, on the adjoining parts where the leaves are lying,
plants are either entirely wanting, or are exceptionally rare of
any large size. It may be that the lack of nourishment in this
layer leads to the damping off of young seedlings, but it is
certain that on ground covered with a close mass of weeds or
leaves one cannot trust to natural regeneration without artificial
assistance.
In the unassisted natural regeneration of Scots pine-woods,
the process is, of course, one of natural selection. Nature’s
method, however, is not the selection of trees to be ¢aken out,
22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
but the selection of trees fo remain as seed-bearers, owing to
their superiority over the other trees that have been growing
around them. A process which includes the gradual decay, as
well as the gradual growth, of every tree in the forest must be
subject to a very radical alteration when felling (ze., artificial
selection) takes the place of decay in effecting natural regenera-
tion. Such alteration consists in an artificial process of destruc-:
tion by felling. There are different methods of effecting this,
but those which appear to be most suitable to Scots pine are
the “Selection” and “Strip” systems. In the former, from 12
to 15 trees per acre are selected for seed-production. They ought
to be distributed over the area in such a manner that some
should stand as near to the windward edge as possible, so that
every advantage may be gained in spreading the seed. Such
seed-producing standard trees should be selected before the final
felling, and should be healthy trees with crowns of medium
breadth. It may happen, however, that from such trees having
been partly sheltered while the whole crop was standing, the
root-system is so weak as to make them liable to be blown
down if exposed, hence it is wise to leave a good shelter-belt
to windward, or to select more than the 12 to 15 standards to
the acre needed for seed-production.
In the second or “Strip” system, however, the regenerative
process is not conducted uniformly over the whole area, but the
wood is divided into strips, which are then taken in hand one
by one, and thinned out so as to prepare the trees for seed-
production. As soon as one strip is naturally regenerated,
the adjoining strip is cut out, and the next two thinned; and
so on, until the whole area is regenerated. This method is
satisfactory in forests of large extent, and where a long strip
can be cut, so that a large lot of trees can be sold at once,
for a big fall always commands a higher price than a small
lot. In regard to the width of the strips, no fixed rule can
be laid down; they ought not, however, to be too wide.
The best examples of natural regeneration of Scots pine are
perhaps to be found in the north of Scotland. Balblair Wood,
Beauly, forms a very typical and successful example, so far
as it produced an excellent crop of young plants. The
“Selection” system was adopted throughout, no definite rotation
being observed, but trees being felled when required, until the
CONCERNING NATURAL REGENERATION IN GENERAL. 23
final cutting. The number of acres naturally regenerated is
about 130. This is practically divided into two different com-
partments, the first (104 acres) having trees of about 45 years
of age, and the second (26 acres) having trees of about 35 years
of age, with old standards.
The photographs at the end of this article show the trees in
these two compartments. No. 1 shows trees of 45 years of age,
and Nos. 2 and 3 the younger crop, 35 years of age, taken
at different points, while Nos. 4 and 5 show the position the
old standards occupy amongst the young crop (No. 4 showing
principally the head of an old standard, and No. 5 the
bole).
In the older compartment felling occurred about fifty years
ago, and standards with straight boles and narrow-shaped
crowns were left to the number of about 30 to the acre. Owing
to the surface of the ground being greatly broken up by men,
horses, and carts during the removal of the timber, and to the
soil being friable and only slightly covered with moss, young
plants came up very soon after the fall. These conditions
favouring natural regeneration in this case, the young crop
came up so thick that it had to be thinned early; and it
was undoubtedly a little over-thinned up to about 30 years of
age, as at the present time the crop, now about 45 years old,
only consists of from 390 to 430 trees per acre. ‘This leaves
very few to come out in case of accidents, such as wind-blows
or deaths by natural causes, and unless now treated carefully
the final crop will be small. The trees throughout have grown
well, and are well developed and clear of branches to about
20 feet; but as the subsoil is of a hard nature, the growth of
the trees is now very slow, and they are throwing out large
side-branches.
The second and younger compartment forms something like
a two-storied crop, being composed of old standards and poles
of about 35 years of age. This part was also cut over
preparatory to natural regeneration, selected standards to
the number of about 30 trees to the acre being left as seed-
trees, which yielded a heavy crop of seed almost at once.
Photograph No. 4 shows that the old standards were growing
openly, as the side-branches can be seen mixing with the crowns
of the trees forming the young crop. The boles are short, but
large in cubic contents, which shows that the trees have had
24 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
a free-growing space at an early age. The surface being
only lightly covered with moss, through which the mineral soil
could be seen, and the soil itself being loose, young seedlings
at once sprang up so numerously that they had even to
be freely cut out in bunches when about seven years old,
leaving plants about 3 feet apart. The plantation remained
untouched till about twelve to fifteen years old, when light
props were taken out, leaving the poles standing from about
5 to 6 feet apart. A few of the double-headed and backgoing
poles have been thinned out since, leaving about 1000 trees
per acre. Owing to a hard substratum, they have not grown
so rapidly as during the first fifteen years; but they form a
nice crop of clean well-formed poles.
The system of leaving the old standards until the leading-
shoots and branches are in touch with the lateral branches
(as in this case) is one that cannot be recommended, as a
certain number of the young crop must inevitably be sacrificed,
unless an extra amount of trouble be bestowed on the felling.
Had the old trees been cut out when the young growth was
a few years old, the few of the latter that would have been
destroyed could have been cut out without any damage to the
crop.
Although the methods adopted in the above two cases
were far from being perfect, yet the results show an exceptionally
fine young crop, which required no artificial assistance in the
way of filling up gaps.
[It will afford the 7yamsactions Committee much pleasure if foresters kindly
favour them with practical details such as those contained in the last two
pages. —Hon. Ep. ]
a ee SE NET ees.
eRe eed
“rw ny
— acm
4 :
rae omar
eK
ae °
:
Pe
: HATS “er
==
see
O. 4.
N
No. 5.
a
“7
*
GROWING TIMBER FOR PROFIT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 25
III. Zhe Prospects of growing Timber for Profit in the United
Kingdom. By ARCHIBALD E. Moeran, Land Agent,
Palmerston House, Portumna, Co. Galway.
The subject about to be discussed can be considered from two
points of view—(1) What are the prospects that timber can be
grown in the United Kingdom at a profit? and (2) What may
such profits, if any, be expected to amount to?
A difficulty presents itself at the outset. We have evidently
to deal more with future operations than with past results. I
think it may be taken for granted that future work in the
United Kingdom will be much more influenced by Continental
lessons than has been the case in the past, and that the hope of
profit lies in the skilful adaptation of Continental methods to our
home conditions. The natural course to take, therefore, is to
describe the French and German methods of management, to
quote from the accurately kept statistics of their Forestry
Departments, and to argue from analogy that our woods should,
and could, yield like results if treated similarly.
Here, however, we are to confine ourselves to British data,
although these foreign yield-tables are, after all, the most solid
facts we possess upon which to base our calculations. And
though to leave them out makes the subject more difficult to
handle, it certainly makes it more interesting; and it covers
ground which has been but lightly passed over by most writers.
In any business enterprise dealing with the production of a
marketable material, there are three factors which govern the
amount of profit that can be made, and all efforts towards
increased profits must deal with one or other of these, namely,—
(1) Cost of production; (2) amount of material produced; and
(3) marketable value of this material.
Any improvement that can be accomplished in one or other of
these factors must result in increased financial returns, presuming,
of course, that the other two remain constant. Progress may be
possible in two, or in all three issues at the same time, and would
then prove all the more remunerative. Now, the growing of
timber for profit is essentially a business enterprise, which will
prove successful in proportion as it is in the hands of men who
are not only skilled in their profession, but are also keen men of
business ; and any lack of ability or inattention to detail on the
26 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
part of the management will be followed by the results which
attend such faults in the commercial world.
Let us therefore, very briefly, take each of these factors in
turn, and see what possibilities of improvement there may be in
the future.
1. Cost OF PRODUCTION.
It seems probable that we shall have to face a somewhat
increased rate of wages in rural districts in the near future.
Where cleared areas are being replanted, as a rule there is neither
fencing nor draining to be done, and the labour-bill is only for the
actual planting of the trees. |. When much labour is necessary in
draining or reclaiming, any addition to the rate of wages may
become serious. However, the fact that such work can be done
during winter, when other work is slackest, will usually secure a
sufficient number of men at reasonable wages. The chief way
in which we may expect to reduce the cost of production is in
more methodical expenditure, that is to say, in avoiding the
expense of all unproductive work; and we must look to an im-
proved knowledge of forestry, in its widest sense, to aid us in this.
Theoretically, every item of expenditure should yield its share of
profit ; but we all know of numbers of cases in which money has
been freely expended on work never likely to prove profitable.
It is this ‘““knowledge before the event” which we must hope
to see more general.
The cost of plants of the commoner kinds of forest trees may
be counted on as remaining much on the average of the last ten
years, but there can be no doubt whatever that the prices of what
are called “ the rarer conifers” will, within the next few years, be
reduced to about the price of larch. The large nursery-firms
on the Continent have recognised that such kinds as Pseudotsuga
Douglasii, Picea sitchensis, Tsuga Mertensiana, Thuya gigantea, and
Pinus Strobus are trees which are to be planted by the thousands
and by the tens of thousands; and they are at present offering
them at prices not greatly in excess of quotations for larch.
Given a sufficient demand, our home nurserymen will have no
difficulty in also supplying any of the > at prices which will
admit of planting them on a large scale.
The saving that can be effected by planting large areas is not
generally appreciated. In the fencing this is very marked ;
because,
GROWING TIMBER FOR PROFIT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 27
if t acre costs £8 o o toa fence,
then 4 acres will cost £4 © o per acre,!
RG tee Seg DA et as cameo) “
64 ” ” ” L lo Le, ”
1024 5, oF) ee: Ao au es) ”
All economies are more easily carried out on large areas than
on small ones, and the results are also more marked. Better men
can be employed, and a good system is more feasible. Good
roads can be constructed or tram-lines laid down, enhancing
the price of the produce, with many other things which smaller
areas would not warrant, but which tend (though perhaps in-
directly) to cheapen the cost of production.
2. AMOUNT OF MATERIAL PRODUCED.
We have, I think, every reason to feel confident that it is
possible to make good progress in this direction. Without
going into the history of British forestry, it is enough to say
that it is now generally admitted that our foresters were, up to
very recent years, taught to over-thin woods at all stages of
their growth, but especially during the first thirty years, to an
extent that has caused great loss, not only to the owners of the
woods upon which they operated, but to the cause of sylviculture
generally. Little distinction was made in the treatment of
shade-bearers, such as beech, silver fir, and spruce, and light-
demanding trees, such as larch. The fact that a certain kind
of tree was a strong shade-bearer, was looked upon as a draw-
back, as it would not clear its lower branches satisfactorily in
the open woods of carefully-spaced standards, which were looked
upon as the szze gua non of correct forestry. It does not seem
to have occurred to these men, clever foresters though they
were, that shade-bearing attributes are one of the highest
qualifications a tree can possess, as the stronger its powers are
in this respect, the heavier is the crop that can be produced per
acre. Furthermore, when the object aimed at is the production
of the greatest quantity of saleable timber, this attribute is of
two-fold value, as, to secure long, clean timber, a thick crop
must be grown (there is no other way of cleaning the stems),
and, conversely, if you aim at the heaviest obtainable crop, you
1 This presumes, of course, that all such different areas fenced are in squares,
or in similarly-shaped rectangles, in each case.—HONn, ED.
28 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
are bound also to have clean, marketable timber; and these
things are only now beginning to be understood and acted on
by foresters.
I knew a pure spruce wood about 55 years old, skirting a
public road, in which the trees stood about 420 to the acre.
Local popular opinion pronounced this so thick that the wood
was considered ruined beyond hope, and was regarded as the
sylvicultural scandal of the neighbourhood. Even the owner
spoke in apologetic terms of this blot upon his estate, yet, as
a matter of fact, the highest British forestry authorities will now
say that 450 spruce to the acre at 55 years is a very thin crop
indeed, except on land of exceptionally good quality for spruce.
Unfortunately, this wood was entirely blown down in the storm
of February 1903, and a timber merchant has a saw-mill now in
the middle of the débris. The timber is cutting out very clean,
and he is not at all inclined to criticise the owner harshly for
his neglect of thinning.
I am dealing at present altogether with shade-bearing kinds
of trees, for reasons which I will give later; and with such the
amount of yield per acre, and the quality of the yield, bear so
strongly upon each other, that it is difficult to separate the
subjects. I shall therefore include the third factor in the question
of profit.
3. MARKETABLE VALUE OF THE PRODUCE.
When dealing with the prices of young trees, I mentioned some
of the rarer conifers. In my opinion, some of these species are
destined to play a part in British forestry that is not yet at all
realised. The quality of the timber they produce in their native
woods is known. It is the best timber from the most wonderful
timber-producing region in the world. That they will produce
a heavy yield per acre, no one who has travelled through those
regions will deny. After a forest fire the seedlings come up
almost as close as heather over the charred ground. The
common mixture in some of the finest timber districts is red fir
(Pseudotsuga Douglastt), western hemlock (Zsuga Mertensiana),
and red cedar (Zhuya gigantea). On the burned area the young
red fir takes the lead and keeps it. It will stand plenty of
side-crushing, but requires overhead light and a free head. For
the first 80 years it will average quite 2 feet growth in height
per annum; and at 80 years the average circumference is from
GROWING TIMBER FOR PROFIT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 29
4 to 5 feet at breast-height. In rate of growth, as to both
height and girth, the hemlock and cedar are left behind, but
they are patient shade-bearers, and creep steadily up, forming
perhaps the densest forests in the world. If a red fir dies, or
is cut or blown down, the increase of light brings up the waiting
hemlock or cedar, like a soldier stepping into the place of a
fallen comrade, so that the overhead roof remains unbroken.
Several big lumber companies are now going back on land
which was cut over or burned fifty or sixty years ago, and are
cutting therefrom marketable natural second-growth timber.
This seems an encouragement to us who have to begin at the
beginning. While the admittedly splendid timber from these
regions was being cut from giants 300 to 400 and 500 years
old, it required some courage to advocate planting these species
on our own hill-sides. Now, however, with the knowledge we
are collecting of the timber as actually produced in Great
Britain and Ireland, our confidence should increase.
I have described these trees in their far-off home for a purpose.
We have brought them from a climate very similar to our
own,! with a rainfall of 50 to 70 inches brought up by the wet
west winds from the Pacific. They have proved that they grow
and thrive under favourable circumstances in this country, and
there is every reason to believe that they will produce good
timber 7 ¢hey are grown under suitable conditions; and this is
what I want to emphasise. Already there has been a great deal
of money wasted in planting these kinds of trees under conditions
which have produced handsome trees, but poor in quality as
timber. The United States Bureau of Forestry has carried out
exhaustive tests with most of the native-grown timbers. It
reports that, after testing a great number of specimens of red fir,
or Oregon pine, ranging from 28 to 4 annual rings to the inch,
it has been found that about 20 rings to the inch gives the
best results; that from 12 to 15 rings to the inch may be called
timber of good quality, suitable for ordinary building require-
ments, but that the quality of the timber deteriorates in direct
proportion as the rings gets wider; and, further, that all the
timber with 7 rings or less to the inch has been found to be
blemished with knots, which to a certain extent impair its
1Ts such actually the case? Is not the summer-warmth much greater there ?
And is not the intensity of the sunlight there also much greater throughout the
annual period of vegetation ?>— Hon. ED.
30 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
strength. We have, unfortunately, no Forestry Department of
our own where tests might be carried out with home-grown
specimens,! but these figures of the U.S. Bureau of Forestry
furnish evidence that, so far as regards rate of growth in girth, we
ought to be able to grow these kinds of trees so as to produce
timber of first-rate quality.
SUMMARY.
The reason why I have taken this group of shade-bearers and
dealt almost entirely with them is that it is quite too large
a subject to discuss in detail for each kind of tree and for each
mixture by itself. Looking at the question broadly, I eliminated
the hardwood ‘trees, not because they cannot be grown at a
profit (as I am aware that on occasions they have proved most
remunerative), but because, as a rule, they must be grown
on land of fairly good quality. They are not generally suitable
for planting on waste land of any description. They are usually
planted in the interior of landed estates, and here they are
subject to so many outside influences (for the purpose of game,
ornament, or shelter) that they cannot be, and as a matter
of fact are not, looked upon as plantations made for profit.
I was left, therefore, to deal with the coniferous trees on land
of medium to poor quality. Much of this is suitable for larch,
but I need not go into the reasons why extensive larch planta-
tions have become a hazardous class of speculation. In any
case, what we want is to produce timber that will supply in
part the enormous demand for building and joinery purposes.
The price of larch is kept up by the great quantities used
in the collieries. It is quite conceivable that within the next
fifty years some substitute may be found for this, and in
such case the price of larch would probably fall considerably.?
The demand for timber for constructive and general indoor
1 An article by Professor T. Hudson Beare on ‘‘ Timber: Its Strength, and
How to Test It,” in which some home-grown timbers are dealt with, occurs
at page I of this volume of the Zvansacttons.—HON. ED.
? With creosoting, naphthalining, and saccharising at 3d. to 4d. per cubic
‘ foot, softwoods of all sorts that readily take antiseptics become more durable
(so far as the action of damp and warmth, fungi, insects, etc., are concerned
—apart from the action of strains and other mechanical effects) than the best
larch or oak. This fact is bound to produce its natural economic results
wherever planting for profit is being considered henceforthk— Hon. ED.
GROWING TIMBER FOR PROFIT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 31
work must always continue, and there is every probability that
the price of this class of wood will continue to rise steadily,
as it has been doing in the last ten years, owing to the gradual
shortage of supply and the increased demand in other countries
as well as our own. As regards our older conifers, Norway
spruce, silver fir, and Scots pine, I must admit that I am
not a great believer in the common or Norway spruce (Picea
excelsa). It does not yield timber of first-rate quality, and
there is no reason why we should blindly stick to it if we can
find other trees which promise better results. Silver fir I believe
to be a more profitable tree than Norway spruce; but it will
not succeed on many kinds of soil, and its timber is, at the
best, not of sufficiently good quality to warrant its general
use. With regard to Scots pine, I do not wish to depreciate
the good qualities of this tree, which will probably always
continue to be the backbone of all planting operations on land
of poor quality. Its good qualities are too well known to
require enumeration, but, at the same time, it has a great
proportion of sap-wood, worthless for all except the cheapest
purposes, which it carries up to at any rate eighty years of
age.! Another drawback, and a very serious one, is that after
about fifty years pure Scots pine opens out overhead, and
thereafter fails to protect the soil. That is to say, it is not,
during the latter part of its life-period, a good shade-bearer.
Looking at the whole situation broadly, therefore, it seems
to me that if we can procure a class of trees suitable to different
elevations, soils, etc., and capable of being grown satisfactorily
in mixed woods formed for purposes of experiment, then no
one will deny that the introduction of such trees on an extensive
scale into Great Britain and Ireland would hold out a fair
promise for the profitable growing of timber in this country ;
and the timber-producing districts of Western Washington and
Oregon in the United States, and of British Columbia in
Canada, seem those most likely to supply the class of trees
we require.
1 Creosoting, naphthalining, and saccharising have entirely altered this,
because the soft sap-wood is that part which absorbs the antiseptic substances
most readily and in largest quantity. —Hon. Ep.
32 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
IV. Zhe Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Main-
tenance for the first Twenty-five Years. By DonaLtp M.
MacpDoNnaLp, Assistant Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northum-
berland.
The reasons for mixing different kinds of trees in woods are
that this secures—
1. Protection against fungi, insects, etc.
2. Introduces trees which are perhaps more valuable as
thinnings than the principal species.
3. Reduces the cost of planting by using cheap trees, which
act as nurses to the more expensive ones forming the
bulk of the plantation.
4. If one species fails, another is there to take its place.
5. The condition of the soil is improved by interplanting
heavy-foliaged trees along with thin-foliaged ones.
Against the above advantages, reasons might be given in
favour of growing woods pure; but, with several classes of trees,
mixed planting is the proper course to adopt in starting them.
I shall therefore consider the subject from the following points
of view :—
1. Formation of Mixed Woods.—(1) Fencing; (2) draining;
(3) cleaning the ground; (4) laying out roads and rides; (5)
treatment of the plants in the nursery; (6) planting; (7) kinds
of trees suitable for mixing; (8) system of mixing; (g) shelter-
belts.
2. Maintenance for Twenty-five Years after FPlanting.—(1)
Beating-up and cleaning; (2) protection against game, vermin,
and fungous diseases; (3) thinning.
I. FORMATION.
1. Fencing.—The first step to be taken in the formation of any
plantation is to erect suitable fences to protect the trees against
the inroads of sheep, cattle, and vermin.
(a) Fences against Sheep and Cattle—There are many different
styles of erecting post-and-wire fences, but the most effective and
cheapest in the long run is one consisting of either creosoted
pine-wood, larch, or oak straining-posts 7 ft. 6 ins. x 6 ins. x 6 ins.
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 33
sunk about 3 ft. 9 ins. into the ground, with a sole dogged on to
the ends, and with winding-brackets on each side every 100 yards
or so, if the fence runs in a straight line. When the fence takes
a bend or dip into a hollow, it is necessary to have intermediate
straining-posts well stayed back on the inside. The posts should
be about 6 ft. x 4 ins. x 3 ins., pointed and creosoted, and driven
into the ground till they stand about 3 ft. 9 ins. above it. It
is not necessary to put these in every 6 feet, especially if the fence
is erected on the top of a bank. Every 8 or g feet is close enough
when the fence runs in a straight line, but they can be put closer
at curves. Six wires should be used, the top one being either
galvanised steel or barbed. The bottom wires should be placed
closer, to make certain that sheep will be excluded. Such a
fence, when properly put up, the wood being well treated with
preservatives, and the wires tightened from time to time, will
stand twenty years.
Another fence quite capable of keeping stock out of the woods
is the “dropper.” The straining-posts and wires are the same
as above, but the posts are put in at every 12 or 16 feet, with
two droppers 3 ft. 6 ins. x 14 ins. x 2 ins. between. This class
of fence is cheaper than the former, and if well constructed is
almost as effective.
Live-fences may consist either of thorn- or beech-hedges. Both
are satisfactory. They are sometimes planted in two rows
g inches apart. After the young plants become thoroughly
established, they are cut over, about an inch or so above the soil,
and this causes the young shoots to spring up thick and strong.
It is advisable to switch them yearly into a wedge-shape until
they are 4 or 5 feet high. Thorn-hedges, if properly managed,
will last one hundred years or upwards, and are very effective
against the inroads of both sheep and cattle. To get a hedge
to grow quickly for immediate effect, it is better to trench and
manure the ground well before planting. The strip trenched
need not be more than 4 feet wide. Only on very stiff or wet
soil is it necessary to plant the hedge on a mound. On dry,
loose soil, when a bank is made, the earth crumbles away, and
this, together with the burrowing of rabbits, exposes the roots,
and eventually makes the hedge become full of gaps and in-
effective.
(b) Fences against Rabbits—Wire-netting is the most effective
method of protecting young plantations against such vermin.
VOL. XIX. PART I. Cc
34 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
When rabbits abound in any great numbers, their destruction
within or near the young woods is necessary to insure the welfare
of the young plants. This can best be secured by enclosing the
area to be planted with a wire-netting fence, and all the rabbits
inside should be killed before planting takes place. When there
is no permanent fence, it is necessary to erect the netting on
posts driven into the ground, and to fix it on a wire stretched
along the top. The netting should not be less than 1} inch
mesh, nor less than 48 inches wide, and it is best let 6 inches
into the ground, to keep the rabbits from burrowing underneath.
It is a good plan to let the netting lean well outwards, as this
prevents climbing over the top.
2. Draining—When necessary, as on deep, stiff soil, and
also where stagnant surface-water exists, drains should be cut.
In the formation of mixed woods, the number of these drains,
and their distance apart, depends on the nature of the soil, and,
to some extent, on the kinds of trees to be planted, so that no
hard or fast rules can be laid down. The man on the spot is
the best judge, as thorough draining may dwarf or kill one kind
of tree, while it may be beneficial to another. When drains are
opened on loose soil, it is necessary to cut them with sloping
sides, narrowing from about 2 feet at the top to g inches at the
bottom. On stiff and retentive soil, however, this sloping is not
necessary. ‘The soil thrown out in making the drains should be
spread over the ground.
3. Cleaning the Ground.—Before the actual planting commences,
it is advisable to get rid of all surface-weeds, such as broom,
gorse, bracken, heather, bramble, briars, or other strong growth
injurious to the young crop. Their presence would harm the
plants, by robbing the soil of valuable plant-food, and most of
them would not only hinder the proper development of the plants,
but also endanger their existence, by smothering and killing
them.
Broom and Gorse are the most troublesome to deal with.
Burning them over is no use, as this only encourages them to
spring from the roots thicker and more luxuriantly than ever.
It is therefore best to grub out the roots in the spring, when the
shoots are beginning to grow. ‘Then the planting can take place
in the following winter, as this gives the young crop a chance of
getting established before any roots left in the ground can recover
and make new growth injurious to the young trees,
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 35
Bracken can be considerably checked by repeated cutting
during the two preceding seasons.
Heather is not so troublesome, because it can be effectively
checked by burning two seasons before the ground is planted, so
that the bare and caked condition of the soil will have dis-
appeared.
Brambles and Briars can be got rid of by grubbing. They
are not very troublesome to the young plants if cut back for two
or three seasons.
On ground where there is a thick, grassy turf, it is often a
good plan to break it up by ploughing. One plough should
skim off the surface growth and turn it into the bottom of the
furrow. Another plough, following in the same track, should
turn over the fresh soil on the top of the turf. A crop of oats
may be grown, and then the ground planted in the spring. This
plan is very expensive, but it often pays, as, when the turf is
6 inches or so in thickness, the plants put in without any prepara-
tion stand a poor chance of growing well, the tree being practi-
cally starved before its roots can penetrate to the good soil
beneath.
4. Roads and Rides.—It is necessary to mark off, before
planting operations are begun, the roads and rides which are to
intersect the woods. Cross-rides need not be more than 12 feet
wide at time of planting and main roads 24 feet, with not more
than 200 yards between them, as dragging trees for a greater
distance than too yards to the nearest ride is somewhat
expensive.
5. Treatment of Plants in Nursery.—It is very generally the
custom, and a good one, to buy plants from public nurserymen
as one- or two-year seedlings. When transplants are bought,
the root-system is often found to be much deformed. But, by
buying one-year seedlings and planting them in a home or
temporary nursery, near the area to be planted, strong and
healthy plants are obtained with a good root-system. Such
seedlings should be planted in something like the following
way :—Dig two or three spadings, as the case may be, across
the break, and level evenly down with the back of the spade.
Then set the line 15 inches in the case of hardwoods, and
12 inches for conifer seedlings, from the preceding row—and
plant twelve or fifteen to the yard. The most important part of
the operation is to cut the trench deep enough, and with a
36 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
straight vertical edge, so that when the seedlings are placed
in position, they stand perfectly upright, and with their roots
straight down, not bent round as would be the case if the cut
were sloped. The roots should be well covered with soil and
manure spread along the line, which should then be covered
with a spading of soil, after which the seedlings should be
firmed, the soil carefully levelled down, and the next row
commenced. When lifted at the end of their period in the
nursery, such plants will be found to have a natural root-
system, well furnished with rootlets on all sides. This enables
them to stand transplanting to the woods, generally to inferior
soil, and perhaps also a severe exposure; whereas poor seedlings
with twisted roots and bent rootlets are not able to make proper
growth, and may perhaps never form a normal root-system.
6. Planting—Two methods are extensively used in this
country for planting trees, called (a) Slitting or Notching, and
(6) Pit-planting.
Slit-Planting.—On bare hillsides or moorlands, at a fairly
high altitude, where the soil is scanty, poor, and stony, and
where there is only a surface-covering of short heath or grass,
slit-planting is easy, cheap, and effective. The best size of
plant to use is one- or two-year-old stout and strong seedlings
of larch, Corsican pine, oak, Douglas fir, and ash, while slower-
growing kinds, such as beech, spruce, and silver fir should be
three or four years old before being transplanted to the woods,
as this enables them to be tall enough to compete successfully
with the surface-growth.
Notching or slit-planting consists in making two cuts at right
angles to each other, in the shape of the letters L or T, and
bending the spade down, which lifts the turf, when the plant is
placed in the cut underneath the spade, and on this being
smartly removed, the plant is firmly trodden in.
To notch successfully, it is necessary to make a perpendicular
cut, so that when the plant is trodden in it may remain upright.
The cut should also be deep enough to ensure that the seedling
lies with its roots perpendicular between the two surfaces of the
cut, and not bent or twisted round in any way.
Pit-Planting.—On good, strong, deep, low-lying soil, with a
rich surface of natural herbage, which grows 2 or 3 feet in one
season, it is necessary to use large plants, tall enough, at the
beginning, to compete successfully with the surface-growth; and,
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. a7
as these big plants cannot be trodden in, or firmed to withstand
the force of gales if slit-planted, it is best under such conditions
to plant them in pits. This operation consists in making a hole
about a foot square, according to the size of the plant, then insert-
ing and holding this in position while returning the soil. It is
best to place the richest soil next the roots, and all stones and
coarse soil should be put at the top, when the plant should be
firmly trodden in. On stiff clay soil it is usually the custom to
dig the holes in autumn. This allows the removed soil, and
that on the sides of the pit, to get acted on by the atmosphere.
Should, however, there be any danger of the holes getting filled
with water, the pitting should be left over until spring. On
open, loose, porous soil, it is better to defer opening the pits till
the time of planting arrives, as such soil is apt to get dried up,
or washed away with heavy rains. The chief point which
should be attended to in pit-planting is to make the hole deep
enough to allow the roots to hang down perpendicularly, so that
none of them are bent round at the bottom of the pit; because,
when twisted, they very often, especially on hard soil, get water-
logged, which interferes with their growth.
The size of plants suitable for pit-planting varies greatly,
according to the nature of the surface-growth and the exposure,
but sturdy transplants of about 2 or 3 feet in height, in the
case of quick-growing kinds, is a good size. On fairly good
soil, where pit-planting is adopted, the trees should stand about
4 feet apart, but on poor soil, when slit-planting is practised, the
young plants may stand closer.
7. Kinds of Trees suitable for Mixing.—The kinds of trees
which usually give the best results in mixed woods are oak,
ash, beech, larch, Spanish chestnut, spruce, silver fir, Douglas
fir, and Corsican pine.
Oak.—On deep, moist, loamy soil, at a low elevation, oak is
almost sure to succeed, but at a high and exposed elevation it is
useless to plant it. It has a decided objection to chalk, and
does not like too much clay; a mixture of sand, gravel, and
clay suits it well.
The oak is a deep-rooted tree, its tap-roots penetrating a good
way into the soil, and therefore the advantage of planting it on
deep soil is manifest. It is always advisable to have oak
mixed with beech (see below).
Beech.—The beech is grown more for the benefit of other
38 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
trees, and for improving the soil, than for the value of its
timber. It grows well, and to a great size, and lives to a long
age on chalk, limestone, and oolite soil. The fact of its being
a shade-bearer makes it one of the best trees for mixing with
others. Its great density of foliage kills off side-branches, and
draws up the other kinds into clean, straight trees. It annually
casts off a heavy fall of leaves, the decomposition of which
greatly improves the condition of the soil. It is very suitable
for mixing with oak and larch. The former benefits greatly
by the beech killing off lower branches, which, if allowed to
grow, would check the growth at middle age.
When beech is mixed with larch, this keeps more healthy
than when grown pure or with other trees.
Ash.— When grown for small timber, it is advisable to plant
ash in a mixed plantation; but, when heavy timber is wanted,
it requires a great deal more head-room, in its later stages of
life, than can be profitably given in a mixed wood. ‘“Coppice-
with-standards” is therefore the best system for growing big
ash timber. Deep, strong, moist soil, found in the bottoms of
valleys and ravines, will grow ash of superior quality, and
secure for it a great rapidity of growth, while dry shallow soil
or peaty ground is unsuitable.
Spanish Chestnut.—This tree can be mixed profitably with
other fast-growing trees, such as Douglas fir, larch, or Corsican
pine. It has a very heavy annual fall of leaves, which does
much to keep the soil moist, and it yields timber of high
quality, little inferior to oak. But the quality of the timber
deteriorates in large trees, and it is therefore necessary to cut
it out as thinnings, when it is about thirty or forty years, and
before it gets twisted and shaky. The best soil for Spanish
chestnut is a deep well-drained loam, and deep sand or gravel.
Wet or limy soil, cold and bleak situations, and frosty hollows, -
are all unsuitable for it.
Larch.—The larch, one of the most profitable timber-trees,
is almost invariably planted in our woods. Its toughness and
durability, even when comparatively young, and its clean
cylindrical bole make it a great favourite for fencing, pit-
props, etc. Where there is the slightest doubt as to its
successful growth, it should be planted in admixture with
other trees. The failure of the larch during the earlier stages
of growth does not then necessarily destroy the future of the
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 39
plantation, as the other trees are there to take its place as the
dominant or main crop. When the larch is to form the bulk
of the plantation, the most suitable trees to mix with it are
spruce on damp soil, and Spanish chestnut or beech on ordinary
soil. The first is used in short rotations of thirty to forty
years, and the beech in longer rotations of fifty or more years,
as its timber is of little use before that time. Corsican pine
and silver fir are also suitable trees to mix with larch. The
larch should usually form about three-fourths of the crop, the
other fourth being of one or other of the species named.! It
is by no means easy to state definitely the soil best suited
for growing sound larch. Being a _ shallow-rooted tree,? it
prefers soil with a loose surface, and free from heavy surface-
growth, but containing enough moisture to meet the require-
ments of the tree during dry summers. It is therefore on slopes
of hill ranges, and in valleys where the soil consists mostly of
gravel or sandy loam, loose and porous, with sufficient surface
moisture, that the larch thrives best. Flat ground, where the
water accumulates on the surface and becomes stagnant, is
not at all suited to its growth. It should not be planted on
soil too dry on the one hand, or too stiff and wet on the
other; yet it is difficult to say where, at times, it will not
succeed.
Spruce is suitable for being mixed with almost any other species,
and it can be advantageously grown along with light-demanding
trees of quicker growth. One great advantage is its ability to
produce heavy timber on shallow soil with a rather moist subsoil,
or on moor or heath-land, where no other tree can grow to
maturity. The situation should be well sheltered, as, being a
shallow-rooted tree, it is very liable to wind-fall. Hollows or
valleys where there is abundant moisture suit it well.
Silver Fir is very useful in thickening up a light-demanding
wood of long rotation, as it is one of the best shade-bearing trees
we have. It is also useful in forming shelter. Silver fir is very
apt to grow rough and knotty, which reduces the value of the
timber; but, where big timber is aimed at, this is a good tree to
1 The proper proportion in any mixture depends mainly upon local circum-
stances. Where thecanker-disease is prevalent, no three-fourth larch admixture
would likely be of much use in protecting it against infection. —Hon. Ep
2 Larch is naturally a deep-rooting tree, though it can accommodate itself
to stony parts of rocky hill-sides, etc.—Hon. Ep.
40 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
plant. It does well on damp and exposed situations, but is very
sensitive to spring frosts.
Douglas Fir has come rapidly into favour within recent years,
on account of its very rapid growth and the high quality of its
timber. On account of the high price of the young plants, it is
mixed with other species, such as spruce, silver fir, and larch,
which help to check the side-branches in the early stages of its
growth. On no account should the Douglas fir be put more
than 12 feet apart, with the internal space filled up till the species
just named stand 3 feet apart.' When Douglas fir is planted in
this fashion, using cheaper plants to fill up the intervals, it helps
greatly towards cheapening the cost of planting. Owing to the
shade-bearing properties of this tree, the side-branches develop to
an undesirable extent, and the chief object, if clean timber be
desired, is to get it close enough to crush out these lateral
branches, and so form the stem into a clean, cylindrical bole.
Owing to the rapid growth of this tree, the leading-shoots are
very liable to be broken and damaged by the wind in exposed
situations or on high-lying ground, the tree thus becoming crooked
and stag-headed. Its proper place is on low-lying ground and in
sheltered valleys, away from dangerous winds. The soil best
suited for its growth is deep, moist, sandy gravel, and loam
of a fair depth. It does not grow well on chalk, lime, or
stiff clay.
Corsican Pine can be grown either pure or mixed with larch,
spruce, or silver fir, which can be taken out as thinnings; and it
can be planted on something like the system recommended for
Douglas fir. Plants can be put about 12 feet apart, and the
intervals filled up with the subordinate species. The quality of
its timber is sometimes almost equal to that of Scots pine. It
has a straight, clean stem when grown close, and it grows much
faster during its early years than Scots pine. It is, however,
very difficult to transplant, as it has so few fibrous roots that
there is often a considerable percentage of deaths, unless it is
lifted very carefully. It is best to transplant it in early autumn
or late in spring, and care should be taken, during the operation,
that the roots are exposed as little as possible to the effects of
wind or sun. The best timber is produced on soil suitable for
the growth of Scots pine, such as moist, fresh gravel, although it
' Such close planting seems unnecessary on any class of land where Douglas
fir is likely to be planted. —Hon. Ep. i
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 4!I
does well also on chalk, clay, or peaty soil. It stands exposure
well.
8. System of Mixing.—As the various kinds of mixtures are so
numerous, no general rules apply to all of them, so only those
above mentioned as species suitable for mixtures will here be
dealt with.
When Qaé is to form the main crop, it is best to plant it every
12 feet, so that there will be plenty to choose from when, after
repeated thinnings, only the straightest, healthiest, and best trees
are left to form the final crop. The distance between the oak
should be filled up to about 4 feet intervals with fast-growing
kinds, such as larch, spruce, ash, and Spanish chestnut, which
are all able to develop into something useful by the time they
are thinned out. These subordinate trees realise more money as
thinnings than oak of small diameter would. Larch should
always form one of the subordinate species, as its thinnings are
the most valuable. Although not of much value as thinnings,
beech is another tree which should be mixed with oak, to improve
the soil and clean the oak stems into straight, valuable timber.
When it is intended to form the main crop, Beech should, like
- the oak, be mixed with other species more valuable as thinnings,
such as larch, silver fir, ash, and Spanish chestnut.
When Douglas Fir is intended for the main crop, it should be
planted every 12 feet, and the spaces between filled up with
larch, spruce, silver fir, and Corsican pine. The Douglas grows
the cleanest timber when planted pure, but in the meantime the
young plants are so expensive that it is advisable to plant them
mixed at this distance, and filled in with cheaper plants.
Corsican Pine, when intended to form the main crop, may be
dealt with similarly to Douglas fir.
Mixing is most successful when Zarch is intended to form the
main crop, and when it is mixed with spruce, silver fir, Corsican
pine, Spanish chestnut, or beech. But the last named should
always (on suitable soil) form one of the subordinate species,
because of its heavy fall of leaves being so beneficial.
One of the best ways of planting mixed woods is to peg off
the ground into strips. Thus, if twelve men were holing or
planting at 4 feet apart, that would mean every strip would be
16 yards wide. Sticks could be set up at that distance, as this
would greatly help to keep the men right, and secure that the
proper number of plants should be set to the acre. When slit-
42 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
planting, each man should plant at most only two species. This
saves confusion, as each man knows exactly where each particular
kind of tree should be put. When pit-planting is being carried
on, if the holes are opened beforehand, the foreman should lay
the different kinds in the holes in advance of the planters.
9. Shelter-Belts—When forming large plantations, a belt of
strong, deep-rooting, wind-resisting trees should always be planted
round the margin of the wood. This, should the plantation
consist principally of shallow-rooted conifers, will provide it
with shelter from severe gales, which play havoc with exposed
woods. The breadth of the belt should be about 12 yards, and
it should be planted on the outside with beech, hornbeam,
Corsican pine, and on the inside with silver fir, oak, and
sycamore. These belts should always be well thinned to allow
individual trees to develop branches over the greater part of the
stem. When planted a few years in advance, these belts form,
of course, a better protection for the young plants needing
shelter.
II. MAINTENANCE FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER PLANTING.
1. Beating-up and Cleaning.—During the second season the
plantation should be gone over and all blanks filled. For two or
three years after planting, all surface-growth, such as bracken,
brambles, gorse, broom, grass, etc., should be cut back once or
sometimes twice in the season.
2. Protection against Game, Vermin, and Fungous Diseases.—
[The remarks under this head are here omitted, as merely being generalities,
to be found in any text-book on Forestry, about rabbits, hares, and squirrels ;
the pine-weevil, the pine-beetle, the oak-tortrix, and the spruce-bark beetle ;
the larch-canker, the pine-rot, the common agaric, and the canker of broad-
leaved trees. No attempt has been made to give special details for any given
case, or to describe anything in the nature of practical work, as is especially
desired in this class of essay. —Hon. Eb. ]
3. Thinning.—The first thinning may require to be done from
about the tenth to the fifteenth year after planting, according to
the growth of the trees and the composition of the plantation.
It should simply consist in going over the woods and taking out
suppressed, diseased, or dead trees; but when larch has been
mixed with oak or other slow-growing hardwoods, it requires to
be gone over about the tenth year, in order to prevent the latter
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 43
being overdrawn and weakened. All rubbish and small
suppressed trees which have been overtopped should be taken
out. The hardwood rows should be gone along, and all oak,
beech, etc., relieved from over-pressure of larch, spruce, etc.,
by cutting these back with a sharp knife. All double-leaders
and strong side-branches should be cut off, so as to encourage
the oak to grow up with a straight single stem. This thinning
and pruning is quite sufficient to carry the plantation on for
another five years or so, till the plants are about 20 feet in height.
Then the first heavy thinning of the larch is made. This
consists in taking out all the larches in the oak rows, leaving the
oaks entirely alone. Most of the larch trees on either side are
also taken out. The ash and larch rows should also be thinned,
leaving altogether about a thousand trees per acre.
With shade-bearers, such as spruce, beech, silver fir, and fast-
growing trees like the Corsican pine and Douglas fir, the thinning
of the larch should be confined to suppressed and dead trees, as
the former will suffer no injury from being in the shade, and the
other will soon overtop and crush out the larch. These thinnings
are quite sufficient to carry the plantation on to the twenty-fifth
year.
44 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
V. The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Maintenance
Jor the first Twenty-five Years. By JoHN M. Murray,
Assistant Forester, Murthly, Perthshire.
In planting trees, the planter looks for results, which may
greatly depend upon the manner in which the work is performed
at first.
Most trees take a long time to attain maturity, and it is
necessary for their healthy development that the work of
planting should be carried out on sound practical principles,
and on a soil and situation suited to the trees forming the
crops.
The boundaries for a new plantation will often depend on
local circumstances, and the planter has not always the option
of forming them on the most approved principles. The natural
conformation of the ground, and the direction of the prevailing
winds, as also the places where shelter is very much wanted,
should be well studied. Where this can be done, it is advisable
to give the most exposed side a convex form, as this tends
to moderate the force of the wind; but, in forming a convex,
it is often difficult to avoid having also a concave, and unless
this concave is in a naturally sheltered situation, such an outline
should be avoided.
Much can be done by a proper selection of the trees forming
the margins. The chief aim in this will be the hardiness of the
species, and their natural suitability to the situation. What-
ever the selection may be, the plants used ought to be well-
grown and well-rooted, so as to withstand severe exposure.
They should always be openly grown, so that each plant will
have ample room to develop strong roots and side-branches, and
thus produce shelter to the plantation. If this is fully attained,
the interior will be preserved, and there will be more chance
of producing the best quality of timber the ground is capable
of yielding.
The production of revenue, when forming plantations, should
always be kept in view. As the larch is one of our most
valuable trees, arriving sooner at a saleable size than most
others, preference should be given to its cultivation on all
situations suitable to its growth.
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 45
Waste lands suitable for planting are to be found to a greater
or less extent on almost every estate, and plantations will
seldom be formed on fertile soil. Indeed, with the exception
of some hardwoods, such soil would not produce the best quality
of timber; while the loss of rent as pasture would much exceed
that of many of our hill-sides, where plantations can be raised
equally well, and may even produce timber of superior quality.
Timber will therefore usually be grown for profit on mountain
sides or heathy moorlands, and, on a smaller scale, along the
sloping banks of water-courses and in natural hollows.
The commercial value of plantations at different stages of
growth may often vary considerably in different localities,
according to local demand. In localities where pit-wood or
other small-sized wood is in demand, it may pay best to clear
the crop at, say, from thirty to forty years of age, or as soon
as they attain the size best supplying the local market. Many
situations suitable for the growth of larch and other valuable
trees are not sufficiently accessible for the removal of heavy
timber, and then it may be more profitable to clear the crop
when it is of handy pit-wood size, and replant. In this way two
crops of timber may be grown in the time taken to grow one
of heavy matured timber, which would lock up more capital
meanwhile. These are, however, matters only for local con-
sideration.
Fencing.—Before commencing to plant any piece of ground,
it must be securely fenced against the inroads of stock or game.
The manner of enclosing plantations varies, and often depends
on local facilities. Where suitable stones abound, no more
lasting fence can be erected than a dry-stone dyke, built to
the height of 3 feet, and surmounted with iron standards placed
at g feet apart, using three lines of wires placed at 7, 8, and
9 inches apart. Where the fence is a straight line, these standards
may be placed at 18 feet apart, using two droppers at 6 feet
apart. Corrimony fencing is efficient, cheap, durable, easily
erected, and therefore suitable for hill-ground and places difficult
of access. Straining and tie-pillars should be of good malleable
iron, 14 inch square, placed not more than 150 yards apart.
These should be fitted with stays in line of fence, and also with
iron plate ratchets. The intermediate posts should be of T iron,
1} in. x 14 in. x } in, placed at 18 feet apart, using two
droppers between at 6 feet apart. Strainers and T irons to be
46 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
sunk full 4 inches into sufficiently large stones, and fixed with
melted sulphur.
No proper fence to resist sheep or cattle can be made with
less than six lines of wire, which should be either of best
galvanised strand or solid.
There are also many forms of wire-fences erected on wooden
posts, which can be erected and kept in repair conveniently and
at small cost.
Where rabbits and hares abound, it is necessary to attach
rabbit-proof wire-netting. This adds to the cost of fencing ;
but, with wire-netting, two at least of the six lines of wire can be
dispensed with.
Draining.—Next comes the draining of the ground. Although
a certain amount of moisture is necessary for the healthy produc-
tion of forest trees, yet excess of water is highly detrimental, and
must be removed by drainage.
On wet, marshy land, where water lies and turns sour and
foetid, drainage must be resorted to, as land surcharged with
stagnant water does not promote the healthy growth and develop-
ment of plants. Drainage should there be carried out at least
two years before planting, in order to promote aeration and
permit rain-water to penetrate into the soil and fertilise it. When
freely admitted, air and rain-water promote decomposition of the
mineral and organic substances in the soil, and render them fit
to be absorbed by the plant-roots.
There are usually many parts that, with a proper selection
of the plants, will not require drainage. But where there is
an excess of moisture, more especially where the ground is flat,
the water then becomes stagnant and must be removed.
In laying out the drains, advantage ought to be taken of
existing water-courses. As these generally follow the lowest parts
of the ground, they form, if properly scoured, the best leaders or
mains. ‘The smaller drains may be led into these at any angle,
provided the fall is not so rapid as to cause the drains to get
cut up, as is more especially the case if the ground is gravelly.
It is impossible to lay down any hard-and-fast rule as to
the number, depth, and division of the drains, as this must
altogether depend on the nature of the soil and the amount
of water to be carried off.
When ground is rendered wet by an excess of water coming
from a higher source, much benefit can often be derived by a
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 47
system of catch-water drains. If these are properly arranged,
whole tracts of ground formerly wet can often be rendered
sufficiently dry for the production of a timber-crop.
The usual size of plantation-drains on the Murthly estate
(Perthshire) is 36 inches wide at the top and 24 inches deep.
The width at the bottom is not more than the breadth of a
common spade.
Whatever depth the drains are cut, the sides should be allowed
an easy slope so as to prevent their falling in, and to allow of
easy cleaning when necessary.
Roadways.—Good roadways will always add to the value of
plantations. Though it may not at first be necessary to have
them permanently laid down, their lines ought, however, to be
fixed previous to planting, as at this stage the best direction can
be easily determined. Their further construction can be done at
any time previous to the removal of timber. It may, however,
be advisable to cut a ditch along each side of the roadways, as
this will keep them at all times in a moderately dry condition.
An advantage of roadways or open lines is the facilities they
afford for battue-shooting.
Planting.—The ground being laid out, fenced and drained, the
next matter of importance is the selection of suitable kinds of trees
for the given soil and situation. Climate, soil, and shelter may
vary considerably in different localities, hence the necessity of
having a proper selection of suitable species for the various soils,
altitudes, and exposures to be met with.
To plant with success, many difficulties have to be contended
with. The destruction by game on many estates is very dis-
couraging. Although rabbits and hares may be excluded, in
some localities blackgame and capercailzie often do much
damage to pine by picking out the leading buds, and thus causing
stunted and misshapen trees. Another difficulty with which one
has often to contend, owing to our extensive sea-board, is the
particles of sea-salt, particularly injurious to evergreen trees and
shrubs, that are carried by the wind and deposited on leaves and
branches. By a proper selection of the species for seaside
planting this danger may be partially overcome, as some trees
have the power of resisting the injurious effect of sea-salt on
their growth.
The selection of the best kinds of trees for the various soils and
situations is, of course, a matter of the first moment, yet there is
48 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
no error more commonly made than the indiscriminate distribution
of the different kinds. To this error much of the unhealthiness
of some plantations is due, and then the young trees soon
become diseased and die off rapidly. When the natural
peculiarities of the plants and the. causes of disease are
properly understood, the plantations will be healthier and more
profitable than if formed merely in a hap-hazard fashion. But
almost equally important is the planting of trees that will
produce timber saleable in the locality; and the planter
should consider beforehand at what age the crop can prob-
ably be most profitably cleared, in order that he may adopt
a system of management well suited to the circumstances.
Deep heathy soil is usually best suited for the Scots pine, and
low-lying and moist situations for spruce and other firs.
Probably the Douglas fir will be considered the most valuable
of these. It is certainly a free grower, and forms a large quantity
of timber in a short time. It will thrive on a great variety of
soil, and should generally form one of the trees in a mixed fir
plantation.
Many kinds of pine may be planted with confidence on soil not
sufficiently good for the production of valuable deciduous trees.
In Britain it has often been found difficult to form plantations on
ground that has previously grown a timber-crop, and especially
when old stumps afford breeding-places for injurious insects.
In such cases it is better to defer planting for some years after
the ground has been cleared.
In a well-mixed plantation the trees comprising it do not all
extract their food from the same distance below the surface of the
soil. As is well known, the roots of some trees penetrate deeply,
while others have their roots near the surface; and by a proper
selection the soil is thus more completely utilised. Deciduous
trees gain by having evergreen conifers intermixed with them,
the shelter thus produced being beneficial in protecting the soil,
while the side-shade tends to prevent any extensive formation of
side-branches, and has thus the direct effect of rendering pruning
unnecessary, and of producing long, clean, valuable timber.
As the influence of different altitudes is always evident in
the growth of trees, the situation must be considered as well as
the soil. The oak will generally succeed best on deep and
somewhat stiff clay soil. Ash will grow most freely on a deep
loamy soil, on steep declivities, or in deep ravines. A dry and
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 49
moderately fertile soil will best suit the elm; and from its
straggling habit of growth it may require considerable attention
in a mixed plantation. Beech thrives on any moderately dry
land, and is not particular as to soil or situation: it forms one
of the best mixtures along with either oak, ash, Scots pine, or
larch. Sycamore will thrive on any soil not wet or boggy,and may
be planted with beech, spruce, or Weymouth pine. The Spanish
chestnut thrives best in rich dry soil, and grows much quicker
than most of the other kinds of trees. The banks of streams or
water-courses, and moderately damp situations, are suitable for
common spruce, alder, poplars, and willows. Of the newer
Coniferz suitable for mixed plantations, perhaps none is better
than the Douglas fir; and in favourable situations such kinds
as Tsuga Mertensiana, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Thuya gigantea
(Lobbit), Larix leptolepis, and Abies grandis may be planted. In
planting for profit, large plantations should be made, as they can
usually be formed and managed at less cost proportionally
than small areas, and also produce finer timber. On light land
suitable for notching, from 3500 to 4800 plants should be used
to the imperial acre.1 The usual method of notching should be
adopted where plants are of a suitable size, care being taken
that the slits into which the plants are inserted are firmly closed.
Where plants of large size are used, including all hardwoods,
pits may be made for their reception. The extent of the roots
will determine the size of the holes to be made, an allowance
being made of a few inches beyond the extreme points of the
roots.
The success of the plantation will depend on the skill exercised
at this stage. All kinds of trees must be planted with care, on
soils and situations suited to their growth, without regard to
regularity. Light-demanding kinds should be mixed with shade-
bearers of less rapid growth, or should be planted in advance.
In addition to our ordinary woodland trees in Britain, Zsuga
Mertensiana, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Thuya gigantea (Lobbit), Abies
grandis, Picea sitchensis, and Larix leptolepis may also be planted
1 That is, from 3 to 34 feet apart. Except where the land is suitable for
notching, or unless there are special reasons for close planting, it will seldom pay
best to plant closer than 4 feet (2722 per acre)—and that, too, even in localities
where there may be a fair demand for early thinnings. But we have, un-
fortunately, as yet no statistics for comparison of actual results in Britain.
—Hon. Ep.
VOL. XIX. PART I. D
50 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
as subordinate species on suitable land. These are valuable
timber-trees, which deserve a trial, and many often prove profitable
additions to the crop.
Maintenance for Twenty-five Years.—¥or several years after
planting, the plants may require to be kept free from weeds
of all sorts, and failures will have to be replaced. For this latter
purpose, where the situation is at all suitable, perhaps nothing
will succeed better than Douglas fir and sycamore, which are
of rapid growth, and can stand side-shade. The fencing should
also be frequently inspected, to prevent damage by stock or
game. All open drains or water-courses should be seen to, so
that no obstruction interferes with the free motion of water.
Damage by ground-game should be carefully looked for, and
exterminative measures promptly taken in hand. All plants,
especially the hardwoods, should be looked after for a number
of years, and double-leaders and disproportionate branches cut
back. Double-leaders in conifers, when within reach, may be
checked by nipping out the side-buds.
Thinning constitutes the next operation. If the plantation has
been judiciously formed and well attended to hitherto, the manner
in which thinning is performed will greatly influence the future
value of the produce. There is no definite age when thinning
should become necessary, nor can any distance be laid down
as that at which the trees should stand apart. This depends on
the increase in height, and the individual growing-space required
by each kind of tree, while soil, altitude, and exposure also
occasion inequalities in the growth, and exert their own special
influence affecting thinning.
A certain proportion of healthy foliage is at all stages of
growth necessary for the production of a sound and valuable
crop of timber. But, on the other hand, if the trees stand too.
wide apart, or thinning be commenced too early, thus allowing
the branches of each tree to become strong and spreading, the
timber produced will be coarse and open in the grain, and
full of large knots or even black holes. In thinning, the principal
object ought always to be to assist nature to produce the best.
class of tall, clean, and well-formed timber, with few branches,
by keeping the trees close enough to check the growth of
unnecessary side-branches. The lower branches will then grad-
ually die and fall off, and when the mature timber is cut up,
it will be found to be clean and close-grained.
THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 51
As most of our forest trees are liable to accidents and diseases,
it is necessary, when thinning, to remove those of poor growth,
or showing signs of premature decay. Those left should be the
largest and most promising trees, and though they may not
stand at regular distances apart, this can be rectified during
successive thinnings. When trees have stood long enough in
close canopy to be drawn up tall, clean, and straight, it will
then be advantageous to thin gradually, before they become too
tall and slender in proportion to their girth.
The intervals at which thinnings should take place depends
on the kinds of trees, closeness of planting, soil, and situation.
Trees differ in their requirements for growing-space, and other
factors also exert their own special influence. Care should be
taken not to interrupt close canopy unnecessarily by removing
too many trees at one time, and thus unduly exposing the soil
to the effects of wind and sun.
In timber-crops grown for profit, the thinnings should be made
so as to benefit the most promising trees, because excessive
thinning at this stage often means future loss on the mature crop.
When our timber is by chance or good management grown in
close canopy, it is equal in quality to imported timber, and can
be applied to much wider uses than at present.
The first thinning of hardwoods mixed with conifers is a
simple operation, consisting principally in the removal of some
of the conifers. As fast-grown hardwoods are much more profit-
able than slow-grown, their growth should be encouraged by
Opening out the crop as soon as, and so far as, this can be done,
while still keeping the formation of unnecessary side-branches
in check; but, of course, healthy conifers should be retained
where the hardwoods show signs of failing health.
The margins of plantations require different treatment as to
thinning, as the trees are here intended to form a barrier to the
wind, and give shelter. It will therefore be necessary to thin
before the trees get crowded and lose their side-branches, because
these should be preserved and encouraged from the very earliest
stages, so as to provide shelter to the interior of the plantation.
When margins are formed of hardy trees, clothed to the ground
with healthy, well-balanced branches, they resist violent gales,
and prevent the wind from sweeping underneath, carrying away
the dead leaves, and depriving the crop of nourishment.
52 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
VI. Megastigmus spermotrophus, Wachtl, as an Enemy of
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga Douglasii), with two Plates.
By R. Stewart MacDovuca.i, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.,
Hon. Consulting Entomologist to the Society.
In the month of May 1905 I received a number of seeds of
the Douglas fir that had been sent by Mr John Crozier, Forester,
Durris, Aberdeenshire. Accompanying the seeds were some
insects that had issued from them. The insects, on examina-
tion, proved to be Jegastigmus spermotrophus. From these seeds
and from others I bred out a number of males and females of
this species. The infested seed had been rendered useless by
the destructive work of the JZegastigmus larve. In the letter
containing the request for determination of the insect and how
to combat its ravages, Mr Crozier wrote: ‘The insect has, for
some years back, been causing a serious loss to our stock of
Douglas fir seed. I noticed its presence on coming here nine
years ago, but it had no doubt been in the estate before that
time. Seed was plentiful, however, and as the damage was
comparatively trifling, I did not pay much attention to the fact.
Now, however, it has assumed a more serious aspect, as the
seed on many of the older trees from which I formerly collected
my supply, in good years amounting to over 300 bushels, is
not worth the trouble of gathering. I have raised some millions
of plants on this estate, but unless this pest can be kept in check,
it will be impossible to keep up the stock from home-grown
supplies.”
A number of points render this communication of Mr Crozier’s
interesting.
In the first place, this is the first record of the insect in our
country. Mr W. F. Kirby very kindly wrote me to say that
while two other species, Megastigmus collaris, and the large
Californian species, MJegastigmus pinus, were in the Collection
at the Natural History Museum, the present species, JZ.
spermotrophus, was not represented.
The insect occurs, too, as an enemy on a tree of great value,
both for ornament and for timber, and justly regarded as one
of the most important trees introduced in the last century.
Although introduced into Britain only seventy-eight years ago,
there is a specimen in our country 130 feet in height, and thick
MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACHTL. 53
in proportion. Again, Megastigmus spermotrophus belongs to a
family of Hymenopterous insects, the Chalcididae, the larve of
which, in the great majority of cases, are not feeders on plants,
but are parasitic on other insects. Further, while it is admitted
that some species of Chalcids are feeders on plants (phytophagic),
it has been denied by such an excellent authority as Dr L. O.
Howard, of the United States, that species of the genus
Megastigmus are phytophagic in habit. We believe that the
record of this infestation at Durris should go far, in view of
previous evidence, to settle the controversy.
This insect, Megastigmus spermotrophus, was first received by
Wachtl, of Vienna, in 1893, and was described by him as a new
species. In the spring of 1893 Wachtl got some specimens of
Megastigmus insects that had issued from the seeds of the
Douglas fir. From these specimens Wachtl described the male
and female of the species, which description I now give, in
translation, from Wachtl’s paper.!
“The female is loam-yellow ; the vertex of the head and the
forehead to the base of the antennz are red-brown; the central
part of the face (epistome), the inner edges of the eyes and the
palpi, yellow ; the ocelli red-brown, each edged with black and
sometimes connected with one another by means of black lines ;
never, however, is the entire inner surface of the ocellar-triangle
dark coloured ; the eyes during life are shining coral red, after
death red-brown; antennz blackish-brown, the scape, and the
part between the scape and the flagellum, reddish-yellow; the
pronotum with a more or less broad yellow band at the hind
edge; the scutum of the mesonotum generally red-brown; the
outer side of the shoulders and the furrows of the parrapsides?
yellow ; the surroundings of the bases of the wings to a slight
extent black; the diaphanous wings finely black-haired; the
knob or club of the ramus-stigmaticus* longer than broad,
1 Zin neuer Megastigmus als Samenverwiister von Pseudotsuga Douglastz,
Carr., Wiener Entomol. Zeitung, 1893.
2The scutum or disc of the metathorax is, in the order Hymenoptera,
divided into three parts by longitudinal sutures or furrows. The name
parrapsides is applied to the side parts separated from each other by the
middle portion.—R. S, M.
3’ The ramus-stigmaticus is the small branch (see Figure) which is given
off from the part of the vein that runs along the front edge of the fore-wing.
Its varying size and shape in different species are made use of in classification.
—R.S.M.
54 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
elliptical and black; the coxe of the fore-legs yellow; the
pulvillus on all the legs black ; the compressed abdomen reddish-
brown on the upper side, with a larger or smaller black-brown or
black spot at the base of the first segment, and becoming paler
at the edges—this spot is sometimes wanting; on the other
hand, the end of the body and the under-surface of the abdomen
are somewhat light coloured; the sheath of the ovipositor is
intense black.
“ All the flagellum joints of the thirteen-jointed antennz are
longer than thick, and become gradually a little less thick to-
wards the apex of the antennz; the first joint is the longest, the
others practically agree in length; the three-jointed club is egg-
shaped, and as long as the two foregoing joints taken together.
The central part of the face is obliquely wrinkled, the forehead
longitudinally wrinkled ; the vertex of the head, the prothorax,
the mesothorax, and the scutellum are transversely wrinkled ;
the post-scutellum, outlined by a fine deep line, is glossy and
smooth, except at the base and along the longitudinal middle
line, where it is finely punctured; the metanotum is finely
punctured, with a prominent longitudinal keel in the middle, and,
in the case of most examples, with a transverse ledge at the limit
of its front third; the hind margin is glossy smooth, without
sculpture. The face, mesonotum, all the coxa, the tibize and
tarsi of the forelegs, and the middle and hind legs, are white-
haired ; the vertex of the head and the forehead, the thorax,
especially both sides of the furrows of the parrapsides, the
scutellum other than the post-scutellum, the femora of the fore-
legs, and the hind edges of the segments of the abdomen, are
beset with longer or shorter black bristles. The ovipositor is as
long as the body. The body-length of the female measures
from 3°25 mm. to 3‘5 mm. (=roughly } to + of an inch).
“The male is orange-yellow; antennz, reddish-brown; the
pronotum has, in the middle of the front edge, a black transverse
patch, which is somewhat elongated behind, in streak-like
fashion, in the direction of the middle line, sometimes resolved
into two spots or reduced to two points; the scutum of the
mesonotum is reddish-yellow, and provided in front with a black-
brown spot, paler behind, which sometimes only shows through
the hind end of the pronotum more or less clearly ; the bases of
the wings and the metanotum are black; the tarsi of the fore-
legs, as well as the middle and hind legs, are reddish-yellow ;
MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACHTL. 55
the strongly compressed abdomen is brownish-red above, with a
black longitudinal patch at its base, gradually narrowing behind
and becoming paler at the edges. Sculpture, hairing, etc., as in
the female. The body-length of the male measures from 2°75
mm. to 3 mm.” (= to 3 of an inch).
So far as I know, the larva has not till now been described. It
is whitish in colour, and legless. The segments are well marked,
and, indeed, the general appearance, including the wrinkled and
curled form, is strongly reminiscent of a weevil grub. The
marked horny head of the weevil grub, however, is absent.
Instead, in the Megastigmus larva, each of the two chitinised
gnawing jaws is somewhat sickle-shaped, the two jaws together
reminding one of a pair of calipers. The apex of each jaw is
pointed, and on the concave side is provided with marked teeth.
These gnawing mouth-parts are red or yellow-brown in colour.
Those shown in Figure e were drawn under a magnification of
about 750.
Lire-HISTORY.
The flight time of Megastigmus spermotrophus, under normal
conditions, is, in Scotland, from May onwards. The females that
have issued proceed to their egg-laying in the young Douglas fir
cones. ‘The insects may be seen at this time on the Douglas fir
trees, as also on the top of the seed-beds, some time after sow-
ing, these last having most likely issued from seed which had
been sown. ;
Each infested seed of the Douglas contains only one larva,
which nourishes itself on the reserve contained in the seed. The
seed bears no external mark of the internal presence of the
Megastigmus \arva. Pupation takes place in the seed, there
being no cocoon. In a number of the seeds which I dissected,
and from which Megastigmus adults had issued, the contents of
the seed had been devoured, and only the outer brown testa or
seed-coat remained surrounding the inner white-coloured peri-
sperm sheath. In other seeds, on dissection, I found the larva,
and, where it was full-grown and the seed contents destroyed,
the white-coloured perisperm-sheath surrounding the larva bore
a close resemblance to a cocoon.
Starting from the first laid eggs of the spring brood of Mega-
stigmus, the generation, probably, can be reckoned as an annual
one. From Douglas fir seeds received in May, I bred out males
56 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
and females during May and June. Seeds of the same age dis-
sected then also revealed larva. In dissection of seed during
July, August, September, and October, I never failed to find
healthy larve, and now in November I can still get larve, and
all this with seed-material from Douglas fir cones harvested in
October 1904, and having their seed extracted in spring 1905.
This can probably be accounted for partly by the considerable
irregularities in time of hatching of eggs and coming to maturity
known to occur in other insects with eggs laid at or about the
same time, partly perhaps by the life of the individual J/ega-
stigmus being somewhat extended, or perhaps also by the over-
lapping of generations, with issue of adults at different times
during the summer. An endeavour will be made in 1906 to
clear up some of these points in the biology.
Wachtl, in Central Europe, bred out, in 1893, from seeds
of the Douglas fir, from March 30 to May 4, a large
number of Megastigmus spermotrophus of both sexes, the females
predominating. Mr Crozier got in ten days, from seed blown
through the fan in dressing or cleaning, 182 adults, of which
142 were males. It is possible that this excess of males may be
due to the fact that the males being smaller than the females, the
seeds enclosing the males, being somewhat lighter, would be the
more likely to be blown through in dressing. I bred out from a
very small quantity of seed, in May and June, thirty females and
nineteen males.
The native home of the Douglas fir, known also as
the Oregon pine and Columbia redwood, is Western North
America, where it extends over an area of 50,000 square
miles, between 43° and 52° latitude. /egastigmus has doubtless
been introduced to Britain in seed from the native home of the
tree. To what extent the insect may be present in Britain we
cannot yet estimate, as comparatively few estates take advantage
of the seed produced on the Douglas firs grown on them. I
would be very glad, however, in view of a later communication,
to receive material of Douglas fir or other cones for examination
from any estate.
PROTECTION AND REMEDY.
The insects are so small, and the number of.cones on the
Douglas may be so great, that direct measures to prevent egg-
laying do not seem very practicable; yet it is worth keeping in
MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACHTL. 57
mind that close allies of these insects are considered as amongst
the easy prey of the collector, good hauls being got by netting,
and by sweeping and beating the trees. Such sweeping or beat-
ing, where A/egastigmus brought itself within reach, would be
certain to account for numerous adults. Any adults seen on the
seed-beds should also be destroyed. As against the insect in
its various stages in the seed, measures can probably be adopted
with success.
The cones should be gathered as soon as ripe (the latter half
of October), and should at once be subjected to such treatment
as will permit of the seed being abstracted. This seed should,
without delay, be fumigated with bisulphide of carbon. The
method is as follows :—Place the material to be treated in an air-
tight receptacle. Pour the bisulphide of carbon into a saucer or
saucers, or such shallow dish, and lay these on the top of the
material. Close the receptacle. The bisulphide of carbon
vaporises, and as its fumes are heavier than air, they sink down
through the material. The receptacle should be kept closed for
forty-eight hours. One ounce of bisulphide of carbon will do for
too lbs. of seed, or one ounce for every 50 cubic feet of air
space. The treatment should be administered in not too cold a
temperature. Bisulphide of carbon fumes being poisonous should
not be inhaled by the operator, nor should a light of any kind
be brought near. If it is desired to store the cones during
winter or longer, these must be similarly fumigated directly they
are gathered.
The results to be looked for from fumigation are :—
1st. The germinative capacity of such seeds as have not been
infested is not interfered with.
2nd. In infested seed, where the larve may not have made
much progress in the destruction of the reserve in the seed, the
larva will be killed and the seed may germinate.
3rd. In infested seeds, where the contents have been alto-
gether or much destroyed by the larve, and which therefore
would not have germinated, the larve will be killed and the
issue of the next year’s brood of adults prevented.
The light seed blown through by the fan at cleaning time
should be burnt at once, and where there has been attack this
will probably account for many of the pests.’
1 The foregoing, along with the Figures, was published in Zhe Journal of
the Board of Agriculture for January 1906.
58 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Is MEGASTIGMUS A @frect ENEMY OF THE SEED?
It has been already stated that one feature of interest in
connection with this Megastigmus infestation is that the insect
is one of the Chalcididae. It has been admitted now for some
years, practically by all entomologists, after great controversy,
that certain Chalcids are feeders on plant-tissue, but controversy
still exists about the genus Megastigmus. A review of the
Chatcididae and the controversy may prove useful.
POSITION OF THE CHALCIDIDAE IN THE INSECT WORLD.
The well-known order of insects—the Hymenoptera, with its
tens and tens of thousands of species, is divided into two sub-
orders, one whose members feed on plants, ¢.g., the saw-flies and
the wood-wasps. The other suborder, far greater in number
of species, is known as the /efzolata, from a constriction between
thorax and abdomen. To this suborder Petiolata belong the
bees, ants, wasps, and ruby-wasps, and a great series known as
the Parasitica.
The series Parasitica—so called because of the frequency of the
parasitic habit amongst its members—is divided up into families, of
which the Chalcididaeis one. ‘The other well-known related families
are the Cynzpide or Gall-flies, the Zchnewmonide or Ichneumon Flies
proper, and the Braconide. Many of the Cynipide give rise
to galls on plants, and their larve live in the galls caused by
the pricking and egg-laying of the adult; others of the
Cynipide live as guests in these galls. Some of the Cyzipide,
however, do not feed on plant-food, but are parasitic on other
insects. This difference of economy among members of the same
family should be noted.
The Jchneumonide is a very large family with larve of
parasitic habit, most of the larve living within the body of
their victims. The Braconide are very like the last, but are
marked off from them structurally by differences in the wings.
Like the Ichneumons, however, the larve of Braconide are
parasites.
The Chalcididae, named from the metallic lustre of their chitin
covering, is a large family very rich in species. Some species
reach a length of 2 inch, but the great majority are minute
8s
insects, some very minute.
MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACHTL. 59
Lire-HIsTtoRY AND HABITS OF CHALCIDIDAE.
The great majority of the Chalcididae are parasitic on insects.
Eggs may be parasitised, as in some of the cockroaches, or
pupz may be infested, but far the commonest stage for infesta-
tion is the larva. The larval host may be a gall-maker, or a
guest in a gall, or a feeder in a mine or burrow in the plant, or
an external feeder.
The female Chalcids lay their eggs on or in the host. In the
majority of cases the larve, on hatching, feed internally. If the
larval host feed enclosed on plant-tissue, the Chalcid parasite
may feed externally on it. There are a few cases known where
the parasitic Chalcid larva feeds externally on an external
feeding host. When full grown, the parasitic larva passes into
the pupal stage without making a cocoon.
The range of insect host parasitised by Chalcid larve is a
very wide one. Scarcely any insect Order escapes. Dr L. O.
Howard points out! that the non-parasitised insects, the May-
flies and the Dragon-flies, and Thrips and 7hysanura, are either
aquatic forms in their early stages, or very tiny land forms.
Following Howard, the commonest orders parasitised are the
Lepidoptera, the Hymenoptera, and the Hemiptera-Homoptera.
The caterpillars of Lepédoptera are very commonly parasitised,
those of the Micro-Lepidoptera more often than of the Macro-
Lepidoptera. Among Hymenoptera, the bee section, the gall-flies
and the saw-flies all suffer, while Chalcid parasites are also
found infesting Ichneumonids, Braconids, and even other
Chalcids.
Of the Hemiptera-Homoptera, the Scale insects, Aphids and
Psyllide are much infested.
Of the remaining insect Orders, a number of beetle-families
provide Chalcid hosts. Of the Diptera we find Chalcid parasites
levying toll on the gall-gnats (Cecidomyide), the crane-flies, and
the Muscide. Orthoptera also suffer, and among the WVeuroptera
the ant-lions and the predaceous lace-wing flies.
While it is not possible to say absolutely that each Chalcid
section confines its parasitism to a special family of insects, yet
one can say that certain of the Chalcid genera affect, and even
limit their parasitism to, specially chosen families.
1** Biology of the Chalcididae, 1901,” Proceedings United States Nat. Muts.,
vol. xiv. By Dr L. O. Howard.
60 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Hapsit oF LIFE.
While the vast majority of the Chalcididae then are parasitic
on insects, there are some which have a phytophagic or
vegetarian habit. Over half a century’s controversy has taken
place regarding this phytophagic habit, but now entomologists
are agreed that in the genus /sosoma and closely-allied genera
at least, vegetable-feeders are found.
THE Genus ISOSOMA.
Scattered up and down in entomological writings in the
United States and Canada, from 1834 onwards, are observations
by Harris, Fitch, Cadell, Walsh, Pettit, Riley, and Howard on
the food-habits of /sosoma.1 Howard gives the date 1882 as
the time by which all entomologists were agreed as to the
phytophagic habit of /sosoma.
Recently Mr F. M. Webster? has enumerated sixteen North
American species of /sosoma whose larve are directly injurious
to wheat, barley, rye, or other grasses.
An interesting feature in the biology of the Greater Wheat
Straw-Worm is chronicled by Webster, this species showing in
its life-history an alternation of generations—a spring generation,
wingless and small in size, alternating with a winged summer
generation larger in size. The importance of a knowledge of life-
history is well illustrated here, for as the spring generation is
wingless it can be fought by changing the crop.
The following three genera, related to /sosoma, are stated by
Howard, from notes in the Division of Entomology of the United
States, to be gall-makers—LZurytomacharis, Ash., Lsomorpha, Ash.,
and Philochyra, Hall.
Outside of American literature we have various records. West-
wood, in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1869, records a Chalcid, the
pupz of which he took from an orchid. Certain curculionid grubs
were feeding on the orchid leaves, but Westwood, believing that
the Chalcid had been feeding not on these grubs but on the plant
itself, suggested for the Chalcid the name /sosoma orchidearum.
1 Formerly several of the forms now named /sosoma were named as of the
genus Lurytoma.
2 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, Bull. No. 42,
1903—Some Insects attacking the Stems of Growing Wheat, Rye, Barley,
Oats. By F. M. Webster, M.S.
MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACH'?L, 61
Trail in Scotland, and Ritsema Bos in Holland, had re-
corded in 1870 and 1871 Zurytoma (which Howard says should
be named Jsosoma) longipennis as the cause of galls on Sea Marram
or Mat Grass (Ammophila arundinacea).
In 1880 Lindeman! described a species of /sosoma which had,
over a period of five years, been harmful to rye.
Westwood, in 1881,? recorded an instance of Chalcid larve
causing damage to the buds of a specimen of Cattleya by boring
into these and destroying the heart of the shoot.
Again, in 1883, Westwood claimed Zurytoma taprobanica as a
gall-maker on /icus, but Howard dissented, believing it to be
really parasitic in habit.
Amongst the subfamily Zorymide, the subfamily to which the
genus Megastigmus belongs, are some of the fig-insects well
known in fig-caprification.
Tue GENUS MEGASTIGMUS.
A controversy, similar to the one that existed with regard to
the food-habits of /sosoma species, exists as regards some of the
Megastigmus species. The genus Megastigmus, of the subfamily
Torymide, is characterised by this, that in both sexes the tiny
vein, which is given off as a branch from the part of the vein that
runs along the front edge of the forewing, is very short, and ends
in a marked knob or club. The females, too, have a long
ovipositor.
There seems to be no doubt that certain of the Mega-
stigmus species are parasitic on insects. Mayr,’? for example,
mentions Megastigmus species that are parasitic on the larve of
numerous Cynipid galls and on species of caterpillars of
Lepidoptera. Ashmead‘ names AMegastigmus species taken from
Cynipid galls and from a Cecidomyid gall. There is a consider-
able body of evidence, however, in favour of the phytophagic
habit of several species. Wachtl® obtained from rose-hips a
number of Megastigmus collaris, Brh., and Megastigmus pictus,
1 Bulletin de la Société Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscow, 1880.
2 Gardeners’ Chronicle, vol. xvi. p. 567.
° Die Europaischen Torymiden, 1874, Mayr.
4°* Studies of North American Chalcididz,” Ashmead, 77. Am. Ent. Soc.,
vol. xiv., 1887.
5 Wiener Entom. Zeitung, iii., 1884, pp. 38 and 214.
62 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Forst. Up to the time of Wachtl’s published statement, these
Megastigmus \arve had been considered to be parasitic on the
larvee of a Zryfeta moth that had also been found infesting the
rose-fruits. As a result of many observations, Wachtl recorded
that he had no doubt whatever that the two different species of
Megastigmus \arve were direct feeders on the rose-fruits and not
parasitic on any insect. Howard! expressed doubt as to the
vegetarian habit of these larve, believing rather that the Mega-
stigmus larve had previously fed on and destroyed the true
enemy of the rose fruit and seed, and stating in support of his
belief that he himself had found the larve of Zurytoma funebre in
the seeds of clover, in which they had been feeding on the larve
of Cecidomyia leguminicola, the real enemy of the seed, which
larvee the Eurytomes had quite destroyed. More recent investi-
gation, however, has shown that the clover seed Chalcis fly,
£. funebre (now known somewhat unhappily as Aruchophagus
funebris), is an undoubted enemy of clover and alfalfa seed, and
a more dangerous one to the clover seed than the clover seed
midge (Cecidomyia leguminicola).
Mr E. S. G. Titus,? with specimens of the clover seed Chalcis
fly, reared from clover seed, placed these on isolated clover plants,
and was able to work out the life-history. This Chalcis fly lays
its eggs on the young forming clover seed, and its larva, on
hatching, feeds on the seed contents, these being practically used
up by the time the larva is full fed. Pupation follows in the
hollowed-out seed. In some cases the Chalcis larva was found
to attack more seeds than one. Previous to this experiment,
Hopkins, in 1895, had expressed the opinion that the above
Chalcis fly was a very destructive enemy to red and crimson
clover.
Of other species, Alegastigmus brevicaudis, Ratz., has been reared
by Bouché from the fruits of the rowan (Pyrus Aucuparia), and
MM. pistacie from the fruits of Pistacza Lentiscus and Pistacia
Terebinthus.
MEGASTIGMUS AND NEEDLE-LEAVED TREES.
In the spring of 1893 Wachtl received from a friend specimens
of a Megastigmus taken from the seeds of the Douglas fir.
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Washington, 1892, vol. xiv. p. 576.
2U.S. Agr. Reps, 1904, p. 77-
MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACHTL. 63
Wachtl, after an examination of these dead specimens, obtained
a number of Douglas fir seeds, and found them infested with a
larva. The seeds showed no trace of any other inhabitant save
the Chalcid larva. Wachtl bred out many adults of both sexes,
and described the species under the name of Megastigmus spermo-
trophus. The seeds from which the specimens were obtained
had been imported from the American home of the Douglas.
Wachtl, by publishing his observations, definitely stating the
Megastigmus larva to be the seed destroyer, obtained priority
as regards the discovery of a A/egastigmus destructive to conifers.
Several other observers, however, previous to 1903, had noticed
Chalcid larvz in, or bred out adults from, the seeds of different
comfers, but their observations remained unpublished, or they
took the old view that the A/egastigmus was parasitic on the real
enemy of the seed, whatever it might be. The late Professor
Nitsche, of Tharandt, had in his possession a letter written to
his colleague, Professor Judeich, in 1887, by Mr H. Borriés,
of Copenhagen, stating that there had been a marked destruction
of the seeds of the silver fir (Adies pectinata) at Bornholm, in
Denmark, and that from the seeds Borriés had bred out many
Megastigmus strobilobius, Ratz. Long before this, Ratzeburg, in
Germany, had obtained from the seeds of the spruce (Picea
excelsa) a Megastigmus, but disbelieving in the plant-eating habit
of Megastigmus, he stated that this larva from the spruce was
probably parasitic on Grapholitha strobilella, a caterpillar enemy
of spruce cones.
Borriés had also written to Riley, in America, a letter relating
to the appearance of Megastigmus adults from the seeds of
different conifers. In this letter to Riley, Borriés writes:! “ During
the year 1886 and 1887, the seeds of Ades pectinata, in the
forests of Denmark, were destroyed so thoroughly that not a
single healthy seed could be found. Cones which were sent to
me for examination did not show anything peculiar externally,
but the apparently healthy seeds contained each a small larva
of the subfamily Zorymide. From two tons of cones, kept in
cages, only a single species of Torymid developed from this
larva in spring 1888, viz., Megastigmus strobilobius, Ratz., which
had been entirely lost sight of since Ratzeburg’s time.”
Borries had also had occasion to procure the seeds of a
1“*Ts Megastigmus Phytophagic?” by C. V. Riley, Proc. Ent. Soc.,
‘Washington, vol. ii., No. 4, 1893.
64 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
number of rare and valuable North American conifers, obtained
from Oregon, and shipped directly to Copenhagen. From these
seeds, kept in glass jars, and exhibited at an Exhibition in 1888,
examples of different AZegastigmus species made their appearance,
with no trace of any other insect save a single Dipterous insect
from Adies concolor. Borrits goes on to say in his letter:
“It is worthy of mention that in the preceding year these
valuable seeds could not be obtained at all, because, as was
reported from Oregon, they ‘had been destroyed by a worm.’”
Riley received from Borries Megastigmus adults from the follow-
ing species—Abzes magnifica, A. concolor, A. amabilis, A. grandis,
Tsuga Hookeriana, Abies Mariesti (a Japanese species). Riley
refers the species from the first four trees to probably AZegastigmus
pinus, Parfit, this being a Californian species. Nitsche, too,
has chronicled the finding of the larva of a large undescribed
Megastigmus from the seed of the Californian Adies amabilis. In
the discussion which followed the reading of Riley’s paper, Dr
Howard still maintained that the J/egastigmus larve were
parasitic on some insect, and that they had only taken to the
seed after devouring the host-larve, whatever these might be.
IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION.
The question as to whether J/egastigmus is p2rasitic on insects,
or is a direct enemy to the plant or tree, is no mere academic
one, but is a question of great significance in practical work: for
according to the answer given we will either treat A/egastigmus
as a useful ally against a plant and tree enemy, and accordingly
protect it, or else recognising it as an enemy, we shall have
to wage war against it. With the importance of this question
in mind, and apart from the preceding evidence which seems
to warrant the view that Megastigmus spermotrophus is a direct
enemy of the tree, I dissected with great care many of the
Douglas fir seeds, and in no dissection did I find a trace of
an enemy other than the Megastigmus, while all the insects
I bred out were, similarly, Megastigmus. Mr Crozier’s evidence
is of great value on this point. Hundreds of Megastigmus, and
Megastigmus alone, have been found by him escaping from the
infested Douglas fir seeds.
As we have material, arrangements have been made whereby
we hope by direct experiment to trace the life-history of the
TOR “THE S8O.CEET®,
SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
MOMVI. ;
Mee os
Seis MOAT ge Ie =
OM Oe
BRARY ste
Price to Non-Members, 3/={ NEW YORK
BOTANICAL
GARDEN
lly ¢ YY OT
Vi YY
F 3 A sar a? BON,
%® yb - , LUN NES Witltsé ‘ ow? , aA
Vi: VG
D
———t
——— —— = == ———<<= —
i IN THIS SHED THE HAY OR GRAIN CAN BE
e—
&==5 ~ STORED TO WITHIN A FEW INCHES . Z be pe
VEE ° « « « OF ROOF <«- + « « a aoa
Wa CONTINUOUS BAR FENCING, IRON &
i
FENCING,RAILINC,CATES'
<< eee
IRON W
QUOTATIONS eae a> NE PNEE | ILLUSTRATED |
ON RECEIPT OF G LA S G O W. CATALOGUES!
PARTICULARS) 49 CANNON STREET \ ON APPLICATION, \
LONDON.E.C. \ s\
————
Tt
YL moiG j
ADVERTISEMENTS.
By Special Appointment to this Majesty the king.
Telephone Nos.—
Edinburgh, Central 2674.
. |)
Glasgow, National,
Gorbals, 446.
London, 2117,
P.O. Hampstead.
MACKENZIE & MONGUR, LTO.
Hothouse Butlers,
Heating, Ventilating, and Electrical Engineers,
and Iron Founders.
Telegrams—
‘Hothouse, Edinburgh.”
“‘Tron, Edinburgh.”
‘‘Treibhaus, London.”
LONDON: 8 Camden Road, N.W. GLASGOW: 443 Eglinton Street.
EDINBURGH: Registered Office—Balcarres Street.
” Works— ” ”
- Foundry—Slateford Road.
}
5
HOTHOUSE BUILDING.—Hothouses of every description designed and erected
in any part of the country, with improved Ventilation, Gearing, Staging, and
Heating Apparatus complete. Plans and Estimates on application.
HEATING.—Churches, Public Buildings of all kinds, Schools, Mansions, Villas,
&c., heated efficiently by Low Pressure, Hot Water, or by Steam.
FOUNDRY.— Architectural Ironwork of all kinds, Stable Fittings, Sanitary Cast-
ings, Manhole Covers, Ventilators, Gratings, &c.
a
ADVERTISEMENTS.
DAVID W. THOMSON’S
Forest Trees.
An extensive Collection of Seedling and Transplanted Forest Trees,
comprising
SCOTS FIR,
LARCH FIR (Native and Japanese),
SPRUCE FIR,
SILVER FIR,
ABIES DOUGLASII,
LARICIO and AUSTRIACA.
Hardwood trees in great variety, all in good condition for Removal.
ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHRUBS in all Sizes.
Rhododendrons, Ponticums, and Hybrids,
ALSO FINEST NAMED SORTS.
HOLLIES, YEWS, LAURELS, PRIVET,
and other Game-Cover Plants all recently transplanted.
FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS IN CREAT VARIETY.
SELECT VEGETABLE SEEDS AND
CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS.
Catalogues Post Free on Application.
Wurseries—
WINDLESTRAWLEE, GRANTON ROAD and BOSWELL ROAD.
Seed Warebouse—
113 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegraphic Address— ‘LARCH, EDINBURGH.” Telephone, 2034.
The West of Scotland Agricultural College,
RORESTRY D a
Day and Evening Classes are held in the College for the purpose
of preparing Students for the Certificate of the College, for the
Certificate in Forestry of the Highland and Agricultural Society,
and for the Examinations in connection with the Surveyor’s Institute.
A Special Month’s Course of Instruction for Foresters is given
in October of each year. Subjects of Instruction :—
Forestry, : . . W.F. A. Hupson, M.A., P.A.S.I.
Soils and Manures, . Professor WRIGHT.
Forest Entomology, . James J. F. X. Kuve, FIES:
Chemistry and Physics, Professor BERrRy.
Prospectus of the Day and Evening Classes and of the Special
Class for Foresters may be had on application to the Secretary.
SWEDISH FOREST SEEDS
_OF_ ANY KIND _
JAGMASTARE ELIS NILSON,
LJUNGBYHED, SWEDEN.
FOREST AND HEDGE PLANTS
Seedlings and Transplanted. MILLIONS of Alnus, Acer, Betula,
Corylus, Crataegus, Fagus, Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Populus,
Quereus, Tilia, Ulmus; Abies balsamea, concolor, pectinata,
DOUGLASII; LARIX EUROPAA and LEPTOLEPIS;
Picea excelsa, pungens, Sitkaensis; Pinus Banksiana, Strobus,
sylvestris, etc., ete. Briars, Fruit Plants, etc., from sandy
soil with excellent roots.
Best Shipping opportunities va Hamburg at lowest freight. Catalogue free
on application. Nurseries 300 acres, the Greatest in Germany.
Shipments of 150 Millions of Plants annually.
J. HEINS’ SONS, Halstenbek, Near Hamburg, GERMANY.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
KEITH & CO) Ue
ADVERTISING AGENTS,
43 George Street,
EDINBURGH.
ADVERTISEMENTS inserted in the Edinburgh, London, and
Provincial Newspapers and Periodicals; also in all Colonial and
Foreign Publications. A single copy of an Advertisement sent to
Keith & Co. ensures immediate insertion, without further trouble to
the Advertiser, in any number of newspapers, and at an expense
not greater than would have been incurred vf the Advertisement or
Notice had been forwarded to each Newspaper direct.
A SPECIALITY is made of ESTATE and AGRICULTURAL
ADVERTISEMENTS, such as FARMS, GRASS PARKS,
MANSION HOUSES, &c., to Let, ESTATES for SALE,
TIMBER for SALE, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, &c.; and
Messrs J. M. Munro, Lrp., having been appointed
Official Advertising Agents to the
SCOTTISH ESTATE FACTORS’ SOCIETY,
and to the
HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
Agents and Factors can have every confidence in placing their
Advertising in the hands of the firm.
REGISTRY for Servants (Male and Female) of all Classes.
KEITH & COQO.,
43 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegrams—‘‘ PROMOTE, EDINBURGH.”’ Telephone No. 316.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
HARDY FOREST TREES
FROM THE
DEESIDE HIGHLANDS.
Best for planting m cold and exposed sttuattons.
SPECIAL PRICES FOR LARGE QUANTITIES.
CATALOGUES POST FREE.
BEN. REID & CO., LTD.,
Nurserymen and Seedsmen to the King,
~sS ABERDEEN. +>
A. & G. PATERSON, LIMITED.
HEAD OFFICE:
ST ROLLOX, GLASGOW.
Branches at ABERDEEN, BANCHORY, INVERGORDON, etc.
Buyers of Scotch Growing Woods.
Sellers of Larch Fencing of all descriptions,
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.
“EUREKA.”
Zi, The Weed Killer that Kills Weeds. Cheapest and Best.
| Ask for this Make. Prices and Proofs on Application.
ALSO
| EU R EKA IN E iNgecr aaa
a i merce we ZC IY wil 5 INSECT KILLER.
Lo Dicssanc 18 OEETE =
2 4 YZ
Bordeaux Mixture, Summer Shade, Lawn Sand, etc.
WRITE FOR LIST.
TOMLINSON & HAYWARD, Ltd., LINCOLN.
THE NEW FORESTRY; © the Continental
System adapted to British Woodlands and Game Preservation.
Copiously Illustrated. By JoHn Simpson, lately Head Forester to
the Right Hon. the late Earl of Wharncliffe.
SECOND EDITION, Price 15s. net. Postage 4d. extra.
Also QUICK FRUIT CULTURE. New methods
for Gardens great or small. By JoHn Simpson, Author of “The
New Forestry.”
Price 7s. 6d. net. Postage 4d. extra.
PAWSON & BRAILSFORD,
Publishers and Printers, SHEFFIELD.
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.
EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE,
13 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH.
The Centrat Criasses in Edinburgh afford Complete Courses of
Instruction in AGRICULTURE AND Forestry, and qualify for all the
Higher Examinations.
SESSION, - - OCTOBER to MARCH.
Prospectus may be had on application to W. Scorr STEVENsoN, Secy.
ADVERTISEMENTS,
Telegrams : Telephones :
‘“ROBINSONS, GLASGOW.” National, No. 3 PARTICK.
Corporation, No. W333.
ROBINSON, DUNN & CO,
Timber Importers,
Partick Sawmills, GLASGOW.
AAA.
ee
Sawing, Planing, and Moulding Mills at
PARTICK and TEMPLE.
Creosoting Works at TEMPLE.
Established 1 801 j
SEEDLING AND TRANSPLANTED FOREST TREES,
A Large Stock of
= ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHRUBS,
ROSES and FRUIT TREES.
Special Prices for Large Quantities, and Estimates given
for Planting.
JAMES DICKSON & SONS,
46 HANOVER STREET and INVERLEITH ROW,
EDIN BU RGae
CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
SPECIAL AWARD For Exhibit of CHOICE CONIFERS
——— at the SCOFMISH: HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY’S CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW in Waverley Market,
Edinburgh, November 1904 and 1905.
Notice to Members.
SYLLABUS FOR 1907.
The Syllabus of Subjects for Essays, etc., is in
course of being thoroughly revised. It will be
ready early in autumn, and copies will be for-
warded, as soon as they are available, to Members
who send their names to the Secretary for that
purpose.
ROBERT GALLOWAY? So.
Secretary and Treasurer.
19 CASTLE 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.
FORMER PRESIDENTS.
54-56. JAMES BRowN, Wood Commissioner to the | 1879-81. The Most Hon. THE Marquis OF
Earl of Seafield. LoruiAn, K.T.
57. The Right Hon. Tae Eart or Ducte. | 1882. ALEXANDER Dickson, M.D., F.R.S.E., of
S The Right Hon. THE EARL OF STAIR. Hartree, Professor of Botany in the
59. Sir Joun Hatt, Bart. of Dunglass. University of Edinburgh.
50. His Grace THE DUKE OF ATHOLL. 1883-85. HucH CLecHorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E.
61. Joun I. CuauMERS of Aldbar. of Stravithie.
2. The Right Hon. Tue Eart or AIRLIE. 1886-87. The Right Hon. Sir Hersert Eustace
63. The Right Hon. T. F. Kennepy. MAXWELL, Bart. of Monreith.
64-71. Ropert HuTcHIson of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E. | 1888-89. The Most Hon. THE Marquis OF
79-73. HucH CLEGHORN, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., LINLITHGOW.
of Stravithie. | 1890-93. IsAAc Bayriey Batrour, M.D., Sc.D.,
74-75. Joan Hurron Batrour, M.D., M.A., | F.R.S., LL.D., Professor of Botany in
F.R.SS.L. & E., Professor of Botany in | the University of Edinburgh.
the University of Edinburgh. | 1894-97. R. C. Munro Fercuson, M.P.
6-78. The Right Hon. W. P. Apam of Blair- | 1898. Colonel F. Barney, R.E.
adam, M.P. | 1899-02. The Right Hon. Tae EArt or MANSFIELD.
OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1906.
President.
W. STEUART FOTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perthshire.
Vice=Presidents,
KENNETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray JOHN W. M‘HATTIE, Superintendent of City Parks, City
Chambers, Edinburgh. 5 ‘
Place, Edinburgh. z
* * % - * * * D. F. MACKENZIE, F.S.1., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Mid-
JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollok-| —_lothian. a Mor er
shaws. :
Council,
THOMAS GIBSON CARMICHAEL, Bart. of Castle Craig,| JOHN METHVEN, Nurseryman, 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
JOHN SCRIMGEOUR, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge. DAVID W. THOMSON, Nurseryman, 113 George Street,
NALD, Forester, Raith, Kirkealdy. Edinburgh.
N, Nurseryman, 75 Shandwick Place, JOHN BOYD, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.
Edinburgh. A. T. GILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Nor-
Vv. MATHER, Nurseryman, Kelso. é thumberland.
AM SPIERS, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-mills, Edin- W. H. MASSIE, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
burgh. : CHARLES BUCHANAN, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
LONEL F. BAILEY, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh. JOHN D. CROZIER, Forester, Durris Estate, Drumoak,
HN ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cot- Aberdeenshire.
tage, Peebles. w. A. RAE, Factor, Murthly, Perthshire.
A. W. BORTHWICK, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City
MES JOHNSTONE, F.S.I., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr. Chambers, Glasgow. ‘ : i
ORGE LEVEN, Forester, Auchincruive, St Quivox, Ayr.
Hon. Editor.
CotoneL F. BAILEY, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
Assistant Editor.
A. D. RICHARDSON, 1 West Brighton Crescent, Portobello.
Auditor.
JOHN T. WATSON, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
Hon, Secretary.
R. C. MUNRO FERGUSON, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith House, Kirkcaldy.
a Secretary and Treasurer.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, S.S.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
bo
Membership.
HE Roll contains the names of over 1000 Members, compris-
ing 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.
With the view of encouraging young Foresters to study, and to
train themselves in habits of careful and accurate observation, 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 to the present time, and have yielded satisfactory
results. Medals and Prizes are also awarded in connection with
the Exhibitions aftermentioned.
School of Forestry.
Being convinced of the necessity for bringing within the reach
of young Foresters, and others interested in the Profession, a
regular systematic course of Instruction, such as is provided in
Germany, France, and other European countries, the Society, in
1882, 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.
As a further step towards the end in view, the Society, in
1890, instituted a Fund for the purpose of establishing a Chair
of Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and a sum of
3
4584, 3s. 10d. 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. It is recognised, how-
ever, that a School of Forestry is incomplete without a practical
training-ground attached to it, which would be available, not only
for purposes of instruction but also as a Station for Research and
Experiment, and as a Model Forest, by which Landowners and
Foresters throughout the country might benefit. The Society
has accordingly drawn up a Scheme for the Establishment of a
State Model Forest for Scotland which might serve the above-
named objects. Copies of this Scheme were laid before the recent
Departmental Committee on British Forestry, and in_ their
Report the Committee have recommended the establishment of
a Demonstration Area and the provision of other educational
facilities in Scotland.
Meantime Mr Munro Ferguson, M.P., for a part of whose
woods at Raith a Working-Plan has been prepared, and is now in
operation, has very kindly agreed to allow Students to visit them.
Excursions.
During the past twenty-seven years, well-organised Excursions,
numerously attended by Members of the Society, have been made
annually to various parts of Scotland, England, and Ireland. 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, and during the summer of 1904
the Forest School at Nancy and Forests in the north of France were
visited. 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, in which are exhibited
specimens illustrating the rate of growth of trees, different kinds of
wood, pit-wood and railway timber, insect pests and samples of the
damage done by them, tools and implements, manufactured articles
peculiar to the district where the Exhibition is held, and other
objects of interest relating to Forestry. Prizes and Medals are also
offered for Special Exhibits.
*
The Society’s Transactions.
The Zransactions of the Society are now published half-yearly in
January and July, and issued gratis to Members. A large number
of the Prize Essays and other valuable Papers, and reports of the
Annual Excursions, have appeared in them, and have thus become
available to Students as well as to those actively engaged in the
Profession of Forestry. Copies of the 7% ransactions, which now
extend to nineteen volumes, are to bé found in the principal
Libraries of the United Kingdom, as well as in those of the British
Colonies and of America.
Honorary Consulting Scientists.
Members have the privilege of obtaining information gratuitously
upon subjects connected with Forestry from the following Honorary
Scientists appointed by the Society.
Consulting Botanist.—IsAAC BAYLEY BALFouR, LL.D., M.D., Sc.D.,
Professor of Botany, University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper,
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Chemist. — ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sc., 13 George Square,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Cryptogamist.—A. W. BORTHWICK, D.Sc., Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Entomologist.—ROBERT STEWART MacDoucGa tt, M.A.,
D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 13 Archibald Place,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Geologist.—]OHN SMITH FLETT, M.A., B.Sc., M.B., C.M.,
Geological Survey, 28 Jermyn Street, London, S.W.
Consulting Meteorologist.—ROBERT COCKBURN MOssMAN, F.R.S.E.,
F.R. Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place, Edinburgh.
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 Foresters, Etc.
A Register of Foresters and others desirous of obtaining situations
is now in operation. 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.
Aberdeen Branch.
A Branch of the Society was recently inaugurated for the
Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine. The President is
Alex. M. Gordon of Newton, and the Honorary Secretary is
Robert Scott, Solicitor, 75 Union Street, Aberdeen.
Counties.
Aberdeen,
Argyle, .
Ayr,
Berwick,
Bute,
Clackmannan, .
Dumbarton,
Dumfries,
East Lothian, .
Fife,
Forfar, .
Inverness,
Kincardine,
Kinross,
Lanark, .
Moray,
Perth,
Renfrew,
Ross,
Roxburgh,
Sutherland,
Wigtown,
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
Scotland.
JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
Joun Micuiz, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater.
WALTER ELLIOT, Manager, Ardtornish.
Joun D. SUTHERLAND, Estate Agent, Oban.
ANDREW D. Pace, Overseer, Culzean, Maybole.
A. B. Roprrtson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock.
Wm. Mine, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Wo. Inatis, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick.
JAMES Kay, Forester, Bute Estate, Rothesay.
RoBeERT Forses, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
Rospert Brown, Forester, Boiden, Luss.
D. Crass, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie.
JoHuN Hayes, Dormont Grange, Lockerbie.
W. S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar,: Prestonkirk.
Wm. GiLcHRistT, Timber Merchant, Ladybank.
EpmunpD SAnG, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy.
JAMES CRABBE, Forester, Glamis.
JAMES ROBERTSON, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie.
JAMES A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness.
JOHN Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven.
JAMES TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam.
JoHN Davipson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell.
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers,
Glasgow.
JOHN Brypon, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
D. Scort, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres.
W. Harrower, Forester, Tomnacroich, Garth, Aberfeldy.
JOHN SCRIMGEOUR, Doune Lodge, Doune.
S. MacBran, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
JoHN J. R. MEIKLEJOHNN, Factor, Novar, Evanton.
Miss Amy FrancES YULE, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord.
Joun LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick.
R. V. Maruer, Nurseryman, Kelso.
DonALp Rosertson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
JAMES HoGArrTH, ‘Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer.
H. H. Waker, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill.
Counties.
Beds,
Berks,
Cheshire,
Devon,
Durhan,
Hants,
Herts,
Kent,
Lancashire,
Leicester,
Lincoln,
Middlesea,
England.
JoHN ALEXANDER, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
FRANcIS MITCHELL, Forester, Woburn.
W. Stori&, Whitway House, Newbury.
Wm. Exper, Cholmondeley Park, near Malpas.
JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington.
A. C. Forsss, Professor of Forestry, Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield.
JAMES BARTON, Forester, Hatfield.
Tuomas SmitTH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring.
R. W. Cowrsr, Gortanore, Sittingbourne.
D. C. Hamitton, Ferester, Knowsley, Prescot.
JAMES MARTIN, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham.
W. B. Havenock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park.
Professor BovuLGEr, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill,
London, 8. W.
Northumberland,JoHN Davipson, Secretary, Royal English Arboricultural
Notts,
Salop,
Suffolk, .
Surrey, .
Warwick,
York,
Dublin, .
Galway, .
Kilkenny,
King’s County,
Tipperary,
Wicklow,
Society, Haydon-Bridge-on-Tyne.
W. Micuin, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop.
Witson Tomurnson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop.
Frank Hutt, Forester, Lillieshall, Newport.
Anprew Boa, Agent, Great Thurlow.
GEORGE HANNAH, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds.
ANDREW PEEBLES, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford.
A. D. Curistre, Warriage Hill Farm, Bidford.
ApAm Matn, Forester, Rose Cottage, Loftus.
D. Tair, Estate Bailiff, Owston Park, Doncaster.
Ireland,
JAMES WILSON, B.Se., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
THomAs RopErtson, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn.
Avex. M‘Rak, Forester, Castlecomer.
Wm. Henverson, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore.
Davin G. Cross, Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh.
ADAM JOHNSTONE, Forester, Coollattin, Shillelagh.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned
to ROBERT GALLOWAY, §8.5.C., SHCRETARY,
Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
( Full Name,
|
Designation,
DEST CES ElE i, 21.
Candidate's 4 Address,
| Life, or Ordinary Member,
| 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 :—
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
4500 per annum, Factors, Nurserymen, and others,
subscribing annually . - : : . Half-a-Guinea.
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, sub-
scribing annually : ‘ : : . Six Shillings.
4. Assistant-Foresters, Assistant-Gardeners, and others, sub-
scribing annually : : : : . 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.
V. Members in arrear shall not receive the 7vansactions. Any
Member whose Annual Subscription remains unpaid for three years
shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member
shall be eligible for re-election till all his arrears are paid up.
VI. Any eligible person may become a Zzfe Member of the
Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :—
1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, : : . £1010 0
2. Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, and others, ‘ 5. 5.0
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, . C 3- 2a 10
VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid
Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zizfe Member on payment
of Two-thirds of the sum payable by zew Life Members.
XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made on the Form
provided for the purpose, which must be signed by two Members
of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the
Secretary to be laid before the next meeting of the Council. The
Proposal shall lie on the table till the following meeting of the
Council, when‘it shall be accepted or otherwise dealt with, as the
Council may deem best in the interests of the Society. The
Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new
Member’s first Subscription.
CONTENTS.
The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or
views expressed by the authors of papers.
aaa PAGE
XXIII. The Possibilities of Artificial Manures in Forestry. By
A. W. Bortruwick, D.Se., to a ee,
gamist to the Society, : 245
XXIV. The Planting of Waste Land for Profit. By JOHN icon
Ac., ‘ = 209
XXV. On the Advantages ne eae Fieward mage By
W. Mairnanpd Stewart, Edinburgh, . : . 282
XXVI. Protection of Young Spruce from Frost. By Geo. U.
MAcpDONALD, Forester, Raith, Fifeshire, . : - 287
XXVII. Profitable Co-operative Timber - Growing. By RoBerT
GaLLoway, 8.S.C., Edinburgh, . ao VAHL
XXVIII. Notes on a Visit to Switzerland and Gavinany: 1905. By
Joun J. R. MEIKLEJOHN, Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire, . 308
XXIX. Example Plots or Forest Gardens. By Lieut.-Colonel
F. BAILEY, . ‘ 4 317
XXX. Training of Foresters. By J. Pant RY, M. fee Cains . 320
XXXI. Deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. =e the
PRESIDENT, . o20
XXXII. The Irish Forestry Snmeiy, ; ; ; . 327
XXXIII. Memorandum as to the Law relating to pee Woods, and
Plantations in Scotland. By Ropert GALLOW ANG San,
Edinburgh, . : eos
XXXIV. Anticipated Curtailment of Ramiber Supplies from Swedant
By Lieut.-Colonel F. Barney, : : Be cE Y/
XXXV. The Novar System of Combating Larch Dicace, ; . 38839
XXXVI. Supply of Telegraph Poles to the Post Office. By Lieut. -
Colonel F. BarLry, : - 343
XXXVII. Area of Woodlands in Great Bian, . B47
XXXVIII. The Society’s Register of Foresters and otliee Estate- -men.
By the SECRETARY, : 350
Nores AND QUERIES _— Appeal by ene Houcese Editor for
Contributions—Diploma in Forestry at Oxford—South
African School of Forestry—Sir Herbert Maxwell on
Neglected Woodiands—A Tree-Strangling Fungus—A
Conifer Disease—Forestry in Kiao- chau—Aleohol from
Sawdust—Note on Review of The Forester—Aberdeen
Branch of the Society, ‘ ‘ : : . 3853
ReEVIEWS AND Novices oF Books—
Fremdlandische Wald-und-Parkbiume fiir Europa. By
Heinrich Mayr, Dr. philos. et eoc. publ., 0. 6 Pro-
fessor der forstlichen Produktionslehre an der k. Univer-
sitat zu Miinchen, . : 2) BE
Kiinstliche Diingung im F ertlehel Beisane Von Dr Fr.
GIERSBERG, A : ~ 365
Osiruary Norice:—Earl of Mansfield, eebrantane of the
Society, : 367
PROCEEDINGS OF THE Raven Genunnee pe ee eS
SocrEtry, 1906.
i
ea
i ave} mht
few) es
hd th
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
XXIII. Zhe Possibilities of Artificial Manures in Forestry.
By A. W. Bortuwick, D.Sc.,
Honorary Consulting Cryptogamist to the Society.
The use of artificial manures in agriculture and horticulture
has nowadays become so general that we may safely say its
value is unquestioned and universally recognised ; but it is only
within comparatively recent years that any serious attempt has
been made to test their value in forestry, and, like all experiments
in connection with sylviculture, progress has of necessity been
very slow. Nevertheless we are, at the present day, in possession
of sufficient evidence to warrant a very hopeful outlook in the
future. In the course of this lecture I hope to be able to show that
the subject deserves serious attention on the part of all foresters.
Since artificial manures became so easily obtainable in large
quantities, their possible value and utilisation in forestry has been
tested. As far back as 1869 Dr Giersberg obtained highly satis-
factory results in pine-tree nurseries with Peruvian guano. The
year 1880 saw several important experiments begun in different
German forests. Also at that time in Belgium artificial manures
were, in many cases, used in the afforestation of large areas; also
certain societies in Belgium and Schleswig-Holstein were testing
the value of artificial manures in forest nurseries. The success
which attended those earlier experiments created no little interest
at the time, with the result that they were continued. In
1891 appeared Schwappach’s publication on the use of arti-
ficial manures, and this was quickly followed (1893) by Ober-
foérster Ramm’s pamphlet on the use of manures in forestry,
which gave a great stimulus to the subject. Further, many
' Lecture delivered at the Annual General Meeting of the Society,
2nd February 1906. The lecture was illustrated by numerous lantern
illustrations.
VOL. XIX. PART II. R
246 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
articles appeared in the various forestry journals concerning the
use of appropriate artificial manures, with the result that the
question began to receive general attention.
In the present year Dr Fr. Giersberg has brought the matter
up to date by the issue of a third edition of his pamphlet on
“Artificial Manuring in Forestry,” in which he shows that arti-
ficial manures may, with the greatest advantage, be used in the
nursery and in the forest itself; in other words, he shows that
trees at all stages of their growth can derive the greatest benefit
by the judicious application of appropriate food materials to the
soil, both in the nursery and in the open.
In order to make the matter perfectly clear, it is advisable that
we should start by considering the question from its foundation.
We know that the body of a tree, like the body of an animal, is
composed of organic substances. This organic substance is
combustible, and when burned a portion is converted into certain
gases which escape into the air, while a certain incombustible
portion remains behind as ash. Hence the plant-body is com-
posed of comkustible and incombustible materials. Until about
the middle of the nineteenth century the ash constituents were
regarded as accidental and useless in the economy of the plant,
but nowadays we know that this view is only partly true. The
ash may be made up of various mineral constituents—some of
which are no doubt useless and accidental, while ethers are
absolutely essential Among other things, the ash always
contains potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron, and we
know that these elements are essential constituents of the food
material, since, by means of appropriate culture experiments,
it has been found that green plants will not grow healthily unless
supplied with all of those substances. Further, by leaving out
any one in turn from the food material offered to the plant, we
learn the function which it is destined to perform in nutrition.
Six of ten essential elements, viz., carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen,
oxygen, sulphur and phosphorus form constituent parts of the
living substance of the plant. Potassium appears to be necessary
in the original formation of sugar and starch, as well as in the
subsequent changes which these substances undergo in the body
of the tree, although it does not form a constituent part of them.
Iron is essential in the formation of the all-important green
colouring matter of the leaves. Calcium is regarded as essential in
the assimilation of carbon dioxide by the green leaves, and also in
THE POSSIBILITIES OF ARTIFICIAL MANURES IN FORESTRY. 247
neutralising and rendering harmless certain poisonous by-products
produced by chemical changes in the interior of the plant.
Each individual substance has a function to fulfil, and must not
only be available to the plant, but it must be available in
sufficient quantity, otherwise the development of the plant will
suffer in proportion to the scarcity of any one of the essential
elements. At the same time, the tree only requires a certain
amount, and its total production is determined by those food
materials which are present in minimum. This law of the
minimum is the crucial point in all questions relating to the
nutrition of plants; nor must we forget that the same law applies
equally well to all factors which regulate the growth of trees,
such as light, heat, and moisture. In order to satisfy this law of
the minimum, it is not only essential that the requisite food
materials should be present in the soil, but they must be present
in a form in which they can be absorbed by the roots, hence we
must know in which form these substances can be most easily
made use of by the tree. This last point is a very important
one, and is worthy of close attention by all growers of plants.
The mere presence of any of these essential minerals in the soil
is not sufficient, as it may occur, combined with other elements,
in a form unavailable or even injurious to plant-growth, and
herein lies the danger in relying too much upon a chemical
analysis of the soil in determining its capability of sustaining
different kinds of crops. We may liken the tree to a living
machine with, it is true, an infinitely complex mechanism.
Nevertheless, no matter how complex that mechanism may be,
this living machine is incapable of doing any work unless certain
external conditions are fulfilled. The external conditions, then,
which cause the “machine” to work, in other words to grow,
are, as already mentioned, a sufficient supply of light, heat,
moisture, air, and mineral substances. These are the things
which the tree requires in the formation of the combustible
organic portions, living and non-living, of which its body is
composed. This may all seem somewhat beside the point as
regards the possibilities of artificial manures in forestry, but it is
mentioned to emphasise and to direct attention to the fact that
the raw food materials taken in by trees must undergo a process
of building up into organic compounds or food within the plant,
before it can be assimilated by the living substance. This all
means a considerable expenditure on the part of the tree, and
248 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
anything we can do to help it in this respect will mean an
increased production or output by the “machine” in the shape
of timber.
The artificial manures suitable for these requirements are
such as contain phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen; for
example, basic slag, kainit and nitrate of soda. These manures
have been tested and found to give very satisfactory results.
Ammonium sulphate has also been used with great advantage
in forestry. The cultivation of leguminous crops treated with
basic slag and kainit, to be finally made use of as green manure,
is strongly recommended in the afforestation of the worst classes
of waste land.
When properly applied, these artificial manures have been found
to give most satisfactory results. As regards the quantity, 3 to
4 cwts. per acre of basic slag and half that quantity of kainit
will suffice, but even double these quantities may be used with
advantage. If the soil is poor in nitrogen, about 1 cwt.
sulphate of ammonia may be applied per acre. Where the
physical qualities of the soil require improvement, artificial
manures may be mixed in the compost heap, and later spread
over the beds, or we may resort to green manuring in combina-
tion with mineral manure. This combination tends to make
heavy soils milder and loose soils firmer, which is of great
importance, especially in newly-formed nurseries. The basic
slag may be applied either before or after the ground is broken
up, and as there is no fear of it being washed out of the soil, it
may be applied in the previous autumn. In any case it should
always be applied eight to fourteen days before the ground
is planted. Kainit must be applied at least three months
previously, or, better still, in the preceding autumn.
When the soil is sufficiently rich in humus, these manures will
then suffice, but when it is deficient in humus, green manuring
is of the greatest value. The process is very simple. The soil
is broken up and the manure added, at the rate of 6 to 8 cwts. of
basic slag per acre, and about half that quantity of kainit. This
may be added while the soil is being worked up, or it may be
subsequently scattered over the surface. The breaking up of the
soil and the application of the manure should take place in
autumn. In spring, after a light surface wounding, the area
should be thickly sown with the green manure crop. Leguminous
plants of different kinds are used, but on the Continent lupine,
THE POSSIBILITIES OF ARTIFICIAL MANURES IN FORESTRY. 249
for various reasons, seems to be the favourite. The quantity of
seed sown varies from 1} to 14 cwt. per acre.
There is thus plenty of phosphorus, lime and_ potash
for the vigorous growth of the nitrogen-collecting plant which
can work with full energy, and extract the maximum amount of
nitrogen from the atmosphere. This repays the liberal dose of
artificial manures recommended, since the basic slag and kainit
are not removed from the soil, but are returned with the green
manure, and are still available for the future forest-plants. It is
important that the lupines should be strong and vigorous. If
they are not so, then sufficient nitrogen will not be collected from
the air, and this deficit must be made good by the application
of artificial nitrogenous manure in the form of nitrate of soda.
When green manuring is not possible in the nursery, then the
application of artificial nitrogenous manures is necessary. It is
important that the young plants should develop rapidly—hence
the best form of nitrogenous manure is nitrate of soda, applied
when the plants are coming into or are in full vegetation.
Where the use of artificial manures in the nursery is un-
successful, the explanation is generally to be found in their
improper use. It is necessary here, as in agriculture, to know in
the first place what substance the soil requires, and also in what
form, and when it should be added. Further, the fault not
infrequently lies in adding too little to cover the requirements of
the plants for several years. Nevertheless there are those who
maintain that plants raised in a nursery with a rich soil are
not suitable for planting in poor forest soils. Some even go so
far as to say that the nursery should consist of the very poorest
soil, in order that the starved plants so raised should be better
able to exist later, on the less fertile forest areas. This is a great
physiological error. It is true that plants do not stand well
a change from a mild, warm climate to a raw, cold one. At the
same time there is no ground to suppose that well-nourished
plants suffer more than badly-nourished ones. The success in
planting depends principally upon the quality of the plants, and
on the vigour of the stem- and root-systems; especially essential
are plenty of fibrous rootlets. Comparative experiments have
proved that the most rapid development and the best growth are
to be expected from properly nourished plants, such as are raised
in a nursery with good soil. It stands to reason that a strong
vigorous plant, with a sufficiently developed root-system, is
250 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
better able to withstand the transplanting to a poor soil
than a half-starved specimen with a weakly developed root-
system. The stronger plant, from the very fact that it has
better developed absorptive organs, will obtain nourishment
where a plant with poorly developed absorptive organs would
starve.
Experiments which have been carried out in various nurseries
in different Continental countries have shown in a very striking
manner that excellent results can be achieved by the use of
artificial fertilisers. Not only are the plants larger and more
vigorous in their growth, but they show better: balanced and
better developed shoot- and root-systems, combined with a greater
freedom from disease and resistance to unfavourable climatic
conditions. Also a regular and sustained yield is obtained,
because the fertility of the soil is thus preserved. Several forest
nurseries, in which the soil by repeated cropping had become
worked out, and which were on the point of being abandoned,
were again brought up to their full yielding capacity in one
year by the judicious use of a few simple artificial manures,
Since artificial manures can be used with such effect in the
nursery, the question is, can they also be used in the afforestation
of waste, barren land or exhausted soil which is no longer
capable of bearing crops? Very poor soil must have the
substances taken from it by the trees replaced in order that
their growth may be sustained and increased.
As Dr Giersberg points out, it may not infrequently happen
that after the removal of a fairly good crop of trees from a
certain area, the replanting and restocking of the same area is
found to be very difficult. The plants do not thrive, and beating
up becomes more and more necessary, and the expenses increase
in ratio. The formation of a canopy is extremely difficult, and
even if the establishment of the new crop is finally achieved,
growth may cease entirely after twenty or thirty years. 2 : . £ 27,000,000
PBOOAS cis : ; P 23,500,000
EGORy Cu ; : : 22,750,000
The manufactured imports during these years were valuedjas
follows :—
Bipstigd 33? 914s ; : . 42,250,000
9 1904,° ): ‘ . ; 2,000,000
su apegi i) 0: ; : : 2,000,000
VOL. XIX. PART II. U
294 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
These figures show a small decrease, but in previous years
there was a constant increase. Dr Schlich points out that
whereas the population of the United Kingdom has during the
last twenty years increased by about 20 per cent., the imports
of timber have increased by about 45 per cent., thus showing
that more timber is now used in proportion to the population
than formerly.
DEPLETION OF FOREIGN FORESTS.
The whole of the authorities are agreed that the most easily
accessible foreign forests have been worked out, and that the
supply of timber of first-rate quality is now very uncertain. Dr
Schlich and M. Mélard go very carefully into these points, and
both are agreed that Canada is the only country that can be
looked to for a supply of coniferous timber; but they are of
opinion that, as systematic management has not yet been
introduced there, these forests may also prove insufficient for the
demand which will be made upon them. M. Mélard says a
timber famine is within sight. Dr Schlich says supplies from
outside rest upon a very unsafe basis. His figures, published
in 1904, show that the European countries, taken together,
were importing 2,620,000 tons of timber per annum to meet
their requirements, which were yearly increasing. It is now
known that both Norway and Sweden cut annually much more
than they grow, and that the position of Russia in this respect
is at best doubtful.
The Departmental Committee in their Report say: “It will
be found in our evidence that experts of high authority have
recorded the opinion, already expressed in many reliable publica-
tions, that the world is rapidly approaching a shortage, if not
actual dearth, in its supply of coniferous timber, which con-
stitutes between 80 and go per cent. of the total British timber
imports.”
RISE IN PRICE.
It follows, as a matter of course, that if the more accessible
supplies are becoming exhausted, more distant forests will have
to be drawn on, and the expense of realising these forests will be
consequently greater. Dr Schlich says: “In my opinion we
will never again see the low prices of ten to fifteen years ago,
PROFITABLE CO-OPERATIVE TIMBER-GROWING. 295
because the more accessible forests in the exporting countries
have been heavily worked, if not exhausted, so that the timber
for exporting has, year by year, to be carried over longer dis-
tances before it reaches the sea. Prices in the future are likely
to be higher than in the past.”
Cost OF PLANTING AND MANAGEMENT.
The cost of planting will, of course, depend upon the subject
to be dealt with. Dr Somerville estimated £3 per acre in con-
nection with his scheme, and 4s. per acre for management during
the first twenty-five years. Dr Schlich gives the following
figures:—Spruce, £3, 10s.; Scots pine, £4; larch, £4, 10s.;
beech and silver fir, £45; oak and ash, £6. Mr Macdonald,
forester, Raith, quotes £5, 13s. 9d. for planting, enclosing, drain-
ing, and forming roads in the case of Scots pine, larch, and
spruce, and £6, 15s. in the case of hardwoods. Management,
etc., he estimates at 3s. per acre per annum. Dr Nisbet
estimates £6 to £7 per acre, including beating up for two
years. Mr A. C. Forbes states the figure as high as £8
per acre.
REVENUE EXPECTED.
As forest book-keeping has not been practised in this country,
it is scarcely possible to obtain reliable data as to the profits of
woodlands in the past. ‘The revenue that may be expected will,
of course, depend very largely upon the cost of the land, the
initial outlay, and the cost of management. All the authorities
are agreed that a return of at least 2} per cent. can be assured
on the expenditure involved; and in favourable circumstances it
is confidently expected that a hightr percentage may be looked
for, although, of course, unless there should be an area of mature
timber upon the ground, which could be gradually realised, the
return would be deferred for a considerable number of years.
The investment would therefore partake, as Dr Somerville points
out, of the nature of a life insurance. All the authorities appear
to agree that land which does not yield more than a rental of
7s. 6d. per acre can be profitably afforested.
The following statistics, prepared by Dr Schlich, as to the
296 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
estimated yield of British plantations on land of medium quality
are of interest in this connection :—
| |
Cost of en
Acre when
Price per | Most Yield per | Cost of | Weed is Falopet land
Name of Cubic Foot) Profitable| Acrein | : | Mature, | _ P.
- - | Planting : which, when
Tree. of the Rotation Cubic per Acre. with planted, pays
Timber. | in Years. | Feet. | Come ok per cent.
\23 percent.
|
| |
| ey, od, Ly aay sdditeeas Lan td.
Oak,:) cu ee 5 130 46 6 0 0} 149 Op rio
_ Beech, | O11 120 57 5 040} | 1907 (ce ee
|
| Scots Pine,. | o 8 80 70" ‘HAO SO etaeG 141115 4o
|
| | |
| Spruce, . o 7 90 $4, | 9a” Sah aaa (Se iO
| |
Silver fir, Os 120 III 5 0 ° 97 16,(,6),,0
(RASH wae ola 15 70 40 607 oy} 34 24 0 O
aes Olt 70 73 4 10 0) 25 34.2 0
These figures are given on the assumption that all forest
operations are conducted in a truly economic manner, Dr
Schlich further points out that if timber is grown on a short
rotation for fencing or pit-props, the yield, according to the
price of land, might be from g per cent. to slightly over 3 per
cent. in the case of larch, and in the case of Scots pine and
spruce, from over 54 per cent. to 2} per cent.; and he thinks that
land capable of growing Scots pine and spruce is not likely to
cost £9 an acre, probably not more than £4 to £6, and in
that event the return might be from 4 per cent. to 5 per cent.
Mr A. C. Forbes says the average net return per acre per annum
from a properly selected area may be put at from tos. to I5s.,
allowing for non-productive ground, and calculating on the basis
of present prices for timber, labour, and material. If an aver-
age total return of £125 per acre can be obtained from land not
worth more than 5s. per acre for agricultural purposes, no diffi-
culty should be experienced in securing the average net annual
yield of ros, to 15s. per acre, which has been stated as possible
from a well managed area. Mr Lewis Miller says that in his
experience a return of £1 per acre should be obtained from land
under timber which is only worth from 1s. to 2s. per acre for
sheep or cattle pasture.
PROFITABLE CO-OPERATIVE TIMBER-GROWING. 297
The Douglas fir plantation at Taymount, belonging to the
Earl of Mansfield, might be quoted as a successful example of
forestry, and if the value of that plantation would appear to be
exceptional, it at any rate shows what is possible in favourable
circumstances. From reports which have recently been pub-
lished, it is said that during the fifteen years from 1888 to 1893,
there has been an increment on this plantation amounting to
495 standard cubic feet per acre per annum, which is equivalent
to about 370 feet by quarter-girth measurement, and which, at
gd. per cubic foot, represents a rental of £14 per acre per annum
during these fifteen years.
REVENUE FROM FOREIGN FORESTS.
While returns from foreign forests cannot be accepted as con-
clusive evidence that similar returns might be expected in this
country, seeing the conditions as to labour, etc., are different,
still the figures which are available are interesting. Dr Schlich
says, with regard to Saxony, where complete records of past
management are available, that while the growing stock on
the ground and the annual output have both been increased, the
net return, after deducting every item of possible expenditure,
has increased gradually and steadily from 4s. for the period from
1817 to 1826, until, in the year 1900, the average return was
22s. 6d., which represents an increase of 463 per cent., one
quarter of which only was accounted for by increase in the price
of timber, and the remainder by improvement in management.
The figures refer to Saxon forests as a whole. According to
Dr Nisbet, the revenue from the French State Forests in 1904,
as stated in his “ Notes on Continental Forestry,” was 5s. rogd.
per acre, but the charges debited against the maintenance of the
State Forests included large sums expended in the purchase and
replantation of waste lands, in the upkeep of certain forest
schools, in improvements to water-courses, and in the mainten-
ance and improvement of inland fisheries, so that the actual
revenue was considerably larger. He gives the net revenue of
the State Forests of Prussia in 1905 as over 7S. per acre, but
adds that as many of the expenses are not strictly for mainten-
ance and upkeep, etc., the actual amount which might be
considered the net return is in reality considerably above this
sum. Sir Dietrich Brandis says that ten ranges in Saxony yield
over 40s, an acre, and that nine ranges in Baden yield 53s. per
298 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
acre. The forest revenue in Germany had grown in a remark-
able manner, having, in some cases, trebled within twenty years.
PRICES OF HOME AND FOREIGN TIMBER COMPARED.
Professor Schwappach, in his paper on the “Condition of
Forestry in Britain in 1go1,” says: “The conditions for forestry
in Britain are by no means unfavourable. The prices for
timber are from twice to three times as high as in Germany.”
QuaALITy OF HoME-GROWN TIMBER.
A good deal has been said as to the quality of the timber
grown in this country. It is the universal opinion that our coni-
ferous timber, when it is grown in open woods, as it usually is in
this country, is of inferior quality; but where occasional patches
have been found grown under similar conditions to those in
Germany, the quality of the timber has been quite equal to any-
thing got from abroad. Hardwoods grown in this country are
for many purposes superior to anything imported. The universal
opinion is, that with proper sylvicultural management, our home-
grown timber would be at least as good as timber imported from
abroad. The Departmental Committee in their Report say:
“That foreign is so generally preferred to home-grown timber
is in no way due to unsuitability of soil or climate, but is
entirely due to our neglect of sylvicultural principles.” The
exhibits of timber at the annual exhibition of the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society in the Highland Society’s Show have
made it clear that timber of the finest quality can be grown in
Scotland. The specimens exhibited there are, of course, speci-
ally selected, but they show what the soil and climate of this
country can produce.
YIELD OF HoME FoRESTs.
The Departmental Committee say: “That the yield of our
woodlands can be materially improved admits of no doubt.”
SUBSTITUTES FOR TIMBER.
Dr Schlich, in ‘ Our Forestry Problem,” referring to the efforts
made to substitute iron and steel for timber, quotes from Mr
Hawkshaw’s presidential address to the Institute of Civil Engi-
neers, as follows:—“ Engineers could not do without timber, nor,
PROFITABLE CO-OPERATIVE TIMBER-GROWING, 299
indeed, without much timber. For the last thirty years they had
heard it said in that room that steel would shortly be adopted in
place of wood for sleepers; but although we could make our own
steel, but had to import our timber sleepers, this had not come to
pass.” Then Dr Schlich goes on to say: “The same experience
has been gained in France and in the United States of America,
the home of the great iron and steel trusts.”
#
Woop CoNsUMING INDUSTRIES.
Most authorities agree that extension of our woodland area
would also involve the establishment of industries for all kinds
of forest produce, including small wood, the manufacture of pulp,
etc. Mr Gamble says there is no reason why much of the private
waste land in the United Kingdom should not be devoted to
wood-pulp timber-growing, and there is every reason to think
that it would be a profitable industry. Mr Lewis Miller said
the demand for spruce for paper-making had been increasing
very rapidly during the past few years, on which account the
price of spruce had gone up very much, and in the future it
was likely to be as valuable as larch. In a paper read before
the Society of Arts on 19th May 1905, Mr S. Chas. Phillips,
M.S.C.I., said: “I think it would be fair to estimate that each
day one of our large London daily papers consumes ro acres of
an average forest.” And Mr R. W. Sendall, on the same occa-
sion, said the daily issue of a halfpenny paper, with a circulation
of 200,000 copies, consumed no less than 200 trees in the pre-
paration of wood-pulp. If these statements are correct, they
show the enormous importance of this industry and the possi-
bility of its development.
CONVERSION OF TIMBER IN OR NEAR THE FOREST.
Mr S. Margerison says: “A considerable amount of addi-
tional profit may be produced, especially where forestry is con-
ducted on a large scale, by the partial conversion of the timber
near to where it is grown, so as to reduce its bulky occupance
of space in transport, and a consequent reduction of cost of
carriage.”
TRANSPORT.
On this point the same authority says: ‘As to transport, the
advent of the petrol engine and the rapid evolution of the motor
300 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
car and motor waggon have changed the prospects and conditions
of land carriage very materially. For medium loads we are no
longer so dependent upon the railways, with their rates of car-
riage differentiating between native and foreign produce. ‘The
delays, inconveniences, and friction which have been consequent
upon handling and transhipping timber from wood-waggon to
railway trucks, and from the trucks to the wood-waggon again,
can now, at any rate in the case of converted and semi-converted
timber, be obviated. Loads of pit-props, deals, planks, etc., could
be taken straight from the forest or forest saw-mill to the con-
sumer’s yard by motor waggons.”
Woops AND GAME.
This point has been dealt with by several of the authorities.
It is, of course, the general view that rabbits and woods cannot
be maintained together, but it is quite possible to have plenty of
game of other kinds in connection with well managed forests.
ARTIFICIAL MANURES.
The importance of artificial manures in forestry has only
recently been recognised. Extensive experiments have been
made in Belgium and Germany, and the results have shown
that with a judicious use of artificial manures the timber
growth can be wonderfully stimulated, in the early stages at
least. As yet experiments have not been extended to older
trees, but it has been clearly demonstrated that where the ground
is too poor to develop young trees naturally, the application of
artificial manures has yielded amazing results. These results
have been tried both with natural regeneration and upon
plantations which have been unsuccessful without artificial
aid. Dr Borthwick brought this subject prominently before
the members of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society at
their annual meeting in February last.
SMALL HOLDINGS.
Mr John Annand has expressed the view that any scheme
of afforestation should be accompanied by the creation of small
holdings. He points out that all estates have a certain pro-
portion of arable land which is too valuable for afforestation
purposes ; and that on purchasing estates. for afforestation such
PROFITABLE CO-OPERATIVE TIMBER-GROWING, 301
arable land could be broken up into small holdings. In this
way a constant supply of labour would be found for forest
operations, and the occupants of the holdings would at the
same time be able to earn considerable sums over and above
what they could make out of their holdings. The great
difficulty in connection with the creation of small holdings is,
of course, provision of the necessary buildings; but in the
eyent of the Government granting any facilities or assistance
to proprietors to provide such buildings for small holdings,
a company would share in such benefits.
‘
CONCLUSION.
In view of what has been written above, the question to be
determined is whether it is possible to form a limited company,
for the purpose of purchasing and afforesting land, as a profit-
able undertaking. The answer depends upon the meaning of the
word “ profitable” in this connection. Zf24 per cent. certain, with
the possibility of a larger return, combined with safety of capital,
is considered satisfactory, then the undertaking can confidently
be recommended to members of the public who happen to
be specially interested in the subject of afforestation or of rural
depopulation. A higher rate of interest than 24 per cent. may be
obtained, but cannot be relied upon. There is no doubt that
for those who are already owners of waste land, or land of a
low agricultural or grazing value, afforestation is the means
of eventually increasing not only the annual return, but also
the capital value of their land. Many estates comprise poor
land which yields little more than a small rate of interest on
the cost of the buildings, fences, etc., and such land should be
afforested, not only because of the subsequent enhancement
of the annual and capital values of that and of adjoining land,
but also because of the increased employment which would be
afforded. The question of death duties, however, is a serious
drawback to private afforestation. In the case of companies
or corporations there is no such difficulty. They are not
affected by the death duties. Rating, however, affects all
owners.
Is there a sufficient number of the landless public interested
in afforestation and rural depopulation willing to become share-
holders in an undertaking promoted with the object of acquiring
and afforesting land on a small scale, knowing that the return,
302 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
though certain, must be deferred, and that their shares will
increase in value with the increasing productiveness of the soil,
as the result of years of sound sylvicultural management?
It has been shown that such people have been found in
Germany and other countries, why not in Scotland? ‘ Surely,”
as Mr Massie said, ‘‘ we have as many public spirited gentlemen
in Scotland as would take up shares even if we could not
promise them any great dividend.” And Dr Somerville’s words
in this connection might also be quoted, “If we are sincere,
as I believe we are, in advising landlords under certain circum-
stances to invest their thousands in tree-planting, we cannot
refuse to contribute to a scheme which offers everyone the
chance of supporting his opinion to any reasonable extent,
from £1 upwards. If a feasible scheme was submitted to the
country, and if it should happen that it is not heartily taken
up, it will at all events have served one good purpose, in
exposing the insincerity of those who advise others to do what
they would not do themselves.”
The great difficulty is in the beginning. When once the
company is formed and the forest set agoing, with some
revenue coming in, all other difficulties would vanish. It
would then only be necessary to maintain that continuity of
management, which is more easily secured by a limited company
than a private proprietor.
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED.
In preparing the foregoing Memorandum, the writings and
speeches of the following authorities have been consulted :—Dr
Somerville, Dr Schlich, Colonel Bailey, Dr Nisbet, Mr J. S.
Gamble, Professor Fisher, Professor A. C. Forbes, Dr Borthwick,
Sir Dietrich Brandis, Professor Schwappach, M. Boppe, M.
Mélard, Mr Munro Ferguson, M.P., Mr Stafford Howard, Mr
W. H. Massie, nurseryman; Mr John Annand, estate overseer;
Mr G. U. Macdonald, forester; and Messrs Lewis Miller, Adam
Spiers, and S. Margerison, timber merchants; and also the
Report of the recent Departmental Committee on Forestry issued
in November 1902, which is the most authoritative pronounce-
ment upon Forestry generally which has yet appeared in this
country.
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 303
XXVIII. Wotes on a Visit to Switzerland and Germany, 1905.
By Joun J. R. MEIKLEJOHN, Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire.
I left England at 10.30 p.m. on the 6th of June, and travelled
by rail on the following day from the Hook of Holland to
Basel. Next day I went to Zurich, and thence to Sihlwald.
When I arrived at Sihlwald, I found that Herr Ulrich Meister,
Stadforstmeister, to whom I had an introduction from Dr
Schlich, was attending a sitting of the Federal Assembly, of
which he is a member, but I was kindly received by his
assistant, Herr Conrad Tuchschmid, and three English students
from Coopers Hill. These four gentlemen took much trouble
to inform me about the forest, and I would take this opportunity
of recording my thanks to them for their goodness.
I learned that the forest I had come to see is the property
of the municipality of Zurich. It extends to 1153 hectares
(2848 acres), and is chiefly situated in the valley of the Sihl.
The Sihl is a small mountain stream, and the forest, which
occupies the steep slopes on either side of it, extends for a
length of 13 kilometres along its course.
The forest is a very ancient one, there being written records
of its produce and management since the eighth century. The
first known survey of the forest is dated 1680, and a copy of a
survey dated 1743 is in the hands of the managers; both of
these testify to the long time this forest has been under
systematic, enlightened management. A good State road and
a railway now run through the valley, and these give to the
forest facilities of transport:both by road and rail.
The produce of the forest is all manufactured on the spot,
and in the afternoon I was taken over the works, which were
near our hotel, in order to see the manufacturing processes
carried on in the valley of the Sihl. The machinery is driven
by water from the river, which is got in large volume, and
one turbine of about a hundred horse-power drives the plant.
There are several sawing machines, several dressing and planing
machines, and three or four machines which make the material
known as “ wood-wool.” This consists of narrow, thin shavings
of wood made from thoroughly seasoned spruce, and it is
used for packing fruit, etc. It fetches from 14s. to 35s. per
304 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
too Ibs., according to its fineness. There is a drying chamber
in which the spruce used for making this material is dried
artificially when the demand is so great that it cannot be met
by wood dried in the open air. There is also in use here a
system of impregnating wood with sulphate of copper. The
sulphate is dissolved in water, and the solution is placed at a
height of 30 feet above the logs to be operated upon. It is
applied to the logs in the following way:—The log is placed on
a frame, the butt end being somewhat higher than the thinner
end. A flat board is placed over the butt of the log, after a
piece of hempen rope (to prevent leakage) has been laid between
it and the periphery of the log. The board is firmly fixed to the
log by means of screw-headed dogs. The liquid is then intro-
duced by means of a flexible tube into the space between the
butt and the board, and the solution is carried into and through
the log to its thinner end by the force of gravitation from the
elevated reservoir. It will have found its way through within a
period of from three to ten days. ‘This is proved by applying
potassium ferro-cyanide to the lower end of the log, which
shows a reddish brown colour if sulphate of copper be present.
The natural sap is replaced by the sulphate solution, and the
wood is impregnated by the copper, whereby its durability is
increased from seven to twenty-one years.
The beech is used for firewood, and there are several machines
used for preparing it. It is cut in the forest into lengths of 2 to
3 feet, and the pieces are split and piled until they aredry. They
are then brought into the mill and cut into g-inch lengths, and
these are again split by machinery into pieces 1 inch in thick-
ness. They are then driven into hoops which contain about
+ cwt., and sold, and, when empty, the hoops are returned to
the factory to be refilled. The larger beech is impregnated and
sold for sleepers. The spruce is piled after it is impregnated,
and is disposed of for telegraph and telephone poles. There
were several machines for making handles for tools, agricultural
implements, etc., from ash, and these handles, which are beauti-
fully finished, are turned out with great speed.
On the 8th June I again examined the manufacturing
processes, and I was also shown through the office and saw
the system of book-keeping which is used at present by Herr
Tuchschmid. It is the neatest and most exhaustive method I
have ever seen.
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 305
In the afternoon we visited one of the municipal forests at
Zurich. ‘This forest had been used as a coppice-wood for many
years, but it is now being changed into high-forest, under the
direction of Herr Ulrich Meister. This inspection took us to the
summit of the Abishorn, from which we had a magnificent view
of the country. The city of Zurich in the foreground, with its
beautiful lake, with many towns on its margins, all lit up by
brilliant sunlight, and the snow-clad Alps in the background,
formed a picture which I cherish and shall ever store in my
mind.
On the gth June I walked along different compartments of
the forest, and saw those parts of it which are from 5 to ro and
70 to 100 years old. The woods are all propagated by natural
regeneration, and as soon as the crop is partially removed to
admit light, the soil is almost immediately covered with a great
variety of species—maple, sycamore, beech, ash, elm, spruce,
silver fir, etc. In five years thereafter it is as thickly stocked as
a good crop of oats, and then the tending operations begin.
First of all labourers remove the small, thin trees, which are mostly
suppressed, and they are followed by more skilful foresters who
select the trees that they wish to remain on the ground; and this
process is followed every five years for the first twenty or twenty-
five years of the growth of the forest, by which time only the
most select, straight, well-grown trees, with close even crowns,
are left. Afterwards the thinning periods are seven years or
more apart, and the thinnings are directed to further improve
the final crop. It was interesting to observe how perfectly the
work was done by the labourers in the first instance. They cut
out the inferior growths, laying them all with their crowns in one
direction, and the more skilful foresters who followed continued
that regular process. After these thinnings had been cut and
laid on the ground, a number of old men who were employed on
piece work followed, and drew them on to the adjacent paths
(which would have been a laborious process but for the way in
which they were cut and laid down), cut them into lengths of
from 28 to 30 inches, and bound them up tightly with wire by
means of a ratchet attached to their packing-barrows. These
bundles were then piled in stacks, and sledged or carted for
firewood. The cost of cutting and bundling is 12 francs (gs. 6d.),
and the value of the faggots in the wood is 45 francs (£1, 153.
6d.) per hundred. In the afternoon we agam walked up the
306 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
slope, but at a more northerly point, and saw the last year’s
fellings. The logs had been removed by tram-lines and a timber
slide. Only the firewood remained, and this lay piled on the
ground in bundles 3 ft. 3 ins. long by the same in circumference,
and tied up by wire. ‘The soil from which the cuttings had been
made was already showing its prolific nature by the close crop
of seedlings which was appearing, and we were told that planting
never yields the same timber and growth as natural regeneration
does. I visited the Scots pine plantation on the toth June, and
we were told that in this forest they always grow Scots pine
mixed with silver fir, spruce, and beech. To show how few
plants they raise in the nursery, we were shown a nursery of 20
square yards, and the forest to which it applies extends to 1000
hectares. Herr Ulrich Meister, who had returned from the seat
of Government at Berne, impressed upon us that from the long
history of the forest, and from his own experience, the safe and
sure maxim in forestry which one should study was to grow the
indigenous trees. The growing of these to perfection was
certain in the end, he said, to produce better results than any
imported ones would do, and, as an example, he gave us the
case of the larch, which was introduced into these forests in
1797. Although a few good specimens of this tree are to
be seen, they do not seed, they are unthrifty in appearance,
and cannot be regenerated naturally, and Scots pine far out-
grow them in height when they are seen together. He
also confirmed the information I had already received, that
woods naturally regenerated were far superior to those which
were planted.
In these Scots pine woods the process of regeneration
goes on in the same way as is described above in the case of
the hardwoods. The trees are gradually removed, and the
young growth quickly follows the operation, so that by ‘the time
the last mother-trees are removed the ground is stocked. ‘The
heavier pieces are cut into the most useful lengths, ready to be
slid or rolled down later on, and they are dealt with at the mill
as described in the opening paragraphs of this Report. The
Scots pine is worth, when well grown, about 60 francs
(42, 7s. 6d.) per cubic metre (= 35 cubic feet). Higher up
the slope I was shown a place which was originally a wide,
sour, grass-grown bog. It was planted with spruce, and that crop
grew on it until it was about 30 to 4o years old, when the trees
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 307
were found to be suffering from red-rot. These were cut, and
since then the ground has covered itself naturally with a crop of
a great many species of hardwoods, which could not be got to
take root on it in its natural state, thus showing how soil may be
improved by the growth of any kind of timber which can be got
to grow upon it.
On the 12th of June I visited the spruce wood, where
experiments in different degrees of thinning had been carried on
for five years. It was divided into sections A, B, C, D. The
least thinning was done in section A and the most in section D,
and it was found, so far, that the greatest increase was obtained
in section C, which was thinned in a medium way. In section
D the suppressed and dominated and some dominating trees
were taken out. Every five years the crop on these experi-
mental areas is measured at the height of 4 ft. 3 ins., and is
marked by red lines. All these measurements are made by the
Swiss branch of the National Forest Society. The height,
the basal area, the volume, the number of trees on the area
and their diameter are all recorded by this Society for experi-
mental purposes. Sixty per cent. of the revenue of the
forest is derived from firewood, and 4o per cent. from matured
timber.
On the 13th June Herr Tuchschmid kindly proposed to conduct
us to the summit of the Rigi, and we left Sihlwald between
4 and 5 a.M., on a beautiful morning, and walked across the
forest to the railway station at Thalwil, whence we took train
for Arth-Goldau in the first instance. While waiting our train
at Thalwil, it was interesting to notice on the north-going
train from Italy, which passed through at the time, a large
number of chickens which were being conveyed to Germany to
be fed by the German peasants, and marketed in that country.
From Thalwil the train skirted for a considerable distance the
shores of the Lake of Zurich, through beautiful country, producing
chiefly grapes and grass, until it branched off towards Arth-
Goldau, the terminus of the ordinary railway line, and also the
terminus of the Arth-Rigi railway. The station is situated on
the site of the Goldau landslip, which occurred on znd September
1806. This terrible landslip descended from the summit of the
Rosberg, and buried four villages with four hundred and fifty-
seven of their inhabitants; and although time has covered the
fragments of the rock with moss and other vegetation, the track
308 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
of the landslip may be distinctly traced on the side of the
Rosberg, which is still entirely bare. The highest peak of the
Rosberg is 5190 feet, and the scenery at this railway station
baffles description for its variety and beauty.
After breakfasting at the station, we joined the mountain
railway, the gradient of which is on an average I in 5, and
at the rate of 4 or 5 miles an hour we were taken through most
marvellous scenery till we reached the summit of the Rigi.
Unfortunately, when we got to the summit we were enveloped in
a cloud of white mist, so that little could be seen from the top,
except mere glimpses as the wind opened the mist for a second
or two, and thus enabled us to see how much we had lost by
not being able to feast our eyes longer on the scene. On the
summit there are several fine hotels, and a brisk trade was
being done in picture postcards from quite a street of little
tent-like stands which had been erected there. The mountain
affords fine rich grazing, and carries a stock of four thousand
cattle. They are all fawn-coloured, and it was very interesting
to see them from the railway along the route, in small herds,
the more sedate ones wearing bells.
By the railway on the opposite side of the mountain, which is
also a rack and pinion line, and has even a steeper gradient
than that by which we ascended, being 1 in 4, we descended
to Vitznau. From Vitznau we embarked on the steamer and
sailed down the lake to Lucerne, and had an opportunity of
seeing with great clearness the mountain peaks which we missed
on the summit, and the beautiful waterfalls at many places
along the shores of the lake. We spent the evening at
Lucerne in seeing the many interesting sights in the city, and
we saw the mountain peaks in the light of the setting sun to
great advantage. We had also the pleasure of a walk over
the medizval bridges which cross the Reuss at Lucerne, with
the interesting scenes painted upon them in the eighteenth
century. From Lucerne we trained to within a few miles of
Sihlwald, and arrived at our pension at midnight, having spent
a most interesting day.
On 15th June I again visited the saw-mills, and I was much
struck to see the railway alongside the saw-mill, and only
2 to 5 yards from it in some places, laid with iron or metal
sleepers, which showed how valuable the wood must be which
was being prepared on the spot. I also saw the stables. They
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 309
were all situated underneath the dwelling-houses, as is the
case in Germany; the ceilings were low, and there was little
means of ventilation. The cows are also housed in a similar
way, and they are never grazed outside except in the higher
slopes of the Alps, where they graze as in Scotland.
On the 16th June I visited Zurich, and was shown over the
technical school. The Forestry and Agricultural Department
has small museums of plants, animals, and implements, but not
nearly so large as those at Aschaffensburg which we saw last
year. I also saw through the Botanical Gardens. They are
small in size, and in the centre of the city, and many of the
specimens, which did not appear to be thriving, were no doubt
affected by the smoke. We noticed the effect of smoke in the
same way on the trees on the highest reaches of the
Abishorn.
Before taking leave of this forest, I may mention that it has
a great variety of means of transport, each of which is suited
to the topographical formation of the ground. The valley
itself, with the State road and railway as its main arteries, forms
an outlet for all the side means of transit, and these are made
up of roads for waggons on its more accessible areas, tram-
lines winding round its steeper slopes, and sledges and timber-
chutes on its higher and more precipitous peaks. All these
are of the very best of their kind, but the management is
annually becoming more favourable to tram-lines of narrow
gauge, and is using that mode of transit in preference to all
the others. The waggon’s own weight on the tram-line carries
it to the depot. One man takes charge of each waggon, and
he has a very simple and effective method of applying a brake
to it.
The geological formation on which the forest-soil rests is a
soft white limestone, which makes the higher peaks very liable
to landslips, and the numerous streams to be cut into deep
gorges. The streams are carefully protected by artificial means,
and the forests on the peaks are managed on the selection
system, whereby they are never cleared of trees. Unless this is
carefully attended to, landslips causing great damage occur.
Anyone who wishes to get a complete history and description of
this forest should procure Herr Ulrich Meister’s book, beautifully
illustrated (but only printed in German), and published in
Zurich.
VOL. XIX. PART II. x
310 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On the 17th June I travelled from Sihlwald to Forbach in
the Grand Duchy of Baden, leaving Sihlwald at 5.30 a.M., and
reaching Forbach at 8.45 p.m. Shortly after leaving Offenburg
we came into a forest country, and we travelled through forest
nearly all the way. The land is high, forming steep banks on
the water streams, and is thickly covered with open forests, the
streams being used to drive the saw-mills, which were closely
situated along the courses of the streams, and engaged in sawing
up the timber.
The forest of the Schifferschaft is situated to the south of the
village of Forbach, in the Murgthal, and the Grand Duchy of
Baden. The Murgthal is a valley taking its origin in the
Kingdom of Wurtemburg; it follows a northern direction, and,
beginning fairly wide, it narrows down to a rocky gorge. In
this valley the river Murg flows. In parts it is very wild and
rocky, with numerous granite boulders scattered about its bed.
In former times the river was used for floating down the timber.
Dams were made higher up its source; these were suddenly
removed, and the timber floated down in this way, but there
are now so many weirs thrown across the river to obtain water-
power for many purposes, that this mode of transit is no longer
practicable. Almost the whole area drained by the Murg is
covered with forest, which only ends when the valley merges
into that of the Rhine. There are small pieces of agricultural
land near the villages, and meadow land is scattered through
the valleys in the forest, but these form a very small proportion
of the whole, and agricultural operations have all to be done
by hand, the ground being so steep and inaccessible. Round
Forbach there are many of these small agricultural patches on
the steep hill-sides on either side of the little town, and the
agricultural operations are conducted chiefly by the women,
who carry up all the manure on their heads to their little
patches, which are beautifully cultivated, but at great expense
in labour and industry. There is a very interesting wooden
bridge thrown across the Murg at Forbach. It is built entirely
of native timber, chiefly silver fir, and although it is more than
a hundred years old, it is in a good state of preservation, show-
ing the wonderful “life” of well-matured timber, even when
exposed to the weather, and without any paint or varnish. The
external boundaries of the forest are the water-courses or ridges.
The boundaries are marked by beacons erected at certain intervals,
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 311
and between the beacons the line is kept open by a clear
space about 2 metres wide. From time to time these boundaries
are cleaned, that is, all the undergrowth is cut away. The
beacons are cut from sandstone slabs, and are often painted
white, and have the district number in black letters on the
sides facing the compartments. The internal compartment
boundaries follow the same natural divisions, or consist of
cleared lines.
From what has been said about the Murg valley, it will be seen
that the forest on the whole is on steep, sloping ground, except
the plateau on the top. Up to an elevation of 650 to 750
metres (2130 to 2460 feet), the geological formation is granite.
Above this level the granite is overlaid with old red sandstone,
and in both instances the soil produced by the weathered rock
is of very good quality. The height above sea-level varies
from 320 to 1064 metres (1050 to 3490 feet). The climate on
the whole is favourable. In winter there are heavy falls of
snow; the summer is warm, and the rainfall heavy. Late
spring frosts sometimes damage the shoots of the beech and the
silver fir, but early autumn frosts seldom do any harm. Some
injury is done by snow-breaks in winter, but not to any large
extent. The trees that suffer most from this are Scots pine and
spruce. The snow-covering in winter protects the silver fir
from frost. Wind-falls occur frequently. The population of
the town of Forbach and the surrounding villages is entirely
dependent upon the wood industry. As has already been said,
the little agriculture that is possible is carried on by the women
in the various villages, while the men are employed in the woods
or in the saw-mills and paper-mills. The forest is intersected by
an excellent system of roads, drag-paths, and rides. Along the
valley, near the river, the State road runs, and the forest roads
are connected with it at intervals all along its course. The
forest roads have been carefully constructed, at a cost of from
24 to 8 marks per metre (2s. 3d. to 7s. 4d. per yard), and they
are kept in excellent condition. The drag-paths are of two
kinds ; those suitable for dragging timber in winter, when the
ground is covered with snow, and not very steep, and those for
summer use, which are constructed in the same way as those
for winter use, but have a steeper gradient. The paths are
fairly numerous, and thoroughly open out the forest. The
rides penetrate the forest in all directions, and the gradients
312 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
vary considerably. Some are very steep, and logs are let down
these steep paths by means of ropes.
As has already been mentioned, the population depends very
much upon the work in the forests, and the wood-cutters work in
“Rottes” or gangs of from eight to fourteen men each. The
Oberforster sees that they are regularly supplied with work, and
the felling is done by contract. The timber is marked by the
Oberforster, who spends about forty days in the year at this
work, and three or four of the principal men from the “ Rottes ”
of wood-cutters accompany him. He walks through the com-
partments, selecting the trees to be felled, and these are forthwith
marked by the wood-cutters by a blaze on one side, and a stamp
on the roots by means of the forest-hammer. The labourers do
this work gratis, or at least it is part of their contract. As
the logs are marked, the wood-cutters call out to what
assortment they belong, and the Oberforster notes them in his
book.
Both summer- and winter-felling are practised. In November
and December the cutters commence by felling the broad-leaved
species—beech, maple, etc. Later on in the winter heavy snows
very frequently prevent any work for some months, but if favour-
able conditions exist, the felled wood is sledged to the waggon
roads, and stacked there. In spring the sledging and dragging
work in the compartments is suspended on account of the young
growth, as this is more apt to be spoiled at that stage than when
the sap is fully up. The heavy coniferous logs are felled in
spring and summer, and they are immediately barked and cut
into the best lengths, the longer the better. The parts yielding
firewood are loosely stacked, to ensure their drying speedily.
The bark of the silver fir is sold for firewood. ‘The bark of the
spruce used to be sold for tanning purposes, but the demand is
now so small that no market can be got for it for that purpose.
The rough parts of the firewood are used for charcoal, and the
better parts of it go to the paper-mills and for firewood for the
villages. Spruce gives a finer and whiter paper than the
silver fir. About the end of August, and during the month of
September, the logs are all dragged out of the compartments
to the various forest roads, and firewood and bark are transported
on sledges. The headman of each “ Rotte” contracts with the
Forstmeister, and they supply all their own tools, and conduct
the work under the supervision of the forest guards. Sometimes
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 313
the wood is measured on the ground where it has been felled ;
at other times it is measured after being brought to the roads.
From time to time advances are made to the wood-cutters, and
a final reckoning is made when the material is worked up at the
end of the year. The average earnings are from 3 to 4 marks
(3S. to 4s.) a day.
The chief injuries to which the crop is exposed are wind- and
snow-breaks, bark beetles, and weeds. Herr Stephani, the Ober-
forster in charge of the forest, is assisted by an assessor and a
staff of forest guards; and one of the latter does the book-work.
The Oberférster has a beautiful residence in Forbach, and a
liberal allowance is made so as to enable him to keep a sufficient
number of horses for the purpose of getting about the forest
quickly and comfortably. The forest is stocked chiefly by silver
fir, which is estimated to extend to 51 per cent. of the whole.
Spruce comes next, with about 37 per cent.; beech and other
broad-leaved species with about 6 per cent.; and Scots pine with
about 6 percent. On the growing area the silver fir predominates
to a still greater extent, reaching as high as 60 per cent. of
the whole. Besides the above species, there are a few specimens
of ash, maple, alder, hornbeam, and, on the higher slopes, birch
and mountain ash.
The chief object of the management is to provide large-sized
timber in the first instance to supply the various shareholders of
the forest. The Oberférster says from his own experience, and
from the history of the forest, that it has been found most profit-
able to continue cultivating indigenous species in the various
localities where they are found. The sylvicultural system
followed is a combination of the group and selection systems.
As soon as a group is formed in a wood that is to be regenerated,
the mother-trees are cut away gradually, with the double object
of giving light to the young growth and to enable the remaining
trees to become wind-firm and put on a larger increment. This
is done leisurely, as it is desired to get as uneven-aged a wood
as possible, provided no increment is lost. It is maintained that
the nearer to the selection system one can get, the less danger
there is from wind-fall. The young silver fir can stand the shade
of the parent-trees for a great many years, but as soon as they
are free from shade the young shoots grow rapidly, and the
trees develop into splendid specimens. Natural regeneration is
followed throughout, the only planting necessary being the filling
dl
314 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
up of gaps and openings that occur from various reasons, such
as wind-falls. Tending the woods under these circumstances
demands great attention, and it is full of interest; and great
judgment is required during the time the over-wood is still
present.
In dealing with the group system, after a young crop has been
established by cutting away the trees shading the centre, it
begins to grow rapidly in height, the young shoots gradually
getting longer and longer until the normal is reached. ‘These
groups are widened by gradually giving more light and by the
removal of the mother-trees. Should any of the trees in the
group show a tendency to branch, they are pruned, a procedure
which is frequently required in the case of the silver fir. While
the crop is still young, weeds, such as the sallow and other
undesirable species, are cut out, and all material damaged by the
felling of the over-wood is also removed. When all the old
wood has been removed from the compartment, very little is
done, and suppressed trees are often left for a long time in the
groups, as it does not pay to cut them out. When the trees
have reached a considerable growth they are thinned, so as to
encourage a good increment and to become wind-firm; and as a
result a young dense wood is led over to an open wood, and the
result is that the soil is again gradually covered with a growth of
trees to be used for the next crop. The rotation extends to
about 120 to 140 years.
As has been already stated, the population depend upon
this industry for their living, and the wood-cutters, growing
up from infancy in the forest, are very skilful; and as the
work is done by contract, and every man knows the best
way to fell a tree and cut it up so as to yield the most
valuable assortment of timber, a very limited supervision is
necessary. The forest guards do all the superintendence,
and as they are drawn from the ranks of the wood-cutters, they
are thoroughly acquainted with the details of the work they are
called upon to supervise. It often happens that a number of
trees are blown down by the wind, and then the wood-cutters’
first duty is to have them cleared from the roads and ridges,
and afterwards the isolated trees scattered about the forest are
removed in order to prevent them from doing harm to the young
generation. All these logs are barked, and are cut into assorted
sizes before the men proceed with their regular fellings. The
NOTES ON A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY. 315
method of felling is very much the same as that practised in this
country, by axe and saw. Scattered about the felling areas are
temporary depots to which all the material is brought by contract,
the cost being about 2 marks per cubic metre (2d. per cubic foot)
for the large timber. Various means are adopted for conveying
the timber, such as carrying, sliding, dragging, sledging, and
letting it down steep precipices by ropes, and the transport of wood
from the depots is effected by means of waggons drawn by oxen
and horses. All the first and second class logs of heavy timber
are delivered to the shareholders of the forest in numbers propor-
tionate to their shares, and they themselves are at the expense
of removing the logs from the depots. The other produce, such
as firewood, bark, etc., is sold by auction or missive in the
forest, and the net revenue from these sources is divided amongst
the shareholders. The saw-mills and paper-mills along the
valley are driven chiefly by water-power, although some of them
have engines to augment their power. All the mills are the
property of private owners, and the paper-making industry is
increasing annually.
Herr Stephani, the officer in charge of the forest, drove us, two
days in succession, to two districts of the forest, a new one each
day, and he was most attentive and kind in giving us all the
information we desired. In the course of these drives, and in
the long walks we took from point to point in the course of the
day, we saw the forest nurseries, which are very small, and are
only meant to supply a few plants to make up places where
regeneration has failed from one cause or another. ‘The effects
of the gales were well illustrated at a place where a new road
had been cut into the forest, and where the opening had admitted
the wind, which had cleared a large area of valuable timber
before its time) No matter how skilfully severance cuttings are
made, they do not prevent loss by gales, and hence the adoption
of the method of group-sélection and regeneration described
above.
Well-grown Scots pine is worth 32s. per cubic metre (11d.
per cubic foot), and spruce and silver fir are worth about half
that price in the wood.
As showing the size of the timber, I may mention that we
saw a silver fir which had been felled and peeled, and which
contained 560 cubic feet of wood. This was an exceptionally
large tree, but most of them contain from 400 to 500 cubic feet
316 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
after being peeled and dressed. Many of the trees reached a
height of 35 metres (115 feet). The forest realises 112 marks
per hectare of net revenue, which is equal to about 45s. per
acre.
On the 21st June there was a church festival, and all the
population of Forbach were taking part in it. Being a holiday,
I took the opportunity of travelling homewards, and after a
fortnight of great interest, both as regards Sihlwald and Forbach,
I would say what Professor Blackie said about Stromness and
John o Groats—“Comtort there with kindness cheaply
dwells.”
EXAMPLE PLOTS OR FOREST GARDENS. 317
o
XXIX. Example Plots or Forest Gardens.
By Lieut.-Colonel F. BarLey.
As misconception appears to prevail in some quarters in regard
to the purpose for which “Example Plots” are required, and
consequently as to the localities in which they should be estab-
lished, I take this opportunity of explaining how, in my opinion,
this question stands.
The impossibility of giving effective practical instruction in
Modern Scientific Forestry, in the absence throughout the country
of timber-crops which have been raised in accordance with
its tenets, is universally admitted. As a means of overcoming
this difficulty, the Forestry Committee (1902) recommended the
formation of—
(1) “ State Demonstration Forests,” or large areas (2000 to
10,000 acres) of woodlands, in which every proved and appro-
priate method for economical and effective working, and the
utilisation of forest products, would be employed, under com-
petent direction, and which would be made use of as educational
object-lessons. They would be managed according to a working-
plan, drawn up so that the area should yield as large a profit
as possible. These forests would, as a matter of course, com-
prise nurseries, and a portion of their area would, no doubt, be
set apart for experimental purposes. Nothing more need be
said about these forests at present.
(2) “ Example Plots,” regarding which it is necessary to goa
little more into detail. The paragraphs of the Committee’s
Report which deal with these plots run as follows :—
15. Even where access may be had to private woods, it is exceedingly
desirable that collegiate instruction in forestry should be illustrated by means
of example plots (the German Forstgartex). These are a considerable feature
of the teaching in the University of Giessen and elsewhere on the Continent,
and they have been reproduced ona small scale at Coopers Hill and on the
Northumberland Demonstration Farm. If each plot be made of sufficient
size, say three acres, it is capable not only of demonstrating principles and the
effect of mixing and management, but also, within limits, of yielding compara-
tive financial results. A total area of 100 to 200 acres at each centre would be
necessary and sufficient for this purpose. In confirmation of this opinion,
Professor Schwappach allows us to quote his view, that the plots at Giessen
(the whole area of which is only 16} acres) are too small, and that the serious
effects of curtailed space are already being felt. We have made an inspection
318 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
of several areas of land near Cambridge, one of which could doubtless be
bought for such a purpose, and similar facilities could probably be secured
near Edinburgh and other centres of instruction.
20. We have stated that we consider it necessary to have ‘‘ Example Plots”
in connection with the universities and other centres of instruction, as well as
two large State Demonstration Areas ; and it may be well here to explain why
both are required. The Example Plots should embrace a comparatively small
area, and comprise an arboretum or collection of specimen trees, and also an
area devoted to the experimental planting and growth of trees in masses up to
a certain age. Such an area cannot, from the very nature of the objects aimed
at, be expected to yield a profit. . . . Forest students from the universi-
ties and others would spend a week or two at a time, or longer, in the
Demonstration Forest; but they and the lecturer also require an area close at
hand, to which resort can be more frequently made.
36. Our conclusions may be summarised as follows :—
We recommend—
(6) . . . that Example Plots, as defined in paragraph 15, be provided
in connection with each of these centres (Cambridge and Oxford), and with
Edinburgh.
The italics in the above extracts are mine.
A perusal of the above extracts leaves no doubt that the Com-
mittee intended each teaching centre to have its own “ Example
Plots” or Forest Garden (as I prefer to call it), and that they in-
tended these gardens to be “ close at hand,” so that frequent visits
to them might be made. It is, indeed, essential that lectures should
be “illustrated” by means of such gardens; because in regard to
most of the subjects dealt with by the lecturer, clear and abiding
ideas cannot be imparted by means of class-room lectures alone,
nor otherwise than by frequent visits with the lecturer (or without
him in any spare time the students may find) to some place where
practical illustrations may be seen. Students must make them-
selves thoroughly familiar with the appearance at different
seasons of the year, and with the rate and manner of develop-
ment in crown and root, of the various species up to the age at
which they are to be found in the Garden. They must also be
familiar with the behaviour during youth of the various species
when grown in mixture, and with their effect on each other.
They should also do nursery work, planting and direct sowing,
with their own hands.
The time of students is usually very fully occupied. They
have many lectures to attend in addition to those given by the
teacher of Sylviculture, so that excursions to a distance cannot
EXAMPLE PLOTS OR FOREST GARDENS. 319
often be undertaken; and when time for such excursions is avail-
able, the sylviculturist has to compete with other lecturers—the
botanist, the geologist, the entomologist, the surveyor, the engi-
neer, the agriculturist—for their attendance. Hence it is evident
that unless the Forest Garden be “close at hand ” effective prac-
tical instruction in elementary forest work cannot be given.
If a Demonstration Forest were “close at hand” there would
evidently be no need to provide a Forest Garden; for in the
former would be seen all that the latter could show, and a great
deal more in addition. But there is no hope that a large forest
area could be established in the immediate vicinity of any of the
present teaching centres, and hence arises the necessity for each
such centre possessing its own Forest Garden, in which the lectures
given can receive due practical illustration up to a certain point
in the development of a forest crop. If the Forest Garden is
not near enough to the lecture-room to serve this purpose, it
would be sheer waste of money to establish it; for if a visit
to it involves a prolonged absence from headquarters, . it
would probably be almost as easy to go to the Demonstration
Forest, where, as I have said, much more could be seen. The
Forest Garden at Giessen is about two miles from the university,
and the Garden at Oxford lies at a distance of about 2} miles
from the centre of the university.
I am not, of course, unaware of the high cost ot land in the
immediate vicinity of a town, and I do not expect a Forest
Garden of 100 to 200 acres at the door of my lecture-room; but I
desire to urge that the Gardens should be located as.near as
possible to the lecture-rooms, no attempt being made to adapt
one such Garden to use by two or more teaching centres. And
I may add that I would rather content myself with an area one
twentieth (or even less as a temporary provision) the size of that
recommended by the Committee, taking my chance of future
extension, than accept the larger Garden situated at a distance
which would render it very much less useful to me.
320 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
XXX. Training of Foresters.
By J. Parry, M.Inst.C.E.
With reference to a letter which appeared in the Zzmes of 21st
March, the Hon. Editor has been good enough to call my
attention to an address delivered by the late Earl of Mansfield
at the Annual Meeting of the Society in January 1900. In that
Address, which I had not previously seen, his Lordship advocated
a distinction being drawn between youths employed in forestry,
and those who are never likely to be, or to desire to be, more
than ordinary estate labourers, and he suggested a system of
three years’ apprenticeship, on the termination of which the
apprentices should be entitled to a certificate.
Now I have already commenced on a small scale, both at
Rivington, in Lancashire, and at Vyrnwy, in Montgomeryshire,
a system of apprenticeship on the lines suggested in my letter to
the Zimes. And my immediate difficulty is how to provide those
boys with suitable technical training. There is no technical
school within convenient reach to which they could go for
instruction in the evening, and their parents are too poor to pay
for an occasional term at a technical school distant from their
place of abode. The same difficulty will arise all over the
country, and a solution must be found if forestry is to make the
progress we all desire.
It appears to me that something may be done in this direction
with the assistance of the Education Department, without waiting
for the carrying out of the larger and more ambitious scheme of
a Central Board with its ramifications. The Board of Education
is at the present time in a progressive mood, and there are
Members of the Cabinet who are known to be in hearty sympathy
with afforestation. If important bodies like the Royal Scottish
and English Arboricultural Societies would unite in recommending
a practical scheme which would not involve new machinery or
increased expenditure, I see no reason to doubt the willingness
of the Government to assist in carrying it out.
[For the Address by the late Earl of Mansfield to which Mr Parry refers, see
Vol. XVI. p. 156. See also Vol. XVIII. p. 51, ‘‘Conference on Forestry
Education,” and the section ‘‘ Forestry Education” at p. 3 of the Society’s
Proceedings which form part of that volume,
We welcome the expression of Mr Parry’s views on this important question.
His letter to the 7zmes is given below.—Hon. EpDITor. ]
TRAINING OF FORESTERS, 321
TRAINING OF FORESTERS.
To the Editor of the “* Times.”
Sir,—The influential deputation which waited upon the
Chancellor of the Exchequer recently to state their views on
afforestation, had for their chief object the establishing of a strong
Central Board of Forestry supported by a substantial grant of
public money. The attainment of this object is undoubtedly of
great importance, and it is hoped that Mr Asquith will be able
to show his practical sympathy with the movement in his coming
Budget.
The deputation also referred incidentally to the urgent necessity
of means being provided for training experts to meet the growing
demand for a more systematic and scientific method of planting
than has hitherto obtained in this country. Now, in connection
with this branch of the subject, it appears to me that, pending the
carrying out of the large scheme for a Central Board, and without
in any way slackening the efforts to obtain the full financial help
asked for, substantial progress might be made through and with
the assistance of the Education Department of the Government.
The country is, I believe, being gradually aroused to the
danger of neglecting to produce home-grown timber for the
requirements of the future. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
mentioned several places where schemes are now being worked
out with promising results; and it is satisfactory to know that
effect is being given to one of the recommendations of the
departmental committee on Forestry, advocating the planting of
the upland areas from which water supplies are derived for our
large communities. Leeds, Birmingham, and other towns have
already followed the example of Liverpool, and several more
towns have projects under consideration. Enterprising land-
owners are also moving in the same direction, and as soon as
capitalists become alive to the commercial advantages of planting
in lands that can be bought for a low price, there will certainly
be a rapidly increasing demand for trained men.
What I have to suggest to the societies who were represented
by the deputation is that the time has arrived when, in consulta-
tion with the Education Department, they should formulate a
scheme of education to include all the grades of men required
for carrying out scientific afforestation, and that they should
endeavour to secure the co-operation of the Education Depart-
322 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ment in giving effect to the scheme through the County Councils.
The grades to be provided for comprise working apprentices,
working foresters, foreman foresters, head foresters, inspectors of
forestry.
It should, I contend, be the aim of all who are engaged in
afforestation to create a class of apprentices, instead of merely
taking on boys to drift into the lot of common labourers. If we
are to make the planting of trees a skilled calling, the apprentices
must be properly taught, just in the same way as apprentices to
plumbers or carpenters. But as the planting operations are
carried on for the most part in remote country districts, the
working apprentices will be sons of agricultural labourers and
shepherds, who cannot afford to send their boys to a central
technical school, and some local provision should be made for
them.
Since I gave evidence before the Departmental Committee, I
have had opportunities of considering, in the light of experience,
the difficult problem of obtaining suitable theoretical instruction
for apprentices to working foresters. There is not, so far as I
can see, any one available to impart instruction except the
master of the nearest elementary school; but there does not
appear to be any good reason why he should not, if supplied
with proper text-books, be capable of guiding the student in
acquiring elementary knowledge of botany, leaving the head
forester under whom the apprentice is serving to give the
necessary practical illustrations. A large majority of apprentices
will not go beyond this, and they will form the rank and file of
working foresters. For promising students there should be
scholarships available in the nearest School of Forestry, under the
direction of the County Councils, and these students would work
their way to a higher grade. The head foresters and inspectors
of forestry must, as a matter of course, be trained in the forestry
department attached to universities, and they should be required
to possess diplomas to show that they have thoroughly studied
their subject, and have acquired a practical as well as theoretical
knowledge of the best home and foreign practice.
I am, your obedient Servant,
J. Parry.
Liverpool Corporation Water-Works,
Municipal Offices, Liverpool.
DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. 323
XXXI. Deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
By the PRESIDENT.
On 30th March 1906 a deputation of members appointed by
the Royal Scottish and the Royal English Arboricultural
Societies waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer at his
room in the House of Commons. The members of the deputa-
tion were as follows:—From the Royal Scottish Arboricultural
Society—Lord Lovat, Sir Herbert Maxwell, Mr Munro Ferguson,
and Mr Steuart Fothringham; and from the Royal English
Arboricultural Society—Professor Fisher, Mr Elwes, Mr Marshall,
Mr Havelock, and Mr Davidson. Mr Fraser Story, from the
Bangor University, was also present.
Before meeting the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the members
of the deputation met at Mr Munro Ferguson’s house, and decided
that the principal points to bring to the notice of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer were—(a) the necessity for a responsible
authority to deal with forestry, either as a separate Board of
Forestry, or as a special department under the Board of
Agriculture; (4) the carrying out of the recommendations of the
Departmental Committee of 1902; and (c) the provision of
forest areas in England and Scotland for instruction and experi-
mental purposes.
The deputation was introduced by Sir Herbert Maxwell, who
then spoke, and began by drawing attention to the deficiency
and diminishing supplies of timber in Great Britain and other
countries, and to the serious effect this deficiency would have
on many trades, unless steps were taken to increase the supplies.
The deficiency was shown by the large and increasing imports
of timber into this country, while even in France and Germany,
where there were large and well-managed forests, the supply
was not equal to the demand. If good methods of forestry were
introduced and carried out in Great Britain, as was done under
Government auspices in most of the other countries in Europe,
a considerable part of this deficiency might be made good by
home-grown timber; for the soil and climate of these islands
was as suitable for timber-growing as were those of other
countries in Northern Europe, and no time was so favourable
as the present for making a start in forestry on a large scale,
as much land that was formerly valuable for grazing was now,
324 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
owing to the unprofitable nature of sheep farming, depreciated
to such an extent that it could be bought more cheaply than at
any other time in his experience. Sir Herbert further pointed
out that where one man was employed as a shepherd a con-
siderable number of men would be employed on the same extent
of land under afforestation, which would tend to check the flow
of population from the country districts to the towns.
Mr Munro Ferguson, who followed, especially urged the
necessity of a responsible authority to take charge of forestry,
either by the appointment of a Board of Forestry, or the forma-
tion of a special department within the Board of Agriculture. The
necessity for such an authority was shown by the fact that he
and others interested in the question had for years been trying
to bring the matter before Government, and had been sent
backwards and forwards between the Office of Woods and
Forests, the Board of Agriculture and the Scotch Education
department, and all with very little result. He further asked
that a sum of £100,000 should be set aside for the purchase
of suitable areas in England and Scotland for educational and
experimental purposes, and a sum of £10,000 a year to equip
and maintain them until they become remunerative. He thought
these were the smallest sums for which the recommendations of
the Departmental Committee of 1902 could be carried out.
Lord Lovat asked that the department charged with the care
of forestry should carry out experiments in different parts of the
country and at different altitudes, and should furnish the results
of these experiments to proprietors who were desirous of
afforesting their land. In the meantime, owing to the lack
of foresters of sufficiently varied experience, each proprietor had
to make experiments for himself, and a great deal of time was
lost before he could get any reliable results. He also pointed
out that afforestation would give employment to many men in the
Highlands of Scotland at a time of year when employment is
scarce. During’the summer and autumn many men got employ-
ment on the land, and in connection with sport, but afforestation
would afford them employment in the winter months during
which they were now idle.
Mr Steuart Fothringham pointed out that if schemes of
afforestation were to be undertaken, either by the State or by
private individuals, it was necessary that they should be under
the supervision of competent foresters. It was most important»
_ DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. 325
that the first schemes that were undertaken should have every
chance of being a success, as if, they were a failure the whole
question of forestry would be set back for a long time, and he
urged that, even if the purchase of forest areas could not be
carried out immediately (and the preparation of such areas for
afforestation would take some little time), a scheme of systematic
training in forestry should be at once instituted, so that there
might be a body of trained foresters in the country capable of
carrying out large schemes of afforestation with the best
prospects of success.
-Professor Fisher spoke on the subject of forestry education, and
drew attention to the Forest schools in France and Germany,
and to the advances that were being made in Belgium, where
the conditions of soil and climate most nearly resembled those
that prevailed in England. The authorities at the Forest of
Dean gave some training to foresters, but only to those to be
employed on their own area. Oxford University had devoted
some land to the purpose which was available for the Indian
students, but more land and more forests were necessary.
There were no Crown forests in Scotland, and very few in
England. Ireland had not been included in the present deputa-
tion, though it was, from climatic and other considerations, most
suitable for forestry operations, because it was understood that
some steps were being taken by the Irish Local Government
Department.
Mr Elwes said that he could speak from personal observa-
tion as to the failing supply of timber, as he had visited nearly all
the timber-exporting countries in the world, and they all told
the same tale, that the demand was increasing and the supply
decreasing, though both in the United States and in Canada some
steps were being taken to prevent further waste of the existing
supplies. There the area from which the best supplies were
drawn was diminishing, and the same applied. to Northern
Europe. He also drew attention to the unfair incidence of taxa-
tion on land given up to afforestation, both as regards rates and
succession duties, and pointed out that the timber industry was
severely handicapped by the heavy railway rates charged in this
country.
Mr Fraser Story asked that further facilities should be given
for the technical instruction of foresters in Wales. They had at
present an area of 50 acres, given by a private individual, but
VOL. XIX. PART II. Y
326 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
though he thoroughly appreciated the generosity that had
prompted the gift, and was sure that it would be very useful, it
was at such a distance from Bangor University that the students
could not get sufficient opportunities of going to visit it, and he
asked that more instructional areas should be provided.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer thanked the deputation for
their attendance and for the information they had given him.
He assured them that the Government looked upon the subject
of forestry with sympathy, and that the question of a special
authority or Government department for forestry would receive
his careful attention. He pointed out that facilities for instruc-
tion were given at Oxford University, at the Forest of Dean, at:
Bangor University, at Edinburgh University, and at Glasgow
and Aberdeen; that the Crown woods at High Meadows and
Alice Holt had been put upon a working-plan, and that the
Office of Woods and Forests were looking for a forest area in
Scotland, but had not yet been able to find a suitable place.
Large sums of money had been mentioned by Mr Ferguson,
who had added that they were the minimum sums required
to carry out the Report of the Departmental Committee of 1902,
but there were difficulties in providing these sums out of the
National Treasury. The Government looked with sympathy on
schemes for preventing the exodus of the country population to
the towns, and he promised that the whole matter should have
his careful attention.
Sir Herbert Maxwell thanked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
for his patience in listening to the deputation, and added that
they were not asking for a dole for forestry, but for a grant to
enable the country to undertake a business that was remunera-
tive in other countries, and which he believed would, in the
future, be remunerative in Great Britain also.
THE IRISH FORESTRY SOCIETY, 327
XXXII. Zhe Lrish Forestry Society.
DEPUTATION TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY
FOR IRELAND.
STATE AFFORESTATION
A deputation from the Irish Forestry Society waited on the
Chief Secretary at Dublin Castle on 23rd April, for the purpose
of urging the advantages of State afforestation and its application
to Ireland. The deputation consisted of the Right Hon. Lord
Castletown, Messrs O. H. Braddell, Wm. Dick, Charles Dawson,
Prof. Houston, R. E. Hodson, J. P. Jones, J. Scott Kerr, A. E.
Moeran, Geo. Perry, J.P., and A. H. Walkey.
Lord Castletown said the object of the deputation was to
bring before the Chief Secretary the advantages of State
afforestation. The Commissioners of Woods and Forests had
power to buy land under section 4 of the Act of 1903, and they
might be induced to ear-mark and utilise all those funds which
were now coming in by the redemption of Quit and Crown rents,
for the particular districts from which they came. The Com-
missioners of Woods and Forests could, by utilising the clauses
of the Crown Lands Act, carry out the policy laid down in the
Act of 1903, and create a really sound scheme of State afforesta-
tion. They could do that, he thought, without infringing in any
way on Treasury finances or asking for any grant.
Mr Scott Kerr said the scheme which the Society advocated
was drafted in response to the requests of a large number of
public men during the last few years, The Society appointed a
sub-committee to go into the matter and prepare a scheme
which would form a basis of future State development in the
matter of forestry. About a million of acres had been trans-
ferred from the former owners to the occupiers, and no provision,
as far as they understood, had. been made for the afforestation
of this great amount of land. Ifthe present procedure went on,
many opportunities of doing good work in the direction
indicated would be lost for ever. The speaker went on to refer
to the details of the scheme.
The Chief Secretary said he was entirely with them as to the
general desirability of action in the direction suggested, and it
would be better if the speakers confined themselves to the
practical aspects, showing what could be done, the way in
which it could be done, and the prospects of remuneration,
328 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr Scott Kerr said he was glad to hear that the Chief
Secretary was with them so far. Continuing, he mentioned
that if they succeeded in carrying out this scheme or some other,
one of their first objects would be to endeavour to arouse public
feeling in the minds of the people to make them protect the
timber already existing, and give a more sympathetic considera-
tion to afforestation generally.
Mr R. E. Hodson said he had no hesitation in saying that
with land ordinarily adapted to planting, with the exercise of
ordinary intelligence and the existence of reasonable communica-
tion for thinning portion of the crop, money expended in
afforestation would bring in an ample and certain return. It
would give healthy and remunerative employment at periods of
the year when the farming interests would not be affected by the
withdrawal of the men, and, in addition, it would give employ-
ment in the homes of the working and labouring class and
the small farming class, all of whom wanted it badly. The
question of shortage of timber was also one of importance in
this connection.
The Chief Secretary said that that was so. He had given a
good deal of attention to the matter, and could say that there
was a serious risk of having a shortage of timber within the
next thirty or forty years.
Mr Hodson also referred to the importance of having wood
as fuel in many parts of Ireland.
Mr A. E. Moeran said that the price of timber had greatly
risen of late, and was still rapidly advancing. A thorough
system of planting all over the country would be of the greatest
benefit to farmers, because the work of forestry would be
carried on in winter, and the men engaged at it would be free
when the farmers required them in summer.
Mr George Perry said the matter should be commercially
treated. He quoted figures to show the great importation of
wood coming into Ireland, and said that much of this material
could easily be grown at home.
The Chief Secretary, in reply, said he was entirely with the
deputation in opinion and sentiment, for he had thought for a
great many years that they were neglecting a source of natural
wealth in every part of the United Kingdom which might be
very largely developed, and which the example of other
countries showed had been developed. He did not think that
THE IRISH FORESTRY SOCIETY. 329
any country, and certainly no part of the United Kingdom,
needed so much as Ireland did the operation of this question.
There was a good deal of wood in many parts of England, not
so much large plantations, but the country generally was better
wooded. Some forty years ago there began to be a tendency to
cut down hedgerows, which they thought were injurious to the
crops, but they had found that the absence of these hedgerows
had caused a diminution of birds and a consequent increase
in grubs and malignant insects, and so the cutting had been
largely stopped. Since the eighteenth century there had been a
great deal of planting in Scotland, though a great many parts of
the Highlands were still sparsely wooded. He was much struck
of late in travelling through Ireland to notice the barrenness of
many parts of the country. Before the Anglo-Norman invasion
Ireland was a very highly wooded country, and her barrenness
in the matter of woods at present was a strong reason why
something should be done to improve the state of affairs in that
respect. He was inclined to believe that the price of wood
would increase, as the demand was not likely to diminish,
and the supplies in Canada and America had been greatly
reduced. While agreeing with the deputation on the general
question, they should all feel that consideration must be paid to
the practical question. There was still much difference of
opinion on the question of making forestry work remunerative.
Then the question of whether the conditions which existed in
France and Germany existed here was one that had to be
considered. He thought they wanted rather more positive
and definite scientific information than they yet possessed as to
the possibilities of timber-growing in Ireland before they could
expect the Government to enter upon any large policy. He had
been considering since he came to Ireland, whether there was
a necessity for having a small committee of specialists to
examine the question further, and make a statement as to
the commercial side of the matter. He would be glad
to receive any hints later on from the members of the
deputation on this question. There should then, he thought,
be a more systematic examination than hitherto, as to the
spots and soils in Ireland where planting would be most re-
munerative. It was a melancholy thing that the small tenants
should be cutting down trees for the sake of the very small
gain at present derived, when these trees would, very probably,
330 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
be of greater commercial advantage later on. While he would
be glad of any further information that they might supply him
with, they might be sure that the subject would not escape his
attention. He was anxious to do something while he was here.
The deputation then withdrew.
THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The fourth annual meeting of the Irish Forestry Society was
held pn the same day in the Mansion House. Lord Castletown
presided. Amongst others present were—Professor Houston,
Messrs O. H. Braddell, William Field, M.P.; Charles Dawson,
C. G. Grey, J. A. P. Jones, William Dick; J. Scott Kerr,
Hon. Secretary; A. E. Moeran; A. H. Walkey, Secretary ;
and Miss Grey.
Lord Castletown referred to the deputation to Mr Bryce,
who, he said, was thoroughly in sympathy with their views.
It might be well if they could make some arrangement by which
one of the points mentioned by the Chief Secretary could be
answered by the Society. The Chief Secretary referred to the
fact that there was a great divergence of opinion as to what
districts could be most profitably planted. He thought the
Irish Forestry Society was eminently qualified to give a clear
and distinct answer to that. The members lived in different
parts of Ireland, and each member could ascertain what area in
his own district could be profitably planted, and which could be
obtainedyat no great cost. One of their great difficulties would _
be, when it came to a question of the acquisition of land, to get
land on which there were no great over-riding rights. The
moment they tackled the rights in connection with land they met
with a great deal of difficulty. The Society worked for the
future and for the good of the people who lived in the country,
and if their schemes were adopted they would be more likely to
stem the tide of emigration than by any other means he knew of.
Mr Field, M.P., moved and Mr Moeran seconded the adoption
of the Report. The Report was adopted.
Mr Braddell moved and Mr Scott Kerr seconded the election
of officers and committee.
Lord Castletown, in putting the motion, said that they had to
drive the State to do its work in this country. The Forestry
Society was beginning to succeed in its work. In 1905 he
THE IRISH FORESTRY SOCIETY. 331
received in the House of Lords an answer in reference to the
revenue from the Crown and Quit rents exactly the opposite to
that which Mr Field received in the House of Commons. The
Earl of Denbigh on that occasion said: “ Under the Crown
Lands Act, 1829, the sums received under the heads referred to
must be invested in the purchase of lands and hereditaments or
the redemption of charges or incumbrances on land already
belonging to the Crown.” In 1906 the dodging answer the
Treasury gave was, that this money was absorbed in the
general taxation of the country. The great thing was to keep
hammering at them. He appealed to Mr Field to ask Mr
Redmond and others to work up the matter.
Mr Field, M.P., having been moved to the second chair,
Mr Dawson proposed a vote of thanks to Lord Castletown,
and referred to the good work which had already been done by
Lord Castletown in the matter of tree-planting and the starting
of industries connected with it.
Mr Moeran seconded the vote of thanks, which was
unanimously adopted.
332 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
XXXIII. Memorandum as to the Law relating to Trees, Woods,
and Plantations in Scotland. By RoBeRT GALLOWAY,
S.S.C., Edinburgh.
According to the old institutional writers, such as Stair,
Erskine, Bell, etc., woods and trees are regarded as partes solz,
7.€., pertinents or parts of the lands on which they are growing.
Hence trees planted on one’s ground, though not by the
proprietor, are deemed as an accessory of the ground on which
they are planted after they have taken root in and drawn
nourishment from it, and so belong, as an accessory of the
ground, to the owner of it. Various questions have arisen
between fiars and liferenters, heirs of entail, and landlords and
tenants, regarding woods, etc.
I. FIAR AND LIFERENTER.
As a general rule, a liferenter must preserve the trees and
woods on the lands, and can only ingather their produce, such as
shed leaves, mast, and fallen branches, but this general rule is
subject to the following exceptions :—
(1) Stlva cedua, or coppice wood, part of which is cut
annually or at fixed intervals, and has always been
regarded as a crop, provided the liferenter is in posses-
sion when the usual period for cutting arrives. He is
not entitled to anticipate that period.
(2) Underwood or brushwood, and ordinary wind-falls.
(3) Matured wood and extraordinary wind-falls may be
claimed by the liferenter for the upkeep of the houses,
etc., on the property, but notice must be given to the
fiar before these can be taken.
A fiar claims wind-falls caused by extraordinary storms. A
liferenter is not entitled, at his own discretion, to thin planta-
tions, but is entitled to do so at the sight of the fiar to whom the
thinnings belong.
II. Herr oF ENTAIL AND NExtT SUBSTITUTE.
An heir of entail is a limited fiar. Lord Ardmillan describes
his position in Boyd, 1870, 8 M. 637, thus:—“The heir in
. LAW RELATING TO TREES, WOODS, AND PLANTATIONS. 333
possession is entitled to cut wood, and to do so to a very
considerable extent. Indeed, if he cuts ripe wood such as a
proprietor in fee simple may fairly be expected to cut, and does
not anticipate the proper time for cutting, and dispose of wood
before it is ripe, so as unfairly to benefit himself at the expense
of his successors in the entailed estate, I think that his right and
power to cut wood is very wide, and that this Court cannot in
the general case interfere to restrict it.” But the heir in
possession will be prevented from cutting such trees as are
“‘required for the reasonable enjoyment of the mansion-house by
persons in the rank of life which the inmates of such a house
may be supposed to hold” (Lord Deas in the above case).
Prohibitions as to cutting, if properly constituted in the deed of
entail, will be given effect to as far as possible. Cutting unripe
timber is not considered a proper act of administration, and the
heir of entail would be restricted from so cutting. The heir of
entail is only absolute owner of cut wood, hence the right to cut
ceases with his death, and no further cutting is allowed although
the wood has been sold. A trustee for creditors may exercise
the heir of entail’s rights of cutting. Individual creditors, it is
thought, may adjudge the faculty of cutting. ,
III. LANDLORD AND TENANT.
In leases between landlord and tenant the woods are almost
invariably reserved to the landlord. If the tenant has any rights
at all in the woods on his farm, they can only be used for the
benefit of the holding.
OUTLAY ON PLANTING.
Heirs of Entail_—uUnder the various Entail Acts the heir in
possession is entitled to charge the estate, exclusive of the
mansion-house, offices, and policies, with the expense incurred
on planting. He may do so in the following manner :—
(1) By an annual rent charge extending over twenty-five
years, at a rate not exceeding £7, 2s. for each £100
of outlay, including the whole expenses of the loan; or
(2) By bond and disposition in security for three-fourths of
the outlay and three-fourths of the expenses; and
(3) An heir in possession, who has paid one-fourth of the
capital charged under a rent charge, is entitled to
334 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
convert the rent charge into a bond and disposition in
security over the property, but the expense of convert-
ing the loan cannot be included in the bond.
Private Proprietors.—Private proprietors are, of course, un-
fettered as to their expenditure on their woods, and their methods
of carrying it out.
Every Landlord, so \ong as he has not less than a liferent
interest in the land, may borrow money for planting, and charge
the sum on the estate, either by applying to the Board of
Agriculture or to one of the Improvement Companies, the only
one in Scotland being The Scottish Drainage and Improvement
Company. At first only planting for shelter was considered a
proper outlay for such a charge, but now the power of borrowing
has been extended to cover the expense of all planting approved
of by the Board. Originally, also, the repayment extended over
twenty-five years, but now the Board of Agriculture has power
to extend the time to forty years. According to Major Craigie
the rate of interest is about 3? per cent., which over the forty
years period would amount to a charge of £4, 17S. per cent.,
and over a twenty years period to a charge of something like
47 per cent. The charges of the Scottish Company are as
follows :—For twenty-five years, £5, 19s. 1d. per cent. per
annum, payable half-yearly, for advances of £300 and upwards,
and £6, 14s. for advances under £300; for a forty years period,
44, 11s. 6d. per cent. per annum, payable half-yearly, for £ 300
and upwards, and £5, 8s. 3d. under £300. These rent charges
take priority to all other charges except feu-duties and such
like, on the principle that the improvements effected on the
property by the expenditure of the money add to the security
of other creditors.}
HERITABLE CREDITORS.
Sometimes, but not often, questions arise between a proprietor
and a heritable creditor as to the cutting of woods on the estates
over which the heritable creditor holds a security. Such a case
1 Operations under this system have been almost wholly confined to
agricultural improvements. Major Craigie says, ‘‘The amount of money
borrowed for planting is excessively minute. The total sum spent on planting
from the beginning of the system, more than fifty years ago, does not yet
reach £100,000.”
LAW RELATING TO TREES, WOODS, AND PLANTATIONS. 335
came before Lord Kincairney in the Outer House on arst
November 1903 (JVeilson vy. M‘Nabd), reported in the Scots Law
Times, vol. xi. p. 387. The complainer asked for interdict
against the respondent cutting down the growing wood on
the estate of Calderwood, in the immediate neighbourhood of
Calderwood Castle and avenues or entrances thereto, so as to
depreciate the value of the estate, and reduce the value of the
security held by the complainer, and “in particular from cutting
down the growing wood” on a specified area, until it should be
fixed by the Court whether any, and, if any, what part of the
said wood is ripe and fit for cutting, and not necessary for the
residential character and comfort of the said Calderwood Castle,
etc., and can otherwise be cut consistently with the just interests
of the complainer as heritable creditor.
Lord Kincairney, in giving judgment, pointed out that where
a heritable creditor becomes dissatisfied with his security he has
various remedies—
(1) He can call up his bond;
(2) He can enter into possession ;
(3) He can sell under the powers of sale in his bond;
(4) Raise an action to prevent by interdict the
dilapidation of the estate.
Then he goes on to say, “I think it clear that the Court will not
interfere with the proprietor so long as he confines himself to
legitimate management. . . . He may manage his woods, and
sell his trees for immediate profit when he sees occasion.
Certainly his discretion will not be lightly interfered with at the
instance of a heritable creditor. But I assume, without deciding
the point, that a proprietor who has burdened his estate may be
prevented from cutting the trees on it wantonly and recklessly,
or even for present profit, if he thereby unduly reduces the
capital value of the estate, and reduces or endangers the security
of a creditor.” It was argued for the respondent that the Court
will not interfere with an owner on application of a heritable
creditor, unless he can show that his security is being destroyed
or imperilled ; and his Lordship remarks, “that principle appears
to be established by the English authorities referred to (Bewas
on Waste, 1894: Hampton v. Hodges, 1803, 8 Ves. 105 ; Hippesley
v. Spencer, 1820, 5 Maddox, 422; King v. Smith, 1843, 2 Hare,
239). The complainer referred to Harper, 15th May 1886, 54
336 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
L.T. 383, in which an injunction was granted against cutting
timber, but in that case the security was admittedly insufficient.
The only Scotch case referred to was that of Macgueen v. Tod,
6th July 1899, 1 Fr. 1069. This was a case in which a curator
bonis was in possession on behalf of an heir of entail, who was
insane and was eighty-five years of age, and it was accordingly
held that it was the duty of the curator bonis to preserve the
estate as he found it. Lord Kincairney goes orf:—‘In truth
I do not see that in cutting his woods he (the proprietor) has
done anything wrong at all, or that any exception can be taken
to what he has done and his mode of doing it; and I think, so
long as he keeps within his legal rights, there is no ground for
interfering with him from apprehension of what he may do in
the future.” ;
It will be seen from the above that the principle laid down
by the institutional writers was clearly in the mind of Lord
Kincairney, viz., that the woods were looked upon as part of the
estate.
REFORM SUGGESTED.
The alteration required on the law is the adoption of the
principle that where woods are being managed under a proper
working-plan, approved of by some responsible authority (such
as the proposed Board of Forestry), they should be looked upon,
not as part of the land as at present, but as a crop. ‘The old
principle should still be maintained, however, where the woods
are not so managed, or are merely there for amenity, shelter, or
as game preserves.
CURTAILMENT OF TIMBER SUPPLIES FROM SWEDEN. 337
XXXIV. Anticipated Curtailment of Timber Supplies from
Sweden. By Lieut.-Colonel BaILey.
The correspondent of the Z?mes, writing from Stockholm,
makes the important announcement that on 27th April, after
prolonged debates in both Houses, the Swedish Government
passed a Bill limiting the rights of large timber companies to
purchase extensive tracts of land in the forest districts of
Northern Sweden. Under the old conditions, the timber on
such lands was felled on a very large scale, more with a view
to immediate profits than to the proper working of the forest
lands, and the extension of agriculture in those districts was thus
materially hindered. In defending the Bill, the Prime Minister
said that the restrictions it established in the private rights of
landowners as to the free disposal of their property constituted
a legal consecration of the principle that such rights could not
be considered as absolute and unlimited, but must give way to
the necessity of safeguarding the future and the interests of the
country at large.
This legislation will certainly tend to check the reckless
destruction of growing forest in Northern Sweden, where private
owners have, for a long time past, been disposing of their pro-
ducing stock with a view to the “immediate profits” they have
thus been able to realise. It must also, of course, tend to
reduce the cuttings made in that country more nearly to the
amount annually produced by the soil, and thus to bring nearer
the time when our imports from Sweden, which at present
consist largely of withdrawn wood-capital, will no longer be
possible on the present scale. Whether this action by the
Government comes in time to save a very large bulk of forest-
capital remains to be seen; but be the diminished imports from
Sweden due to simple exhaustion of capital, or to its better
conservation, the immediate effect on us will be that either we
must look elsewhere for a part of the supplies hitherto obtained
from Sweden, or we must go without them. That this is a
very serious consideration is proved by the fact that nearly one-
quarter of our total annual imports now come from Sweden,
which is also our largest source of supply. The amount annually
received from that country is not far short of two and a half
millions of tons.
338 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
If the Swedish Government could apply efficient restrictions
to the working of the whole wooded area of the kingdom, it
would thereby secure a constant output, which might be treated
as a permanent minimum. But such outturn would certainly
prove to be far smaller in amount than that which is now being
cut; and the oft-predicted shortage of timber available for our
daily requirements is appreciably nearer at hand than it was
before this Bill was passed,
THE NOVAR SYSTEM OF COMBATING LARCH DISEASE. 339
XXXV. Zhe Novar System of Combating Larch Disease.
Over the whole of Scotland and a great part of England and
Ireland, profitable forestry may be said to be regarded as
inseparable from the successful growth of the common larch,
But, unfortunately, in many districts this tree has, of recent years,
proved so susceptible to the attack of a fungal disease that it
can no longer be depended on to give a full crop of timber,
and resort has been had to several sylvicultural systems with a
view to preventing or mitigating the trouble. The practice that
has been most generally recommended is to mix the larches with
some dense-crowned species (spruce, silver fir, Douglas fir, or
beech), the intention being to surround each individual larch
with other species immune to disease, so that should the parasite
appear on any particular tree, the chances of the spores spread-
ing to other trees of the same species would be reduced to a
minimum. Incidentally, this system possesses the additional
advantage of associating the larch—a_ thin-crowned, light-
demanding tree—with other species having dense foliage. As
a consequence the ground is more completely shaded, weeds
and ground vegetation are suppressed, and the area is furnished
with a thick covering of dead leaves (forest humus), which
greatly improves the conditions of growth for the larch. Un-
doubtedly such a system of management has proved an advant-
age to the larch, but it has not in all cases sufficed to protect
this tree against disease. Moreover, it is evident that if each
larch is to be effectively isolated in this way, only a comparatively
small number of plants of this species can be accommodated
on an acre, and if the local demand forthe other species is
unsatisfactory, the financial result of the system as a whole may
leave much to be desired. Such a system of mixing, too, tends
to the production of coarse timber by the shade-bearing species,
whose lower branches are not killed sufficiently early under the
mild shade of the larch.
Dissatisfied on the whole with the results of even-aged mixing
of the larch with other species, Mr Munro Ferguson, of Novar,
has for some years practised a system in his extensive woods in
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for March 1906,
by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
340 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Ross-shire which promises to provide a satisfactory solution of
the difficulty. He now plants pure larch woods, and when the
trees are sixteen to twenty years old he removes all the stems
except the soundest and most promising, of which 300 to 500
are left per acre. Needless to say, the system is inapplicable to
cases where all, or practically all, the trees are attacked by
disease at this early stage, but instances of such virulence are,
on the whole, of rare occurrence. The trees that are retained
are the picked stems of the three to four thousand originally
occupying the ground, and measure up to 51 feet in height and
4 to 8 inches in diameter at breast-height. Stems that are sound,
or fairly sound, at this stage are not likely to suffer much from
disease in later life. The thinnings removed realise £20 to £ 25
per acre, giving a return therefor of fully #1 per acre per
annum from the time of planting. The thinning is done as
early in autumn or winter as possible, and the next step is to
knock off all the lower dead branches of the trees that are
retained. ‘This is a rapid process, and is accomplished by means
of a pole some 8 feet long. The “top and lop” of the felled
larches, along with the dead branches cleared off the standing
stems, are then thrown together into small heaps and burned.
Owing to the shading of the dense crop of larch the surface
of the ground is clear of all grass and similar vegetation, and is
in a very suitable condition for the reception of fresh plants.
Without loss of time the area is stocked with an underwood
which, of course, must consist of species that can endure the
shade of the 300 to 500 larches that have been retained. Mr
Munro Ferguson at first used the Norway spruce, silver fir, and
beech, but was not satisfied with the results obtained with any
of these. The Norway spruce was found to grow very slowly
under the circumstances indicated, while the silver fir in this
particular locality is so much attacked by aphis (Chermes adietis)
as to be very uncertain in its growth. Better results were
obtained with the beech, and although this tree is now super-
seded by other species, it will probably be found to be the most
suitable for use on the chalk, and on calcareous soils generally.
But for some years Mr Munro Ferguson has been experi-
menting with other shade-bearing trees, and has found that
Picea sitchensts (Abies Menztesit), Douglas fir, Zsuga Merten-
stana, Thuya gigantea, Cupressus Lawsoniana, and Abies grandis
are far superior to the three species previously mentioned.
THE NOVAR SYSTEM OF COMBATING LARCH DISEASE. 341
These he raises from seed in the home nursery and plants out,
for the most part, as two-year seedlings—to some extent as
three-year-old transplants—when they cost him but little more
than the commoner forest trees. The surface of the ground
being in fine friable condition, the underwood is introduced by
dibbling, a wooden tool 2 feet in length and triangular in cross-
section covered with sheet-iron being used for the purpose
Working with this a man can easily plant rooo trees in a day.
The rate of growth of the species employed averages a foot to
a foot and a half per annum, and in six to ten years the under-
wood or second story is practically covering the ground, with
the crowns of the upper story of larch about 50 feet above.
The intention is to repeat the thinning of the larch in about
fifteen to twenty years from the time of the introduction of the
underwood, when the number of larches left will vary from roo
to 200 per acre. At sixty to eighty years, depending on the
locality, the state of the markets, and the condition of the crop,
the larches will all be removed, when, if prices remain as at
present, a return from them of £100 to £150 per acre may be
expected. What the value of the underwood at this stage may
be must remain a matter for conjecture, but even if it be incon-
siderable, the financial results of the rotation cannot fail to be
satisfactory. Needless to say, the system, as just described,
cannot possibly be practised except in the absence of hares,
rabbits, and deer, which at Novar, owing to unremitting atten-
tion, are practically non-existent.
The various items of cost per acre may be summarised as
follows :—
4
Burning the surface herbage preparatory to aie fe)
3500 two-year seedling larch, at 6s.,_. : Pe
Planting (dibbling or notching), at 95. per 1000, fo)
Beating up, say 500 larch, three years old, at 12s. per 1000, fo)
Planting ditto, at 3s. per 1000, ; fe)
Keeping down rank herbage in certain parts, o
Total cost per acre of establishing the larch wood, ee Aveo
3000 two-year seedling Douglas firs or other species, at Ios., I 10 Oo
Planting by dibbling, at 3s. per 1000, : 090
Beating up, say 200 three-year-old plants, at tgs, : . See Gy ae PAS)
Planting ditto, at 3s. per 1000, . : OO F
£2 2 7
VOL. XIX. PART II. Z
342 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
These items of cost doubtless seem very low to many
planters, but on ground similar to that at Novar there is no
reason why they should be exceeded. The soil is a light loam,
which grows rather rank heather and grass, and if the spring is
at all favourable the surface herbage is carefully burned off
before the larches are planted. This enables small plants
to be used, and permits of their insertion by dibbling or
notching. ‘There being no rabbits or hares, there is no expense
for netting, while the cost of fences against stock is relatively a
small item, the woodlands being in large enclosures,
[In connection with the above subject, see the “Scheme of
Management of the Woods of the Novar Estate,” published in
the Zyransactions of the Society for the year 1899 (Vol. XVI.
p. 25).—Hon. Ep, |
SUPPLY OF TELEGRAPH POLES TO THE POST OFFICE, 343
XXXVI. Supply of Telegraph Poles to the Post Office.
By Lieut.-Colonel F, BatLey,
In his evidence before the Forestry Committee (1902), Mr
Martin Roberts, Engineer-in-Chief to the Post Office, stated
that the Post Office use red pine (z.e., Scots pine or Scots fir)
for their telegraph posts, and obtain their supplies from Sweden,
Norway, Finland and other Russian provinces. The difficulty
in obtaining the necessary supplies from these countries is
increasing year by year, while the price of the timber is at the
same time rising very rapidly; and Mr Roberts was recently
sent abroad with a view to his opening up new sources of
supply. The explanation of these conditions is that the longer
and more suitable poles have been gradually cut out of the
forests, and that the timber has now to be obtained from
localities which are farther from the coast than those which
previously yielded the supply. The Post Office invites tenders
in this country, and allows any timber-merchant to quote for
the required poles; but a very small proportion of them is
bought here, and practically none of it is home-grown. Indeed,
the specification now prescribes that the timber must be “Swedish,
Norwegian, Finland, or Russian.” ‘The reasons for this are two,
viz., that neither growers nor merchants of home-grown timber are
prepared to tender for the yearly contracts, and that the quality of
their timber is inferior to that of the timber obtained from abroad.
In the year 1892, the Postmaster General was urged to use
native in preference to foreign Scots pine. He invited tenders,
and a trial order for fifty poles was placed in January 1893;
but only nine of the fifty poles supplied were found suitable for
the purposes of his Department, the remainder being rejected as
crooked, knotty and unduly heavy (in consequence, no doubt,
of their having been too recéntly cut). Several further attempts
were subsequently made to obtain telegraph poles grown in
this country, but always with the same result. In 1885,
comparative strength-tests were applied to home-grown and to
foreign poles, when it was proved that the former were greatly
inferior to the latter, probably owing to their knotty and unequal
structure. In conclusion of his remarks, Mr Roberts says:
“Apart, however, from the question of strength of the timber,
it does not appear probable that long, straight Scots fir poles,
7.é., poles from 40 to 75 feet in length, are obtainable (in Britain) ;
344 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
and from the poles supplied under the trial orders, it would
appear that, even with the shorter lengths, much difficulty
would be experienced in getting shapely poles.”
The above opinion will not cause surprise to those acquainted
with our past sylvicultural errors, and with the still existing want
of system in our timber-growing business. Crops of “shapely
poles” which could be clear-felled, and the bulk of which could
be handed over to the Post Office, were for the most part non-
existent ; and no doubt woods were searched through to find here
and there, among the already too scanty stock, a pole that might
comply with the Post Office specification. It is also more than
probable that most of the poles so found and cut, being the
most “shapely” of the crop, were precisely those the retention
of which sylvicultural considerations called for. But even so,
the quality of the bulk of these poles was far below standard,
and the expense of cutting and collecting them from a large
area must have been excessive; while the practice of pecking
at a crop and removing from time to time the finest poles as they
become saleable cannot be too strongly condemned, resulting as
it does in a ragged, worthless crop of trees, for which, during
the whole course of their lives, no purchaser has been found.
Such a “final” crop cumbers the ground, as it yields no
adequate “increment” per acre, and what it does yield is of
inferior quality.
As the Post Office purchase annually a considerable quantity
of telegraph poles, it is a matter of importance to proprietors and
wood-merchants that we should secure this market for our produce ;
and there is absolutely no reason why this should not be done
if proprietors would grow Scots pine trees with tall, straight and
clean stems, underplanting them with shade-bearers at a suitable
stage of their growth. If crops were thus grown, and if the
woods were organised so as to provide a steady annual yield
of poles of constant size and quality, the market would be
captured at once. In the absence of such organisation, we
cannot be surprised that, as Mr Robert says, neither growers
nor merchants of home-grown timber are prepared to tender for
the Post Office yearly contracts. They have no certain knowledge
as to what they can put upon the market from year to year.
If further information on this subject, or in regard to the
requirements of the Post Office in oak timber, be desired,
reference may be made to pp. 135, 136, and to Appendix XVII.,
SUPPLY OF TELEGRAPH POLES TO THE POST OFFICE, 345
p- 187, of the Minutes of Evidence given before the Forestry
Committee of 1goz.
The current Post Office specification for foreign poles is
appended.
Specification of Telegraph Poles.
Description.—Swedish, Norwegian, Finland, or Russian red fir
(Pinus sylvestris), sound, hard-grown (z.¢., well-hearted, and with
the annular rings closely pitched), straight, free
from large or dead knots, especially knots forming
a complete ring, and from other defects, and to
have the outer and under bark completely re-
moved.
To have been felled when the sap is down, and
in no case earlier than the rst of November 190
or later than the rst of March 190
Each pole to contain the natural butt of the
tree, z.¢., to be sawn off as close to the ground as
possible, and no timber whatever to be removed
at the butt end, or trimmed or cut away from the
butt end, so as to reduce its natural size, but this
end to be sawn to give a flat section, as shown in
the adjoining sketch.
Dimensions to be in accordance with the subjoined Table.
Mode of Delivery.—All poles to be delivered carriage free,
either—
(2) Upon the wharf of the Creosoters; or
(4) Upon some other wharf, if so directed by the Postmaster
General; or
(c) Into lighters provided by the Creosoters, if it be im-
possible for the vessel to come alongside their wharf ;
or
(2d) Into railway trucks provided by the Creosoters at the
place of delivery, if the creosoting works are not
accessible by water carriage; or
(e) Into waggons or timber carriages provided by the
Creosoters at the place of delivery.
Nore.— The cost of delivery as above may be taken as approxt-
mately equivalent to an addition of one shilling and threepence
per load on c.tf. terms, except in London, where two-thirds
of the cost ts borne by the Creosoter.
If the poles have to be floated or immersed in water after
346 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
leaving the vessel in which they are imported, they shall not
remain so immersed longer than seven days.
Sizes oF Light Pores. Sizes or Medium Po tes. Sizes oF Stout Poves.
Diameter at Minivan , Diameter at Minti ‘ Diameter at Winiinan
= OP: Diameter} 2 Top. Diameter} = ig Diameter
ba —— at 5 Feet a SSS at a West z Ware Aba Pest
o ats 4 m fe hl “ r ay *
A | Mini-|Maxi-| potting) | Mini-) Maxi- pute Ena) 7 | Mini-| Maxi) pote End.
Ft. | Ins. Ins Ins. Ft Ins. Ins Ins Ft Ins Ins Ins.
18 5 52 6 18 54 64 74 18
20 5 5z 6 20 53 64 74 20
22, 5 q 64 22 4 2 ed 22
24) 5 53 64 | 24] 5% i 8 24
26) 5 M20) Sele F 84 | 26) 74| 9 10}
28] 5 6 7 26) 5S le a7 84 | 28) 74] 9%} 10%
30| 5 6 Tz 4.306 74 cor aM iS Wi. peiic:
32 | 5 64 72 1¥32 | 8 74 9 32) 74 | 92) 11
34| 5 64 74 134] 6 74 04: 134.) 78 ee fees
36]; 5 | 64 a HE Ok Waly ibe 93 | 36) 74] OF], 113
4o| 5 | 64 8 4o| 6 | 7% of | 40] 74| 9%] 12
AS) | 54| (62 $ 745 | 63 1of | 45 2 | 10 13
50) 524'| 7 of } 50] OF) SF )° 11g son) 72 ee ee
55 53 7% 10} 55 7 mi 123 55 8 105 14?
60 | 54 73 II 60 | 7 82 134 60 | 8 104 154
65 6 8 12 65 a) 9 14 65 8 104 164
7o| 64) 8% | 13 FOV 67, 94 | 142 |) 7O") By) zoe ay
Pret | + 13k) 75) 7 98 | 154 | 75 Sees
80 |): «:. ee ae 80 7 94 16} 80 | 8 103 18?
85 és 85 7 oF 174 85 8 104 20
The average number of poles of each class purchased by the
Post Office in the years 1904 and 1905 has been as follows :—
Length in Feet. Light. Medium. Stout. Total.
24 3250 1500 ae 4,750
26 3000 1000 ; st 4,000
28 1250 2750 ee 4,000
30 400 2500 3,000 5,900
32 200 750 2,750 3,700
34 7° 225 3,000 3,295
36 175 250 7,000 75425
40 187 475 4,250 4,912
45 25 300 1,250 1,575
50 25 150 600 775
55 tee 50 300 350
60 do 25 185 210
65 “B be 112 112
79 tee 5 35 40
Totals) 5) 5. 8582 9980 22,482 41,044
AREA OF WOODLANDS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 347
XXXVII. Area of Woodlands in Great Britatn}
In connection with the Agricultural Returns of the present
year, special inquiries were made with the view of ascertaining
the extent of land now occupied by woods in Great Britain, in
pursuance of a recommendation by the recent Departmental
Committee on British Forestry that a return should be obtained
by the Board in continuation of that in 1895: The difficulties
of securing an exhaustive return of all land under wood have
been pointed out in commenting on the previous returns of this
nature, but it is believed that the special pains taken by the
officers of Inland Revenue in the distribution and collection of
the schedules have resulted in rendering the present return
substantially accurate. It is to be observed, however, that in
some instances the inclusion of woodland areas, which were
formerly overlooked, may tend to vitiate comparisons with
previous figures for particular counties or districts, and may
account to some extent for apparent increases in the areas
returned.?
The woodland area is now returned under the several cate-
gories of (1) Coppice, z.e., woods, whether containing standards
or not, that are entirely cut over periodically and reproduce them-
selves naturally by stool-shoots; (2) Plantations, ze., land
planted or replanted within the last ten years; and (3) “ Other
Woods,” which include all land (not returned as coppice or
plantation) used altogether or mainly for the growth of wood
(other than orchards).
Summarising the new returns geographically in the groups
of counties usually adopted for the purposes of the Agricul-
tural Returns, the woodland acreage of 1905 was distributed as
follows :—
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for December
1905, by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
2 The figures are given for each County in the Agricultural Returns (Acreage
and Live Stock), 1905. Price 6d.
348 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Planta- Be Total
Divisions. Coppice. Hors a = Wood-
eae Boe: lands.
Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.
I. Easternand North-Eastern, } 47,159] 11,297 189,038 247,494
II. South-Eastern and East
Midland, . : . | 270,683 | 15,580] 318,303} 604,566
III. West Midland and South-
Western, : 184,618 | 16,156 268,815 469, 589
IV. Northern and _ North-
Western, 35,063 | 16,614] 341,547| 393,824
ENGLAND, . 538,123 | 59,647 | 1,117,703 | 1,715,473
V. WALES, . : : 15,733 8,629 159,999 184,361
VI. SCOTLAND (Eastern), 8,645 | 22,768 421,489 452,902
VII. ScoTLanpD (Western), 14,370 | 12,639 388,498 415,507
GREAT BRITAIN, 576,871 | 103,683 | 2,087,689 | 2,768,243
The present total area thus shown in Great Britain, 2,768,243
acres, is 42,127 acres in excess of that returned ten years ago.
This extension was, however, confined to England and Wales,
the total area of woods in Scotland showing a decline of
10,356 acres. The decrease north of the Tweed has occurred
notwithstanding the fact that 35,407 acres of land are returned
as having been planted or replanted during the past ten years,
so that it would appear that the clearance of woodland areas
by storms and from other causes has been considerably greater
than the owners of land have been able to make good.
Some indication of the extent of planting or replanting which
has apparently taken place within the past twenty-four years
may perhaps be given by comparing the returns of plantations
collected for 1891, 1895, and 1905 respectively. The areas
planted or replanted in the three periods for the agricultural
divisions above referred to are given in the next Table.
It will be noted that whereas the earlier and later periods
extended over ten years, the intermediate period embraced only
four years. By dividing the figures in each case by the number
of years represented, the apparent average annual rate of
planting thus obtained may be considered to indicate approxi-
mately the relative amount of activity in woodland extension
during each period. Subject to the caution already given as to
the possibility of more complete returns, it would appear that
planting was carried on in Great Britain, as a whole, during the
AREA OF WOODLANDS IN GREAT BRITAIN. 349
past decade at the rate of 10,368 acres per annum, as compared
with 8225 acres during 1891-95 and 9894 acres during 1881-91.
1881 1891 1895
Divisions. to to to
1891 1895. 1905
if Acres. Acres Acres
I. Eastern and North-Eastern, : 5,979 3,145 11,297
II. South-Eastern and East Midland, 12,481 4,176 15,580
III. West Midland and South-Western,| 14,270 4,484 16,156
IV. Northern and North-Western, . 14,643 4,156 16,614
ENGLAND, : A : b 47,273 15,961 59,647
V. WALES, . : : : : 11,120 2, 533 8,629
VI. SCOTLAND (Eastern), F ; 19,957 8,335 22,768
VII. ScoTLAND (Western), ‘ A 20, 590 6,074 12,639
GREAT BRITAIN, 5 98,940 32,903 103,683
This tendency to reduced activity in the middle period,
followed by greater activity after 1895, is suggested both in
England (as a whole) and in Wales. In the Eastern Counties,
as well as in the group of counties lying on the Welsh border,
there is a suggestion of continuously progressive activity during
the whole twenty-four years, but in all other parts of the country
the general indication is in the direction just mentioned. In
Scotland experience seems to have been more varied. In the
Eastern and Lowland division the rate of planting has, on the
whole, increased, whereas in the Western and Highland division
it seems to have substantially diminished. This seems to be
largely due to some exceptional activity in Inverness and Ross
and Cromarty during the decade 1881-91.
350 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
XXXVIII. The Society's Register of Foresters and other
Estate-men. By the SECRETARY.
The proposal that the Society should start a Register of
Foresters was made at an early date in its history. As far
back as 1866 a committee was appointed to consider the
matter, and later, prizes were offered for essays on the subject.
Two of these, one by Mr James Kay, forester, Bute, and the
other by Mr C. Y. Michie, forester, Cullen, were published in
Volume V. of the Society’s Transactions, but no further action
appears to have been taken at that time. The subject was
again raised by the late Lord Mansfield in his Presidential
Address, delivered before the Society on 31st January 1900,
and a committee of the Council having reported in favour of
the proposal, the Register was started in 1903.
Mr Kay’s main proposal was that a Committee or Board of
Examiners should be appointed by the Society for interrogating
intending foresters, and that a Register should be kept of such
as should pass an examination in stated subjects connected
with forestry. He proposed to divide the candidates into—1st
Class, who had obtained excellent results; 2nd Class, who had
obtained good results; and 3rd Class, who were only qualified
as assistant foresters. The salaries he proposed to attach to
these classes were—ust Class, from £80 to £100; and 2nd
Class, £60. He did not state a salary for those in the 3rd
Class. He also advocated that a text-book should be provided
dealing with the subjects of examination.
Mr Michie also recommended that a committee of the Society
should be appointed to interview candidates. He did not, how-
ever, prescribe subjects for examination, his object being merely
to interrogate the men as to their experience, etc. He also
proposed to divide the men into four classes, the salaries
suggested being £100, £80, £50, and £40.
It will be observed that, according to both of these schemes,
an attempt would have been made to select the candidates with
a view to admission to the Register, and to classify them in the
Register according to their merits.
The committee appointed in rgo2 did not think it necessary,
in the early stages of the Register, that candidates should be
examined and classified. They contented themselves with
THE SOCIETY'S REGISTER OF FORESTERS. 351
reporting that ‘‘a list of Members desirous of obtaining situations
should be kept by the Society, but that in the meantime a formal
Register was unnecessary.” They laid down the following
conditions :—
1. No name will be placed on the Register until a Schedule of
Particulars, to be provided by the Society, has been filled
up and signed by the Applicant, and sent to the Secretary
along with a fee of One Shilling.
2. The Society will merely introduce Applicants for situations
to Employers who ask the Society’s assistance, and will
undertake no further responsibility in the matter.
3. Applicants must inform the Secretary as soon as they are
engaged, so that their names may be removed from the
Register.
4. Employers will be charged a fee of Two Shillings and
Sixpence for each introduction which results in an en-
gagement.
The Schedule of Particulars referred to is as follows:—
SCHEDULE OF PARTICULARS.
Name in full.
Address.
Age.
Parish and County, Native of.
Where Educated, and Educational Attainments.
Married or Single.
Number of Family at Home.
Kind of Situation wanted.
Wages expected.
References—how long in each place, and in what capacity.
LVame of present or last Employer.
Special Training received, or Special Work done.
Classes or Lectures attended, and results gained at Examina-
710ns.
Books on Forestry or other Estate Work, studied.
Appended to the Schedule are two blank pages for copies of
testimonials, and in the event of that space being insufficient,
applicants can insert more sheets.
With such particulars before him, an employer can at once
determine which men are likely to suit him, and regarding whom
352 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
he requires further information as to character, etc., before
finally making his selection.
Since the Register was instituted in 1903, 56 names have
been sent in. Of these, 24 have been removed from the
Register, but not all of these have received appointments
through the Register. There are still 32 names on the list, and
these may be described as follows :—
3 Overseers,
8 Foresters or Overseers,
15 Foresters,
3 Foreman Foresters,
1 Forester or Saw-miller,
1 Assistant Forester, and
1 Clerk of Works.
At first it was proposed that the Register should be open to
Members of the Society only, but latterly the Council agreed
that it should be open to non-Members also.
It will be seen that although a considerable number of men
have sent in their names, only a small proportion of them have
secured situations. The Register has been advertised in each
number of the Zramnsactzons and in the Society’s circulars, but
proprietors have not yet taken advantage of it to the extent
expected. Most of the applications from proprietors have been
for men in the lower grades, whereas most of the candidates
for situations have been men fully qualified for more respon-
sible positions, but for whom, unfortunately, there has been
little demand as yet through the Register.
The Council take this opportunity of appealing to proprietors
to make more use of the Society’s Register when in need of
estate-men; and they invite foresters and others desirous of
employment or promotion to send in their names to the
Secretary, from whom Schedules and other particulars may be
obtained,
NOTES AND QUERIES. 353
NePES “AND OUr RTE so:
APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS.
By the Honorary EDITOR.
On behalf of the Committee, the Honorary Editor appeals to
the Members of the Society for their support to the newly
inaugurated half-yearly issues of the TZyransactions. If pro-
prietors, factors and foresters would contribute to our pages
from the vast store of practical knowledge they have acquired,
our publication would at once assume a highly increased value
and interest. We have given our readers, from time to time,
articles by the highest authorities on general questions of policy
and practice; and of such articles a sufficiency will, without
doubt, continue to become available. But of communications
regarding the application of acknowledged principles under the
conditions here prevailing we have hitherto seen far too little.
Owners and their professional assistants come and go, without
leaving behind them, for the guidance of their successors, any
trace of the invaluable experiences they have accumulated.
If they would, from time to time, give us the benefit of these
experiences, pointing out by what means, and with what measure
of success, difficulties were combated, our Zvansactions would
soon form the basis of a Manual of Scottish Forestry of unique
value.
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 found here to be most suitable for forest
crops of various species, including exotics.
Species, including exotics, found here 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.
354 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
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.).
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.
The communications asked for need not take the form of
lengthy articles, such, indeed, not being required. The Honorary
Editor will welcome brief statements of well-authenticated facts,
with sufficient particulars to render them intelligible and
instructive; and he trusts that lack of literary experience and
skill will not deter any one possessed of valuable knowledge of
the kind indicated from writing to the Transactions in regard
thereto. BoB:
DIPLOMA IN FORESTRY AT OXFORD.
The Secretary of State for India will nominate annually a
number of probationers (about ten every year) for service in the
Indian Forest Department. Candidates must be over eighteen
and under twenty-one years of age on January rst of the year in
which they are nominated. The nominations will be based upon
the results of a competitive examination held, usually in the
month of August of each year, by the Civil Service Commis-
sioners. Candidates must have passed “ Responsions” or an
equivalent examination, The subjects of the competitive ex-
amination are—
1. Mechanics and Physics peas! according to the
standard of the Preliminary Ex-
joe in the Honour School
of Natural Science at Oxford.
2. Chemistry
3. Botany
Candidates must also pass a qualifying examination in
German. Detailed conditions of admission may be obtained
from the Secretary, Judicial and Public Department, India
Office, Whitehall, London, S.W.
The probationers for the Indian Forest Service must go
NOTES AND QUERIES. ° 355
through the course of instruction detailed below, and must
obtain the Diploma in Forestry within the period of three years
assigned to that course. They will then, if of sound constitution
and free from physical defects which would render them un-
suitable for employment in the Indian Forest Service, be
appointed Assistant Conservators in the Indian Forest Depart-
ment.
Occasionally, probationers are nominated for service in the
colonies, under conditions similar to those which apply to
probationers for service in India.
The Diploma is granted to members of the University who
have—
1. Pursued an approved course of study extending over two
years at Oxford.
2. Undergone a course of practical work at places and
under conditions approved.
3. Satisfied the examiners in prescribed examinations.
The course of study at the University, which commences in
October of each year, comprises the following subjects :—
During the First Year.
(a) Mathematics ; (4) Chemistry of Soils and selected chapters
of Organic Chemistry; (c) Geology; (d) Botany; (e) Forestry,
comprising Sylviculture, and either Protection or Utilisation ;
(f) Geometrical Drawing and Elementary Forest Engineering ;
(g) German.
The course includes practical work in the Forest Garden, and
excursions in Term and in the Vacations, including a three
weeks’ tour in French forests. Students must meet the expenses
of these excursions.
During the Second Year.
(g) German; (A) Geology of India; (&) Botany, comprising
Pathology, the Structure of Timber, and Special Systematic
Botany; (/) Entomology; (m) Forestry, comprising Forest
Management, Forest Administration, and either Utilisation ‘or
Protection ; (z) Forest Law; (0) Surveying ; (#) Book-keeping in
relation to Indian Forest Accounts.
The Third Vear
is occupied by a nine months’ practical course in German State
forests. It extends over the period from the beginning of
356 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
October#to the beginning of the following July. For about
seven months of this time the students are placed for instruction
under selected German forest officers. During the remaining
time they visit other forest districts. To qualify for this course
they must have passed the First Examination for the Diploma,
and must possess a _ sufficient knowledge of the German
language.
Students admitted to the course will be required to pay, in
three instalments, a sum of £180, for which there will be
provided board and lodging, travelling expenses, and fees to
local forest officers. There are two examinations (partly written
and partly practical) for the Diploma. They are held about
September 2oth in each year, and the fee for each of them is £2.
Mr James Gunn, from the University of Edinburgh, joined the
Oxford School of Forestry in October, as a candidate for the
Indian Forest Service. FB.
SoutH AFRICAN SCHOOL OF FORESTRY.
The South African School of Forestry is being established by
the Government of Cape Colony for the scientific training of
forest officers, and for research in South African forestry. The
aim of the school is to provide a thorough course of instruction
in forestry, with special reference to South African conditions.
Provision is being made at Tokai for ten resident students, five
of whom will be candidates for two vacancies in the supervising
grade of Cape forest officers, and accommodation will be reserved
for five students to be nominated by the Governments of other
South African colonies.
The science departments of the South African College will
be used for the theoretical work of the School of Forestry;
the College departments of botany, chemistry, engineering,
mineralogy, geology and physics being well equipped with
lecture-rooms and laboratories. A reading-room and a reference
forest library will be provided for students at Tokai. The
herbarium at the Conservator’ office, and the forest timber
collections both at the Conservator’s office and at Tokai, will
be available for purposes of instruction.
The Tokai arboretum, which now comprises the largest
collection of timber-trees in South Africa, affords unique oppor-
NOTES AND QUERIES. 357
!
tunities for practical instruction in sylviculture. To this will
be added the pineries and sand-reclamation planting in the
Cape Flats, together with the fine arboreta and forests at Ceres
Road, comprising forest estates of 20,000 acres Such instru-
ments as are required for practical forest work, including plane-
tables, barometers, chains, dendrometers and calipers will be
provided.
Arrangements will be made for granting certificates or
diplomas to students who have satisfactorily completed the
course in forestry. Applications for further information and
for admission to the School of Forestry should be addressed
either to the Chief Conservator of Forests or to the Registrar,
South African College, Cape Town.
We cordially welcome this indication of progress, and wish
the young institution every success in its endeavour to train
men for the important task of developing the enormous possi-
bilities which unquestionably exist in South African forests,
FB,
Sir HERBERT MAXWELL ON NEGLECTED WOODLANDS.
On March the 22nd, at the Carpenters’ Hall, London Wall, Sir
H. Maxwell, F.R.S., delivered an interesting: address to a crowded
audience on “The Neglected Resources of our British Wood- .
lands.” The chair was occupied by Lord Leconfield. Sir Herbert
Maxwell, in the course of his address, said it was generally
recognised, even in this country, that the resources of our
woodlands had been seriously neglected in the past, and were
capable of development, slow he was afraid, if once they were
put on a sound system of management. The economic import-
ance and increasing urgency of the question, in view of the
rapid diminution of the world’s visible timber-supply and the simul-
taneous increase of consumption, had occupied the attention of
all European Governments. What were we doing in England to
meet the coming scarcity? He was sorry to say that we had
not yet got beyond the stage of inquiry. Forestry operations
were naturally slow, but to allow a quarter of a century to be
occupied in inquiry was far too long. He entered Parliament in
1880; he left it, voluntarily he might say, this year. In that
time two Committees, one Select and one Departmental, had
VOL. XIX. PART II. 2A
358 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
been appointed to inquire into the matter. They had inquired,
but beyond that nothing had been done. Both Committees had
reported that large tracts of waste land were available for the
purpose, but no steps had been taken in the matter. - Instead,
the Reports of the Committees had been carefully pigeon-holed.
Time was slipping by, and nothing had been done. All that
had been done was to nibble at what was a great question.
Nothing could be more groundless than the complaints as to the
British soil being against the proper growth of timber. In one
case it was shown that the Douglas fir could be properly and
profitably grown, but its capabilities had not yet been fairly
tested in this country. He pointed out that the State forests in
Germany were worked at a handsome profit to the revenue,
whereas in England the returns of the Commissioners of Woods
and Forests showed a loss. He said he was not throwing any
reflection on the Department. It worked under rigid restrictions,
and it was those who were responsible for the restrictions that
should be held to account for allowing the natural resources of
the country to remain undeveloped.— Scotsman.
A TREE-STRANGLING FuNncGus.!
This fungus (Zhelephora laciniata) has long been known as a
destructive pest to young trees of various kinds. Quite recently
some hundreds of ash saplings were killed by it. The fungus
is not a parasite; that is, it does not penetrate the tissues of the
plant it attacks, but causes death by strangulation. The fungus
is most abundant on sandy heaths, where it forms large patches
of a dark brown colour on the ground; these patches consist of
several overlapping thin plates with irregularly toothed margins.
When it happens to be growing near to a plant of heather or
ling, it grows up round the stem, to which it adheres very closely,
giving off from time to time a loose frill as it ascends. It
extends up the stem for a distance of six inches to a foot or
more, and in course of time kills the stem it has encircled.
Young conifers planted in such situations often suffer severely,
it being no uncommon sight to see almost every tree encircled
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for February
1906, by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office,
NOTES AND QUERIES, - 359
by the fungus, and small examples are often entirely enveloped
in its folds.
In nurseries where the ground is carefully cultivated the
ASH SAPLING STRANGLED BY THELEPHORA.
fungus does not gain a foothold, and when trees are planted in
localities where the fungus abounds, if the soil round the stem jis
broken up once a year all danger will be avoided.
360 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A CONIFER DIsEAsE.1
Quite recently a batch of diseased spruce seedlings was sent to
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from upland Yorkshire, accom-
panied by a statement that the disease was most prevalent at the
crowded end of the seed-bed ; the portion where the plants were
not so crowded appeared to be fairly free from it. Examination
showed the disease to be caused by a fungus called Herpotrichia
nigra by Hartig, who recorded it as an injurious parasite in the
spruce woods of the Bavarian Forest.
The leaves are attacked and killed by the fungus, but instead
of falling when dead they are bound together by mycelium, and
remain as a compact brown mass clustered round the branch
from which they sprang. ‘These dense clusters of dead leaves,
fixed to the branches by dark-coloured cob-web like mycelium,
are very characteristic. The fruit of the fungus and also minute
sclerotia are produced on the leaves.
The parasite is most prevalent in nurseries at high elevations,
and has been recorded as attacking spruce (Picea excelsa), moun-
tain pine (Pinus montana), and juniper (Juniperus communis).
It occurs in Germany and Norway. It does not appear to have
been previously recorded in Great Britain.
The following observations with a view to its prevention are
made by Hartig:2—‘“It is an interesting biological point that
the fungus grows, especially when the temperature is low, under
the snow or during the time it is melting, because under such
circumstances the air is completely saturated with moisture.
The frequency of the disease at high elevations has led to the
general adoption of the practice of forming spruce nurseries at
low altitudes. It has also been found a good plan to look over
the nurseries immediately after the melting of the snow, and to
raise up all prostrated plants in order that they may be exposed
to the wind. It would also be a step in the right direction in
planting out trees to set them on hillocks and similar elevations,
and to avoid placing them in hollows and other depressions.”
It is important that diseased seedlings should be collected and
destroyed by burning, otherwise the numerous fruits and sclerotia
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for June 1905,
by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
2 Text-Book of Diseases of Trees (Hartig and Somerville, English ed., p. 76).
NOTES AND QUERIES, 361
present on the leaves would prove a source of danger in ‘the
future.
SEEDLINGS OF SPRUCE ATTACKED BY HERPOTRICHIA NIGRA.
FORESTRY IN KIAO-CHAU.
According to the Cologne Gazette, the policy of the German
Government in promoting forestry in Kiao-chau is already
bearing satisfactory fruit. Every year the area of afforestation
grows larger, and the Chinese, stimulated by German example,
are said to be planting trees on their own account, and to be
awake to their value as wind-breaks. It is further announced
that the German forestry department of Kiao-chau is to be
strengthened by an inspector of forests, who will start for the
Far East in May.
362 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ALCOHOL FROM SAWDUST.
About 2 tons of sawdust are boiled with sulphuric acid for
three hours, the liquid matter being then extracted by pressure,
neutralised, left to stand for eighteen hours to cool and clarify,
and then fermented for four or five days. The resulting alcohol
is afterwards distilled and rectified; and, making ample allow-
ance for loss in the latter operation, the yield of spirit is said to
be about 24 quarts per cwt. of sawdust. Trials made with
the method on a manufacturing scale are claimed to have
demonstrated the possibility of working at a profit, and of
opening up a new industry in timber-producing countries,
where enormous quantities of sawdust are annually wasted.—
Country Brewers Gazette.
Notre oN ReEvIEwW oF Zhe Forester.
In the kindly and generous criticism given to Zhe Forester in
Vol. XIX. Part I., I should like to correct an error on p. 228,
in the passage which says that—
‘*The author nullifies a great deal of what he has previously said when he
practically admits that ‘trees grown in our more open woods. . . are,
although shorter in the bole and rougher in the top, more durable, of greater
density and greater strength than timber grown closely together, as it is in
the well-managed Continental and in the primeval virgin forests,’ a fact, at
least so far as the timber of broad-leaved trees is concerned, which is apt to
be lost sight of in these days of advocacy of wholesale adoption of Continental
methods.”
The opinions above expressed within the quotation marks are
not the author’s, but are those of Mr Margerison, as contained
in a written statement handed in to the Departmental Committee
on Forestry, 1902. The original quotation in Zhe Forester
continues from near the foot of p. 451 to far down on p. 452
of vol. ii., where the acknowledgment concerning Mr Margerison
is made in full. The author’s personal opinions about this
matter are given on pp. 442 and 443. - iN.
ABERDEEN BRANCH OF THE SOCIETY.
On the 18th May 1906 a Branch of the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society for the Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and
Kincardine was formed at Aberdeen. A detailed report of
the inauguration of the Branch will appear in the Proceedings
of the Society in due course.
REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 363
REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.
Fremdlindische Wald-und-Parkbiume fiir Europa. By HEINRICH
Mayr, Dr. philos. et oec. publ., o. 6. Professor der forst-
lichen Produktionslehre an der k. Universitat zu Munchen.
This important work runs into over 600 pages, and contains
258 illustrations in the text, to which are added 20 plates, made
up of 354 illustrations, many of which are beautifully coloured.
From the above it will be gathered that the book contains a
vast amount of information, and what is more important is that
this information has been collected at first hand by the author
in his world-wide travels. Prof. Mayr has been round the world
no less than three times, visiting the forests in every continent
and in every region. He has therefore had the opportunity
of thoroughly studying in their native habitats the trees with
which he deals, and can speak with great authority regarding
their characteristics from a botanical, sylvicultural, or arbori-
cultural standpoint. He has, further, spared no pains to record
every fact and to give every detail concerning the species which
may be cultivated for use or ornament in Europe.
A most interesting and striking. feature of the book is the
masterly way in which the author deals with the natural
distribution of trees and forests. He has collected from personal
observation, and from every possible source, all the available
data concerning the climate in which the trees find themselves
at home. The past meteorological records, combined with the
author’s careful study of the indigenous Flora, as well as the
horticultural and agricultural plants cultivated in the various
regions and climates, form the basis upon which he has mapped
out the distribution of the different species of forest trees. The
zones of forest vegetation are indicated according to latitude
and altitude.
In the first section of the book, the natural distribution of the
exotic forest and park trees is thus dealt with in a manner so
scientific and practical that one need never be at a loss to know
how the exotics are likely to behave when introduced into
similar climates in Europe. In addition to all this, Prof. Mayr
304 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
is able to give the results of his own extensive experiments in
the cultivation of many of those exotic trees.
In the second section is included a most valuable table
dealing with the forest zones, which exhibit similar climatic
conditions in North America, Europe, and Asia. ‘Altogether,
the author distinguishes six principal zones based on similarity
of climate and forest Flora, viz.:—
(A) Tropical Forest Zone — The Palmetum.
(B) Sub-Tropical Forest Zone of the Evergreen Oak and
Laurel Tree—The Lauretum.
(Ca) Temperate Warm Zone of the Deciduous Forest,
Warmer half—The Castanetum.
(Cb) Temperate Warm Zone of the Deciduous Forest,
Cooler half—The Fagetum.
(D) Temperate Cool Region of the Spruce, Silver Fir,
and Larch—The Picetum or the Abietum or the
Laricetum.
(Z) Cold Region of the Scrubwood or Dwarf Trees,
Forest Limit—The Alpinetum or Polaretum.
All of the above zones, except A, are represented in Europe.
We strongly recommend a careful study of this and the other
sections by all those who are interested in the cultivation of
trees—indigenous or exotic—for profit or ornament. There is
no other source from which so much important and valuable
information can be obtained.
The third section consists of a most lucid and_ intensely
interesting dissertation concerning the capability of exotic trees
for cultivation in Europe. This is treated under three headings,
viz., Acclimatisation, Naturalisation, and the Locality from which
the seed comes. These are questions which, naturally, are
of the greatest interest to British foresters. It will be readily
admitted on all hands that opinions regarding these various
problems are not at all uniform, and those who are interested
in these matters could not. do better than turn to this work,
where they will find the subject dealt with from its foundation.
Space forbids our entering into detail, but there are other
eight sections or chapters likewise replete with information and
illustrations regarding exotic trees. Their distribution, nomen-
clature, recognition, cultivation, and uses,—in fact everything,
so far as is at present known about their botanical, sylvicultural
and arboricultural characteristics, has been given by the author
REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 365.
in a most readable and interesting fashion. This and the
wealth of illustrations which accompany the text make the
work one which far surpasses anything else of its kind at present
in existence.
The Index is in the form of a register, which must have
cost an enormous amount of labour in its compilation, and it
has been framed in such a way that complete references regard-
ing any one of the species mentioned in the book may be found
with the greatest facility. j Wie Ba
Kiinstliche Diingung im Forstlichen Betriebe. Von Dr FR.
GIERSBERG.
This excellent pamphlet has now reached the third edition.
It was originally published in rgo1, and the cordial reception with
which it met called for a second edition in 1903. That edition
was also rapidly sold out, and for some months back attempts
to obtain a copy of the latest edition have met with the same
reply—“ Sold out.” This is sufficient guarantee that Dr
Giersberg’s work is thoroughly sound, and that the subject is
receiving very widespread attention.
Although the whole subject is one of comparatively recent
date, it is surprising to find how much has been done in the
way of experiment in various Continental countries. The
success which attended the earlier experiments on the use of
artificial manures in forestry has led to their more general
adoption in the State forests, and also in communal and private
forests in different countries.
The pamphlet is full of valuable information. A _ very
important and interesting feature of the booklet is the great
number of photographic records of experiments that are being
carried on at different places. In many cases where the soil
is of a very poor quality, the difference between the success or
failure of the trees depends directly upon the use or non-use of
artificial manures. Sometimes it may be even impossible to
afforest certain tracts with timber-trees unless the soil is
artificially enriched.
The author has put himself to no little trouble to collect as
much information as possible concerning the effect of the
various artificial manures on tree-growth. He also gives the
opinions and experiences of a large number of highly-trained
366 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
foresters who can speak with great authority on such matters,
and it may be added that the verdict of the best informed is all
in favour of this artificial supply of food material for trees. The
author gives evidence to show that artificial manures can be
used with the greatest advantage in the nursery, both in the
seed-beds and in the nursery lines. The advantages gained are
a more vigorous and healthy development of the young trees
from the first, in addition to their more rapid growth and greater
certainty of success when planted out in the open.
Records of carefully collected statistics show that the extra
initial expense involved is more than counterbalanced by what
is saved in subsequent beating up or after-planting. Secondly,
the author has shown that, under unfavourable local conditions,
hitherto unused waste areas, as well as impoverished and
exhausted land in general, may be more successfully and
profitably utilised for afforestation when artificial manures are
used. In proof of this statement, he cites results obtained
especially in the sandy districts of Luxemburg, Holland and
Belgium, A third question which the author has answered in a
most satisfactory manner is that artificial manures can be used
with the greatest advantage in the restocking of areas from.
which the mature trees have been removed.
Lastly, the fourth question which he has set himself to answer
deals with the amelioration and improvement of meadow and
other land; but the improved grazing and the increased head
of deer is probably of more importance in Continental forests
than in British woodlands.
In conclusion it may be added that Dr Giersberg has obtained
from all over the Continent photographic records of experiments
which show the great benefits of the treatment he advocates.
A. W. B.
OBITUARY NOTICE. 367
OBITUARY NOTICE.
DEATH OF THE EARL OF: MANSFIELD, EX-PRESIDENT OF THE
SOCIETY.
In common with the whole country our Society sustains a real,
irreparable loss by Lord Mansfield’s death. He was so unlike
anyone else, so great and distinguished in character, so indifferent
to current opinion, so hostile to clap-trap, that no one takes his
place.
Scotland without Lord Mansfield is what Scone would be
without the Tay, and he is to-day mourned by many both in
private and in public life.
As a friend there was none like him. To have his friendship
once was to have it unreservedly and for ever, through good
report or evil, in fair weather or foul. He was an excellent judge
of men and affairs, had clear insight, unremitting industry and
genuine kindliness. Holding strong views and very definite
principles, his course of action or line of reasoning was always
peculiarly characteristic; his knowledge of history and literature,
and extraordinary memory, combined with his natural gifts and
keen appreciation of current movements, rendered him one of the
soundest of men in public affairs. He recalled some figure of
the eighteenth century ; yet it would be hard to find anyone with
such striking individuality even in Sir Walter Scott’s great
gallery of portraits. By natural instinct and through long
association with his aged grandfather he belonged to the past,
but his reverence for tradition never narrowed his view of the
present, nor prejudiced his judgment on current events.
_ Whether as student or soldier, as a son or as the head of his
house, in land management or in public service, he was always
the same—simple, upright, original.
If no man had a stronger sense of the inherited responsibility
of the ruling class, few came more readily into contact with men
in every pursuit and condition of life, and we have had no
Member of our Society better liked and respected. He was one
of the first to secure the advantage of evening instruction for the
younger foresters on his own estates, and not even his devotion
368 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
to sport could render him indifferent to the practical issues
involved in scientific sylviculture.
No one who has known Lord Mansfield can forget or cease to
regret him. Nor will those who came under his influence ever
be without a sense of added strength, or cease to be stimulated
by the recollection of the dauntless resolve with which he faced
the duties and difficulties that confront every active and
independent worker. Being true to himself made him true to
others, and he leaves an example that is precious in days when
simple, essential virtues are rare. R. | Maa
May 1906.
4
>
eae
,
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Societp.
Instituted 16th February 1854.
PATRON,
HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING.
PROCEEDINGS IN 1905—Continued.
THE GENERAL MEETING.
A General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural
Society was held in the General Meeting Room, beside the
Members’ Pavilion, in the Highland and Agricultural Society’s
Show-yard, Scotstoun, Glasgow, on Wednesday, 5th July 1905,
at 2.15 P.M. W. SteuaRT FoTrHRincHaMm, Esq. of Murthly,
President, in the chair.
Apologies for absence were intimated from Sir Kenneth
Mackenzie, Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael, Colonel Bailey,
Mr Munro Ferguson, M,P., Hon. Secy., Dr Nisbet, Hon. Editor,
and others.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting, held on toth February
last, were held as read and approved.
ELECTION OF AN HONORARY MEMBER.
The President intimated that the Council had approved of the
suggestion made by Dr Nisbet, that, in recognition ot his dis-
tinguished services to Technical Education in Forestry, the
Honorary Membership of the Society should be conferred upon
REGIERUNGS-RATH Dr Kart Gayer, Emeritus Professor of
Forestry in the University of Munich. In his letter, Dr Nisbet
mentioned that Professor Gayer, who for forty years was a
Professor at the Bavarian Forest Academy, Aschaffenburg, and
at Munich University (since the commencement of the Forestry
a
2
course there in 1878), where he fulfilled the highest office as
Rector magnificus in 1889, only ‘relinquished his professorial
duties five or six years ago, on attaining the very advanced age
of close on eighty years, and that he is widely known as the
celebrated author of Waldbau and Forstbenutzung, two of the
best works ever published on Sylviculture and Utilisation of
Forest Produce,—the latter having in 1903 reached its ninth
edition (under the collaboration of Professor H. Mayr, Gayer’s
successor in the Chair of Forestry at Munich University). On
the motion of the President, the Meeting unanimously agreed to
elect Professor Gayer an Honorary Member.
“THE FORESTER.”
A further letter was read from Dr Nisbet, intimating that his
new work, 7/e Forester, would be published in September, and
that on the fly-leaf would be the following inscription :—
To the
RoyaL ScoTTiIsH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
in commemoration of
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDATION
(1854-1904).
Dr Nisbet added that a presentation copy of the new Forester,
for the Society’s library, would be sent after publication in
September. The Secretary was instructed to convey the thanks
of the Society to Dr Nisbet for his two letters.
FoRESTRY EXHIBITION IN THE HIGHLAND SOcIETY’s SHOW.
The SECRETARY submitted the Judges’ Report, as follows:—
Report by the Judges on the Forestry Exhibition, held within
the Highland and Agricultural Society Show Ground at
Scotstoun, Glasgow, from 4th to 7th July rgo5.
We beg to submit our Awards as follows :—
Competition No. I.
For Boards of Scots Pine, Larch, and Norway Spruce.
rst Prize, . . The Marquis of Breadalbane.
and Prize, . . W. Steuart Fothringham of Murthly.
3rd Prize, . . Viscount Powerscourt.
3
Competition No. LT.
For Boards of any Three Coniferous Timbers other than
above.
tst Prize, . . Viscount Powerscourt.
and Prize, . . Capt. Archibald Stirling of Keir.
ard, Prize, .°. H. J. Younger of Benmore.
Competition No. IL.
For Boards of Ash, Oak, and Elm.
1st Prize, . . The Marquis of Breadalbane.
2nd Prize, . . Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, Bart. of
Pollok, M.P.
Competition No. IV.
For Boards of any Three Non-Coniferous Timbers other than
above.
1st Prize, . . W. Steuart Fothringham of Murthly.
2nd Prize, . . Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, Bart. of
Pollok, M.P.
Competition No. VET.
For Gate for Estate or Farm Use, manufactured from Home-
grown Timber.
1st Prize, No. 2 Silver Medal, Sir John Stirling-Maxwell,
Bart. of Pollok, M.P.
John C. Archibald, Forester,
ee Prize; | equal, Bronze Medal} Edenhall.
god Prize, | to each. Alex. Fraser, Lundin and
Montrave, Largo.
SPECIAL PrizE—No. 2 Silver Medal—For Model of a Gate,
D. P. Wallace, Castle Hill Estate, North Devon.
Competition No. VIII.
For Full-sized Section of Rustic Fence, made from Larch or
other Thinnings.
1st Prize, No. 2 Silver Medal, Alex. Pollock, Tarbolton,
Ayrshire.
4
Competition No. X.
For Examples showing the Best Methods of Utilising Small
Wood.
1st Prize, No. 1 Silver Medal, J. and E. Waters & Co.,
Ltd., Longtown.
2nd Prize, No. 2 Silver Medal, Alex. Pollock, Tarbolton.
We have pleasure in reporting that the exhibits were in every
way creditable to the exhibitors. The arrangements made by
the stewards were entirely satisfactory, so that the judging was
made comparatively easy. We were disappointed that there
were not more competitors, considering the great encouragement
given in this competition by the offer of such valuable prizes and
medals. Competitors, whether prizewinners or not, would largely
benefit by the experience gained in preparing their exhibits, and
by having their goods and workmanship well criticised. We
can only speak in terms of the highest praise regarding most of
the exhibits submitted to us. ‘They were, as a rule, taken from
the best specimens of their kind, and in most cases were fairly
well manufactured.
In Competition I., the first exhibit especially was of prime
quality of timber, and was well handled. The fourth exhibit
would have been farther forward had it not been that the sawing
was badly done.
In Competition I1., the first exhibit was outstanding, the timber
being of rare quality, and in every way well manufactured.
The other exhibits in this Competition were also fairly good.
The exhibits in Competition III. were all very good.
In Competition I1V., the first prize was given to the best
exhibit, but in our opinion the boards of English elm should not
have been exhibited, and we would suggest that in future boards
of ash, oak, or elm of any kind should be excluded from this
Competition.
In Competition VII. there was a great variety of really good
field-gates. The second exhibit was probably the best gate so
far as timber was concerned, and it had the additional property
of being self-closing, but the mountings were much inferior to
those of the other exhibits. |
In Competitions VIII. and X. there was more room for
difference of opinion, and consequently more difficulty in arriving
at a conclusion. The rustic fence by “Tally Ho” was very
5
neatly done, but we thought the small soft spruce was not worth
the great amount of skilful workmanship that had been put on
it. We therefore gave the prize to the fence exhibited by
“ Rustic,” solely because it would last many times longer than
the other. The same remark applies to the exhibits in Com-
petition X. When the exhibits vary so much in kind, there
is room for difference of opinion, and we thought both exhibits
worthy of recognition.
Some of the articles sent for Exhibition only, deserve a word
of praise.
Mr John Boyd, Pollok Estate, deserves commendation for
the trouble he must have had in collecting so many deformed
pieces of timber, showing clearly the many enemies which attack
the trees. The working tools, also exhibited by him, were very
instructive, especially to young foresters. The little model gate
exhibited by Mr D. P. Wallace was very neatly hung, and
worked very satisfactorily, and, with the approval of the Com-
mittee, we awarded a special prize for it. Special mention should
also be made of Messrs Alex. Bruce & Co., for the interesting
exhibition of creosoted timber submitted by them.
J. Grant THOMSON.
James Kay.
WILLIAM WILSON.
The Report was approved of.
The SEcRETARY said they had just had an interesting lecture
from Mr LrEveN on “Creosoting Timber,” and he was glad to
announce that the Committee had arranged that Dr Borruwick
should give a short address in the Exhibition on Friday afternoon,
on “The Recognition of Forest Trees by Seed and Seedling.”
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, a hearty vote of thanks was
accorded to the JupGcrEs and the EXHIBITION COMMITTEE, and to
Mr LEVEN and Dr Borruwick, for their services.
REPORT BY THE JUDGES ON Essays.
The Report of the Judges on the Essays received in competi-
tion was submitted, as follows :—
Crass I.
(1) “The Prospect of Growing Timber for Profit in the
United Kingdom.” By “ Alpha.”
Award—No. 2 Silver Medal— ARCHIBALD E. MOERAN,
Palmerston House, Portumna, Co. Galway.
6
(2) “Raising Windfalls.” By ‘A Young Forester.”
Award—Bronze Medal—THomas Hatt, Forester,
Moore Abbey, Monasterevan, Co. Galway.
(3) “ Natural Regeneration of Scots Fir.” By ‘ Cortex.”
Award—No. 2 Silver Medal—GILpBErtT Brown,
Beaufort, Beauly.
Crass II.
(1) “The Propagation of Forest Trees and Shrubs.” By
“Embryo.”
Award—No. 2 Silver Medal—JoHn M. Murray,
Assistant Forester, Kingswood.
(2) “The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Management
for the next Twenty-five Years.” By ‘ Sylviculture.”
Award—No. 2 Silver Medal—Joun M. Murray,
Assistant Forester, Kingswood.
(3) “The Laying-out of a Mixed Plantation, and its Manage-
ment for the next Twenty-five Years.” By “ Excelsior.”
Award—No. 1 Silver Medal—D. M. Macpona tp,
Assistant Forester, Alnwick, Northumberland.
(4) “The Complete Preservation of Timber.” By ‘Fac et
Spera.”
No Award.
The recommendations of the Judges were unanimously approved
of, and, on the motion of the Chairman, a hearty vote of thanks
was accorded to them.
EXCURSION 1905.
The Chairman said that there was not much to be said regard-
ing the Excursion, which they all knew was about to take place.
He believed that about seventy had intimated their intention of
going on tour.
7
EXCURSION 1906.
The President said that the Council had received a recommen-
dation from the Excursion Committee, to the effect that the
district round Newcastle might be visited next year, but he invited
suggestions from the meeting. Colonel Campbell of Achalader
suggested that a foreign tour might be taken up next year, to
some part of the Continent where the cutting of timber was being
carried out. Sir Archibald Buchan-Hepburn moved that the
matter be remitted back to the Council with powers, which was
agreed to.
COLLECTION OF STATISTICS.
The Secretary mentioned that Dr Nisbet, the Society’s
Honorary Editor, had asked him to remind the Meeting of his
(Dr Nisbet’s) appeal, made at the Conference on Forestry
Education at Perth, for the collection of useful statistics of
_ British Forests, and referred them to. Dr Nisbet’s statement on
the subject on page 60 of last year’s 7ransactions.
ScoTTisH NATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1907.*
The Chairman drew the attention of the Meeting to the
proposed Exhibition to be held in Edinburgh in 1907, and asked
whether the Society wished to take any formal part in it. It was
ultimately left to the Council to make any arrangement in
connection with the matter which they thought desirable.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business.
* Notr.—The Exhibition has been postponed till 1908.
: eo f Lot ”
# r a ou é Uh .
ey): aoe |
2
4
i
=
i
af .
} .
.
‘
i
.
: *
’
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
Instituted 16th February 1854.
PATRON,
HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING.
PROCEEDINGS IN 1906.
THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The Fifty-third Annual Meeting of the Royal Scottish Arbori-
cultural Society was held in the Goold Hall, 5 St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh, on Friday, znd February 1906, at 2.30 p.M. Mr W.
STEUART FoTHRINGHAM of Murthly, President of the Society, was
Chairman, and there was a good attendance of Members.
APOLOGIES’ FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies for absence were intimated from Mr R. C. Munro
Ferguson, M.P., Honorary Secretary; Sir Kenneth Mackenzie;
Colonel Bailey; Sir Archibald Buchan-Hepburn; Mr W. A. Rae,
Murthly; Mr John D. Sutherland, Oban ; Mr David W. Thomson,
Edinburgh; and Mr R. V. Mather, Kelso.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the General Meeting held in Glasgow on
5th July last were held as read and approved of.
REPORT BY THE COUNCIL.
The Report by the Council was then read by the Secretary, as
follows :—
Membership.
In the course of the past year the Society has sustained
considerable loss through the deaths of several prominent
Members and the resignations and lapses of others. Amongst
the deaths recorded are those of Mr Alexander Pitcaithley,
Forester, Scone, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society; Mr
David P. Laird, Nurseryman, Pinkhill, a former Vice-President,
and Convener of the Excursion Committee; Mr Robert Baxter,
Forester, Dalkeith, and Mr Patrick Neill Fraser, Murrayfield, both
former Councillors ; Sir Henry Trotter of Mortonhall; Sir James
Miller of Manderston; Mr J. Windsor Stuart, Factor, Bute; Mr
John Newbigging, Nurseryman, Dumfries; and Mr Archibald
Henderson, Forester, Tullamore, one of the oldest Members of
the Society.
At last Annual Meeting the number on the Roll was reported
to be 1072. Seventy-three have been added to the Membership
in the course of the year, but 63 have been removed owing to the
causes mentioned. The Membership at this date is therefore
1082, made up as follows :—
Honorary Members, . : 20
Honorary Associate Members, : 7
Life Members, . : 1.) ee
Ordinary Members, . ; on ge ae
Total, . 1082
Prizes.
The Syllabus, containing 27 subjects for Essays, was issued in
January 1905 along with the notice calling the Annual Meeting.
Seven Essays were received and submitted to the judges, and six
of these obtained awards. The Medals awarded were—One
No. 1 Silver Medal, four No. 2 Silver Medals, and one Bronze
Medal. In addition to these Medals, the Council, on the recom-
mendation of the Zvransactions Committee, awarded a No. 1
Silver Medal to Mr Fred Moon for his article on “A Chafer
Infestation,” which was published in last year’s Zransactions.
Donors.
The thanks of the Society are again due to Messrs W. H.
Massiz, Davin W. THomson, and JoHN METHVEN, for prizes
3
offered by them in the current year’s Syllabus, and to the Directors
of the Highland and Agricultural Society for renewing the vote
of £20 for prizes for specimens of timber to be exhibited at the
Forestry Exhibition in their Showyard at Peebles.
Transactions.
The Council thought it desirable to print off 1350 copies of the
Jubilee Volume of the Zyransactions. Copies of the volume were
presented to the Heads of the Forest School at Nancy, and the
Heads of the Forest Departments which were visited by the
Society in France in 1904; and a sufficient stock of this volume
has been left in hand for future demands. It is proposed that a
similar number of the Zransactions now in preparation should be
ordered. The Editors report that the part is well advanced, and
they hope to have it in the hands of the Members in the beginning
of March. In addition to one French and two German
periodicals which have been bought for the use of the Honorary
Editor, the Council have also decided to take in the /ndian
Forester.
Forestry Exhibition.
The Exhibition at Glasgow was not on such a large scale as
the one held at Perth in the previous year, but it was still a very
creditable undertaking. The Judges were—Messrs J. GRaAnrt-
TuHomson and James Kay, Foresters, and Mr WiLLIaAmM WILson,
Timber Merchant, Auchenleck. Their Report will be found
printed in full in the Proceedings of the General Meeting which
was held in the Showyard. From this Report it will be seen that
they awarded ten prizes in cash and four Medals:—One No. 1
Silver Medal, one No. 2 Silver Medal, and two Bronze Medals.
Short lectures were delivered by Mr Leven on the “Creosoting
of Timber,” and by Dr Borthwick on ‘‘The Recognition of Forest
Trees by Seed and Seedling,” which were both well attended and
much appreciated by those present. Mr Boyd, Pollok Estate,
and Mr Whitton, Superintendent of City Parks, Glasgow, were
kind enough to provide the necessary attendants. In addition to
the Judges’ Report, a full Report of the Exhibition will be found in
the Zransactions.
The Directors of the Highland Society have again intimated
that they will be pleased to give facilities for holding the
Exhibition in their Show at Peebles, and they have again voted
a sum of £20 for prizes for Timber Exhibits. The Schedules
have been revised and issued to all the Members. The Com-
mittee this year are—JOHN ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun Estate,
Woodbine Cottage, Peebles; CHARLES BUCHANAN, Overseer,
Penicuik ; Apam Spiers, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-
mills, Edinburgh; R. V. MaTHer, Nurseryman, Kelso; J. W.
4
M‘Hartig, Superintendent of City Parks, Council Chambers,
Edinburgh ; JoHn LetsHman, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick ;
HENRY HENDERSON, Overseer, Dawyck Estate, Stobo, Peebles.
The General Meeting.
The General Meeting was held in the Showyard, Scotstoun,
Glasgow, in the course of the Exhibition week, and was attended
by a large number of Members. The printed Minutes contain a
full Report ofthe Proceedings.
Excursion.
The Excursion last year was held in the west of Scotland, the
places visited being the Society’s Forestry Exhibition, the City
Parks in Glasgow, Benmore in Argyllshire, Cessnock, Lanfine,
Loudon, ete., in Ayrshire, and Erskine and Pollok in the
neighbourhood of Glasgow. About seventy members attended.
At the close of the Excursion it was found that there was a
surplus in hand of about £16, and the Committee, with the
approval of the Council, resolved to present to each member of
the party who had paid his full share of the expenses, an
enlarged photograph of the group taken at Benmore or Cessnock,
and to present copies to the Proprietors and others who had
_received and entertained the party. Mr Richardson, the
Society’s photographer, has the photographs in hand, and
reports that he hopes to have the whole of them issued to the
members by the end of this week. A full Report of the
Excursion will be found in the Zyransactions.
At the General Meeting the Council recommended that the
Excursion next year should be made in the district round
Newcastle.’ This was approved of, and the matter was remitted
back to the Council, with powers. The programme sketched out
by the Council is as follows :—Headquarters, Newcastle—two
days to be devoted to Alnwick estates, one to Cragside, and
one to Lambton Park and the Technical College, Newcastle.
The various proprietors have been kind enough to grant the
necessary permission, and the arrangements will be proceeded
with in due course. The Duke of Northumberland has expressed
a wish that the visit should be made as early as possible in
August.
Last year an application was made by the Secretary to the
various Scottish railway companies to have the Society placed
upon the. permanent list of Societies whose members are
entitled to cheap fares from any part of the country to the head-
quarters of the Society wherever they may be at the time of the
Excursion. In reply to this application, the railway companies
pointed out that as their arrangements last year for cheap fares
5
to Glasgow in connection with the Highland Society’s show
there would be available for members of this Society, the matter
did not require to be dealt with then, but they promised that,
if brought up again, it would be carefully considered. The
Council accordingly propose to repeat the application this
year.
The Council’s Vistt to Talla.
Through the courtesy of the Edinburgh and District Water
Trust, the members of Council and officials of the Society visited
the Talla Waterworks and catchment area on Saturday, roth
June last. They were met and shown over the works and area
by Mr Wood, Convener of the Finance Committee of the Water
Trust, Treasurer Anderson, and Mr Black, Superintendent. A
memorandum, prepared by Mr Tait, the engineer, regarding the
works and estate, had been handed to each member of the
party. After the inspection, the party were entertained to tea
by the Water Trust in the Victoria Lodge. Mr Wood welcomed
the party, and said that the Trust were considering the
advisability of planting some of the area. The President
thanked the Water Trust for their kindness in permitting the
Council to visit their estate, and for their generous hospitality,
and expressed the hope that the bare hillsides they had seen
would soon be clad with trees. Treasurer Anderson returned
thanks on behalf of the Trust, and said that they would be glad
if the Society could visit the works on some other occasion.
He mentioned that the Trust had an open mind as to planting,
he thought they would do something, and he expressed his
belief that planting there would be a paying concern. He was
sure the Trust would give sympathetic attention to any further
representations the Society might make on the subject. The
visit, though short, proved a most interesting and instructive
one.
In connection with this matter, the Council are gratified to
be able to report that the Corporations of Liverpool and Leeds
have already made some progress in the afforestation of catch-
ment areas belonging to them, and they hope that the Edinburgh
and District Water Trust may be in a position before long to
carry out the President’s suggestion.
Forestry Education.
Early last year the Council appointed a committee to obtain
information from the Universities and Colleges in Scotland as
to the various schemes in operation or in contemplation for
providing Forestry Education. All the Universities and Colleges
were communicated with, and replies have been received, but
the Committee have thought it unnecessary to issue a formal
2B
6
report at present. Meantime the Council have heard with
much appreciation of the generous action of Mr John Mahler
of Penissa Glyn, Bonygarth, Chirk, North Wales, in presenting
to the Denbighshire County Council 50 acres of land for the
purpose of an experimental station, by which the County Council
is enabled to give effect to the recommendation of the recent
Departmental Committee on Forestry, where it says, “that it is
exceedingly desirable that College instruction in Forestry should
be illustrated by means of example plots.” These 50 acres
will be the property of the County Council of Denbigh, but will
be under the direction of the lecturer on Forestry in the
University of North Wales, Bangor. The Council congratulated
Mr Mahler on his public spirit, and thanked him for sending
copies of his pamphlet on the subject.
Local Branches.
Mr Crozier, forester, Durris, Drumoak, having represented to
the Council that there was a desire amongst the members resident
in Aberdeenshire that a local branch of the Society should be
established there, the Council considered the matter, and while
expressing their approval of the principle of local branches, they
remitted to a Committee to go into the subject more fully and to
report. The Committee’s report has now been printed and
approved by the Council, and will be submitted at a later
stage of the proceedings.
Proposed Journal of Forestry.
At a recent meeting of the Council, Mr GILLANDERs, on behalf
of the Royal English Arboricultural Society, mentioned that
that Society had recently been considering the advisability of
starting a Journal of Forestry, but that they thought it was very
desirable that this Society should take a leading part in the
venture, and suggested that a meeting of representatives of both
Societies should be held at York to discuss the matter. The
Council, however, thought it advisable in the first instance to
appoint a Committee to consider the subject and report. The
report has now been received, and the matter will be brought
before the meeting at a later stage.
St Louis Exhibition.
Since last meeting a communication has been received from
Colonel Watson, Secretary of the Royal Commission, sending a
photographic reproduction of the reverse side of the Silver Medal
awarded to the Society for the Photographs exhibited at St Louis,
and an extract from a letter from the Secretary of Awards to the
7
effect that this reproduction may be used under certain conditions,
and that the Diploma and the Medal in Bronze (according-to the
regulations of the Exhibition authorities) would be sent as soon
as possible.
The Photographs which gained the medal were exhibited at
the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society’s International Show
in the Waverley Market in September last, and are now
exhibited in the hall here for the inspection of the Members.
Sparks Bul.
Considerable disappointment was experienced when it was
ascertained that this Bill had been so altered in Committee as
to make the limit of compensation for damage to woodlands
#100. It was considered that this practically rendered the Bill
useless as regards woodlands, and the Council made a representa-
tion to that effect to the Board of Agriculture, which was duly
acknowledged.
Library.
A list of additions to the Library since last meeting will be
appended to this Report when it appears in the Zransactions.
(See Appendix E.)
American Forest Congress.
A Congress organised by the American Forestry Association
was held in Washington in January 1905, and a copy of the
Proceedings was purchased recently and added to the Society’s
library.
Canadian Forestry Convention.
A convention organised by the Canadian Forestry Association
was held in Ottawa in the course of last month. It was attended
by representatives from all the Canadian provinces, and was
presided over by the Prime Minister, and the proceedings were
opened by the Governor-General. If the Proceedings are
published, the Council propose to purchase a copy for the
Society’s library.
Register of Foresters.
Situations for various estate men have been secured through
the medium of the Register during the past year, but greater
advantage ought to be taken of the Register by proprietors and
others requiring estate men, and the Council again appeal to
them to make use of it.
Laws.
The Committee have completed the work of revising the Laws,
but the proposed revisions have still to be submitted and
approved of by the Council before they can be submitted to the
Society.
Annual Dinner.
Members are reminded of the Annual Dinner, which is to be
held in the Royal British Hotel this evening at 6 o’clock, and
is to be presided over by Mr Fothringham, the President.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the Report, said it
was so full that it did not require many words from him. He
had received a letter from the Honorary Secretary, Mr Munro
Ferguson, M.P., the gist of which he might give them. Mr
Ferguson said that, so far as promoting the objects of the Society
were concerned—the good and intelligent afforestation of a great
deal of this country—he did not look upon it as a means of
employment for all the unemployed, because he thought if the
present somewhat unthoughtout cry of spending a great deal of
money upon forestry was taken up, it would probably lead to ill-
considered expenditure, which would not produce good results,
and would be discouraging to forestry generally in this country in
the future. Mr Munro Ferguson was of opinion that it would be
a good thing for the Society to send a strong representation, both
to the Woods and Forests Department and to the Treasury,
urging that some steps should be taken towards acquiring
demonstration areas in this country as soon as possible. Pro-
ceeding, the Chairman said that the visit to the Talla had been
a very interesting one. ‘Those of the Council who were present
formed the opinion that the area was well suited for forestry,
and he hoped the Edinburgh and District Water Trust would
use, at any rate, a part of the land for afforestation purposes. If
that were done, it would make a good demonstration area within
a comparatively easy distance of Edinburgh. The advantages
of afforestation within catchment areas was one of the outstand-
ing features of the United States Forest Congress Report, which
he considered well worthy of the attention of the members of the
Edinburgh and District Water Trust. Canada was following on
the same lines. They might reasonably hope that their efforts
were beginning to bear fruit when others besides themselves
9
were now seeing the necessity of improving forestry, not only
in this country but all over the world, to keep up the supply
of timber.
With regard to the Zransactions, it was hoped in future to
print notes of the observations of individual foresters which
might be considered of sufficient merit by the Editing Committee.
Many foresters, who did not feel equal to writing an ordinary
paper, might send them short notes of their own observations, .
and he was certain such notes would add to the interest of the
Transactions. That day it had also been decided to publish
the Zransactions once in six months instead of once a year as
formerly. That decision had been partly brought about by a
letter received from a member of the Royal English Arboricul-
tural Society. He was not sure how far the letter emanated
from the Society or from individuals, but it stated that the
English Society contemplated starting a Journal of Forestry, and
expressed the view that the Scottish Society should take a
prominent part in the venture. The Council were not inclined
to commit the Society to the publication of anything like a
monthly or weekly journal; but they thought there should be
more literature on the subject, and the outcome of their delibera-
tions was to try publication of the Zyransactions twice a year,
probably in January and July. That, at anyrate, would keep
the Society more before the public, and he hoped they would
approve of what had been done.
The Report was unanimously adopted.
ACCOUNTS.
Mr Joun MeEtTHVEN, Convener of the Finance Committee,
submitted for approval the printed Abstract of Accounts for the
year ending 31st December, which had been sent to the Members
previous to the meeting. The Accounts showed that the Capital
funds at the close of the year amounted to £1287, 15s. 8d., and
that the balance of Revenue carried forward was £344, 4S.
The Accounts were approved of. (The Abstract is printed as
Appendix A.)
DuNN MEMORIAL Funp.
Mr METHVEN also submitted the audited Accounts of the
Dunn Memorial Fund for the past year, which showed a balance
2C
Io
of cash in hand of £10, 1s. 6d. The Statement was approved of.
(See Appendix B.)
Excursion FuNnD ACCOUNTS.
Mr Cuar_es BucHANAN submitted an audited Statement of the
Excursion Accounts, showing a balance at credit of £ 47, 19s. 3d.,
which, however, was subject to the cost of the Photographs,
estimated at £16. This would leave a balance to be carried
forward of about £31, 19s. 3d. The Statement was approved of.
(See Appendix C.)
OFFICE-BEARERS.
On the motion of Mr MrETHVEN, seconded by Mr ScRIMGEOUR,
Mr Srevart FoTHRINGHAM was re-elected President, and
Mr Joun W. M‘Hartir, Edinburgh, and Mr D. F. MAcKENZIE,
F.S.I., Mortonhall, were added to the list of Vice-Presidents.
In returning thanks for his re-election, the Chairman said he
had been President for three years. While he was delighted
to do anything he could for the Society, he thought that by
changing their Presidents fairly often they spread interest in
its affairs. It would be a good thing to look for a new President
by next year, perhaps in some part of the country which had
not been reached as yet. That, he thought, would be better
than sticking to one man. At the same time, while he was
President, he would do the best he could. He proposed the
re-election of Mr Munro Fercuson, M.P., as Honorary
Secretary, and of Mr Roserr Gatioway, S.S.C., as Secretary
and Treasurer, both nominations being cordially agreed to.
Councillors, in room of those retiring, were elected as follows:
—Messrs JoHN Boyp, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws;
A. T. Gr~Lanpers, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle; W. H.
MassizE, Nurseryman, Edinburgh; CHaRLES BUCHANAN, Over-
seer, Penicuik; JoHNn D. Crozier, Forester, Durris Estate,
Drumoak ; W. A. Raz, Factor, Murthly; and James WHITTON,
Superintendent of City Parks, Glasgow. The Honorary Editor,
the Assistant Editor, the Auditor, the Honorary Scientists, the
Photographer, and the Local Secretaries were re-elected.
Dr BorTHWICK was elected a member of the Zransactions Com-
mittee and a Judge, in room of Mr Slater. The other members
It
were re-elected. (A detailed list of the Office-Bearers and others
will be found in Appendix D.)
PROPOSED JOURNAL OF FORESTRY.
The Cuarrman said he had already explained the views of
the Council on this matter. It had been put on the paper in
case any of them might wish to make remarks upon it.
Sir LEonaRD LYELL, Bart., thought it would be a good thing,
and would awaken interest in forestry, if they could arrange for
a Journal of Forestry. There had recently been a very interesting
conference in America, which it would have been useful to have
had reported in this country. Dr Nisbet had also lately read a
paper to the Society of Arts in London which many of them
would have liked to be able to read and study. If they had a
Journal of Forestry, these and other matters could have been
readily brought before them, and they would be kept in touch
with what was going on the world over. He did not see why
their Zransactions should not be published quarterly.
Mr RUTHERFURD of Fairnington, Roxburgh, approved of the
proposal to print notes from foresters embodying the results of
their personal observations. Many men would supply short
notes when they would not write papers.
Mr Cape. of Grange said that formerly the Royal Society of
Edinburgh only published once a year, but authors got tired of
waiting so long, and now they published papers in lots as they
were read. It was a good idea to publish the Zransactions four
times a year if need be, instead of once, but the question of a
magazine was rather a different one. The difficulty about a
magazine was that they might not be able to keep up the
material and bring it out regularly at the appointed times.
The CHairRMAN said that the bringing out of the Zyransactions
twice a year instead of only once might prove but a preliminary
step. If the change was successful, they might consider the
question of publishing quarterly. But there were a good many
things to consider before they went that length, and the Council
wished to proceed with caution. As to going in for a magazine
or journal published in alliance with the English Society, they
hesitated very much. It would mean the pledging of the credit
of the Society, and the information they got from the English
Society was rather nebulous, The wish was simply expressed
I2
that there should be a journal, and that they should take a
prominent part in promoting it. They did not see their way to
commit the Society at that stage. If anyone came forward with
a feasible scheme, he had no doubt that they would be prepared
to give it their best consideration, and place the matter before
the General Meeting.
FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT PEEBLES.
The CHAIRMAN stated that Schedules in connection with this
years Exhibition in the Highland Society’s Show at Peebles had
been sent out, and he hoped that Members would take the
trouble to send in any interesting exhibits they could get hold
of.
THE PRopOsED ScoTTISH NATIONAL EXHIBITION.
Mr Ga.toway explained that when this Exhibition was first
spoken about it was intended to hold it on a site in Murrayfield,
Edinburgh, in 1907. It was found, however, that an Exhibition
was also to be held in Dublin that year, and after conference on
the subject it was decided to postpone the Scottish Exhibition
till 1908. The site now proposed, if it could be obtained from
the Corporation of Edinburgh, was part of the estate of Saughton,
belonging to the town, and of which they were about to obtain
possession. ‘This site, it was believed, would be a very suitable
one, and the promoters were hopeful that the town would make
it available for this purpose.
LocaL BRANCHES OF THE SOCIETY.
The CHAIRMAN moved—“ That Local Branches of the Society
be established in such centres as the Council shall approve of,
for the purpose of promoting the objects of the Society, upon
such conditions as to Membership and otherwise as the Council
may from time to time determine.” ‘That matter, he said, had
been brought forward from the Aberdeenshire district, and the
Council, after consideration, had suggested that branches might
be formed in Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth, and Glasgow. Mr
Galloway was not quite clear that they were entitled under
their rules to pass such a motion as he proposed at that
13
meeting, but if they were agreeable he would take the risk
of the illegality of it.
Mr Crozier, in seconding, said he thought Local Branches
would be appreciated by those Members who could not attend
meetings in Edinburgh.
In answer to Sir LEONARD LYELL, the Chairman said that the
proposal to have their Annual Meeting at different parts of the
country had been before the Society on former occasions, and
it was always agreed to have the Annual Meeting in Edinburgh.
The General Meeting had, in recent years, been held in the
district where the Highland Society’s Show or the Society’s
Excursion was held.
Mr Ga.toway then read the Committee’s Report, embodying
the Regulations adopted by the Council regarding the formation
of Local Branches, as follows :—
first, That Local Branches for Inverness, Aberdeen, Perth,
and Glasgow would be useful auxiliaries in the work of
the Society.
Second. These Branches could hold meetings for lectures and
discussions; could arrange and carry out excursions ;
and conduct, encourage, or report on investigations and
experiments; and they could contribute to the Society’s
Transactions. All the work of these Branches would be
done by their own office-bearers, and a report of their
proceedings would require to be submitted annually to
the Council for presentation to the Society.
Third. A Local Branch could be formed upon the requisition
of not less than 20 Members of the Society residing in the
district. On receipt of such a requisition, the Council
should instruct the Secretary to convene a meeting of the
Requisitionists at the centre of the district, at which the
requisition and these Regulations, as approved by the
Society, should be read, and if the Regulations are
adopted by the meeting, the Local Branch could there
and then be formed.
Fourth. Members of the Branches should be Members of the
Society, no others being admitted.
Fifth. The Society should make a grant of say £45 per annum
towards the expenses of each Branch, but otherwise the
Branches should be self-supporting.
14
Sixth. The Rules of each Branch would be made by its
Committee, but would be subject to the approval of the
Council of the Society; and after the Rules have been
approved of by the Council, it should not be competent
to the Branch to make any alterations on or additions to
its Rules without the express approval of the Council.
Seventh. After the Branches are formed, it might be advisable
that they should have direct representation on the Council
of the Society. This could be kept in view in annually
making recommendations to fill the vacancies on the
Council.
The Motion and Regulations were unanimously passed by
the Meeting.
VoTES OF THANKS.
Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring Office-
Bearers for their services to the Society during their term of
office, and to the President for presiding.
LECTURE BY DR BORTHWICK.
At the close of the business meeting, Dr A. W. BorTHWICK,
Hon. Consulting Cryptogamist to the Society, and Lecturer
on Forestry to the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College
of Agriculture, delivered a very interesting lecture, illustrated
by lantern slides, on “The Possibilities of Artificial Manures
in Forestry.” A discussion followed, which was taken part in
by Mr Cape. of Grange, Mr GILLANDERS, and others. A
Report of the lecture and discussion will be found in the
Transacttons. On the motion of the Chairman, Dr Borthwick
was cordially thanked for his lecture.
THE ANNUAL DINNER.
The Annual Dinner of the Society was held in the Royal
British Hotel the same evening at 6 o’clock, the President in
the Chair. The guests of the Society were Lord Ardwall;
Treasurer Anderson, Edinburgh and District Water Trust;
Dr Borthwick; Mr W. F. A. Hudson, Lecturer on Forestry to
the West of Scotland Agricultural College; Mr R. B. Greig,
15
Fordyce Lecturer on Agriculture, Marischal College, Aberdeen ;
Mr W. Scott Stevenson, Secretary of the Edinburgh and East of
Scotland College of Agriculture; Mr P. Murray Thomson, S.S.C.,
Secretary Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society; and Mr D.
Young, Vorth British Agriculturist. The usual loyal and
patriotic toasts were duly honoured. Lord Ardwall proposed
the toast of “The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society” in a
very interesting speech, and the President replied. Other toasts
were ‘“‘ Educational Institutions,” proposed by Professor Stewart
MacDougall and replied to by Mr R. B. Greig; and “Our
Guests,” proposed by Mr James Johnstone and replied to by
Treasurer Anderson. A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman
terminated the proceedings.
16
oO 2 ¢
O 8 9L&
0 2 &8F
0G) 91
0 GL 8LF
. .
G GI GZ
0 0 069
O GL 88oF
UL SJUEWASTWDAPY soy sydroooy ssarz
9 L CCF
ay : “oqo ‘Suipurg ‘sTvorpomeg Aajso10,q
@ GL se E * ‘{ieu0eyg pure suryuiig [eeues
yr (Sle
Oeeting : : c ‘squdey s10yjny puy 0 G L6Z
Y ST Sls - ; ‘sworjomsuUnuy, JO "TTTAX “lOA
a Tei ~* ; ; ; “oqo ‘Krononyeyg ‘Suyung [| 6 b FOEF
‘“ADYVHOSIG
‘HONFAWY— IIT
G L 6LETF G L 6L8LF
8 GI L8c1F
8 OL 98 : * ogrurry ‘pur| [JO0g Jo yur
[RUOHEN Wl Wins Ssuteq ‘yeyidep Jo sourpeg
0 GT S19 ; ‘EGBL Fe “Y0OYG eanguoqod yuoo 0 LLF
ied F Auvdwmop Avaypiey weuopeaey OOGF AL ¥6
0 OL Lear : ed RELL ACG
ON 6320039 AjInUUY poojyurieny *yu00 |
tod 7 Auvdwmoy Avmprey weruopeleg once
8 GT Z8aL ° ‘ ; : “GO6L toqtuoooq YIOg ye spung “Eg |
(iy (oye ee ‘GOGL LoQuIADaq TIO 3 Syooyg AVM] IeY Jo onywa UL esvorooqy *Z
0 LL GT — ‘suoyditosqng poynamoy jo “ “ 6 Ah |
6 SOF ‘euorydsosqng Oj] [Ny Jo a |: pawsnoycouy
6 L V8F * ‘onueaoy ;
0} pedtejsuvty suoydiwosqng siequMoyy oft] 3 uotodorg: a G OL P8ZLF°
‘“ASUYVHOSIGC
TEV ich Omeas
oan, ee ODE OF
paatooat JOT PUL QO6L IOJ suordiwosqug
0
0
GL 6 * “FO6TL UL paatooay ssarz
OL 968F * * “C06 40) suordtiosqng
: * “POGT doquaoed 4sT¢ 4e sivaLty
‘ ‘suorjdisosqng Sioquayy Areurpig °z
‘F061 Loqueseq 4STE 4v pury ur eee Fe
‘ASYVHO
: “uoryuyniuUos Aq stoqueyW LavaIpag
: : ; ‘sdequayy MON
: ‘G06 Ut suolydiosqng s1eqwuoyy avy °z
: : ‘yuvg ut [epidey jo souxpeg
: ‘PSL 7U ‘YOO}G eanqgueqod “yueo
iad 7 Auvdiuop Avmjrey uvimopereg oogF
; "ELIT
‘ON ‘009g Aqmuuy peeyuBieny “yWe0
tod ¢ Auvdwoy Avayprey uvuopelvp oocF
¥ : * FO6L oq ueo0q 4STE 4v spung ‘|
‘ASYVHO
“COGL APQMs09q YIOE surpue 189K IOJ SLNNOODY AO LOVULSAY
‘VV XIGNAddV
17
“LOpLPNP
“oUt OF payqryxe w99q osye oAry SAAOde
YM JO “GOBT Aoquuadaqy YSTEg OF avad oy Loy
fT
IL 9L ShLF
0 F FH
€ Z 8&1
0 0 OL
IT 8. &
OL ST ST
‘NOSLVM “L NHOL
* SWOLYPDSUDLT, GOBT JO £240 “4800 Jo you
-Avd 03 yoolqns ‘(paqiuiy ‘puvyjoog jo yurg [euoreN
ul wns Sureq) wok yxou 03 paldavo onuadsdgy jo souvlve “9
€ L Sale
OL. ol v= ee
@ OL 08 ° ; * — ‘shvyynO
A440q pur ‘sanbayp uo suols
“SIMO ‘SaBRySOg yeseues)
8 G SLR ‘sworomsun17 FOI JO sabuysod
°Z1A ‘S£SIO SnooUel[eost puv saseysog
0 GLS s * ‘qauuly pus
SuljooW penuy yytat WOTJOoUTLOD WI SARTINO
Gu F * TorynED Jo puog s Aaeyor0ag
10 umpweld pur ‘Qouwansuy ‘SUISTFAIAP VW
0 0 &9 : * qainsvoiy, puv A1ey{a100g
00 & ? : - * FoyIpH, JUeISISSVy
q) 1s “ : C - * — *yeqa0deyy
0 € & : : ; : © oyrpny
0 8 &F : a : E : “quay
; : : : s ‘ueulasvuryy Jo sosuedxg *G
: : : : : : ‘TLIOJUV'T &
eprroid 03 ssv[Q Aajsorog APISIOATI YHMQUIpPY 0} WOTyeUOG “pF
L 619 : : : ‘sAv[qnO 10490
O01 : ‘ : * SUIsteapy
9 SLSIFy ° : : ; ‘SUIUI
—AMOSStTX) ye MOY §,4401I00g
JeanyNoNsy puv purpysip, oyy ye uorpiqiyxg Asysor0y “¢g
‘MOSSBLY)
qe pezIqiyxa toqw1y, UMOIS-aULOF] 1OJ
popa«war sazitg oJ ‘Ayoroog [vang[Nos y
pux purpysip] oy} wor UoTwU0g ssaz
0 0 8I
sv spuny s,4jo100g oy} Suryuasaided ‘sarptanoeg ey,
IOANSLAL, 9} JO SPUNOIY ot} pouruexe oavy | yg} Afsyt09 Aqosrey [—'906T humnunp puzz, ‘ADWOANIAG
IL 9L SPL
8 SII
6 & 8I
L& &
6 I 8
“4991100 WAY} PUNOJ AAVY PUB “Jourysqy Uv ST SULOZetoy oyy
‘paseaooay XB, auODUT *g
‘pjos “oye ‘swoupppsunny °G
‘qs910JU] PUL SpuepIAl(, "Ff
‘eyidep
WO, paliojsavs} SUOIdIOsqng S1aquley ai] Jo uoysodoig ‘g
0 GS L6GF
0 2 8
0 SEaty. : “GOBL 104
-WadaqT YING We sival1y
0 GLOLF : ‘OGL taquiaoacy
TIO 1B 9[QVLPAODALII SB
YO wayyM IO patjeoury
18
APPENDIX B.
ABSTRACT OF ACCOUNTS
IN CONNECTION WITH
THE Matcorm DunN MEMORIAL FUND, 1905.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Bank at close of last Account, 3 Ae ey he
Dividend on £100 3 per cent. Redeemable Stock
of Edinburgh Corporation, payable at Whit-
sunday and Martinmas 1905, £3, /ess Tax 35., 2 D7.0
Z10° 5 6
PAYMENTS.
Nil.
Balance carried forward, being sum in
National Bank of Scotland on Account
Current; 4 , ; ; £10 a 6
LVote.—The Capital belonging to the Fund con-
sists of £100 3 per cent. Redeemable
Stock of Edinburgh Corporation.
EDINBURGH, 30th January 1906.—Examined and found correct. The
Certificate by the Bank of above balance, and Edinburgh Corporation Stock
Certificate, have been exhibited.
JoHN T. Watson,
Auditor.
19
APPENDIX C.
EXCURSION FUND.
Abstract of Accounts for Year 1905.
Balance brought from last Account, . wea AA
Additional Sums collected for Swedish Albums, . ; Ln 0
Deduct— £63 8 4
Auditor’s Fee for 1904, . pees 2) O
Payment to Mr Richardson for
French Photographs, ZAinb hy ©
Printing Names on Photographs
and Circular, . arian 6
Further Payment to Mr Richard-
son for Swedish Albums, being
amount collected to date, : Ai ALO
Sat CRAG
PACS Ry an Le,
Excursion to Glasgow, Argyll and Ayr shires.
RECEIPTS.
Contributions to Common Purse, 4129 16 9
Less Repayments, . ; ; ECLOW"O
L128" og
Sums received in advance for Photos, o 8 o
4128 8 9g
PAYMENTS.
Hotels, . Pag cp’! ©
Railways, BHR ANE
Driving, aa (ES) "oe
Printing Programmes, and
Incidentals, : s iE Be KG
ervrey 4
1681615
Balance carried forward to next year, being ——
sum in National Bank of Scotland, Ltd.,
on Account Current, 2 ad nots
Note.—The above Balance is subject to payment of the price of
Photographs taken at Benmore, etc., and the Auditor’s
Fee for 1905, estimated at £16.
EDINBURGH, 30¢/ January 1906.—Examined with Vouchers and Memor-
andum Book and found correct.
447, 19s. 3d. also exhibited.
Bank Certificate of above balance of
Joun T. WATSON,
Auditor.
20
APPENDIX D.
Office-Bearers for 1906 :—
PRESIDENT.
W. Srevart FoTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perthshire.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Sir Kennetu J. Mackenzin, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray Place, Edinburgh.
The Right Hon. the Ear or MANSFIELD, Scone Palace, Perth.
Sir Joun Stir~tiInc MAxweE LL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws.
JoHn W. M‘Harriz, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers,
Edinburgh.
D. F. Macxernziz, F.S.I., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Midlothian.
COUNCIL.
Sir THomas Gipson CARMICHAEL, Bart. of Castle Craig, Malleny House,
Balerno.
JAMEs Cook, Land Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge.
GrorGE U. MAcDONALD, Forester, Raith, Kirkcaldy.
WixitAM Mackinnon, Nurseryman, 75 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh.
R. V. Marner, Nurseryman, Kelso.
ApAmM Spiers, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-Mills, Edinburgh.
Colonel F. Barttey, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
JOHN ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cottage, Peebles.
Dr A. W. Bortuwick, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
JAMES JOHNSTONE, F.S.I., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr.
GxrorcE LEVEN, Forester, Auchincruive, St Quivox, Ayr.
JoHN Meruven, Nurseryman, 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
JoHN ScRIMGEOUR, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
Davip W. THomson, Nurseryman, 113 George Street, Edinburgh.
JouHN Boyp, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.
A. T. GitLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.
W. H. Massiz, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
CHARLES BUCHANAN, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
JoHN D. Crozier, Forester, Durris Estate, Drumoak, Aberdeeushire.
W. A. Rag, Factor, Murthly, Perthshire.
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers, Glasgow.
HON. SECRETARY.
R. C. Munro Frrcuson, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith House, Kirkcaldy.
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
RoBerT GALLow4y, S.8.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
21
HON. EDITOR.
Colonel F. Barney, R.E., University Lecturer on Forestry,
7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh,
Note.—Dr Nisset was re-elected at the Meeting, but his resignation reached the
Secretary the following day, and Colonel BaiLEy was afterwards reappointed.
ASSISTANT EDITOR,
A. D. RrcHarpson, 1 West Brighton Crescent, Portobello.
AUDITOR.
Joun T. Watson, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
TRUSTEES.
The Ear oF MansFIELD, R. C. Munro FErcuson, M.P., and
W. Srevart ForHRINGHAM of Murthly.
JUDGES AND TRANSACTIONS COMMITTEE.
Colonel F. BarLey, Lecturer on Forestry, University of Edinburgh
(Convener).
D. F. Macxernzts, F.S.I., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Liberton.
JOHN ANNAND, Estate Overseer, Woodbine Cottage, Peebles.
A. T. GintanpeErs, F,.E.S., Park Cottage, Alnwick, Northumberland.
Dr A. W. Borruwick, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh ; and
THE SECRETARY, ex officio.
HONORARY CONSULTING SCIENTISTS.
Consulting Botanist.—IsaAac BAYLEY Batrour, LL.D., M.D., Sc.D.,
Professor of Botany, University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper,
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Chemist.—ALEXANDER LaubEr, D.Sc., F.C.S., 13 George
Square, Edinburgh.
Consulting Cryptogamist.—A. W. BortHwick, D.Sc., Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Entomologist.—Ropert STEWART MacDoveatt, M.A.,
D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 13 Archibald Place,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Geologist. —JoHN SmirH FLETT, M.A,, B.Se., M.B., C.M.,
Geological Survey, 28 Jermyn Street, London, S.W.
Consulting Meteorologist. —-RoBERT CocKBURN MossMAN, F.R.S.E.,
F.R.Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place, Edinburgh,
PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST.
A. D. RicHArDSON, 1 West Brighton Crescent, Portobello.
Counties.
Aberdeen,
Argyle, .
Ayr,
Berwick, -
Bute,
Clackmannan,.
Dumbarton,
Dumfries, -
East Lothian, .
Fife,
Forfar, .
Inverness,
Kincardine,
Kinross,
Lanark, .
Moray,
Perth,
Renfrew, ‘
Ross,
Roxburgh,
Sutherland,
Wigtown,
22
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
Scotland.
JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
Joun Micuik, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater.
WALTER Etxiot, Manager, Ardtornish.
Joun D. SUTHERLAND, Estate Agent, Oban.
ANDREW D. Paces, Overseer, Culzean, Maybole.
A. B. Rozgertson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock.
Wo. Ming, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Wo. Incuis, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick.
JAMES Kay, Forester, Bute Estate, Rothesay.
RosErtT ForsBes, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
RosERtT Brown, Forester, Boiden, Luss.
D. Crasse, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie.
JoHN Hayes, Dormont Grange, Lockerbie.
W. S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk.
Wo. Gitcurist, Timber Merchant, Ladybank.
EpMuND SAnc, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy.
JAMES CRABBE, Forester, Glamis.
JAMES ROBERTSON, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie.
JAmMEs A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness.
JoHN Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven.
JAMEs TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam,
Joun Davinson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell,
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers,
Glasgow.
JoHN Brypon, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
D. Scorr, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres.
W. Harrower, Forester, Tomnacroich, Garth, Aberfeldy.
JoHN ScrimeGEOUR, Doune Lodge, Doune.
S. MacBran, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
Joun J. R. MEIKLEJOHN, Factor, Novar, Evanton.
Miss AMy Frances YuLg, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord.
Joan LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick.
R. V. Maruer, Nurseryman, Kelso.
Donatp Rogerson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
JAMES HoGarta, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer.
H. H. WALKER, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill.
Counties,
Beds,
Berks,
Cheshire,
Devon,
Durham,
Hants,
Herts,
Kent,
Lancashire,
Leicester,
Lincoln,
Middlesex,
23
England.
JOHN ALEXANDER, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
FRANCIS MITCHELL, Forester, Woburn.
W. StoriE, Whitway House, Newbury.
Wm. ExipEr, Cholmondeley Park, near Malpas.
JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington.
A. C. Forsss, Professor of Forestry, Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield.
JAMES BARTON, Forester, Hatfield.
THOMAS SMITH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring.
R. W. Cowper, Gortanore, Sittingbourne.
D. C. HAmitton, Forester, Knowsley, Prescot.
JAMES MArtTIN, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham.
W. B. Havetock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park.
Professor BouncER, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill,
London, 8. W.
Northumberland,JoHN Davipson, Secretary, Royal English Arboricultural
Notts,
Salop,
Suffolk, .
Surrey, .
Warwick,
York,
Dublin, .
Galway, .
Kilkenny,
King’s County,
Tipperary,
Wicklow,
Society, Haydon-Bridge-on-Tyne.
W. Micuts, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop.
Witson ToMLInson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop.
Frank HU tt, Forester, Lillieshall, Newport.
ANDREW Boa, Agent, Great Thurlow.
GrorcE HannaH, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds.
ANDREW PEEBLES, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford.
A. D. Curistiz, Warriage Hill Farm, Bidford.
ApAm Matn, Forester, Rose Cottage, Loftus.
D. Tart, Estate Bailiff, Owston Park, Doncaster.
Ireland.
JAMES WILSON, B.Sc., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
THoMAS ROBERTSON, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn.
AtEex. M‘Ragzg, Forester, Castlecomer.
Wo. Henverson, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore.
Davin G. Cross, Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh.
ADAM JOHNSTONE, Forester, Coollattin, Shillelagh.
24
APPENDIX E.
Presentations to the Society’s Library since the publication
of last List in Volume XVIII.
Orem & bo
tor)
[o')
Books.
. Forest Management: 8rd Edition revised of vol. iii. of Dr Schlich’s
Manual of Forestry.
. Manual of the Trees of North America. By Charles 8. Sargent.
The Country Gentlemen's Estate Book, 1905.
New Zealand Official Year-Book, 1904.
. Practical Forestry. 4th Edition. By A. D. Webster.
Future Forest Trees. By A. Harold Unwin, D.c.
. The Forester. By Dr John Nisbet. 2 vols., 1905.
. Trees: A Handbook of Forest Botany for the Woodlands and the
Laboratory. Vols. ii. and iii. By H. Marshall Ward, Sc.D., F.R.S.
. The New Forestry. 2nd Edition, 1908. By John Simpson.
. The Estate Nursery, 1905. By John Simpson.
. Proceedings of the American Forest Congress, 1905. (By purchase.)
Socretigs’ Reports, TRANSACTIONS, ETc.
. Annual Reports of the Smithsonian Institution, 1903 and 1904.
. Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society, 5th Series,
vol. xvii., 1905.
. Transactions of the Natural History Society of Glasgow. Vol. vi.,
part 3, 1901-02; and vol. vii., part 1, 1902-03.
. Transactions of thé English Arboricultural Society, vol. vi., part 1,
1904-05.
. Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, vol. Ixv.
. Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. viii., parts 6-16, and
Index; and vol. ix., part 1.
. Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. x., parts 2 and 3; and
vol. xi., parts 1-4.
. Economic Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. i., parts
5 and 6,
Transactions of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, vol. xxii., part 4;
and vol. xxiii., part 1.
. Report of the Department of Lands and Survey, New Zealand, 1903-04.
. Report of the Bergens Museum, Norway, 1902, 1908, and 1904
(in parts).
. Report of Madras Forest Department, 1902-03.
. Memoirs of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, 1905.
. Calendar for 1905-06—Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of
Agriculture.
. The Estate Magazine, 1905.
25
27. Report of the Superintendent of Forestry, Canada, 1904.
28. Jowrnal of the Royal Horticultural Society, vol. xxix., part 4.
29. Proceedings and Transactions of Nova Scotia Institute of Science, vol. x.,
part 1, 1902-03.
30. United States Geological Survey Reports :—
The Forests of Oregon.
The Forests of Washington.
Forest Conditions in the Cascade Range, Washington.
ie up ,, Olympic Forest Reserve, Washington.
He sy », Northern Sierra Nevada, California.
35 aA », Cascade Range Forest Reserve, Oregon.
7 na » San Francisco Mountains Forest Reserve,
Arizona.
ip ,, Black Mesa Forest Reserve, Arizona(2 Copies),
Teton and Yi ellowstone Park (Southern Part) Forest Reserves.
The Priest River Forest Reserve.
The Bighorn Forest Reserve.
The San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel Forest Reserves.
(Preliminary Report.)
The San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel Forest Reserves.
The White River Plateau and Battlement Mesa Forest Reserves.
(2 Copies. )
The Flathead Forest Reserve.
The Bitterroot Forest Reserve.
Summary of Forestry Work in 1899-1900.
31. Report of Commissioners of Woods, Forests, and Land Revenues,
June 1905.
32. Report of the Department of Forestry, Peansylvania, Years 1903-04.
33. Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 1904,
parts 1 and 2
34, Canadian Forestry Association, 6th Annual Report, 1905.
bo
Reprints, Erc.
35. Bulletin No. 7. Account of some of ‘the Vegetable Productions of
America. Lloyd Library, Cincinnati.
36. Bulletin No. 8. The Lycoperdacee of Australia, New Zealand, and
Neighbouring Islands, with relative Plates. Lloyd Library,
Cincinnati.
37. Bulletins of Department of Agriculture, Victoria :—
Emmer and Spelt.
Alfalfa or Lucern.
Trees and Shrubs tested in Manitoba and North-West Territories.
Results of Trial Plots of Grain, ete.
The Potato and its Culture.
Milling and Chemical Value of the Grades of Wheat.
38. Annual Report of Experimental Farms—Canada.
39. Records of the Australian Museum, vol. x., No. 5.
40. Windsor Park and Forest. By William Menzies.
41,
42.
a or or Or or Sr Or Oo or or
SOO ON HOE WW Ee
26
On the Absorption of Electromagnetic Waves by Living Vegetable
Organisms. By George O. Squier, Ph.D.
Working-Plan for the Alice Holt Forest. By Dr Schlich and
W. F. Perree.
. Crategus in Eastern Pennsylvania. By Charles 8. Sargent.
. Recently recognised Species of Crategus in Eastern Canada and New
England. Vy Charles S. Sargent.
. Reports on Afforestation of Washburn Valley Estate belonging to the
City of Leeds in connection with their Waterworks. September 1905.
. Reprints from Queensland Agricultural Journal, Forestry Section.
By Philip MacMahon.
- Bulletins of Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada.
Bacon Pigs in Canada. By J. H. Grisdale, Board of Agriculture.
Insects Injurious to Grain and Fodder Crops, Root Crops, and
Vegetables. By James Fletcher, LL.D., F.L.S., etc.
. Skogsvardsforeningens Tidskrift. Stockholm.
. Journal of the Board of Agriculture.
. Forestry Quarterly. New York.
. Journal of Agriculture of Victoria.
. Forestry and Irrigation. Washington.
. Timber Trades Journal. Uondon.
. Journal da Commerce des Bois. Paris.
. Timber News. London.
. Agricultural Economist. London.
. The Indian Forester. Allahabad. (By purchase.)
. Revue des Eaux et Foréts. Paris. ( ef )
. Allgemeine Forst- und Jagd-Zeitung.( 5 )
)
. Leitschrift fiir Forst-und Jagdwesen.( me
TRANSACTIONS
t OF THE
ROYAL
SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Lrevut.-CoLtonet F. BAILEY, F.B.S.E..
HONORARY EDITOR.
A. D. RICHARDSON,
ASSISTANT EDITOR.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, SS.C.,
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
VOL" XX:
id EDINBURGH:
" PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
' SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
1907.
ha ey, )
, e/ ¥ 1 el f nl j :
% ’ 1 ry a hae ‘ey \
‘| tr | eae |
ad F Pee i ‘
aes
ha
'
.
is ” “
»
ai
10.
Vine
12.
16.
Lee
CONTENTS OF VOL. XX.
The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or
views expressed by the authors of papers.
. The Planting of High Moorlands. By Sir Jonn Stir~inc-MaxweELL,
Bart. of Pollok,
. Development of a Larch Crop. - By A. Murray, Forester, Murthly,
Perthshire,
. Forest Policy in the British Empire. By J. 8. G., :
. The Treatment of Timber Crops up to Middle Age, more especially
with reference to Mixed Woods. By ‘‘T.,”
. Training in Sylviculture. By R. C. Munro Frreuson, M.P.,
. Note on Larix leptolepis grown in Japan. By K. Kumi, Chief of the
Imperial Bureau of Forestry, ‘Tokio,
. On Preparing Working-Plans for British Woodlands. By Joun
Nisset, D.Cc.,
. Working-Plan, 1905-1919, of the Castle Hill Woodlands. By
Fraser Story, University College of North Wales, Bangoz,
. Note on ‘‘The Novar System of Combating Larch Disease.” By
Joun NisBet, D.(Cc.,
The Large Larch Saw-Fly (Nematus Erichsoni). By R. Stewart
MacDoveatt, M.A., D.Sc., Honorary Consulting Entomologist to
the Society,
Prevention of Damage by the Pine Weevil (Hylobius abietis). By
EWAN S, GRANT, Bakewell, Derby,
The Creosoting of Home-Grown Timber. By W. B. HAvetock,
Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire,
3. The Creosoting of Timber by Absorption. By J. Ba.LpEn, Bywell
Office, Stocksfield-on-Tyne, .
. Notes on Continental Forestry in 1906. By Joun Nisper, D.Cc., .
5. The Twenty-ninth Annual Excursion—Northumberland and Durham,
31st July to 3rd August 1906. By the Assistant Epiror,
Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show
at Peebles, July 1906. By Joun F. ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun,
The Forestry Exhibition at the Royal Show, Derby, 1906, and some
of its Lessons, By a CoRRESPONDENT,
PAGE
30
36
39
43
53
58
62
64
81
87
91
lv CONTENTS.
PAGK
REPORTS BY THE HONORARY SCIENTISTS—
Report by A. W. Borrawick, D.Se., Honorary Consulting
Cryptogamist, ‘ : A : ; : : 96
Report by R. Srewarr MacDoveaun, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.,
Honorary Consulting Entomologist, 5 ; : : 96
Nores AND QueERIES:—Sylvicultural Experiments at Novar—Ex-
perimental Plots at Novar—Estate-conducted Experiments in
Sylviculture and other Branches of Forestry—The Rate of
Growth of Pseudotsuga Douglasit in the Woods of Saxony—
Afforestation of the Talla Water-Catchment Area—The Midland
Reafforesting Association—The Denbighshire Scheme for an
Experimental Station—Estate Forest Museums—Irish Forestry
Station—Forestry Instruction at Armstrong College—Dean Forest
School of Forestry—Appointments by the General Post Office—
Demonstration Forest for Scotland—Research at the Indian
Forest School—Larch Disease on Pinus Laricio and Pinus
sylvestris—Is Rhododendron barbatum Insectivorous ?—Combating
Cockchafer Attack in the Nursery—Systematic Destruction of
Squirrels—Spread of Fungus Diseases by means of Hybernating
Mycelium—‘‘ Slime-flux”” on Beech Trees—Botanical Survey
of Scotland—History of the Scottish Peat Mosses—Remarkable
Conifers in Great Britain—The Value of Willow Timber—A
New Timber—Creosoted Timber—Wood Preservation by Electro-
lysis—A ‘‘ Big Tree’s’’ Centuries of Life—Forests in Western
Australia, : : z F : ‘ : 5 98
Forestry* APPOINTMENTS :—Professor Somerville—Mr A. C. Forbes—
Mr J. F. Annand, , : 4 : : 3 = MASI
REVIEWS AND Notices oF Books—
Trees: A Handbook of Forest Botany for the Woodlands and the
Laboratory. By H. MarsHaLtt Warp, Sc.D., F.R.S., etc. Vol.
III., ‘‘ Flowers and Inflorescences,” : ; t «138
Departmental Notes on Insects that affect Forestry in India, Part
Ill. By E. B. Stesprne, Forest Entomologist to the Government
of India, : ‘ ‘ i : ; ‘ .) Heliob
Some Recent Books on Forestry, ‘ A p 7 : 135
OsituAry Notice -—William Mackinnon, ! . ; , 136
PROCEEDINGS OF THE Roya ScorrisH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
1906.
List or Members, corrected to December 1906.
SYLLABUS OF CoMPETITIONS—1907.
18. Address delivered at the Fifty-fourth Annual General Meeting,
5th February 1907. By Sir Kenneru J. MAckenzin, Bart. of
Gairloch, President of the Society, . , é c Be ekst/
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
27.
28.
29
30.
31.
CONTENTS,
The Value of Waste Land for Afforestation Purposes. By A. C.
Forbes, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
A Century of Forestry—1806 to 1906—on the Estate of Learney,
Aberdeenshire (with Plan) By the late Lieutenant-Colonel
Francis N. INNEs, . ;
Soil: its Origin and Nature. By Professor James Geikiz, LL.D.,
DEOli, HERS:,
The Utilisation of the Nitrogen of the Air. By ALEXANDER LAUDER,
D.Se., Honorary Consulting Chemist to the Society,
The Accumulation of Nitrogen in Forest Soils. By ALEXANDER
LAuDER, D.Sc.,
. Forests and Rainfall. By R. C. Mossman, F.R.S.E., F.R.Met.Soc.,
Houorary Consulting Meteorologist to the Society, .
. Arboricultural Notes from Portuguese East Africa (with two Plates).
By J. A. ALEXANDER,
. A Session at the Eberswalde Forest Academy. By A. F. Witson,
O.D.A.(Kdin.),
Encouragement of Private Forestry. By Professor ScHWAPPACH.
(Translated by A. W. Borruwicr, D.Sc.),
The Woods of Somerset. By W. G. SmirH, Ph.D., D.Sc., The
University, Leeds, .
Notes on Indian Forestry in 1906. By Joun Nisser, D.Cc.,
Forestry in the Exhibition at Niirnberg,
Aberdeen Branch :—
Excursion to Drumtochty, Kincardineshire, 9th June 1906,
Excursion to Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire, 1st September 1906,
NovrEs AND QuERIES:—The English Elm in Scotland—Note on the
Beech Felt Scale (with Plate)—Resistance of Young Trees to
Drought—Diseased Scots Pine on Land formerly Arable—Degree in
Forestry at the Edinburgh University—The Study of Continental
Forests—Educational Excursions— School of Forestry in the Forest
of Dean—The Yale Forest School—Timber-Supply from Sweden—
‘*From the Ice Age to the Present ”—Reforestation in Scotland—
The Denbighshire Experimental Station—The Isle of Man Arbori-
cultural Society—Use of Creosote Oil in the United States—
Ordnance Survey Maps of the United Kingdom,
Opnituarny NoricEs:—Lieutenant-Colonel Francis N. Innes of Learney
—M. Lucien Boppe, .
PROCEEDINGS OF THE RoyaL ScorrisH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
1907.
168
178
183
186
188
201
212
216
219
233
238
241
244
257
Uy pte feet hae d
Bit be ol -
‘ a Na
16 oe
Te a :
a ah
; ‘tr ub
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
A ROYAL
SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
VOL... XA
January 1907.
Ligut.-CoLonEeL F. BAILEY, F.B.S.E.,
HONORARY EDITOR,
A. D. RICHARDSON,
ASSISTANT EDITOR.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, §.58.C.,
SECRETARY AND TREASURER,
PPL PBIPPII IIL III PLP LIL III III
WP
PPLPIELIAPLLPIDIL PPA API LIS
o¥g
Sak
ANNA:
PPPS CAAPAAAALAARALALAAA
EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR THE SOCEETY.
SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
S tos
z . ARp pnt
A. & J. MAIN & CO. Lt]
> e° MANUFACTURERS OF «© -;
HAY ae GRAIN SHEDS.
In this SHED the
HAY or GRAIN can
be stored to with-
in a few Inches of
ROOF.
like. STEEL & IRON
BUILDINGS of
every Description.
Dadigh No. 661.
ROOFING AND FENCING CATALOGUES on Application.
Eas | SS)
ta la a ae eS [nt Se te (POLAK
SPECIAL
QUOTATIONS for
Large Quantities.
WROUGHT IRON RAILING, GATES, HURDLES,
CONTINUOUS BAR FENCING, W.I. FIELD GATES, &c.
CLYDESDALE IRON WORKS,
Possilpark, GLASGOW.
49 CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.C.
CORN EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, EDINBURGH.
—"—
ADVERTISEMENTS,
By Special Appointment to this Majesty the ing.
Telephone Nos.—
Telegrams— Edinburgh, Central 2674.
‘fs a | 678.
Glasgow, Gorbals,
446 National.
London, 2117,
P.O. Hampstead.
MACKENZIE & y MONCUR LTD.,
HOTHOUSE BUILDERS,
Heating, Ventilating, and Electrical Engineers,
and Iron Founders.
‘* Hothouse, Edinburgh.”
*“Tron, Edinburgh.”
‘*Treibhaus, London.”
LONDON: 8 Camden Road, N.W. GLASGOW: 443 Eglinton Street.
EDINBURGH: Registered Office—Balcarres Street.
- Works— Balcarres Street.
* Foundry—Slateford Road.
c. ato
ee Y ty
(Noo i
HOTHOUSE BUILDING.—Hothouses of every description designed and erected
in any part of the country, with improved Ventilation, Gearing, Staging, and
Heating Apparatus complete. Plans and Estimates on application.
HEATING.—Churches, Public Buildings of all kinds, Schools, Mansions, Villas,
&c., heated efficiently by Low Pressure, Hot Water, or by Steam.
FOUNDRY. - Architectural Ironwork of all kinds, Stable Fittings, Sanitary Cast-
ings, Manhole Covers, Ventilators, Gratings, &c.
a
ADVERTISEMENTS.
DAVID W. THOMSON’S
FOREST TREES.
An extensive Collection of Seedling and Transplanted Forest Trees,
comprising
SCOTS FIR,
LARCH FIR (Native and Japanese),
SPRUCE FIR,
SILVER FIR,
ABIES DOUGLASII,
LARICIO and AUSTRIACA,
and other trees in great variety, and in good condition for Removal.
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS ano TREES ww aut sizes.
Rhododendrons, Ponticums, and Hybrids,
ALSO FINEST NAMED SORTS.
HOLLIES, YEWS, LAURERS?] Pa.
and other Game-Cover Plants all recently transplanted.
CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS AND
CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS.
See Catalogue of Selected Seeds for 1907, Post Free on application.
Hurseries—
WINDLESTRAWLEE, GRANTON ROAD and BOSWALL ROAD.
Seed Warebouse—
113 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegraphic Address—“‘ LARCH, EDINBURGH.” Telephone, 2034.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The West of Scotland Agricultural College,
6 BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW.
SSS SSS SS
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.
Day and Evening Classes are held in the College for the purpose
of preparing Students for the Certificate of the College, for the
Certificate in Forestry of the Highland and Agricultural Society,
and for the Examinations in connection with the Surveyor’s Institute.
A Special Month’s Course of Instruction for Foresters is given
in October of each year. Subjects of Instruction :—
Forestry, é : . W.F. A. Hupson, M.A., P.A.S.I.
Soils and Manures, . Professor WRIGHT.
Forest Entomology, . James J. F. X. Kine, F.E.S.
Chemistry and Physics, Professor Berry.
Prospectus of the Day and Evening Classes and of the Special
Class for Foresters may be had on application to the Secretary.
SWEDISH FOREST SEEDS
OF ANY KIND
May BE ORDERED FROM
JAGMASTARE ELIS NILSON,
LJUNGBYHED, SWEDEN
FOREST AND HEDGE PLANTS
Seedlings and Transplanted. Very Cheap. Millions of Alder, Maple,
Sycamore, Birch, Beech, Hornbeam, Hazel, Common Ash, American Ash, Black
Walnut, Privet, Canadian Poplar, Black Cherry, Common Oak, Red Oak, Pine
Oak, Acacia, Sweet Briar, Limes, Silver Fir, Spruce Fir, Blue Spruce, Sitka
Spruce, Bank’s Pine, White Pine, Scots Fir, American Arborvite, etc., etc.
EUROPEAN and JAPANESE LARCH and DOUGLAS FIR a Speciality.
Large Stocks of FRUIT PLANTS and BRIARS
Ready for Grafting and Transplanting.
All from sandy soil, with excellent roots; special prices for large quantities.
Best Shipping facilities vza Hamburg at lowest freight, and Guarantee for
safe arrival. Catalogues free. The Largest Nurseries in Germany.
Shipments of 150 Millions of Plants annually.
J. HEINS’ SONS, Halstenbek, No. 6, near Hamburg, GERMANY.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
KEITH &' CO) Le,
ADVERTISING AGENTS,
43 George Street,
EDINBURGH.
ADVERTISEMENTS inserted in the Edinburgh, London, and
Provincial Newspapers and Periodicals; also in all Colonial and
Foreign Publications. A single copy of an Advertisement sent to
Keith & Co. ensures immediate insertion, without further trouble to
the Advertiser, in any number of newspapers, and at an expense
not greater than would have been incurred if the Advertisement or
Notice had been forwarded to each Newspaper direct.
A SPECIALITY is made of ESTATE and AGRICULTURAL
ADVERTISEMENTS, such as FARMS, GRASS PARKS,
MANSION HOUSES, &c, to Let, ESTATES for SALE,
TIMBER for SALE, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, &c.; and
Messrs J. M. Munro, Lrp., having been appointed
Official Advertising Agents to the
SCOTTISH ESTATE FACTORS’ SOCIETY,
and to the
HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
Agents and Factors can have every confidence in placing their
Advertising in the hands of the firm.
REGISTRY for Servants (Male and Female) of all Classes.
KEITH & CO.,
43 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegramse—‘‘ PROMOTE, EDINBURGH.” Telephone No. 316.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
By Appointment to SRR CeRye A
op Sen EI 4
His Majesty the King.
ABIES ALBERTIANA. ABIES DOUGLASII.
ABIES MENZIESII. PICEA NOBILIS.
PINUS MUGHOS. THUYA LOBBII (GIGANTEA).
Etc., Etc.
All the NEWER CONIFER: at Low Prices
for Forest Tree Planting.
CATALOGUES POST FREE.
BEN. REID & CO., LTD.,
Nurserymen,
“+ ABERDEEN. ~~
A. & 6 PATERSON, LIMITED.
HEAD OFFICE:
ST ROLLOX, GLASGOW.
Branches at ABERDEEN, BANCHORY, INVERGORDON, etc.
Buyers of Scotch Growing Woods.
Sellers of Larch Fencing of all descriptions.
JAMES JONES & SONS, LTD.,
LARBERT SAWMILLS,
(== 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.
Original Brand—
“THOMAS’ PHOSPHATE
POWDER.”
lA LBERT'S NASIC Kp
BRITISH MAKE.
GREAT PHOSPHATIC MANURE,
SUITABLE FOR
ALL SOILS AND ALL CROPS
UNDER SUITABLE CONDITIONS.
Grass, etc., on Light Soils need Potash
as well.
Pamphlets (regarding use on all Farm and
Garden Crops, as well as Forests) and names
of Local Ayents on application to—
| CHEMICAL WORKS late H. & E. ALBERT.
15 Philpot Lane, LONDON, E.C.
“EUREKA.”
no), The Weed Killer that Kills Weeds. Cheapest and Best.
i Ask for this Make. Prices and Proofs on Application.
ALSO
EU R EKATI N FE. A SAFE TOBACCO
INSECT KILLER.
Z Z ™ Bordeaux Mixture, Summer Shade, Lawn Sand, etc.
Write for List, and gratis Booklet “Chemistry in Garden and Greenhouse.”
TOMLINSON & HAYWARD, Ltd., LINCOLN.
FOREST TREES, FRUIT TREES,
SHRUBS, ROSES, &c.,
Grown in a most exposed situation on Heavy Soils,
therefore the hardiest procurable.
Every Requisite for Forrst, Farm, and Garpen,
Estimates for Planting by Contract furnished.
CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION.
W. & T. SAMSON, KILMARNOCK.
ESTABLISHED 1759.
ADVERTISEMENTS,
Telegrams : Telephones :
‘“ROBINSONS, GLASGOW.” National, No. 3 PARTICK.
Corporation, No. W333.
ROBINSON, DUNN & GO,
Timber Importers,
Partick Sawmills, GLASGOW.
Sawing, Planing, and Moulding Mills at
PARTICK and TEMPLE.
Creosoting Works at TEMPLE.
Established 1801.
SEEDLING AND TRANSPLANTED FOREST TREES,
A Large Stock of
<= ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHRUBS,
ROSES and FRUIT TREES.
Special Prices for Larye (Quantities, and Kstimates given
for Planting.
JAMES DICKSON & SONS,
46 HANOVER STREET and INVERLEITH Row,
Ei Be N B USE G Fi.
CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
SPECIAL AWARD For Exhibit of CHOICE CONIFERS
ooo at the SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY’S CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW in Waverley Market,
Edinburgh, November 1904 and 1905.
ADVERTISEMENTS,
DOUGLAS & FOULIS
BOOKSELLERS snp LIBRARIANS
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
Forest, Frutt over*
Trees & Plants.
EVERGREENS, ROSES,
DECIDUOUS SHRUBS.
Herbaceous Plants.
STOVE anp GREENHOUSE PLANTS,
SEEDS ror FARM anp GARDEN.
JOHN DOWNIE,
75 AND 77 SHANDWICE POA,
EDINBURGH.
Nurseries: Beechhill, Murrayfield, and Belgrave Park, Corstorphine.
Telegraphic Address —‘‘ DOWNIE, EDINBURGH,” Telephone, 2155.
ADVERTISEMENTS,
THe Country GENTLEMEN’S
ASSOCIATION LIMITED,
Popularly known as the “C.G.A.,” is a society of
Landowners, Land Agents, Farmers, and others
interested in the land, numbering many thousands,
and residing in all parts of the kingdom.
Its work is divided into the following departments :—
The Couniry Club.
Expert Advice and Assistance.
Management of Estates.
Sale and Letting of Estates and Farms.
Sale of Live Stock, Timber, and other Produce.
Purchase and Supply of Estate Requisites.
Employment Register.
Publishing.
The Country Gentlemen’s Estate Book (annually) and The Estate
Magazine (monthly) form the official publications of the ‘‘C.G.A.”
Membership.
The subscription for Membership is Ios. 6d. per annum, which
includes the official publications and all Members’ privileges with
the exception of the Club. There is no further liability. Members
may also become shareholders with limited liability.
Application for Membership and all correspondence should be addressed to —
24 and 25 St James’ Street, WM. BROOMHALL,
London, S.W. Managing Director.
TELEPHONE - - 3122 MAYFAIR.
TELEGRAMS - RURALNESS, LONDON.
b
Notices to Members.
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 1907.
Members are reminded that their Subscriptions are payable
on Ist January.
TITLE PAGE FOR VOE2AITZ
The attention of Members is directed to the corrected
Title Page for Vol. XIX. on opposite page.
SYLLABUS.
The Syllabus of Subjects for Essays will be found at end
of this Part. |
ROBERT GALLOWAY Sa...
Secretary and Treasurer.
19 CASTLE STREET,
EDINBURGH.
EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE,
13 GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH.
The Cenrrat Criasses in Edinburgh afford Complete Courses of
Instruction in AGRICULTURE AND Forestry, and qualify for all the
Higher Examinations.
SESSION, - - OCTOBER to MARCH.
Prospectus may be had on application to W. Scorr STEVENSON, Secy.
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL
SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
HONORARY EDITORS.
Part I. Part II.
JOHN NISBET, D.C&c. Lizut.-CoL, F. BAILEY, F.R.S.E.
ASSISTANT EDITOR.
A, D. RICHARDSON.
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, S.S.C.
VOL. XIX.
BHDINBU RG E:
PRINTED FOR THE S@iienrT y.
SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
1906.
Yopal 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.
FORMER PRESIDENTS.
54-56. JAMES Brown, Wood Commissioner to the | 1879-81. The Most Hon. Tuer MArqQuis OF
Earl of Seafield. Loraran, K.T. :
The Right Hon. THe Earu or Ducte. 1882. ALEXANDER Dickson, M.D., F.R.S.E., of
The Right Hon. Tue Earu or Sratr, Hartree, Professor of Botany in the
Sir JoHN HAut, Bart. of Dunglass. University of Edinburgh.
His Grace Tue DUKE oF ATHOLL, 1883-85. Hucu Cuucnorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E.,
JoHN I, CHALMERS of Aldbar. of Stravithie.
The Right Hon. Tue EArt oF AIRLIE. 1886-87. The Right Hon. Sir Hersert Eusrace
The Right Hon. T. F. Kennepy. MAXWELL, Bart. of Monreith.
Rosert Hurcuison of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E. | 1888-89. The Most Hon. Tar Marquis oF
72-73. Hueu CLecuorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., LINLITHGOW,
of Stravithie. 1890-93. Isaac BayLEy Batrour, M.D., Sc.D.,
4-75. Joan Hurron Barrour, M.D., M.A., F.R.S., LL.D., Professor of Botany in
F.R.SS.L. & E., Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh.
the University of Edinburgh. 1894-97. R. C. Munro Fercuson, M.P.
376-78. The Right Hon. W. P. ApaAm of Blair- | 1898. Colonel F. Battery, R.E.
adam, M.P. 1899-02. The Right Hon. Taz EArt or MANnsriep.
1903-, W. Srrvarr FornrincHam of Murthly.
OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1906.
President.
W. STEUART FOTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perthshire.
Vice=Presidents,
_KENNETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray| JOHN W. M‘HATTIE, Superintendent of City Parks, City
Place, Edinburgh. Chambers, Edinburgh.
7 * *
* * sd * ® D. F. MACKENZIE, F.S8.I., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Mid-
| JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollok- lothian.
shaws. ;
Council,
THOMAS GIBSON CARMICHAEL, Bart. of Castle Craig, | JOHN METHVEN, Nurseryman, 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
Malleny House, Balerno. JOHN SCRIMGEOUR, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
MES COOK, Land Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge. DAVID W. THOMSON, Nurseryman, 113 George Street,
ORGE U. MACDONALD, Forester, Raith, Kirkcaldy. Edinburgh,
¥ * * * ® x * * JOHN BOYD, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.
V¥. MATHER, Nurseryman, Kelso. _ |A. T. GILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Nor-
AM SPIERS, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-mills, Edin- thumberland.
“burgh. W. H. MASSIE, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
ONEL F. BAILEY, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh. CHARLES BUCHANAN, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
|HN ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cot-| JOHN D. CROZIER, Forester, Durris Estate, Drumoak,
age, Peebles. Aberdeenshire.
\A. W. BORTH WICK, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. | W. A. RAE, Factor, Murthly, Perthshire.
MES JOHNSTONE, F.S.I., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr. | JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City
ORGE LEVEN, Forester, Auchincruive, St Quivox, Ayr. Chambers, Glasgow.
Hon. Editor.
Linur.-CotonrL F. BAILEY, F.R.S.E., 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
Assistant Editor,
A. D. RICHARDSON, 1 West Brighton Crescent, Portobello.
Auditor.
JOHN T. WATSON, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
Hon. Secretary. ;
R. C. MUNRO FERGUSON, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith House, Kirkcaldy
Secretary and Treasurer.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, §.8S.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Membership.
HE Roll contains the names of over 1100 Members, compris-
ing 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.
With the view of encouraging young Foresters to study, and to
train themselves in habits of careful and accurate observation, 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 to the present time, and have yielded satisfactory
results. Medals and Prizes are also awarded in connection with
the Exhibitions aftermentioned.
School of Forestry.
Being convinced of the necessity for bringing within the reach
of young Foresters, and others interested in the Profession, a
regular systematic course of Instruction, such as is provided in
Germany, France, and other European countries, the Society, in
1882, 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.
As a further step towards the end in view, the Society, in
1890, instituted a Fund for the purpose of establishing a Chair
of Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and a sum of
3
4584, 3s. tod. 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. It is recognised, how-
ever, that a School of Forestry is incomplete without a practical
training-ground attached to it, which would be available, not only
for purposes of instruction but also as a Station for Research and
Experiment, and as a Model Forest, by which Landowners and
Foresters throughout the country might benefit. The Society
has accordingly drawn up a Scheme for the Establishment of a
State Model Forest for Scotland which might serve the above-
named objects. Copies of this Scheme were laid before the recent
Departmental Committee on British Forestry, and in their
Report the Committee have recommended the establishment of
a Demonstration Area and the provision of other educational
facilities in Scotland.
Meantime Mr Munro Ferguson, M.P., for a part of whose
woods at Raith a Working-Plan has been prepared, and is now in
operation, has very kindly agreed to allow Students to visit them.
Excursions.
During the past twenty-eight years, well-organised Excursions,
numerously attended by Members of the Society, have been made
annually to various parts of Scotland, England, and Ireland. 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, and during the summer of 1904
the Forest School at Nancy and Forests in the north of France were
visited. 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, in which are exhibited
specimens illustrating the rate of growth of trees, different kinds of
wood, pit-wood and railway timber, insect pests and samples of the
damage done by them, tools and implements, manufactured articles
peculiar to the district where the Exhibition is held, and other
objects of interest relating to Forestry. Prizes and Medals are also
offered for Special Exhibits.
The Society’s Transactions.
The TZyansactions of the Society, which extend to nineteen
volumes, are now published half-yearly in January and July, and are
issued gratis to Members. A large number of the Prize Essays and
other valuable Papers, and reports of the Annual Excursions, have
appeared in them, and have thus become available to Students as
well as to those actively engaged in the Profession of Forestry.
Honorary Consulting Officials.
Members have the privilege of obtaining information gratuitously
upon subjects connected with Forestry from the following Honorary
Officials appointed by the Society.
Consulting Botanist.—Isaac BAYLEY BAL¥Four, LL.D., M.D., Sc.D.,
Professor of Botany, University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper,
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Chemist.—ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sc., 13 George Square,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Cryptogamist. —A. W. BorTHwick, D.Sc., Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Entomologist.—ROBERT STEWART MacDouGatt, M.A.,
D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 13 Archibald Place,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Geologist. * % * * % 2
Consulting Meteorologist. ee canee oceans Mossman, F.R.S.E.,
F.R. Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place, Edinburgh.
Local Branches.
The Society, at a recent Meeting, approved of the formation of
Local Branches in suitable districts, and a Local Branch has now
been established in Aberdeen for the convenience of those Members
who reside in the Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine,
with Alex. M. Gordon of Newton, as President, and Robert Scott,
Solicitor, 75 Union Street, Aberdeen, as Honorary Secretary and
‘Treasurer.
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.
Counties.
Aberdeen,
Argyle, .
Ayr,
Berwick,
Bute,
Clackmannan,.
Dumbarton,
Dumfries,
East Lothian, .
Fife,
Forfar, .
Inverness,
Kincardine,
Kinross,
Lanark, .
Moray,
Perth,
Renfrew,
Ross,
Roxburgh,
Sutherland,
Wigtown, -
Cr
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
Scotland,
JouHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen,
JoHN Micuir, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater.
JOHN D. SUTHERLAND, Estate Agent, Oban.
ANDREW D. Pace, Overseer, Culzean, Maybole.
A. B. Rosertson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock.
Wm. Mitnez, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Wo. Inetts, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick.
JAMES Kay, Forester, Bute Estate, Rothesay.
Rosert Forses, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
Rosert Brown, Forester, Boiden, Luss,
D. Crasse, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie.
JoHn Hayes, Dormont Grange, Lockerbie.
W. 8. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk.
EpMmuND SANG, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy.
JAMES CRABBE, Forester, Glamis.
JAMES ROBERTSON, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie.
JAMES A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness.
JouN Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven.
JAMES TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam.
JoHN Davipson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell.
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers,
Glasgow.
JoHN Brypon, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
D. Scorr, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres.
W. Harrower, Forester, Tomnacroich, Garth, Aberfeldy.
JOHN ScrimcEour, Doune Lodge, Doune.
S. MacBran, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
Joun J. R. MEIKLEJONN, Factor, Novar, Evanton.
Miss AMy Frances YULE, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord.
JouNn LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick.
R. V. Maruer, Nurseryman, Kelso.
Donawtp Rosertson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
JAMES Hocarts, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer.
H, H. Waker, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill.
Counties.
Beds,
Berks,
Cheshire,
Devon,
Durham,
Hants,
Herts,
Kent,
Lancashire,
Leicester,
Lincoln,
Middlesex,
England.
JOHN ALEXANDER, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
FRANCIS MITCHELL, Forester, Woburn.
W. Storiz, Whitway House, Newbury.
Wm. A. Forster, Belgrave Lodge, Pulford, Wrexham.
JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington.
JouN F, ANNAND, Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield.
JAMES Barton, Forester, Hatfield.
THomAS SMITH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring.
R. W. Cowper, Gortanore, Sittingbourne.
D. C. Hamitton, Forester, Knowsley, Prescot.
JAMES MARTIN, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham.
W. B. Havetock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park.
Professor BovLtcErR, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill,
London, 8. W.
Northumberland,JoHN Davipson, Secretary, Royal English Arboricultural
Notts,
Salop,
Suffolk, .
Surrey, «
Warwick,
York,
Dublin, ,
Galway, .
Kilkenny,
King’s County,
Tipperary,
Wicklow,
Society, Haydon-Bridge-on-Tyne.
Wma. Exvperr, Thoresby, Allerton, Newark.
W. Micuiz, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop.
Witson Tomiinson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop.
Frank HULL, Forester, Lillieshall, Newport.
ANDEEW Boa, Agent, Great Thurlow.
GrorceE Hannan, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds.
ANDREW PEEBLES, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford.
A. D. Curistiz, Marriage Hill Farm, Bidford.
D. Tait, Estate Bailiff, Owston Park, Doncaster.
Ireland.
A. C. Forses, Department of Forestry, Board of Agriculture.
JAMES WILSON, B.Se., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
THOMAS ROBERTSON, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn.
ALEex. M‘Rakg, Forester, Castlecomer.
Wm. HenpeERSON, Forester, Glonad Cottage, Tullamore.
Davin G. Cross, Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh.
ADAM JOHNSTONE, Forester, Coollattin, Shillelagh.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP.
“To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned
to ROBERT GALLOWAY, §.S.C., SECRETARY, Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
( Full Name,
Designation,
DE OT LESMEOLC. «5, ees PME ee coe ee oink ose " btso Soe REE eae
Candidate's 4 Address,
Life, or Ordinary Member, ie... Foo
-—o
Signature, .
rc
Signature
Proposer’s
. Address,
Signature, .
Seconder’s <
LAMP ESS Sc Bes Sf, | et ee, ae
[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
4500 per annum, Factors, Nurserymen, and others,
subscribing annually . : : : . Half-a-Guinea.
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, sub-
scribing annually : ; : ; . Six Shillings.
4. Assistant-Foresters, Assistant-Gardeners, and others, sub-
scribing annually : : - : . 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.
V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Zvansactions. Any
Member whose Annual Subscription remains unpaid for three years
shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member
shall be eligible for re-election till all his arrears are paid up.
VI. Any eligible person may become a Zzfe Member of the
Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :—
1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, - ; , £48790 0
2. Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, and others, A nes 'O
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, . ; | Se)
VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid
Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zzfe Member on payment
of Two-thirds of the sum payable by xew Life Members.
XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made on the Form
provided for the purpose, which must be signed by two Members
of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the
Secretary to be laid before the next meeting of the Council. The
Proposal shall lie on the table till the following meeting of the
Council, when it shall be accepted or otherwise dealt with, as the
Council may deem best in the interests of the Society. The
Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new
Member’s first Subscription.
Or
ao
10.
ie
£2.
16,
17.
CONTENTS.
The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or
views expressed by the authors of papers.
. The Planting of High Moorlands, By Sir Joun Stiptine-MAxwELL,
Bart. of Pollok,
. Development of a Larch Crop. By A. Murray, Forester, Murthly,
Perthshire,
. Forest Policy in the British Empire. By J. S. G.,
. The Treatment of Timber Crops up to Middle Age, more especially
with reference to Mixed Woods, By ‘‘T.,”
. Training in Sylviculture. By R. C. Munro Fercuson, M.P.,
- Note on Larix leptolepis grown in Japan. By K. Kumi, Chief of the
Imperial Bureau of Forestry, Tokio,
. On Preparing Working-Plans for British Woodlands. By Jonny
Nisset, D.Cc.,
. Working-Plan, 1905 to 1919, of the Castle Hill Woodlands. By
FRASER Srory, University College of North Wales, Bangor,
. Note on ‘‘The Novar System of Combating Larch Disease.” By
JoHN Nisser, D.(Cc.,
The Large Larch Sawfly (Nematus Erichsoni), By R. STEWART
MacDoveau1, M.A., D.Sc., Honorary Consulting Entomologist to
the Society, .
Prevention of Damage by the Pine Weevil (Hylobius abietis), By
Ewan 8. Grant, Bakewell, Derby,
The Creosoting of Home-Grown Timber. By W. B. HaAvetock,
Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire,
. The Creosoting of Timber by Absorption. By J. BALDEN, Bywell
Office, Stocksfield-on-Tyne, . : ; ; ; .
. Notes on Continental Forestry in 1906. by Joun Nisper, D.(@e., .
. The Twenty-ninth Annual Excursion—Northumberland and Durham,
31st July to 8rd August 1906. By the Assistanr Eprror,
Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricultural Society's Show
at Peebles, July 1906. By Joun F, ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun,
The Forestry Exhibition at the Royal Show, Derby, 1906, and some
of its Lessons. By a CORRESPONDENT, :
PAGE
28
30
36
39
87
91
il CONTENTS.
REPORTS BY THE HONORARY SCIENTISTS—
Report by A. W. Borrawick, D.Se., Honorary Consulting
Cryptogamist, . o| Ware ‘ 2 ° 5
Report by R. Stewart MacDoveat., M.A., D.S8ec., F.R.S.E.,
Honorary Consulting Entomologist,
Norres AND QuERIES:—Sylvicultural Experiments at Novar—Ex-
perimental Plots at Novar—Estate-conducted Experiments in
Sylviculture and other Branches of Forestry—The Rate of
Growth of Pseudotsuga Douglasii in the Woods of Saxony—
Afforestation of the Talla Water-Catchment Area —The Midland
Reafforesting Association—The Denbighshire Scheme for an
Experimental Station—Estate Forest Museums—Irish Forestry
Station—Forestry Instruction at Armstrong College—Dean Forest
School of Forestry—Appointments by the General Post Office—
Demonstration Forest for Scotland—Research at the Indian
Forest School—Larch Disease on Pinus Laricio and Pinus
sylvestris—Is Rhododendron barbatum Insectivorous ?- Combating
Cockchafer Attack in the Nursery—Systematic Destruction of
Squirrels—Spread of Fungus Diseases by means of Hybernating
Mycelium—‘‘Slime-flux”’ on Beech Trees—Botanical Survey
of Scotland—History of the Scottish Peat Mosses—Remarkable
Conifers in Great Britain—The Value of Willow Timber—A
New Timber—Creosoted Timber—Wood Preservation by Electro-
lysis—A ‘‘Big Tree’s” Centuries of Life—Forests in Western
Australia,
ForEestryY APPOINTMENTS :—Professor Somerville—Mr A. C. Forbes—
Mr J. F. Annand, : ; ,
ReviEWs AND Notices or Books—
Trees: A Handbook of Forest Botany for the Woodlands and the
Laboratory. By H. MarsHatt Warp, Sc.D., F.R.S., ete. Vol.
III., ‘‘ Flowers and Inflorescences,”
Departmental Notes on Insects that affect Forestry in India. Part
Ill. By E. B. Sreseine, Forest Entomologist to the Government
of India,
Some Recent Books on Forestry, - :
Oxsriruary Novice :-—William Mackinnon,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE Royal SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
1906.
List or MrempBerrs, corrected to December 1906.
SYLLABUS OF COMPETITIONS—1907.
PAGE
96
96
98
131
138
135
135
136
SSE SSCS OA@RBRBABRRR
"906L LSNOSNV LSL
¢
dF) MdVd NOLENVI LV ALSIOOS WWHYNLINOIYOSYVY HSILLOOS T1WAOY [opoy-7
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
1. The Planting of High Moorlands.!
By Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok.
Two conditions appear essential to the creation of new forests
in the Highlands, one a rise in the price of timber, and the
other some measure of assistance from the State, certainly in
the way of instruction and experiment, and possibly also in the
way of loans. Since there are at last signs of both these
conditions being fulfilled, and since, moreover, the fall in the
value of sheep farms and irregular demands for deer forests
afford a new opportunity, the subject of hill-planting certainly
deserves all, and more than all, the consideration it is receiving.
It is admitted by everyone that plantations will not pay
unless they are made on a considerable scale, and managed in the
most economical and scientific manner. The object of this paper
is to illustrate how much remains to be learnt in one important
branch of forestry, namely, the planting of high moorlands.
In such situations the fact that the land is at present almost
valueless will compensate for some increase in the cost of
planting and the slow growth of the first crop. In sheep farms
and deer forests, for example, it would be fatal to both farming
and sport to plant the best grazing ground, but there are
usually in such farms and forests extensive tracts which have
little value for sheep, deer or grouse, where the shelter of large
plantations would more than compensate for any loss of grazing.
My experiments in this line (if I may dignify them by this
name) have been carried on since 1892 on moorlands in the
upper basin of the river Spean, varying in altitude from 1250 to
1500 feet. The tract of which they form part is used as a deer
1 Paper read at Society’s Forestry Exhibition in connection with Highland
and Agricultural Society’s Show at Peebles, 19th July 1906.
VOL. XX. PART I. A
2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
forest, being fit for nothing else. Between 500 and 600 acres
have been enclosed for planting without in any way diminishing
the value of the deer forest, as none of the good grazing ground
has been included. The plan adopted was to plant first all the
ground that could be planted as it stood, and afterwards
gradually to drain and plant the remainder, if the success of
the first experiment justified the expense.
The results of draining and planting in the ordinary Scotch
fashion have been disappointing. The heavy rainfall, and the
retentive character of the peat render draining useless unless the
drains are very close together. The matted texture of living
peat, which the roots of young plants are very slow to pierce,
seems also to exaggerate the inherent evils of notching. The
roots tend to develop in the plane on the notch, and if they have
been twisted in planting, the root-system has no chance of
righting itself, and becomes hopelessly deformed.
A trial is now being made of the system recently perfected
in Belgium to meet the same difficulties. This system was
briefly described in the reports of the recent visit of the
English Arboricultural Society to Belgium. I only wish
we had heard of it sooner. ‘The moors on the frontier of
Belgium and Germany very closely resemble ours in soil
and climate, and in the plants which cover them. A _ proof
that the resemblance is not superficial is found in the success
with which Scots grouse have been naturalised there, an ex-
periment which, as far as I know, has succeeded nowhere else.
The Belgian Government is now planting so much of these
moors as is public property up to a level of about 2000 feet,
and private owners are beginning to follow its example. It was
found that plants notched into peat at this altitude made no pro-
gress at all for five or six years. That delay is now avoided by
setting every plant in the centre of a large turf turned upside down.
This proceeding is not nearly so expensive as it sounds. The
ground has to be drained in any case, and numerous shallow
drains are found to succeed best. These are carefully calculated
to supply the number of turfs required. The Belgian Govern-
ment plants very wide, usually at 6 feet both ways,—its object
being to convert a vast extent of moorland into forest as soon as
possible. The Government foresters themselves consider this
distance too wide, and I observed that the plantations on an
adjoining property were being made at about 4 feet. Let us
THE PLANTING OF HIGH MOORLANDS, 3
take this example as better suited to Scotland. To plant at
about 4 feet, drains will be required every 12 feet, with three rows
of plants between. If they are made 2 feet wide at the top,
tapering to 15 inches at the bottom, and ro inches deep, and
thejturfs are cut every 20 inches, the drain will yield exactly the
15" (Lid 15"
: 2D pb dubs Ite,-2'-yh” Nb Moumbaam
s ‘ y YY
Le _pobialh Y A
(6) (6) (b)
| y
f
ee ae eee
(a es Ee Ee Lo ae -2/-616' ke —2'- E — i ~~ =~ - i ce
SS Qs_o_gye
REFERENCES
(a). Inverted Jurfs
(3). Drains from which the Turfs have been dug.
Note:-—The Arrows indicate the manner of distribution of the Turts.
WET MOORLAND PREPARED FOR PLANTING ON THE BELGIAN SYSTEM,
number and size of turfs required. As the drain is formed, the
first, second, and third turfs are thrown alternately to left and
right, always face downwards. ‘The only extra labour consists
in moving the third turf to its place in the middle row, a distance
of 6 feet (see Plan); and this is repeated throughout the whole
4 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
length of the drain. Larger ditches which may be required to
carry off the water are, of course, not included in this calculation.
Now as to planting. The turfs are left for a year. By that
time the ground has begun to dry, the turfs have sunk consider-
ably, and the herbage below them has begun to decay. They
are not good subjects for notching, as the notches would be apt
to gape in dry weather. But they are very good subjects for
what may be called miniature pit-planting. A heap is made
of the best soil or gravel available near the spot, and this, if
pure, is mixed with basic slag, about half an ounce of slag to the
cubic foot of soil. The planter cuts a circular plug from the centre
a of each turf with a long-handled plant-
ing trowel (see Illustration), leaving a
hole deep enough to allow the roots
of the young plant to be spread out
to their full depth. In this hole the
tree is planted with two small hand-
fuls of the prepared soil, while the
plug is broken up to fill in the top.
Trees planted in this fashion seem
to suffer little more interruption in
their growth than would be occasioned
by a move from one part of the nursery
to another. The extra expense is
partly made up by the use of smaller
plants, which soon outgrow larger
plants which have been notched into
natural surfaces five or six years
earlier. On the Belgian moors, where
they plant little except spruce, these
The cross handle is of wood— are usually four years old (two years
Te in the seed-bed, and two years trans-
planted). But Scots pine, two years
old, would be quite suitable for the
purpose, and could be taken straight from the nursery if they
had not been sown too thick.
There is nothing startlingly new about the system. Its merit
lies in its nicely calculated adjustment of methods already well
known. ‘The extra cost of making the ground ready for planting
is not great. Indeed, where close draining is necessary, there
is no extra expense, the only difference being that the output
ee a
sl OTA
“
10
‘
Seana 2
PLANTING TOOL USED IN
BELGIUM.
THE PLANTING OF HIGH MOORLANDS. 5
from the drains is utilised in place of being an encumbrance.
There must be added the cost of preparing the soil used in
planting, and a boy to carry it in baskets to the planters.
The actual work of planting proceeds in Belgium as quickly as
notching.
I should be reluctant, without further trial, to advocate the
system for whole plantations, though it is so used in Belgium, but
I feel no doubt whatever that it will be of value in Scotland
in making moorland plantations solid. It seems especially
applicable to those spongy hollows which are found on most
moors, and too often form gaps in plantations. Such hollows
and flats, where the peat, permeated by burns and springs,
contains layers of sand and grit, are very hopeful subjects for
planting when drained, but are commonly covered with a
close, matted herbage, in which notched plants rarely make
satisfactory progress. To test the value of the part the
prepared soil plays in the system, experiments have been made
in Belgium of planting with slag alone and with soil alone, as well
as with the mixture of both. The slag alone gives very poor
results. The soil without slag has succeeded better, but the
best results have followed the mixture of the two. This agrees
with my own experience. Plants notched into peat with slag
six years ago have done no better than those which were given
none. But where the ground has been trenched, the addition
of slag has always made a conspicuous difference.!
There is probably as much still to be learnt about the kind of
trees to plant on high ground as about the method of planting.
The roots embedded in our high moorlands belong for the most
part to vanished forests of Scots pine. Everyone has mused on
the mysterious disappearance of these forests. Were they the
victims of some great epidemic? The formation of peat is
frequently attributed to their decay, but this theory does not
tally with the fact that the largest roots are often found growing
on deep beds of peat. It seems reasonable to suppose that
Scots pine will grow again where it grew before. But it by no
1 The method of planting described by the author has the further advantage
of securing regularity of distribution, the lines of plants and the drains at the
same time facilitating systematic inspection, ‘‘ beating up,” and other opera-
tions, many of which are difficult, or even impossible, to carry out effectually
without some such guides through the dense crop, especially during the
period which must elapse before the lower branches die and fall.—Hon. Ep.
6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
means follows that other trees will not grow better. Considering
how long exotic conifers have been discussed and planted in this
country, it is maddening to reflect how little is known of their
value as timber and fitness for various situations. We know
what they will do on a British lawn; we want to know what
they will do in a British wood. In Belgium the Weymouth pine
and common spruce are both found to be more hardy than the Scots
pine, which now does not figure at all in the highest plantations.
In Scotland the Sitka spruce (Picea Menzies?) and Oriental
spruce, as well as Zsuga Albertiana, seem less checked in growth
at high elevations than the Scots pine. Pinmus Cembra, always
a rather slow grower, grows as fast in a poor gravel at 1400 feet
as it does in a lowland garden. Its strong root-system, long
life, and indifference to wind, seem to point to it as a valuable
windbreak on exposed ridges. Its timber is not despised in
Switzerland. Dr Augustine Henry (from whom more can be
learnt in a few hours than from a hundred books) called my
attention to another tree which deserves a trial. This is a
variety of Pinus montana, an erect-growing tree with a stem
of 60 feet, which forms immense forests in the Pyrenees at
elevations where the Scots pine ceases to thrive. By some
odd chance this tree has escaped notice in Britain, and it is
hard to find even a specimen of it in our gardens. The only
specimen I can be sure of is in the Botanic Garden at Dublin,
where it grows as straight as a mast, and measures now about
30 feet. But the value of this tree is appreciated by the French
Government, which has built an establishment at Mont Louis
for drying the seed, and employs it under the name of Pim a
Crochets wherever high and poor ground has to be brought
under forest. It is usually mistaken by travellers for Scots pine
or Austrian pine, in spite of its grey bark, short, dark leaves,
and distinct habit. No account of this tree will be found in
English books on forestry, but it is well described in Captain
S. E. Cook’s Sketches in Spain (1834), and some of the same
author’s notes are quoted in Loudon’s Arboretum, 1838.1
In the Pyrenees the timber is considered better than Scots
pine, being somewhat slower in growth, more resinous, and
more durable. The seventeenth-century barracks at Mont Louis
1 The tree is described in Boppe’s 7raité de Sylviculture and other French
works on forestry. —Hon. Ep.
THE PLANTING OF HIGH MOORLANDS,. a
are roofed with it, and the timbers are still quite sound in that
trying climate. The Pyrenean foresters told me that they found
the tree particularly valuable for windy plateaux. It is less
exacting than Scots pine as regards drainage, and it will probably
succeed well in peat. The dwarf variety certainly thrives in
Scotland on beds of peat where Scots pine fails.
The same or a similar variety of Pinus montana appears to be
found in the French Alps. It is known as /in de Briangonnats,
and has been planted in the Danish forests since 1886. I have
not seen this tree either in the Alps or in Denmark, but Mr Rafn
of Copenhagen, who can supply seed gathered in Denmark,
writes that the tree is maintaining its erect habit well, though it is
too early to be sure of its value as a timber-tree. The seed of the
Pyrenean variety can be obtained from Mont Louis through the
British embassy at Paris. It has been regularly supplied for
the last three years to the Norwegian Government. The seed
has been distributed among the various tree-growing establish-
ments in Norway, and it is anticipated (says H.M. Chargé
d’ Affaires at Christiania) that the tree will prove of value, though
it is too early to form any definite opinion as to whether it will
suit the country or not.
It is now time to conclude this paper, or I might remind you
that other promising forest trees, such as the Omorika spruce, the
giant Zhuya, and the Nootka cypress, still wait their trial at high
elevations in Scotland, while the seed of the Occidental larch,
which is perhaps the most promising of all, has only yet reached
this country in ridiculously small quantities, and is not even
to be found in all our botanical gardens.
I trust that in these observations I have not seemed to speak
dogmatically. No one has less right todo so. My object has
been to show how much remains to be learnt about the planting
of high ground in Scotland, and to commend this fascinating
subject of study to all those who desire to see our bare glens
repeopled with trees and busy with the healthiest of industries.
8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
2. Development of a Larch Crop.
(With Plate.)
By A. Murray, Forester, Murthly, Perthshire.
A great deal has been written about the formation and
rearing of plantations, but it is only occasionally that one
learns anything about the value of, or the income derived from,
middle-aged and mature woods.
To state in detail how woods should be managed so as to
become a source of profit to their owners is not the object of
this paper; but I feel confident that land under properly
managed woods will yield a higher return per acre than it will
under grazing, or even in many cases under agricultural crops,
involving, as they do, the upkeep of expensive buildings,
fences, drains and other contingencies.
The following measurements of six larch trees growing in a
plantation on the Murthly estate show the annual increment
of wood produced by them during the last fourteen years, and
they furnish an illustration of the profit which may be expected
from a middle-aged wood of this sort. The crop is of pure
larch, about forty-two years of age, and the trees stand about
11 feet apart on the average. ‘The plantation was first thinned,
at the age of 27 years, during the spring of 1891, at which time
I marked and carefully measured these six trees. At that time I
formed the opinion that the first thinning (for a crop of larch)
had been too long delayed, as the trees seemed to be too tall
and slender for the position they occupied, while the amount of
living foliage was also too small for a light-demanding tree of
this sort. The soil is thin and gravelly, and rests on slate-rock,
at an elevation of from 600 to goo feet above sea-level. The
exposure is south-easterly, and the plantation is somewhat
sheltered from the north-east. The prevailing winds are from
the north and west. The adjoining land is let for hill-grazing,
at a rent of about one shilling per acre.
The measurements and increments of the trees referred to
were as follows :—
Fhots |
‘
é
}
i
zs
*
[4. W. Brown.
LARCH PLANTATION AT MURTHLY.
Note.—The tree with the white band near the centre of the photograph is
No. 4 of the List.
[To face page &.
DEVELOPMENT OF A LARCH CROP. 9
Girth in Inches at 5 Feet above Ground.
Year.
No.1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 6
T89E, Fi. : ; 25 | 204 244 304 25 214
ESO2 Sy: é : one 214 26 31 26 22,
1893, 263 314 | 274
1894, . : , as 223 274 32 28 23
1896, .. : : 28 24 284 33 297 244
1290, ss 294 | 25 | 30 | 344 | 325 | 26
1900, : E . A 205) | 5s . a
I90I,_. 2 ‘ se ds ori 353 334
TOO2, : é 318 | 274 314 36 335 284
[aes | 33h | STs ee 30%
mee eee ss gy
The girth, height, and volume in 1891 and in 1905, with
increase due to growth during the interval of fourteen years, are
given below. The girths were measured at 5 feet from the
ground and the heights to the topmost twig.
| = I during th
1891. eo ee oan oe 7 eae
Nos. >
Girth. ar Volume. | Girth. ald Volume. / an High, wee
Standard | Standard | | Standard
Inches.| Feet. | Cub. Feet.|Inches.| Feet. | Cub. Feet.| Inches.| Feet. | Cub. Feet.
I 25 42 7°292 35 58 | 19°736 | Io 16 | 12°444
2 seal 40 | 4°669 | 284{ 57 | 12°860 8 i, 8-191
3 | 244} 45 | 77503 | 334] 51 | 15°898| 9 | 16 | 8305
4 304 | 44 | 11°369 | 37%} 62 2ADIS | 7 18 | 12°843
5 25 42 | 7°292 36 60 21°600 | II 18 14°308
6 | 21% | 34 | 4°365 | 3028 | 52 | 13°769| 98] 18 9°404
|
Average ) | Average |] | Average /|
volume | 7081 volume 18‘o12 | volume | 10°931
per tree, per tree, per tree,
Representing, by Quarter- | Representing, by Quar- | Representing, by Quar-
girth Measurement, ter-girth Measure-| ter-girth Measure-
Cottey SUE ment, c. ft. 13-509 | ment, c. ft. 8198
These six trees were selected as it seemed unlikely that
they would be removed in future thinnings; but owing to
their being more isolated than most of the others, they are
above the average size of the trees forming the crop. From
careful measurements, however, I found that the average volume
per tree, taken over the whole area, was fully 84 cubic feet
(quarter-girth measurement). Two acres (each in a different part
10 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
of the plantation) were carefully measured, and the trees,
exclusive of a number of smaller sized and suppressed trees,
were counted; they were found to contain 365 and 380 trees
respectively, thus giving an average of 372 trees per acre. At 84
cubic feet per tree, this gives 3162 cubic feet per acre; and taking
this quantity at the very moderate estimate of 6d. per cubic
foot, the present value would be £79 per acre, giving a gross
return of £1, 178s. rod. per acre per annum for the forty-two
years. The price of the thinnings in 1891, together with
many more which have been taken out since then for estate
purposes, would much more than cover the expense of planting
and tending to this date. In order to test the accuracy of my
valuation, I got one of the leading timber merchants in the
locality to make a careful examination of the wood (with which
he expressed himself as well pleased), and on comparing his
valuation (which he stated he would willingly pay should the crop
be put on the market) with my own, his was found to be slightly
higher. ‘This is by no means the proper time, however, to value
a young thriving plantation such as this “is, and the figures are
given here merely in order to show what the possibilities of a larch
plantation grown on very poor heath mountain-land are. Until
a few years ago, growth in height had been stimulated at the
expense of growth in girth; but now that the trees have got
more growing-space, growth in girth will be more rapid, and
as they increase in size an annual ring of normal width will
add considerably more to the cubic contents than formerly.
To point out that the cultivation of woods, even though only
of pit-wood size, can be made a means of augmenting the
income derivable from semi-waste land has been my endeavour
here. I trust that the foregoing data will sufficiently de-
monstrate that this can be done, and that all those interested
in the matter may give the formation and management of
such plantations an impartial trial. For pit-wood alone, the
supply of which is mostly got from abroad, there is an
ever-increasing and steady market, amounting at present to
something like £6,000,000 per annum. With close planting of
suitable species, the after-management of the crop being con-
ducted with a view to early realisation, a great deal of this sum
could be kept at home. In the management of plantations,
however, the aim should be to produce timber which will best
suit the requirements of the local markets, and the system should
DEVELOPMENT OF A LARCH CROP. Ir
be adapted to the situation in which the trees grow. Thus, in
mining districts, and on many soils and situations which, although
suited to its growth, are not at present sufficiently accessible for
the removal of heavy timber, the crop should be reaped when
of a size at which it would be saleable for pit-wood, and it
should be reared with this end in view. Under this system two
crops could be grown in the time it would take to grow one of
heavy timber.
It is obvious that the planting of many of our hill-sides with
suitable trees would add to the commercial value of any
property, and to the pecuniary interests of the inhabitants, by
giving employment to many who, for lack of it, are leaving
the country. In addition to this, other and very important
advantages, such as shelter to the surrounding arable and
pasture land, would be likely to arise from extensive planting ;
while landowners would ultimately reap immense profits as
compared with their income from the same land at present.
The products of the forest are to us positive necessities; yet,
although we have so much available land suitable for the
growth of first-class timber, we are mainly indebted to the
foreigner for our supplies. For these large tracts of land, for
which there is at present little or no use, there could not be a
better investment than their conversion into forests, which, if not
always remunerative to the actual planter, would certainly be so
to his successors. I have never yet met with an instance in
which the produce of a forest could not be profitably disposed of ;
and the more timber there is grown, the more will be sold; while
with improved methods of management, combined with the
rearing of species producing first-class timber, the uses of home-
grown timber will be wider, and an increase in its price certain.
I2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
3. Forest Policy in the British Empire.!
By j. SiuG:
The popularity of Dr Schlich’s important text-book is well
attested by the need for a third edition of the first volume in so
short a period as seventeen years. The first edition, published
in 1889, and entitled U¢ility of Forests and Fundamental Prin-
ciples of Sylviculture, was followed in 1896 by a second edition,
when the title was altered to Jntroduction to Forestry, and
enlarged by the addition of chapters on “‘ The State in Relation
to Forestry,’ and ‘‘The Timber Requirements of the British
Empire.” The third edition, now before us, shows a further
change; for the second half, on the ‘“ Principles of Sylviculture,”
has been transferred to Vol. II., and the name has again been
changed to Forest Policy in the British Empire.
As before, the book is divided into three parts—
Part I. The Utility of Forests.
Part II. The State in Relation to Forestry.
Part III. Forestry in the British Empire.
An Appendix to Part III. treats of “ Forestry in the United
States of America,” and it seems a pity that a Part IV. could
not have been added, giving a brief account of forestry in other
foreign countries.
A special feature of the new edition of Vol. I. is the addition
of a number of excellent photographs, illustrating the trees and
forest work of the chief forest regions of the empire, and especially
those of India and British North America.
The Introduction to the volume is an important and interesting
piece of work. Dr Schlich begins by showing how forest once
covered the greater part of the dry land of the earth ; how the
interference of man, requiring wood for his use, or the absence
of wood for the cultivation of food products, introduced the first
branch of forestry, Forest Utilisation; how a step in advance
was made when man required the possession of portions of forest
which he could work for his own advantage, and so a second
branch was brought in, Zorest Protection; how, again, it was
found that mere protection was not enough, but regularity of
yield was required, and so a third branch was formed, the
1 A Manual of Forestry, by Dr W. Schlich, C.I.E., F.R.S., Etc. Vol. 1.,
3rd edition, 1906 (Bradbury, Agnew & Co.).
FOREST POLICY IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 13
Preparation of Forest Working-Plans ; how, further, the require-
ments of reproduction, and the study of the characteristics of
woods and the trees that composed them, led to a fourth branch,
Sylviculture ; how this had to be supplemented by means of
valuation, requiring a fifth branch of Forest Valuation or Forest
Finance ; how the need of legal means of securing rights in forest
property formed the sixth branch, A4orest Laws and Forest
Regulations ; and how, finally, it became necessary for States
to determine how far forests were wanted and should be main-
tained, and a seventh branch, Forest Policy, was made.
Dr Schlich’s definition of a “ forest” is “an area which, for the
‘most part, is set aside for the production of timber and other
“‘ forest produce, or which is expected to exercise certain climatic
“ effects, or to protect the locality against injurious influences,”
and he contrasts this with a “‘ wood,” which is “an area stocked
“‘ with trees or shrubs, or both, and managed for the production
“of timber, firewood, and such other produce as ordinarily
“accompanies the rearing of trees,” so that every wood is a
forest, but every forest is not necessarily a wood.
Chapter I., on the “ Direct Utility of Forests,” explains that the
direct effects of forests are due to the produce which they yield,
the capital which they represent and the work which they
provide. The produce is either “ principal,” that is, timber and
fuel, or “minor,” represented by a great number of products—
leaves, flowers, bark, extracts, fibres, etc. The capital of
forestry consists chiefly of the soil and the growing Stock of
wood. The work provided by forests consists in the labour
required for administration, formation, harvesting, etc.; in that
necessary for the transport of produce; and in that required for
industries which are dependent on forests for their prime material.
Dr Schlich states that in Germany about eight million pounds
are paid annually for administration, etc., maintaining about one
million of people; that about four million pounds are paid
annually for transport; and about thirty million pounds, main-
taining three million people, are spent in forest industries. These
statistics are important, and show the value of forests in giving
employment to the population.
Chapter II., on the “ Indirect Utility of Forests,” describes the
effect of forests—(1) on the temperature of the air and soil;
(2) on the moisture of the air and the movement of water in
nature ; (3) mechanically ; (4) hygienically ; and (5) zsthetically.
14 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Dr Schlich summarises the effects on temperature as justifying
the following conclusions :—
“(1) The climate of forest countries is more equable than that
of open countries.
‘‘(2) The mean temperature of soil and air in forest countries
is somewhat lower than that of soil and air in open
countries.
(3) The reduction of the temperature may act beneficially in
hot countries, but it may be injurious in countries
removed from the equator, where the temperature is
already lower than is good for the ripening of field
crops.
“(4) Vegetation awakens later in spring in well-stocked forests
than in open ground.
““(5) As forests moderate the extremes of temperature, plants
growing under the shelter of a forest crop are less
liable to suffer from late and early frosts, or from
drought, than plants growing in the open.”
On the important question of the effect of forests on the mois-
ture of the air, Dr Schlich summarises the data, chiefly German,
which he discusses, by saying that “the mean annual excess in
‘forests ranges from 3 to 10 per cent., which explains why dry
‘‘currents striking through forests may become, in a short time,
“relati¥ely moist, so that precipitation may be caused. At any
“rate, there can be no doubt that the formation of dew is much
“« greater in the vicinity of forests than on open ground away from
“‘woodlands.” He shows that, although some 23 per cent. of the
rainfall is intercepted by the crowns of trees in a forest, more
of it actually penetrates the soil than does so in the open.
Mechanically, it can be shown that of the rain falling on a
forest, close on one-fourth is intercepted by the crowns of the
trees, the other three-fourths falling on and being absorbed by
the humus instead of running off in surface streams. Hygienic-
ally, forests, Dr Schlich points out, assist in the production of
oxygen and ozone, and usually improve the healthiness of a
country. ésthetically, they may exercise a beneficial influence
on man.
Part II. discusses the “State in Relation to Forestry,” main-
taining that it is for the State to guard the interests of the
FOREST POLICY IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 15
community where necessary, for the State alone can give
sufficient guarantee for continuity of action. He shows that
forests of “‘ Protection” are sometimes required for the preserva-
tion of the soil or of the water-supply ; for protection against
winds ; for the benefit of public health, or for the defence of the
country, etc.; that “State” forests are often very desirable to
safeguard supply; that the forests of communes, corporations,
etc., are often best managed by State agency; and that State
supervision is often very necessary even in the case of private
forests.
Part III., “Forestry in the British Empire,” is probably the most
generally interesting part of, as it certainly occupies the largest
space in, Dr Schlich’s new volume. The area of the empire
is given approximately as 12 million square miles, and the
population at 400 millions. Of this population, of course the
largest share is set down to India, which has over 294 millions,
but the chief areas are in Canada and Australia.
India is the first country dealt with, and here Dr Schlich is
clearly at home in his knowledge of the country and of what has
been done in the matter of forest-conservancy. The subject has
often been discussed and written about, so that it is unnecessary
to describe in detail the account given by Dr Schlich of the
establishment of the Forest Department and the work it has
done. The pictures are a great help to those who have not
been in India, in assisting them to realise what the forests in
India and the chief trees are like. Mr Jackson’s pictures of the
teak plantations in Malabar give a clear idea of the appearance
of teak when young or old; Mr Milward’s sal photographs are
equally instructive, and the Himalayan views taken by the same
officer give a good idea of the appearance of the forests of
deodar, pine and spruce. The total area of Government Forest
in India is given at 232,701 square miles, being 24 per cent. of
the area of the British districts of the country. This area is
managed by a staff of 200 Imperial service officers, 112 Pro-
vincial service, 437 Executive, and 9759 Protective service.
The annual net revenue amounts to about £670,000, to which
may be added £205,000, the value of produce given away free
—total, £875,000. ‘The only tree giving an export wood of any
importance is the teak (Zectona grandis). .
In Ceylon there is a small department managing 10,567 square
miles of forest, being 42 per cent. of the area of the island, but
16 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
in much of this the protection is as yet not very much advanced ;
and to account for this Dr Schlich says: ‘* The fact seems to be
“ that the Ceylon Government has, in reality, never been quite in
‘earnest to carry out an efficient scheme of forest conservancy.”
The net revenue is about £5600, and there is a conservator
with eight assistants. The chief trees yielding export woods
are the ebony (Déospyros Ebenum), the satinwood (Chloroxylon
Swietenta), halmilla (Berrya Ammonilla), ironwood (Mimusops
indica), and the Palmyra palm (orassus flabelliformis).
In the Straits Settlements, and in the Federated Malay States,
forest work has begun in real earnest on a definite basis, and
especial attention is to be paid to the gutta-percha tree (Palaguium
Gutta).
The forests of Australasia and their timber resources are very
fully dealt with. The area includes the Australian Common-
wealth and New Zealand, the former of which has 166,000
square miles and the latter 32,000 square miles of forest, being
6.4 per cent. of the total area. Everywhere there are the
remains of immense forests of valuable timber-trees, but nothing
of any consequence seems to be done to arrest the gradual
clearing of all these forests, or even to secure to the Government
a reasonable proportion of the value of the trees removed. It
may be hoped that copies of Dr Schlich’s book will find their
way to Australia and New Zealand, and that some of the ardent
politicians in those countries will take the matter up and
endeavour to get it made a national question, apart from local
party politics, so that the terrible consequences which may be
expected from gradual complete denudation may be avoided in
time.
‘Of all the colonies, the Cape has most successfully grappled
with the forest question.” These are the opening words of
Chapter III., and Dr Schlich’s detailed account explains what
has been done in each of the Cape colonies. Nearly everywhere,
partly because the indigenous trees are of little value and of slow
growth, plantations have had to be made, and in Cape Colony
the chief tree planted is the cluster pine (Pius Pinaster). A
small but efficient staff has been organised in each colony, and
good work is being done in all. Small beginnings have also
been made in other African colonies, as in Nigeria, the East
African Protectorate, and, chief of all, the Soudan. In the latter
the chief demand is for fuel for the railways and the Nile
FOREST POLICY IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE. U7.
steamers, and the most valuable trade is that in gum-arabic, the
produce of several species of Acacia, and especially of A. Verek,
the “ hashab” tree.
Of all parts of the empire, however, the most important, in
a forest sense, is the Dominion of Canada, and, according to
Dr Schlich, there seems some small chance of the urgent question
of safeguarding the timber resources being taken up seriously.
He gives the area of woodland as 1,249,000 square miles, or
38 per cent. of the total area of the Dominion. The importance
of the timber-trade is gauged by the following statistics :—
Removals of timber in one year, 503,527,545 cubic feet = 10,070,551 tons.
a3 firewood 3 707,082,080 53 = TAT S04 55
Total, 24,224,192 tons.
The value of the material removed is estimated at £10,216,539.,
Dr Schlich says: “It is of the utmost importance, not only for
“‘ Canada, but for the empire generally, that the Canadian forests
“ should, at an early date, be taken under systematic manage-
“ment. The Governments of the several provinces should make
‘‘up their minds to select and demarcate a sufficient proportion
“of the area as permanent State forests, and bring them under
** complete control and systematic management. There are large
“ areas to choose from, so that no difficulties are likely to present
“themselves in selecting out of the one and a quarter million
‘‘ square miles, say, 150,000 square miles to be reserved, leaving
“‘more than one million square miles for unrestricted lumbering
‘‘and extension of cultivation.” In the early part of this year
(1906) a Forest Convention met, under the presidency of the
Governor-General and with the support of Sir Wilfred Laurier the
Premier, and resolutions were passed indicating the chief points
to be attended to. It may be hoped that from this beginning
will start a real endeavour to preserve the Canadian forests and
regulate their exploitation.
In other American colonies much has already been done, and
most especially in Trinidad.
Interesting as is Dr Schlich’s account of the work done for
forestry in the various outlying parts of the empire, members of
the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society will turn with even
greater interest to Chapter V., on “Forestry in the United
Kingdom,” especially as Dr Schlich is so well known as a writer
and lecturer on the subject. His opening remarks are well
VOL. XX. PART I. B
18 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
worthy of attention. He says: “Forestry has been carried on
“in the United Kingdom for many centuries. The main objects,
“ until quite recently, were the chase, shooting, and landscape
“beauty. The economic aspect came more into the foreground
“‘ since rents went down, and proprietors had to pay more attention
“to the financial aspect of the industry based upon the land. In
“bringing about this change, the example of systematic forest
“management in India has had a powerful influence. It was
“ recognised that if systematic economic forestry were to become
“an enduring thing in India and in the colonies, it would be
“‘ necessary to make it so in the mother country. When forestry
“in Britain has once become an essential part of the industry
“based upon the soil, those who go out to govern the British
“possessions beyond the seas will be duly impressed with its
““ importance.”
Dr Schlich has divided the subject into four sections, the
first of which discusses “the importance of the forestry problem
“to the nation.” After touching on the esthetic effects of forests,
and their influence on the beauty of the country; on their effect
upon climate chiefly as shelter from strong winds, for in Great
Britain happily their effect upon rainfall is not a matter of
importance; and on their effect upon the stability of the soil in
preventing erosion, landslips, the silting up of rivers, the damage
done by shifting sands, etc., he proceeds to discuss their produce.
The home production of timber, probably, does not exceed two
million tons, while we import from abroad rather more than ten
million tons, the amount increasing annually at the rate of about
332,000 tons. For the timber we import we pay yearly nearly
26 million pounds, of which about 19 millions go to countries
outside the empire. The supply from such countries is diminish-
ing, for shortly even those who now send timber to us may have
to keep it for their own use. Dr Schlich draws the conclusion
that an increase in the woodlands of this country, by the afforesta-
tion of waste land, is imperative, in order to keep the money in
the country, provide labour for unemployed persons, and cause
the development of those industries which use wood as their raw
material.
In his second section he discusses the measures which he con-
siders should be taken in this country to ensure the benefits offered
by forestry, and in his third he gives his recommendations on the
afforestation of surplus lands, with a full discussion. This is an
FOREST POLICY IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 19
important chapter, especially as the financial aspect of the
question is very fully gone into. Then comes “ Notes on Some
Types of British Woodlands,” and the first part of these notes
discusses the management of woods as game preserves, and
shows how easy it is to adapt the management of woods, under
a proper system, so as to ensure a full head of game, while at
the same time they give an adequate return of revenue from
their produce. He advises treating pheasant preserves in
““coppice-with-standards,” and describes fully, by means of an
example, what should be done to ensure proper working of the
forests, and as little interference as possible with the rearing of
the birds and the annual shooting.
A chapter on the conversion of coppice-woods into high-
forest deserves an attentive study by numbers of the landowners
of England, whose treatment of their woods, whether or not
they are required as game preserves, scarcely ever goes beyond
a miserable growth of coppice, with a number of standards of
more or less decrepit aspect, with short boles and rounded heads
covering much ground. A good many foresters would differ
from Dr Schlich in recommending coppice-with-standards as
the best treatment for game preserves; in their opinion equally
good results would be obtained by a treatment in high-forest,
for the system of working applied to the high-forest may be so
arranged that only small areas are at any time without a thick
undergrowth. To make the conversion of coppice-woods into
high-forest, Dr Schlich advises as follows: “As soon as the
“‘ coppice in any section has been cut, it should be interplanted
“with suitable timber-trees (vigorous plants with a well-developed
*‘ root-system planted in pits, and none of that barbarous system
“called notching, under which the roots are all pushed to one
“side !), the plants being placed between the stools. They will
“‘ srow up with the fresh stool-shoots, the latter providing shelter
“to the soil and drawing the seedling plants up—and so on.”
This is excellent for simple coppice, but we are not told how
the standards in coppice-with-standards are to be treated.
Presumably they will be removed, and in most cases this is
likely to be the best procedure. The use of coniferous trees for
the planting is chiefly recommended ; but in many localities it
will perhaps be better to use good hardwood trees like oak and
ash. And this brings us to Dr Schlich’s last and most interest-
ing note on the production of high-class oak, ash, and larch
20 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
timber, and this chapter may be confidently recommended for
careful study. In the growth of high-forest of oak, he
recommends a pure growth in the first instance. Then, at
about forty years of age, somewhat heavy thinnings should
precede an underplanting with beech, leading in the end to a
mature crop of oak and beech, in which the former is about
fifty years older than the latter, which is as it should be. In
some cases, Dr Schlich says, silver fir is to be recommended for
underplanting instead of beech.
The question of how best to grow larch is discussed, but the
growing of pure larch is dismissed as a dangerous practice,
because, if disease breaks out, it will rapidly spread over the
whole wood. And therefore an auxiliary species is recom-
mended, and beech is the tree chosen. How to treat pure larch
which has developed disease is the next question considered ;
and here, too, it is recommended to cut out the diseased larch
and underplant with beech, or, in some cases, with silver fir,
spruce, or Douglas fir. Finally, an interesting fact is mentioned,
that on the Continent Scotch pine is sometimes treated by under-
planting it with beech. This is interesting, and the excellent
photograph by Mr R. E. Marsden shows that it has been done,
but it would have been interesting to know what preparation, if
any, was given to the soil. The soil, in pure Scotch pine woods,
is apt to get dry and to become sour with the acids developed
in the needles. To underplant with beech successfully, we pre-
sume therefore that the soil has to be broken up. How is this
done? .
The Summary with which the author ends his book points
out that only India has satisfactorily grappled with the question ;
that a few of the colonies have done something, but that it
remains for Australia and Canada to follow and to save the
empire from the reproach of neglecting its forests and their
potential capabilities. And, above all, forestry must be made to
take, in the United Kingdom itself, a proper position, as far
as possible analogous to that which it holds in neighbouring
countries, and especially in France and Germany.
THE TREATMENT OF TIMBER CROPS UP TO MIDDLE AGE. 21
4. The Treatment of Timber Crops up to Middle
Age, more especially with reference to Mixed
Woods.
By mew!
Of late I have observed various statements with reference to
the above subject; and having had a long experience in the
management of mixed woods and plantations, I am glad to
have the opportunity to state some of the deductions which I
have drawn from that experience, whether they be in accordance
with the recognised theoretical teaching of the present day
or not.
Recently it was stated by a lecturer on forestry in one of our
English universities, that the teaching of the old school of Scottish
foresters, as to the thinning of woods, related to the welfare of
the individual trees rather than to that of the wood as a whole.
I should myself prefer to put it, that the welfare of the wood is
best attained by the careful treatment and development of the
individual trees. On that principle I have acted for forty years,
and, I think, with success.
So far as my own views of the matter go, the heading of this
note is a misnomer. There should be no middle age in well-
managed mixed deciduous woods. A beginning there must be;
but the end should be such a remote contingency as practically
not to be taken into account in considering their duration.
Their motto ought to be—
‘* Men may come, and men may go,
But I go on for ever.”
Let anyone go into a large city at a busy time of the day,
when men are hurrying to and fro, and take note of the size and
build of those passing along, and he will at once be struck by
their diversity. The same thing is found in all animals of the
same species. With these facts in his mind, let him inspect any
plantation of a given age, taking note more especially of the
length and girth of the various trees, and he must inevitably
arrive at the conclusion that there is no such thing as a standard
of equality in the units which go to make up any community in
the animal or vegetable kingdoms. Upon this premise I con-
sidered I had a safe foundation for the system of management I
22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
adopted; and this brings me back to a point I wish particularly
to emphasise, viz., that the teaching of our predecessors in
Scottish forestry was not far wrong, and that there is not, and
never has been, a good foundation for the wholesale denunciation
of British forestry, which of late years it has been the custom
for certain people to indulge in. The system I adopted may be
described as a combination of thinning and regenerating in
perpetuity. Thinning sparingly and frequently is my rule. I am
fortunate in living in a district with a fair demand for all kinds
of timber, large and small. Sometimes there is a good demand
for one kind; sometimes for another. I endeavour to take
advantage of this as far as possible, as it is important in the
pecuniary interests of the owner of the woods. Prices in my
experience have varied 130 per cent., and the prices of to-day
are a long way under high-water mark. In the early years of
a plantation’s existence, it is sometimes necessary to take out
those kinds which are of little value, in the interest of those
which are to remain; and I never hesitate to do this, as the
main reason for thinning young plantations is that the majority
which remain may benefit.
I am not writing an article on Zhznning, and I therefore offer
no remarks on my method of doing the work; I only state that
at this period of a plantation’s existence, when the trees come
into leaf after a judicious thinning, the canopy ought to be
complete, and no question of undergrowth or underplanting
should arise. Some woods I have thinned every six years;
others I have thinned at varying intervals up to ten years. At
each operation, the question as to whether it will pay best then,
or at some future period, to cut down individual trees arises.
The trees having now attained a considerable size, when
thinning takes place a gap in the overhead covering will be
produced, and now is the time to encourage the growth of the
naturally-sown seedlings, or, if there are none of these, to plant
young trees in all the open places. In my own case this cannot
be done without protection from rabbits. It must be borne in
mind that I am not writing of conditions which are ideally the
best for planting operations, but of those where the rabbit has
privileges which cannot be gainsaid. I will not state here what
means I took to checkmate Mr Bunny; but suffice it to say I
did manage it after many failures. In this district, sycamore
seedlings come up well in many woods, and I have taken
THE TREATMENT OF TIMBER CROPS UP TO MIDDLE AGE. 23
advantage of these for regeneration purposes in all cases, and
nothing, unless it be ash, pays us better. As time goes on, we
strive to have trees in all stages of growth.
I trust in these few remarks I have made clear the system I
have practised. The main point to be careful about is not to
thin more severely than the woods are able to make up for
between the periodical thinnings. Otherwise one would be living
on capital, and would soon come to grief.
[The system above described appears to follow more or less
the general idea of that known as the “selection” system, which
is recognised by modern sylviculturists as applicable in the case
of some species when grown under certain conditions. Dis-
cussion is invited as to the advantages and disadvantages of
applying the author’s method generally.—Hon. Eb. |
24 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
5. Training in Sylviculture.!
By R. C. Munro Fercuson, M.P.
The outlook for British sylviculture has been dreary enough,
both as regards private mismanagement, administration, inaction,
and public ignorance. Such public interest as is exhibited in
tree-culture is so much crackling of thorns under the pot, for
it amounts to little else than amiable projects for turning un-
employables into foresters, the public having conceived the idea
that forestry is an unskilled employment, consisting of carting
and wood chopping, and that the preliminary production of
timber is some natural process with which science and capital
have little to do. Government has made no effort to grapple
with the question, and given neither guidance nor example,
consequently we have throughout the world an unrivalled reputa-
tion for forest destruction and sylvicultural incompetence.
In the United Kingdom there is little work worth recording if
we except the production in limited quantity of beech and larch,
of oak and ash of great durability, while we have had conspicuous
success in the acclimatisation of several Coniferze of much pro-
spective value.
In the outlying empire, we find in India one notable exception
to our rule of failure; there the forest department, organised by
distinguished German experts, is administered by the school of
British officers which they formed, and there the timber-revenue
makes a notable figure in the Indian Budget.
We have, it is true, made some effort of late years throughout
the empire to improve our standards, to check waste in Canada
and Australia, to plant methodically at home and in South
Africa. The same movement is more apparent in the United
States, where, if late in coming, it makes rapid progress. Here
at home we begin to feel the stimulus of such institutions as the
Arboricultural Societies, of the awaking to responsibility recently
manifested at the Office of Woods and Forests, of the efforts of
several lecturers at educational centres, and of some object-
lessons in sylviculture created by private enterprise. A few
students have been trained abroad, and a few working-plans are
in operation, but neither the supply of trained foresters nor the
1 Paper read at Society’s Forestry Exhibition in connection with Highland
and Agricultural Society’s Show at Peebles, 20th July 1906.
TRAINING IN SYLVICULTURE. 25
demand for them is at all commensurate with our present require-
ments. Moreover, our object should be far wider than that of
effecting some improvement over some proportion of existing
British woodlands, which is all that can at best be achieved by
detached or unsystematic effort. Our purpose, as it affects the
United Kingdom, becomes clear when it is realised that the most
obvious way to arrest rural depopulation in these islands is not
only to make our private woodlands remunerative, but to afforest
several million acres of waste and rough pasture, thus giving
employment to a great body of people through sylvicultural
operations and the great subsidiary industries of which the raw
material is timber.
Something may doubtless be done in certain districts to provide
for a denser population through the development of intensive
cultivation on small holdings, but such areas are relatively
minute and the population affected comparatively small; and
while the State can achieve comparatively little in the agricultural
sphere, save by educational methods, it alone is the creative
agency for adequate afforestation.
Yet if we are to have real commercial sylviculture, the first
requirement is the trained forester, and our Government, as in
other civilised States, should, before all things, take the essential
step of providing for the training of our foresters. The only
answer to the artistic or philanthropic tree-planters, whose cries
are worthy of any flock of gulls, is to make a practical beginning
with the foundation stone of knowledge. The only advice to be
offered, whether by the expert with his infallible thesis, or by the
landowner with his unfailing disappointments, is that a wider
diffusion of specialised knowledge must precede any normal or
abnormal development or expansion of the forest area.
The forest school, with its auxiliaries, has been the ideal of
every British sylviculturist who chanced to appear in the
nineteenth century; and, with the opening of the twentieth,
material for an educational policy was sifted, collected, and laid
down by a Departmental Committee in rgoz.
The proposals then made have, a few cranks apart, secured
the adhesion of the expert and of such lay opinion as was worth
having. Upon our administrative departments, it is true, the
report fell flat; within those august precincts it remained so
entirely unknown that at the opening of this session one of the
Cabinet proposed to “ inquire” again into Forestry, coupling with
26 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
it what he conceived to be the congenial topic of Coast Erosion.
He had got the length, thanks perhaps to the entente cordiale,
of hearing of an “Administration des Eaux et Forets,’ and was
therefore assured that these two things, taken together, would
spontaneously furnish employment to the troublesome unemployed
on land or on water—fresh or salt. This was at least a departure
betokening the zeal so conspicuously absent in the two or three
departments really responsible, whose normal state of mind is
that in Sylviculture, as with the rest, private initiative and
enterprise are amply sufficient to meet any exigency. The
doctrine of /azssez faire in all its purity remains at the Treasury,
the nearest approach to anything sacred. Yet it is plain enough,
apart from any comparison so odious as one between the condi-
tion of our own and that of Continental forests, that the simple
individualism which can cope more or less with agricultural
operations begun, continued, and ended in too days, is
calculated unreservedly to fail in a sylvicultural project extend-
ing continuously over too years. It is sufficiently clear that
this Government, like its predecessors, approaches the whole
subject either with indifference or from the wrong point of
view.
On account of recent movements, proposals, and tendencies, a
representative body of sylviculturists recently interviewed the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to enforce the need for definite
action on the lines of the 1902 Report, and a sufficient précis
of these proceedings was published. As regards provision for
sylvicultural training, it was indicated by the deputation that
existing lectureships, some of which should be chairs of forestry,
must be properly equipped with, for example, experimental
plots or a forest garden, and, when practicable, with a demonstra-
tion forest, all under the control of the lecturer, as has been
happily accomplished through the transference of the manage-
ment of a Crown woodland to the Durham College. A moderate
provision of this kind for the three kingdoms and Wales might
work out roughly at £50,000.
Beyond this substantial instalment for local needs, we require
to complete the system—three forest schools, both for home and
imperial policy. Avondale, under its Irish Board, should suit
Ireland admirably. The Forest of Dean could be advantageously
transferred to the directorship of an English school. A forest
has to be bought for Scotland and the north of England. For
TRAINING IN SYLVICULTURE. 27
this the buyer should be able to draw on £100,000, so as to
have the option of buying a whole estate, parts of which could
perhaps be resold. No doubt 10,000 to 20,000 acres can be got
for less than £ 100,000, for two well-wooded estates, of from 30,000
to 40,000 acres each, of which large portions could have been
properly afforested, and the more valuable portions resold, have
recently changed hands in Ross and Sutherland.
The Government should further be prepared for an expenditure
for some years of several thousand pounds for equipment, all
outlays being amply repaid eventually out of forest revenue.
Why, it may be said, should the State find the whole cost for
this one branch of technical education? It is because these
forest schools, chairs, and lectureships are preparatory steps to
enable the State to undertake effectively the repopulation of
deserted landward districts. Private owners can afford to do
but little for education; it will take them all their time, even
with the aid of trained foresters, to put their own woods in order.
Moreover, State training in sylviculture does not aim merely at
renovating British woodlands, but at enabling the State to double
and triple their area, and to lay the foundation of most valuable
home industries—lost for lack of the administrative faculty and
of the element of continuous good management in the growth of
the necessary raw material.
It is to provide, further, British officers and foresters for the
empire at large, whose first step as students, if they now desire
to acquire knowledge, is to leave their own country, where they
can learn nothing by object-lessons.
It is, in fact, not through individual but through State
initiative that sylvicultural training is to be established, and
adequate object-lessons placed before the eyes of a race that
remains ignorant of the most elementary principles of sylvi-
culture. And thus it is that a great branch of rural economy,
the feeder of many industries, placed on a footing of common-
sense and prudence, will become capable of natural expansion
and of effecting wide-reaching social and economic results.
28 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
6. Note on Larix leptolepis grown in Japan.
By K. KuMg, Chief of the Imperial Bureau of Forestry, Tokio.
This timber-tree grows naturally in pure woods, or in mixture
with other species, deciduous and coniferous, in Alpine localities,
in the central mountain ranges of volcanic districts in our
principal island, Honshin, especially on Mt. Fuji, Mt. Nantai
(near Nikko), Mt. Asama (near Karinzawa), and mountains in
the county of Shinano.
The typical natural woods occur on Mt. Fuji, about 5000 to
6000 feet above sea-level, and these consist of pure crops of
trees with well-developed stems. On the plateau near Mt.
Asama, where the soil is chiefly composed of volcanic dust, this
timber-tree is cultivated successfully over a very extensive area,
the State forests alone covering over 24,507 acres.
The growth in height of this tree is very fast, especially in its
younger period, as the following Table will show :—
YIELD TABLE.
| Mean Basal Diameter, Mean Height, Stem Volume per Acre,
iK Feet. Feet. Standard Cubic Feet.
ge,
Y: ;
a Quality Quality Quality
UE Ti: III. Il. Ill. i. If. Ill.
Io | 0°30] 0°20] o'15 | 40 30 20 982 490 245
20 | 0°48 | 0°37 | 0°29 | 58 50 | 40 2459 1470 735
30 0°61 | 0°50 | o'40 | 68 60 52 3920 2700 1470
0°62 | o-50 | 75 69 60 5490 | 3680 1960
50 0°79 | 0°68 | 0°58 | 83 75 65 6370 4410 2700
60 0°86 | 0°77 0°66 87 80) | 70 7110 4900 3190
70 | 0°93 | 0°83 | 0°73 | 92 | 84 | 85 | 7740 | 5400 | 3580
aN
ie)
°
Ni
|
80 | 0°97 | 0°86 | 0°79} 95 86 79 8290 | 5780 3820
go 1°00 | 0°93 | 0°84 | 98 go 82 8580 | 6080 | 4130
100 1°04 | 0°96 0°87 | I00 92 | 84 83860 6330 4210
This: Table is constructed from very few materials collected
from the last-mentioned cultivated woods.
The best quality of timber is produced on somewhat fresh
deep soil formed from volcanic dust. The tree prefers a rather
high elevation (over 3000 feet above sea-level) and a cold
climate. The seed, which ripens in autumn, is usually obtained
from trees about 60 to roo years old, the quantity sown being
NOTE ON LARIX LEPTOLEPIS GROWN IN JAPAN, 29
o'8 Ibs. per square yard. The growth of the seedlings is
about 4 inches in the first year; but by the end of the second
year they reach about 1 foot 5 inches in height, and are
sometimes then planted out into the woods. The first year’s
seedlings should be kept in moderate shade during summer,
and in the spring of the second year they should be trans-
planted.
The timber is strong and resinous, is somewhat hard, and is
durable in contact with the soil and moisture. It has a well-
developed heartwood, is easily worked, and is used chiefly for
railway sleepers, posts for fences, telegraph poles, shingles for
roofing, the outer finishing of house-buildings, and earth-works.
Air-dried, the specific gravity of the wood is o'52, and
absolutely dry it is 0°47.
30 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
7. On Preparing Working-Plans for British
Woodlands.
By JoHN Nispet, D.(C&Ec.
Without rendering oneself liable to a charge of being fanatically
keen on regularity, order, method and management, one may
perhaps venture to suggest that more of systematic and far-
seeing future co-ordination of work than usually obtains might
well be adopted in the treatment of the woodlands on large
English estates, where the woods and plantations often aggregate
between 500 and Iooo acres.
Perhaps I may be wrong; but, from what I have understood
from conversations with land-agents during the last few years, it
seems now to be admitted that, from one cause or another—and,
in fact, generally from a combination of causes—the woodlands
must be regarded as perhaps not being worked to the best
advantage. Many a land-agent knows quite well what ought to
be done in the way of first steps to bring the woods and planta-
tions into better order as income-producing portions of estates;
and many more know that all is not so well as it ought to be—
without, perhaps, being quite able to see clearly what had best
be done with regard to the slow process of improvement.
But in either case, however clear or however dubious may be
the land-agent’s purview concerning the wooded portions of the
estates in his charge, I think it is almost self-evident that the
best first step to take is to formulate some carefully-thought-
out plan for the systematic working of the woods during, say,
the next ten years. It need not be any elaborate scheme of
management—indeed, I will go further and say that, so long as
it helps in achieving (even if only partially) the objects aimed at,
the simpler and the less hampered with unnecessary details any
such scheme of management is, the better will it be for practical
use, the easier will it be understood by all concerned, the more
likely is the forester to give it cordial support, and the easier
can it be adhered to from year to year, when once it has been
approved and brought into use.
And who should draw up such a working-plan? Most certainly,
the agent in charge of the estate—if he can find time to do so.
There can be not the slightest doubt about that. He ought to
1 Reprinted from the Yournal of the Land Agents’ Society, by permission of
the Editor.
PREPARING WORKING-PLANS FOR BRITISH WOODLANDS. 31
know the woods in his charge better than any other official on
the estate, except the forester; and from long acquaintance with
them, and frequent visits at all times of the year, he should be
in a far better position than anyone else to draw up a sound and
rational working-plan for any given period in advance, for in
this he can also utilise with advantage his intimate personal
knowledge concerning the tendency of local demand, the rise and
fall in the market, and the prices paid for the different kinds of
woodland produce. No professor of forestry, or so-called
“expert,” no matter how much of the alphabet he may be
able to hieroglyph after his name in representation of university
degrees and diplomas of examining boards, can possibly, in
visiting any wood or plantation on one single occasion, obtain so
correct an idea of the whole of it as ought to be possessed by the
thoroughly qualified land-agent who has visited it time after time,
and has become intimately acquainted with every portion of it.
But can the land-agent in charge of a large estate find the
time that is required to collect all the data needed, and to draw
up a well-considered scheme of management for the woods and
plantations in his charge? ‘That is a question I cannot attempt
to answer. No doubt any exceptionally energetic land-agent will
manage to find the necessary time if he really makes up his
mind that such a working-plan is desirable, and that he intends
to frame one.
It may perhaps, however, convey some useful information on
the subject if I give the details of the labour incurred in drawing
up a very simple working-plan (which I have just completed)
for goo acres of woods and plantations situated in the west of
England. These woods consist of comparatively small areas,
usually varying from 4 up to 30 acres in extent, and widely
scattered over the different sections of an estate extending into
three counties. The woodlands themselves are at present classifi-
able as follows :—
Acres.
A—Ash-coppices (with a few standards), . 54
B—Oak copsewoods, with oak, ash and hazel
underwood, and numerous ‘standards, 2) 446
C—Broad-leaved highwoods, ; : wipers
D—Conifer highwoods,_. ote RO
#—FExcluded miscellaneous woods, mostly orna-
mental or wind-screens, ; ‘ , 43
Total, . - 898
32 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The work connected with the formation of the working-plan
consisted of (1) drawing up a complete register of the woods
according to past methods of treatment, and making preliminary
inquiries connected with past working and local conditions ;
(2) inspecting the woods and drawing up detailed crop-descrip-
tions on the spot, the entries being at once recorded in the
“ field-book”; (3) framing the future scheme of management
after such preliminary investigations, and drawing up the
working-plan report, and colouring the maps to accompany
it. .
The actual work and time required were as follows :—
Days.
1. Preliminary work in estate office, . é aS;
2. Field-work and crop-description, . ya vibS
3- Making working-plan, writing report, and prepar-
ing maps, : ; , Z + nol
‘Tora oe SES
Now, eighteen working days mean exactly three weeks, and
that seems a long time for the preparation of a simple scheme
of management for goo acres of woodlands. But field-work and
crop-description must necessarily be slow when the woods are
small and scattered. To show the amount of work involved,
I kept a careful record from day to day, which gives the follow-
ing result :—
/ Number of Hours
} August. engaged in Out-door | 00ds Visited and Total
/ gu ngag so t-doo’ Descri 3
| Acres. Acres.
Mon. 20 10 4I 4l
Tues. 21 9 127 168
Wed. 22 84 90 258
Thur. 23 84 56 314
Fri. 24 9 127 441
Sat. 25 5 54 495
~ oe x =
Mon. 27 10 142 637
Tues. 28 93 78 715
Wed. 29 7 51 766
Thur. 30 II 50 816
Note.—This gives an average of only 814 acres a day, although we
had exceptionally favourable weather; but, under ordinary circum-
stances, one should be able to do about 100 acres per diem during
good weather.
——
PREPARING WORKING-PLANS FOR BRITISH WOODLANDS. 33
This outdoor work is indispensable. No matter how well
any agent may know the woods, for the purposes of framing a
working-plan notes made actually in the woods, with the given
conditions straight in front of him, are far more accurate and
far more valuable than jottings made in office or in his study.
The former are precise and reliable, the latter never can carry
the same weight even to the person who has noted them down.
This sort of crop-description, and the notes about the future
treatment that seems advisable, can best be done by the agent
and the forester working in the mornings, because one gets very
tired of this kind of thing if one is at it all day long, and
work after lunch (be this ever so frugal) is never so good
as in the forepart of the day, while one is still fresh and
unfagged.
There is, however, another side to the question. I have said
that the agent is certainly the man who should be best qualified
to do this particular branch of work on the estate entrusted to
him. But has the land-agent usually had a thorough training
in practical work of this specific kind? I will not risk making
any further remark on this point than merely to state that those
agents whom I happen to know intimately do not profess to be
anything like so well up in this branch of estate management
as in most others. Of course “forestry” forms a part in the
curriculum of every agricultural college nowadays, and an
examination in it is usually passed before a student obtains
a B.Sc. degree in agriculture. at any university, or the diploma
of the Surveyors’ Institution; but there is a vast difference
between scoring a pass under such tests and feeling thoroughly
at home in practical forestry. And this is all the more the
case, seeing that British forestry, as practised on private estates
throughout England, is something entirely different from sylvi-
culture or timber-growing on an extensive scale, as practised on
the Continent. This continental or sylvicultural method is what
is generally taught in our schools and colleges, and it has
recently been initiated in the Forest of Dean. But it must be
recollected that this is probably by very far the largest block
of woodland in the United Kingdom; and it also happens to
be a Crown appanage, and is therefore not affected by any of
the peculiarities and disadvantages to which private properties
are subjected with regard to the growth, utilisation, and
VOL. XX. PART I. c
34 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
regeneration of timber-crops. Hence, even though the land-
agent has studied forestry, this does not necessarily mean that
he has specialised in this branch; and, unless based upon the
practical knowledge gained from specialising and from actual
work in the woods, a purely theoretical working-plan would be
of little use for practical purposes.
In his student days the land-agent has (in addition to
agriculture) to study chemistry, veterinary surgery, and the
law of landlord and tenant. In fact, a sound theoretical and
practical knowledge of these cognate subjects is at least as
necessary as, and often really more important to him than
an acquaintance with forestry. Without a fair knowledge of
these, no man can be considered well-equipped for the work
of estate management. But does the prudent agent, on that
account, dispense with the occasional services of the agricultural
chemist, the veterinary surgeon, or the solicitor? No, certainly
not; and anyone who did so would probably be held to be
a very rash person, inconsiderate alike of his own reputation
and of his employer’s interests. And yet the mistakes that
can easily be made owing to want of proper management
and of proper action with regard to the woods and plantations
may (as these investments grow at compound interest into
a large capital in the course of time) in the long run prove
far more important from a pecuniary point of view than would
be the errors made by injudicious treatment of cattle disease,
or by faults in drawing up leases. But there is the one great
difference, that mistakes of this latter kind make themselves
painfully apparent at once, and become much talked of, whereas
faults committed in the silent woods and in the young planta-
tions do not cry aloud to all men; they may remain unnoticed
and unknown, and are very often entirely unsuspected even by
those who have caused them.
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that this great still
silence of the often mismanaged woodlands is probably the
main reason why a land-agent feels completely sure of managing
his woodlands well, when he will at the same time shrink from
taking into his own hands the treatment of sick cattle or the
drafting of leases and covenants often really affecting much
smaller sums of money than are represented by the woods and
plantations.
PREPARING WORKING-PLANS FOR BRITISH WOODLANDS. 35
In every part of the United Kingdom there are now men
who have specialised in British forestry, and who practise in the
preparation of working-plans; and their occasional help should
be as valuable to the land-agent as is that of the veterinary
surgeon or the estate solicitor.
To endeavour to give point to the above suggestion, one
might perhaps be expected to furnish specific examples of
expensive errors, which might have been avoided under
competent advice. But that is a thorny path, which craves
wary walking, and I have no desire to wander in that
direction.
36 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
8. Working-Plan, 1905 to 1919, of the Castle
Hill Woodlands.
By FRASER STORY, University College of North Wales, Bangor.
This is a Provisional Working-Plan designed to regulate the
management of the North Devon woods of the Right Honour-
able Earl Fortescue for the fifteen years from 1905 to 1919.
It is a most welcome addition to the slowly increasing number
of British working-plans. It is a strange reflection upon our
forestry methods, that until some ten years ago, systematic
forest plans were unknown in this country. Even yet only
about half a dozen working-plans are actually in operation.
Of plans that have been published in the 7vansactions of the
Scottish Arboricultural Society, the first to appear was the
scheme of management for the Pit-Wood Working Circle at
Raith. This was drawn up for Mr Munro Ferguson’s woods
in Fifeshire, and is given in the TZyvansactions for 18098
(Vol. XV. p. 223). In the following year a plan for Novar
woods was prepared, and appeared in the Zyansactions (Vol.
XVI. p. 25). In tgoo was issued Dr .Nisbet’s working-plan
for the woods belonging to Lord Selborne in Hampshire, and
early in the present year (1906) appeared a scheme for the
treatment of the Alice Holt Forest by Dr W. Schlich (see
Transactions, Vol. XIX. p. 83). Among working-plans of
importance that have not found their way into our Society’s
record of proceedings are those for the Forest of Dean and
High Meadow Woods, by the late Mr H. C. Hill. These
plans were prepared and printed in 1897. In addition to
the working-plans noted above, are one or two which have not
been published; still, it must be admitted that the drawing out
of schemes of management.is not making rapid progress.
On this account the present report, by Professor W. R. Fisher,
M.A., makes all the more pleasant reading.
The woods on the Castle Hill Estate extend to 11683
acres, but as 1364 acres are reserved for ornamental woods,
1032} acres only are dealt with in the Plan. Of this area,
463} acres bear woods of broad-leaved species, while 5683
acres are occupied by conifers. The principal deciduous trees
on the estate are larch, oak (both Quercus pedunculata and
Q. sesstliflora), ash, alder, and hazel. All the commoner
WORKING-PLAN OF THE CASTLE HILL WOODLANDS. 37
evergreen conifers are present, including spruce, Scots pine,
silver fir, Corsican pine and Douglas fir. The glaucous Douglas
fir occurs sparsely mixed with other trees. It has thriven well,
having attained in forty years a circumference of nearly 8 feet,
and a height of go feet. This variety, which Professor Fisher
states is certainly not the Colorado Douglas fir, grows quicker
than larch, but the green or Pacific Douglas fir should be
preferred to it. Larch on the estate is somewhat affected
by disease, but apparently not to a serious extent: in the
future, however, the admixture of other species, particularly
beech, is advised. Common alder sells well, and the planting
of white alder (Alnus incana) is suggested. The author’s
statement that the timber of the latter is of ‘somewhat better
quality” may perhaps be questioned. Hazel occurs largely
in the underwood, and finds a market as spar stakes and for
barrel hoops: the association with it of ash is recommended
for the future.
All these items of information, and others concerning labour,
insect pests, climatic conditions, etc., are interesting, and find
their proper place in the general Plan. It is, however, the
proposals for future systematic management that we regard
as of chief importance. ‘These proposals are embodied in
Part III. of the Report. This section commences with the
statement that “hitherto the woodlands have been managed
without any well-considered system, so that the underwood
in most of the broad-leaved woods has not been cut for years.
Many large branchy standards are mixed with coniferous
trees, and in some cases broad-leaved trees are grown
where conifers would thrive, and vice versa.” Of how many
woodlands in Britain might this not be said? To bring
these woods into some sort of order is the task which Professor
Fisher has set himself.
He proposes to do this, in the case of the broad-leaved
woods, by the system of Coppice-with-standards, As underwood
is said to be at all times saleable at Castle Hill, an early
return from the coppice is assured, and this it is which has led
to the choice of the system. Ultimately the underwood will
be worked upon a rotation of probably twenty-five years, but in
order to bring the existing coppice (nearly all of which is ready
for felling) into somewhat better condition, it is proposed to
distribute the present fellings over fifteen years. At the end of
38 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
that time it will be possible to arrange a better series of Age
classes.
As regards the standards, the following proportion per acre
is advocated :-—
No. of Trees.
Standards of four rotations, . ; ig
Standards of three rotations, . : ie
Standards of two rotations, . ’ Ae
Tellers of one rotation of underwood, - 20
Saplings planted after last felling, . » 58
Total per acre, «-) (Om
It is said that this should give about 1000 cubic feet of
standards, quarter-girth measure, per acre, when the woods
are brought into a normal condition.
Coming to the coniferous woods, no fixed rotation has been
prescribed for them at present; but a statement of annual
fellings and thinnings has been drawn up, which will regulate
these operations for the coming fifteen years. Meanwhile
instructions have been given in regard to the species to be
planted, and the present irregular condition of the wood will
be gradually improved.
As may be imagined, only a rough estimate of the future
yield of the woods is possible, but Professor Fisher makes the
forecast that the broad-leaved woods may eventually give a
gross return of at least 25s. per acre annually, while “the
coniferous woods will produce #2, 10s. per acre, giving
altogether an income of #2000 per annum.” ‘The net profit
in the past, taking the average of ten years, has been £762
per annum.
Accompanying the Report are Appendices giving a detailed
description of each compartment, together with its proposed
future treatment. There are several tables and a list showing
the dates when the various woods on the estate were planted.
The whole scheme is thoroughly practical, and provides an
excellent example of what a provisional working-plan ought
to be.
THE NOVAR SYSTEM OF COMBATING LARCH DISEASE. 39
9. Note on “The Novar System of Combating
Larch Disease.”
By JOHN NISBET, D.Cic.
As the article which appeared in the Journal of the Board of
Agriculture for March 1906, dealing with the Novar system of
treating larch plantations, has been reproduced in the Zrans-
actions of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society for July 1906,
it must be assumed that it has thus been brought before the
notice of a great many landowners and land-agents not specially
trained in forestry, as well as of foresters whose training has
been more technical in this direction and whose daily work also
enables them to make a closer and more detailed study of the
practical prevalence and effects of the now ubiquitous, dreaded
larch disease, and of the conditions most likely to favour its
propagation. The appearance of that unsigned article in an
official journal has undoubtedly stamped it with official approval ;
and its whole tone is equally undoubtedly one of warm approval,
and of conviction that the “system” therein described is really
a practical advance in the direction ‘‘ of combating larch disease.”
Speaking as a forester, however, I question very much if such
will ultimately prove to be the case. On the contrary, it seems
to me that the continuation of this method, which has already
been “for some years practised,” is far more likely to perpetuate
the larch disease, and to form nurseries or hot-beds of the fungus
under circumstances extremely favourable to its growth and
development, and to the dissemination of its disease-producing
spores. The experience of ten to fifteen years should, however,
afford a practical solution of the question ; but apparently that
has not yet been acquired.
Hence, if I may be permitted to deal with the matter in a
manner as little controversial as the subject allows, I shall be
glad to be allowed to show here that there is a possibility—and,
in my opinion, a very great probability—that the measure will
ultimately prove to have exactly the opposite effect of what is
intended.
Certainly, if one finds oneself face to face with a 16- to 20-year-
old pure larch plantation in which canker has ravaged most or
all of the smaller and less vigorous poles, then the best one can
do is to thin out all of these, and allow only the healthier and
» §
40 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
better-grown to remain as the young timber-crop. This would
then, of course, have to be underplanted with whatever kind of
shade-enduring tree local experience shows to be most suitable,
and likely to be most profitable—just exactly as is done at
Novar.
But it is an entirely different matter when one deliberately, and
of purpose aforethought, as we say in the North, forms, year by
year, pure larch plantations at 34 feet by 34 feet, with 3556
plants per acre, knowing quite well— and, indeed, expecting—that
the vast majority of these are bound to become infected with the
canker-producing fungus to such an extent as to plainly exhibit
the outward and visible signs of this disease. Now we know,
beyond all question of any doubt about the matter, that the
formation of pure larch plantations is the surest way of exposing
them to outbreaks of this disease; and, consequently, pure
plantations must also be the most direct way of encouraging
and fostering the fungus, and of enabling it to fructify and to
disseminate its spores.
I could point to larch plantations varying up to over thirty
years of age, which I have recently visited in Worcestershire
and Gloucestershire, and which were, up to within the last few
years, remarkably free from canker; but, with the planting of
larch almost pure, even in comparatively small plantations, the
result has been a striking increase in the appearance of canker
throughout the plantations made within the last fifteen years, as
compared with those made from fifteen to thirty years ago. The
local conditions are such that it seems to me warrantable to
believe that the sources of infection have been spores from the
older plantations, even though these were themselves not badly
attacked by the fungus. And the risk of increase in cankerous
attacks throughout new plantations must, in my opinion, be
greater now than it was over fifteen years ago—while, of course,
the danger of its occurrence in a permanent epidemic form must
increase if large pure plantations be made.
And yet the formation of large pure plantations is, we are told,
precisely the step that Mr Munro Ferguson takes, apparently in
the belief that it is the best means “of combating larch disease” :—
“‘ He now plants pure larch woods, and when the trees are 16 to 20 years
old he removes all the stems except the soundest and most promising, of which
300 to 500are left peracre. Needless to say, the system is inapplicable to cases’
where all, or practically all, the trees are attacked by disease at this early stage,
THE NOVAR SYSTEM OF COMBATING LARCH DISEASE. 41
but instances of such virulence are, on the whole, of rare occurrence. The
trees that are retained are the picked stems of the three to four thousand
originally occupying the ground ”—z.e., 34 by 34 feet=3556 per acre—‘‘ and
measure up to 51 feet in height and 4 to 8 inches in diameter at breast-height.
Stems that are sound, or fairly sound, at this age are not likely to suffer much
from disease in later life.”
This does not expressly state, in so many words, that of about
3500 larch originally planted at least 3000 to 3200 are
cankered stems ; but this is apparently distinctly implied, be-
cause the soil-quality being evidently the same (as is shown by
the planting of about 3500 per acre in each plantation), Mr Munro
Ferguson would probably prefer in all cases to have a crop of
500 sound, non-cankered poles, if he could grow them, rather
than one of 300 poles only. And this means that from over 85
to nearly go per cent. of the larch planted become attacked with
the disease to such an extent as to show cankerous wounds,
from each of which the fungus-fruits formed tend to perpetuate
the disease, and to increase its prevalence by emitting countless
myriads of spores ready to germinate under favourable circum-
stances—one of the most favourable of these latter being, in our
damp climate, the formation of pure larch woods.
And while it is true that stems which are clean and sound
in the bole at 16 or 20 years of age are not likely to show
canker-wounds later on in the lower part of the stem, it does
not at all follow that they will not suffer from canker in the
crown, as has been found from experience to have been the
case during the last twenty-five years in Ireland, before which
time the larch disease was almost or quite unknown, but where
it has now become as prevalent and as destructive as in any
part of Britain.
Hence even the soundest 300 to 500 stems of such pure
larch plantations are exceedingly likely to become cankered
in the crown subsequently, and in due time to become also
the further means of propagating and disseminating the disease-
producing spores.
Would it not perhaps be a better plan to try and combat the
larch disease by planting, as the bulk of the crop, the shade-
enduring conifers named as suitable for underplanting, and at
the same time interplanting them with stout healthy larch, either
set singly or in small groups, to the number of about 430 to
650 per acre, ze, from 8 to ro feet apart? This would give
42 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
them the best environment for their protection against disease,
though even then canker could hardly be hoped to be
exterminated locally. But it would certainly be more likely to
combat the disease than is the system of planting pure larch
thickly, as now practised. It would, of course, probably
necessitate very careful thinning—now of larch, now of the other
conifers—and the forecast of future revenue might seem less
than the present system of pure planting has hitherto actually
yielded ; but the present returns will hardly continue so favour-
able if the opinion should prove correct that the Novar system
must tend to make the disease more prevalent locally than it
already is.
And in conclusion, lest there should be any possibility of
doubt about the matter, I would expressly state that the question
here raised is not whether “the Novar system” is, or is not,
the most profitable for the owner—that is a matter with which
I have no concern whatever. That it certainly seems to be
the most remunerative is proved by the fact that it has been
tried, found successful, and adopted by the landowner as the
method likely to bring him in most profit. That merely proves,
however, that, under the given local conditions at Novar, it pays
better to grow pure crops of diseased larch, of which go per cent.
have to be cut out as 16- to 20-year-old cankered poles, than to
raise clean healthy crops, chiefly formed of other kinds of trees,
for which the local demand is not so favourable. But the fact
remains, that in acting thus Mr Munro Ferguson seems to me
to be deliberately encouraging the spread of the larch-canker
disease throughout all the district of which the Novar larch
plantations form the central point. That is the important
matter about which I would invite discussion.
THE LARGE LARCH SAWFLY. 43
10. The Large Larch Sawfly (Nematus Erichsoni).'
(With Coloured Plate.)
By R. Stewart MacDouGa.t, M.A., D.Sc., Honorary Consulting
Entomologist to the Society.
The importance of a careful outlook by the sylviculturist and
the arboriculturist in order to observe whether or no there seems
to be any increase above the normal of a special insect, receives
once more strong support in the recent ravages of larch by
the caterpillars of the large larch sawfly over a large area in
Cumberland. We have in our country native species of forest
insects which once and again on the Continent or elsewhere
have been the cause of immense loss, and yet in Britain have
never attracted attention by any serious damage, or, indeed, by
any damage at all. There is always, however, the possibility of
danger to our trees from such species, and this danger will
grow with the increased area that may be put under forest crops,
and with the massing together of great numbers of the trees of
one species.
Lematus Erichsoni is not a very common insect in Britain or
Europe generally. It is not even mentioned by name in the
literature of wood or forest injury in Britain, and it is almost
passed over in the Continental forest literature as of little forest
importance. The increase, however, of this insect in the last
three years over a considerable area in Cumberland, and the
damage done by its larve there, is a matter of great importance,
and may have, unless careful outlook be kept, grave results
elsewhere. It were a pity, after the loss and discouragement
caused by the larch canker fungus, if a second scourge in the
shape of this sawfly enemy should follow. Our foresters should
be on the alert against this possibility. The flood comes with a
crack in the dyke. The worst insect plagues in forestry have
originated in a limited area, and wherever the principle of
“resisting the first advances” is neglected, a plague may follow
which no man can cure.
Previous History of N. Erichsoni.—There are references in the
forest literature of the Continent to the larvz of the large larch
1 Reproducéd from Zhe Journal of the Board of Agriculture for October
1906, by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
44 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
sawfly as having been the cause of damage to larch in the Harz
Mountains, in Holland and in Denmark. The references are
chiefly antecedent to 1840; the most recent is from Denmark, in
1902. ‘The insect has been recorded in Western Europe, from
Sweden in the north to as far south as France.
As regards Britain, Cameron! writes: ‘ ematus Erichsoni
does not appear to be a common species. I have only seen a
specimen taken by the Rev. T. A. Marshall, of which I do not
know the locality. Mr Dale records it from Glanville’s Wootton.”
Mr C. O. Waterhouse, of the British Museum, courteously writes
to me: “We have only three examples of VV. Zrichsont in our
British collection, and unfortunately they have no localities.
Two are from Cameron’s collection, one from J. F. Stephen’s
collection.” Mr F. V. Theobald, in Mature of 2oth September
last, gives as localities, “near Esher, Wye, Great Staughton, and
Budleigh Salterton.” Completer records would probably show a
more extended distribution.
Nematus Erichsoni in America—In the United States of
America this sawfly has been catalogued as one of the most
destructive forest insects, the larve, in the North-Eastern States,
having at different times defoliated the larch. Until about 1882,
the insect had not been regarded as troublesome. In a Bulletin
published in 1881, Mematus Erichsoni was passed over, but in
his next Report,? Packard told how in late August, in Maine,
the caterpillars of this sawfly partially or entirely stripped the
American larch or Tamarack (Larix americana) over a consider-
able area of swampy ground where the tree grew, the ability to
grow in such a habitat making the tree a valuable one. The
attack was continued in neighbouring parts in 1883, when again
many trees were stripped and fatally injured. Similar infestation
was reported from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Then
in Northern New York an extensive area of European larch
was defoliated. Fletcher? has recorded enormous damage
to larch in the summer of 1884 in and near Quebec by the
caterpillars.
Defoliation of Larch in England.—During the past summer
‘A Monograph of the British Phylophagous Hymenoptera, vol. ii. p. 57,
1885.
* Fifth Report of the United States Entomological Commission: ‘‘ Forest
Insects,” by Packard, 1890. :
5 Canadian Entomologist, November 1884.
THE LARGE LARCH SAWFLY. 45
the caterpillars of VV. Zrichsoni have been at work in very large
numbers over a considerable area in Cumberland. The trees
cover the mountain up to an elevation of 1600 feet. Part of
the area is made up of pure larch, which suffered more than
another portion of the wood where the larch is mixed with oak
and a few other broad-leaved species. The attack was first
observed in 1904; it was more serious with the spread of the
insect in 1905; and again in the summer just past great havoc
was done. Caterpillars were sent to the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries for determination and report in August of this
year, and a visit to the affected district followed.
The worst infested area, known as Dodd Wood, is on Miss
Spedding’s Merehouse Estate, and is situated about four miles
from Keswick, in the Bassenthwaite direction. In shape the
Dodd Wood is somewhat conical, hence is exposed to all points
of the compass; the largest part, however, faces south. The
age of the trees attacked varies from twenty years to seventy
years and over, and the fact of tall trees being attacked adds
greatly to the difficulty of satisfactorily combating the cater-
pillars and the adult sawflies. When I visited the place in the
last week of August, the brown and withered appearance of
many of the trees attested the severity of the infestation. At
some hundreds of yards distance, looking up at the wood, the
eye could easily pick out the defoliated trees. Some of them
were practically in their winter condition, devoid of leaves.
Others which had been defoliated in July had by mid-August
started to produce new leaves, so that on inspection at the end
of August such larches looked as they normally do in April or
May, with the dwarf shoots bearing tufts or clusters of partly
grown leaves.
Some seventy-year-old larches felled at the end of July and
the beginning of August had thousands of the sawfly caterpillars
on them. These caterpillars, many of them dislodged by the
fall of the tree, made their way to the trees standing near and
attempted to ascend them, the bases of the trunks of several
hawthorns, for example, being hidden by their numbers. The
caterpillars, numerous and easy to find on the trees up to the
third week of August, were by the fourth week, in the great
majority of cases, full fed, and had left the trees and made their
way into the moss and litter on the ground below, in order to
make their cocoons. Here and there in such places, on looking
46 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
one found many cocoons and some caterpillars which had not
yet spun up. I brought away with me abundant material from
which I hope next year to clear up points in the biology.
On the 31st of August caterpillars were still to be found on
the trees, but only after a very careful search. In addition to
well-grown caterpillars, I took on this date very small cater-
pillars, not more than a few days old. One must not rashly
assume that these tiny caterpillars were the result of a second
brood of sawflies. There is the possibility that they were from
eggs laid by sawflies that had issued from cocoons of 1905, but
later in the season than the great majority. This /Vematus
infestation in Cumberland is serious, not only from the loss that
it has already occasioned, but also because there are several
other large tracts in the neighbourhood planted with larch which
are in danger of infestation. There had been the intention
too, on the affected estate, to plant another 27 to 30 acres
with larch, but this work has had to be held over on
account of the presence of the sawfly.
Altogether in this neighbourhood an area of over 300 acres
has been attacked. Examination of other larch woods near, and
of isolated larches here and there at a greater distance, showed
that there were still uninfested places, but the danger of infection
is great. That the attack is not limited to the Merehouse
Plantation and immediate neighbourhood is seen in a letter to
the Board from Mr Smith Hill, saying that since the outbreak
at the Dodd Wood he has found cocoons in abundance in
Coomb Plantation. Coomb Plantation is on the other side of
the Derwent Valley from the Merehouse Plantation. It is
situated four miles from Keswick in a north-westerly direction,
and lies between rooo feet and 1500 feet above the sea-level.
The plantation is sixty years old, and extends to 200 acres.
Mr Smith Hill has also been informed of attack on Shoul-
thwaite Wood, near Thirlemere Lake.
Position of Nematus Erichsoni in the Insect World.—The large
larch sawfly belongs to the order Hymenoptera—an order con-
taining, amongst other insects, the bees, wasps, and ants. The
family of Hymenoptera which has the greatest interest for the
forester is the Zenthredinide, or sawflies. The sawflies are so
called from the fact that the ovipositor of the female is modified,
typically, to form a sawing apparatus, by which the openings are
made in leaf or twig for the reception of the eggs. The two saws
THE LARGE LARCH SAWFLY. 47
are side by side on the under surface at the hind end of the
sawfly. The adult sawflies do not attract much notice, but if
examined it will be seen that they do not have the narrow waist
characteristic of the wasps, but that the base of the abdomen is
broadly joined to the thorax. The adults, in nearly every case,
are harmless, save that, of course, they lay theeggs. The larve
are very characteristic: they are caterpillars, with more than
sixteen legs (the caterpillars of the genus Zyda, troublesome on
fruit and forest trees, have eight legs, six in front and a pair
behind; and the corn sawfly, Cephus, if included under Zenthredi-
nide, would be another exception), and they feed in the great
majority of cases exposed ; a few, however, live in galls, or mine
or burrow in plant-tissue. Dr Sharp reckons that nearly 400
species have been found in Britain, and amongst these are
species troublesome in gardens, and to fruit, and in agriculture.
Six or seven genera contain species of importance in forestry, of
which Lophyrus (see Leaflet 103), ZLyda, and Mematus are the
most important.
The species of the genus Vematus that have relation to forestry
affect, amongst broad-leaved species, the willow chiefly. The
interesting, and sometimes injurious, caterpillars of /Vematus
septentrionalis, besides feeding on willow, attack also the leaves
of birch, hazel, alder, and mountain ash. On the larch, besides
Nematus Erichsont, the large larch sawfly, I notice later, for
comparison, Vematus laricis, the small larch sawfly.
DESCRIPTION OF WVematus Erichsont.
Adult.—The adult sawfly measures up to 2 inch, or a little
over, in length, and in spread of wings just less than an inch.
The ground colour is black. The head and thorax are black ;
the first joint of the abdomen is black; then follow joints
coloured red ; the end of the abdomen again being black. The
mouth parts, the two front pairs of legs, except at the part next
to the thorax, and the upper parts of the femora of the hind legs,
are reddish or reddish-yellow. The tibiz are yellowish or pale
in the upper parts. The antenne are nine-jointed and some-
what thick, and taper towards the apex. With a lens the head
and thorax are seen to be sparsely and finely pubescent, and the
thorax is markedly punctured. The wings are glassy and
slightly clouded below the stigma.
48 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
£gg.—The egg is longish oval, and measures just over a
millimetre in length. It is white in colour.
Larva.—The full-grown caterpillar measures three-quarters of
an inch, or a little over, in length. It has a round black hairy
head, with a single ocellus on each side. On the upper surface,
all down the back, the colour is grey-green; the sides are lighter ;
the under surface is yellowish-green. If one uses a lens there
will be seen on the abdominal segments transverse rows of
minute warts with spines. The spiracles along each side are
brown. The legs number twenty, viz., three pairs of thoracic
legs, which are black, and seven pairs of abdominal legs, which
have the colour of the underside of the body. The head is
followed by twelve segments or joints—1, 2 and 3 are thoracic
joints, and each bears a pair of legs; 4 to 12 inclusive are abdomi-
nal joints; 4 has no legs; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and ro have each a pair of
legs ; 11 has no legs; and 12, the last joint, carries a pair of legs.
Packard! describes the caterpillar as moulting three times,
and so distinguishes four stages of larva. On hatching, the head
is very large and dusky green, not black; neither are the
thoracic legs black; the body is uniformly pale green. After
the first moult the head and thoracic legs are black; the body
is wrinkled, but no warts show. After the second moult the
upper surface is grey-green, and the transverse rows of warts
appear. The caterpillar attains its full size after the third
moult. The moulted skins can be seen wound round or
attached to the leaves.
Excrement.—The castings (excrement) of the caterpillar are
longish, cylindrical, and somewhat square cut at the ends. The
castings observed on the ground will afford a hint as to the
presence of the larve. So numerous were the caterpillars in
some parts of the attacked area, that in July their excrement
falling on leaves below suggested the patter of rain drops.
Cocoon. The cocoon, strong and leathery or parchment-like,
is dark brown in colour; it is cylindrical in shape, with rounded
ends ; the inside is smooth, the outside shows a raised network
pattern. The size may be taken on the average as between
2 inch and } inch. I have some from the soil less than 3 inch,
but these may contain parasitized larve.
1 Fifth Report of the United States Entomological Commission: ‘‘ Forest
Insects,” 1890.
THE LARGE LARCH SAWFLY.
(Nematus Erichsonzi.)
oy
THE LARGE LARCH SAWFLY. 49
In answer to inquiries I give below Tables which may assist
in making certain the determination of the large larch sawfly.
Moru CATERPILLARS.
Head somewhat hollowed out and
not so globular.
A group of ocelli on each side of the
head.
Hooklets on the abdominal legs.
Legs 16 in number or less.
The Geometer moth caterpillars, of
which at least three species feed
on larch, have a less number of
legs than 16. The caterpillars
of the larch mining moth (this
was quite common in Cumber-
land, and is often a_ serious
enemy of the larch) mine into
the needles, causing the upper
half to shrivel up; these cater-
pillars are very minute, and
make cases for themselves in
hollowed out parts of the needles.
THE LARGE LARCH SAWFLY
(Mematus Erichsonz).
Adult 10 mm. in length, and with
red on the abdomen.
_ Thorax prominently and
punctured.
The eggs are laid on the young shoots.
Caterpillar measures up to 22 mm.,
and is grey-green on the back,
lighter on the sides.
Head of caterpillar black.
Caterpillars eat till the end of August.
The caterpillar eats especially the
leaf clusters or tufts.
thickly
SAWFLY CATERPILLARS.
Head globular.
One ocellus on each side of the head.
No hooklets on the abdominal legs.
Legs more than 16.
Genus Lophyrus. Genus Mematus.
é.g., the pine saw-
flies, not found
on larch.
The caterpillars
have 22 legs.
The caterpillars
have 20 legs.
THE SMALL LarcH SAWFLY
(NMematus laricés).
Adult 6 mm. in length, and quite
black.
Thorax not prominently punctured,
and may be quite smooth.
The eggs are laid on the buds.
Caterpillar measures up to 15 mm., and
is grass-green or greenish-brown.
Head of caterpillar brown.
Caterpillars full grown in July.
The caterpillar eats more commonly
the single leaves on the shoot of
the current year.
Life-History and Habits of the Large Larch Sawfly—The
caterpillars winter under cover of the cocoons, and pupate,
generally speaking, in May or June, according to the conditions.
I know of no records in Britain giving dates of the appearance
of the adults, but probably they issue in June. The eggs are laid,
in one or two rows, on the youngest larch shoots, and in slits in
the bark made by the saws. Packard saw the eggs laid at the
bases of the young leaves. (It will be recalled that on the new
shoot, or shoot of the current year, in the larch the leaves are not
in clusters but are arranged singly.) The presence of the eggs
may cause the shoots to curl somewhat, and on occasion the
leaf at whose base an egg has been laid, dies. Packard?
1 Fifth Report of the United States Entomological Commission: ‘‘ Forest
Insects,” 1890.
VOL. 3, PART I. D
50 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
observed a female in confinement, and thus describes the egg-
laying :—“ The sawfly stood head downward while engaged in
making the puncture, and was not disturbed by our removing
the larch twig from the glass jar and holding it in our hand
while watching the movement of the ovipositor.” (This same
restfulness I have observed in the pine sawfly (Z. pzuz) while
watching a female in captivity laying her eggs.) ‘The serrated
blades of the ovipositor were thrust obliquely into the shoot by
a sawing movement. After the incision was sufficiently deep
the egg was forced out of the oviduct by an evident expulsive
movement of the muscles at the base of the ovipositor. The
slit or opening of the incision after the egg has passed into it is
quite narrow, and about 12 mm. in length. While engaged in
the process the antenne are motionless, but immediately after
the ovipositor is withdrawn they begin to vibrate actively, the
insect being then in search of a site for a fresh incision.” As
the embryo develops the slits in the shoots gape a little, and
through the oval hole the caterpillar creeps on hatching. The
caterpillars may begin by gnawing the single leaves on the
young shoot, but they soon pass to the clusters of needles on
the dwarf shoots. Single leaves may be eaten so that the edges
appear serrated, or the clusters of leaves may be half eaten
or quite destroyed so that only stumps are left.
In the young condition the caterpillars may be found in
clusters. The caterpillars assume various positions, arranged
with the tail end curled round the shoot; or like a mark of
interrogation, or the letter S; or (a characteristic attitude) with
the hind half of the body turned upwards and over the front
half. On being handled the caterpillars would wriggle violently,
rolling themselves about in a fashion that reminded one of sur-
face caterpillars, and ultimately lying on their side with their
body forming a circle, the tail end touching the head.
The larve are to be found at work during the summer, and
most numerously in July and the first fortnight of August. By
the end of August most have left the trees. Some, however,
do not complete their growth till September. I kept some in
confinement that made their cocoons in the second week of
September. The full fed caterpillars leave the trees and pass
into the moss or litter or the soil below, and in such shelter-
places spin the cocoon in which they pass the winter. They lie
somewhat bent in the cocoon until the late spring or summer of
THE LARGE LARCH SAWELY. 51
the next year, when they turn to pupa, the adults issuing in due
course.
There is no evidence, so far, that there are two generations in
the year, and yet the caterpillars seem to attain full size in
a comparatively short time. It is interesting and sometimes
puzzling as to why, from cocoons collected and _ possibly
made at the same time and kept in the same conditions,
there should be such variations in the escape of the adults.
For example, in my recent experiments with Lophyrus pint,
the pine sawfly, in 1905, from cocoons collected in the winter
of 1904 and kept indoors, 117 adults issued, these insects —
appearing on thirty-seven different days between April and
August, the first coming away on April 14th and the last on
August 1st. In 1906, from a number of cocoons made by
the caterpillars in confinement in 1905, and kept indoors,
104 adults issued, the insects appearing on thirty-two separate
days, the earliest on the 1st of June and the last at the end
of the first week of August. The practical import of this
is that, as egg-laying takes place at different times according
to the different flight-times of the adults, infestation must
be expected not merely at some limited definite period, but. any
time during the summer when the temperature is favourable.
Age of Tree Attacked.—Infestation in the larches in Cumber-
land was upon trees of from twenty to seventy years of age.
The records elsewhere show that young plants of ten years of
age may be attacked, but attack has been reported more
frequently on older and taller trees. In one case in Washington
County, United States, larches less than 25 feet high had been
spared, but of those of 30 feet and upwards go per cent. had been
attacked and almost completely defoliated. The fact that the
caterpillars work on well-grown trees, and it seems character-
istically at the crown first, increases greatly the difficulty of
fighting them.
Preventive and Remedial Measures.—1. As against the adults
scarcely anything can be done effectively. They lay high up,
well out of reach, so that the placing here and there of tarred
boards standing erect and with the tar frequently replenished,
which is practised sometimes against sawflies that lay on young
plants, cannot be tried with hope of success.
2. If young trees chance to be affected with the caterpillars,
the caterpillars, especially when they are small and, it may be
52 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
in clusters, should be squeezed in a gloved hand or rubbed off
the shoots into a small hamper; or badly infested shoots could
be snipped off or cut through and dropped into the hamper.
The contents of the hamper are then emptied on a slow-burning
fire. This measure, practised against the pine sawfly, will often
be quite impracticable against the caterpillars of the large
larch sawfly, feeding as these do, out of reach.
3. Jarring, so as to shake down larve, would meet with
most success on a dull day or early in the morning, when the
caterpillars are cold and sluggish.
4. Where the caterpillars are out of reach, and the tree attacked
is isolated, or where the infestation is limited, the trees should
be sprayed with helebore, or Paris green, or arsenate of lead.
5. When infested trees are felled, the dislodged caterpillars
should be destroyed.
6. There is a certain amount of help from nature. Birds may
take the caterpillars; in the Dodd Wood rooks and jackdaws
were seen to be feeding during July on the caterpillars.
Parasitic ichneumon flies are active enemies of the caterpillars.
7. The cocoon stage comes within reach of practicable treat-
ment if the infested area be not too wide. The litter and
surface soil below trees that were attacked could be ploughed
in deeply so as to bury the cocoons, or, in a prescribed area,
boys could be employed to collect them, or the soil and litter
and moss could be collected together in little heaps. If quick-
lime were placed on these and water sprinkled over them, the
heat engendered would kill the enclosed caterpillars. Swine,
useful in some insect infestations against pupz in the soil, are
not employable here, as they refuse to eat the cocoons.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES.
Fig. 1. Mematus Erichsoni (magnified).
Fig. 1A. Mematus Erichsont (natural size).
Fig. 2. Larva.
Fig. 3. Excrement of larva.
Fig. 4. Two cocoons, each magnified 14 times.
Fig. 5. Larve on twig of larch; on one of the needles a moulted skin
is seen,
Fig. 6 Some injured leaves (magnified).
Fig. 7. Larch twig defoliated by the larvee.
Fig. 8. Larch twig, drawn in September, that had been defoliated and
now putting out new leaves.
Figs. 1 and 1A after Packard; all the others drawn from nature.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY THE PINE WEEVIL. 53
11. Prevention of Damage by the Pine Weevil
(Hylobius abietis).
By Ewan S. GRANT, Bakewell, Derby.
When numerous, the pine weevil may be reckoned as one of
the worst of insect pests in young plantations of conifers; in
fact, it is as destructive in these as the pine beetle is in those of
greater age.
To combat this pest with any hope of success, one must
possess a thorough knowledge of the habits of the insect and of
its life-history. This being mastered, one of the most vulnerable
phases of its life-cycle—say, for instance, the feeding or the breed-
ing season—should be singled out, and the principal attack
directed against it at this time; if the attack be patiently
persevered in, success will be assured. Indeed, it is the case
with all insect pests that, when once their life-cycle is clearly
understood, some simple means can generally be applied at
some period of it by which their numbers can be greatly
reduced.
Unfortunately, there is no means of keeping the weevils
out of a plantation, and, owing to their strong sense of
smell, they will travel long distances, by crawling and flying,
to their breeding and feeding grounds. The best method
of preventing damage by these noxious insects is, I think,
to take advantage of their strong sense of smell, and by
this means to trap them. ‘The following is an account
of a combat with them, in which I was personally en-
gaged.
Two young plantations, extending to about 8 or g acres
and about 20 acres respectively, were found to be infested
by the weevil, the former during the second and the. latter
during the first season after planting. A variety of species
had been used in the formation of these plantations, namely,
Scots pine, larch, Ades nobilis, silver fir, Douglas fir, spruce,
and Corsican pine; a very small patch of Stone pine had
also been planted. In some cases two or three of the
species had been planted in mixture, while others formed
54 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
small pure groups, separated from each other by rides or
drives. Close observation showed that the weevils, about the
latter end of April, had commenced their depredations, and
very soon they began to appear in alarming numbers. The
attack threatened to become serious, for the plants, being so
recently planted, had not got thoroughly established, and
were not in a fit condition to resist it. Steps were at once
taken to trap the insects, and so protect the crops against
their ravages.
Bags were filled with fresh pine sawdust, and these and a
number of slabs, about 3 feet in length, sawn from fresh pine,
were conveyed to the plantations. The slabs were laid out along
the rides, and also among the plants, at distances apart of about
30 yards, and beside each slab was laid a small pile of saw-
dust. The latter was spread out on the ground so as to form a
band approximately 3 feet long, 9 inches wide, and about 2 inches
deep. The pine slab was then placed, sawn surface downwards,
over the sawdust, and in order to facilitate the entrance of the
weevils, it was slightly raised at one end by placing a small
wooden peg, about 6 inches long, underneath it. The traps
should be laid out on some definite plan, so that they may not
be overlooked when the examinations are made, and that time
may not be wasted in searching for them.! It is a good plan
to place a little fresh sawdust underneath the slabs once in every
three weeks, so that the fresh smell may be maintained. The
traps should be examined every morning at a fixed hour, the
best time being from 7 to g o'clock, as later in the day
the weevils leave their refuge for feeding purposes. The
weevils may be collected into a wide-mouthed glass bottle,
a small wooden peg being used for knocking them into
it, and each day’s collection should be carefully destroyed.
When the pine slab is lifted, the weevils will be found
either adhering to its cut surface or on the top of the saw-
dust.
Below is given the “catch” of weevils in the two plantations.
The traps were set in the last week of April, and they were
regularly examined every morning until the middle of June,
' The position of each trap may be marked by a stick, or small branch,
2 or 3 feet long, stuck into the ground beside it.—HOon, Ep.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY THE PINE WEEVIL. 55
after which it was found that three times a week was sufficient,
owing to the small number of weevils remaining.
Older Plantation Younger Plantation
(8 to 9 acres). (20 acres).
To 28th April, ; : 4 iy
65h May, : 7 144 69
», 12th May, : : 265 73
» 19th May, : ; 437 38
», 26th May, : j 278 133
», 2nd June, ‘ 3 134 53
» 9th June, , : II5 65
5, 16th June, ; , 64 29
», 23rd June, : 4 18 8
» 30th June, ; 7 12 7
= tgth July, ; : 1 °
Totals, as 5 1472 492
On wet or damp days the weevils frequented the traps
in greater numbers, and they remained in a semi-dormant
condition. On bright mornings they betake themselves
earlier to the plants, and when this is the case it will
pay to spend say a couple of hours, after the traps have
been gone over, in hand picking them from the plants;
and I may say that occasionally I considerably augmented
my catch by this means, as many as three being sometimes
picked from one plant. Great care must, however, be exercised
when picking the weevils from the plants with the hand.
If the plant be roughly taken hold of, or in the least shaken,
the weevils at once draw back their antenne alongside the
proboscis, draw their legs up underneath their bodies, and drop
to the ground. When on the ground they remain quite motion-
less, as if dead, and as their colour corresponds closely with
that of the soil it is a difficult matter to detect them.
In the vicinity of plantations infested with weevils, wagtails
should be preserved, and encouraged as much as possible, as
they greedily devour these insects, picking them off the plants
and eating out their insides.
56 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
About the end of June the weevils begin to desert their
feeding-grounds in search of a suitable breeding-place.1 I may
mention that during the season in which I was engaged in
trapping the weevils I had to strip the bark off some large
Scots pine trees, for the purpose of destroying the larve of the
pine beetle, and when the trees were turned over I invariably
found a number of weevils adhering to the bark. Possibly these
weevils were on the lookout for a breeding-place, and it is also
quite possible that they had migrated from the plantations where
the traps were in operation, although they were about a mile
distant. Below are given the numbers of weevils which I
secured in this way in three days :—
June 28th, ‘ : : : 96
53. 29th, : : . | apenas
ig GOt, ; é : ; 46
Total, : Bae
This method of trapping is a very good one, and it is not
attended with much expense. The material for the traps can be
obtained at the estate saw-mill, and the cost of conveyance will,
as a rule, be small. A man or lad, who knows exactly the
location of every trap, should be told off to collect the weevils
every morning, and as this can be done by one of the forester’s
staff, the expense need not be great.
I may also mention that in conjunction with this trapping of
the weevils there was carried out, the same season, a rigorous
destruction of their larva. In searching for these, the stumps
of the trees should be well stripped, as the grubs are often
found an inch or two below the surface. This operation
can be accomplished in the usual routine of the forestry
work,
The treatment applied to the two plantations referred to
1 It has been proved in connection with Ay/odéus abziet’s that there is no
definite limited breeding period, but that the eggs are laid all summer, and that
the adult beetles don’t die after egg-laying, but hibernate and renew their
egg-laying in the next summer.—R. S. M.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY THE PINE WEEVIL. 57
certainly saved them from almost complete ruin. As it was,
in some places the plants were rather severely damaged, but
in consequence of the weevils being so thoroughly dealt with,
they recovered rapidly the next season. The plants which
suffered most from the attack, taking them in order, were
(1) larch, (2) Douglas fir, (3) Scots pine, and (4) spruce.
The Adzes nobilis and silver fir also suffered, but to a lesser
extent than any of the foregoing, and even the small patch of
Stone pine did not escape. The Corsican pine seemed to be the
least favoured of all by the weevil, and the damage done to it
was not great.
This method of combating weevil attack, when started in time,
and thoroughly carried out, is, I am sure, one of the best that
can be adopted. It is certain to lead to good results, and it is
simple, inexpensive, and efficient.
TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
58
° DI/UV0tG ULE Bru TOUT TON ~
QI ¥.3 ie 91 qVV ele z t t
96.91 99.8 1S. Zs b61 zhi a 9 : : + *(4oasjaoxa snumKDLY) USY ol
LoL +0.6 Tae $lz Foor $E/ at € : s : (ausagiun? sap) ade ysysuyq £8
98.81 z9.6 Tas £61 es EEE si z : : * — “(psyanxa vari) enidg AVMION 1
v6.02 99.01 rss S1z $99 ¥or oe Zz “(ununjpsvr0ggeey Snjnrszp7 ) YAUYSAYD PSIO FY LE
1f.12 | £9.01 1S. Fz Pale) ev a Zz : 3 : ‘(pesae sunpsnf ) Ue ZI
lc.1e || 4Q:ar 1. #1z $79 Sov WY (é : ° “(snuvjnjgopnasg 4277) aowvokS ve
€v.1z £6.01 1S. ole Fol $$ Ex SE x9 Zz 3 : : “(sngngag snuiding) weaquioy{ fore)
bS.1z | 99.9 ite Ser Iv Sle oe FSG (6 : : c : (punpyaap snjatog) \ezeyy SL
96. 1z 1Z. 11 ale br F0S1 gol ss b c : : : “(woeqvagds snSpJ) YDIq Zz
L1.2@ Ee. UL Tee $C $$ of FE x FE xg Zz * “(nsorapuog snurq) Wid pepoom-Kava fy oI
eL.Ge || 90.11 ev. $22 $gv S07 €x§Exog z : c + “(sesuayrts va24q) VInIdG saizueTl tI
08.92 L9.€1 1S. 899 gILI F£o1 aS ¢ ‘(pIDLLISND “NVA OLILVT SULT) WI WeLSNY 8
06.62 | $z.S1 ia: So€ s£9 ace oe z , c : “(s2.egsaaqas SnuUtq) UIA $}OI§ cf
06. 6z rei! Te #0£ £z9g ¥z€ ss fe ; ° 2 : * “(wagosna 0227) IVT LI
¥g.0€ | €2.S1 Tifsie 86 $961 tol és 9 : : * §(0292ADT SNUIT) IU WBITSIOD 68
0g.oP 19.02 1S. $1V §vL FEE Ex FE xg Zz c : : : ‘(psouegnps snu] fp”) IOPLY $$
‘Sq’T ‘sqqT | waang | ‘sq "sq’T ‘sqT | “sur ‘sul aq
*J00,J “quo | ‘e9a1g yore | |
ted paqios| Aq paqios| ‘aoarg = |"I4 31a Aq Ul | SuOsoa1Zd |Surjososa1_, *sa00Ig ‘ON
-qeqio | -qeTto yova jo | asevas1ouy 13qye a10jaq *sa09Tq JO 9zIS jo ‘zaqui |, Jo setoads anata yy
ajosoarg | a}0soaIg | sjuazu0D | [eIOT, Ws | ISIE jequnn
jo pa IYSIOM |
‘ssao0id ay} 0} payiwiqns poom ay} jo
Oo} o1qno sad paqiosqe ajOsoa1d Jo yUNOUIe ay} SMOYS SeINsy JO UUNJOO yseT 9YL ‘poqoafur svat
yI a10jaq sapurpéo ay} ul poureyqo sem ‘sq, 6 Jo wNNoeA v pur ‘asn SuLINp Wes Aq powiem sem (pied
sdaseyoind ay} 0} pareayap uoyes ev ‘pf 0} ‘pz Suysoo ‘ober ‘19 ds) ajosoa19 ayy, ‘sINoY € 10j
(soroydsowye g Ajayewrxoidde) yout orenbs sad ‘sqy Sg 07 og jo ainssaid v Japun payelut sutaq aj0so0a19
oy} “ie uado ay} ul pouosvas Ajjeimjyeu pue ‘mojeq poyeys sezis ay} 0} UMS SBM JOqUITy IL
‘anysupooury “yieg Aqsapyoorg ‘ySnosoqie A Jo [Ivy ayy JO a}¥}s9 dy} UO UMOIS dIaM YOY Jo [Ie ‘Yq
pejusuttiadxs o1am Jaquit} jo spury xIs-Ayiyq ‘ainssaid ysty Jopun Jequily Jo spuly SNOWeA Aq paqiosqe
2q P[nom [IO a}JosoaId YONU MOY UleVOSe 0} JapIO UI IpeUT $}S9} JO S}[NSoI VY} IIB SUIMOT[OF 9YL
‘aatysujooury ‘yreg Aqsapyorg ‘MOOTAAVH “A “M Ag
‘IOGUIIT UMOI)-IWOF{ Jo BuljOSOII) VY ‘cl
i
\
Ss rei z9.0
4 Saar +9.0
6b.z ean
go.£ 9S.1
19.£ aie
Lz.v gl.z
1v.v SIE
4 Iv. Sz.z
= €S.P 1f.z
a to.+ LE.z
= £z.9 gI.€
z, 09.9 erent
z 09.9 Fa a3
a | tok 165.6
i) L1.8 L1.¥
= 1$.g ev.
19.8 z9,€
3 £3.8 oS.+
fz 46.8 9S.¥
° 00.6 65.4
es 90.6 z9.v
=) QI.6 zg.£
5 £z.01 EG
3 oL.01 | 9b.$
I lz.11 SL.
8 gL.11 00.9
aI Dial g1.9
= 6¢.z1 L£.9
= 6¢.z1 LE.9
l9.z1 1€.7
bl.zi 0S.9
Se 14.9
96.£1 CIs
So.v1 Mis etl
So.+1 Exile
oL.b1 Shall
gl.v1 bS.L
zo.S1 9S.S
ee ee ee ee
1S. a¢ 991
1S. & orl
TS £¢ ¥gv
nts tz EGE
Te SY zs
ee gp &9/
1S £9 v9
Tie aL fol
1S Ey $16
ie Ez &f6
1S. Ser Fel
18. #9 209
1S. SPI Ger
1S, Sz] F99
1S. 58 289
av. $01 1S
te 6 Ser
1g 46 Sep
Ts #91 Sle
TS 8Y 892
LS. £¢ 81%
1G. oz orl
1S. 41z SEE1
1S. ES ESz
1S. zI ebb
TGs SZ 1S
1S. Ez S1P
ee 4 HIE
vf, 8 Sbb
Lap 461 19
ite fz Eqz1
iS £/ Sof
ie $12 to
1S. Fiz £66
Se SI Sov
TS, Sez b69
SE x FE xo
GE x SOx
Ex FE xg
SE x SExy
ANMA MMH TMAHANAAH FMR HE AANAMAMANATTNAMAAANA MO M
.
‘(wIsaa vauDjsY y) ynUYsayD Ystueds
‘(wLvIDpNaSY v2U2g0N ) BIIVIW
aera SNIMONC)) YO YSI[suy
‘(vvgo.ina xt4vT) YOIe'T
‘(aepojNe wnuUMmgvT) wnUuINnge’y
‘(punjuou snmp) Wy Yok
iss ie YeVO usaisI9Aq
vajuvors DANY J) LLA-LOGIY S.qqoT
: “(S248 SNILINQC) VO ayn i
CEs fg SnAAT) YSY ureyunoj
‘(mnie SHUNT) Wert)
* “(wqzy <77v5) MOTT Yopsununyy
: ‘(pjp2909 SNXD I) MAK YSysuy
x ‘ ed ia SHIAANC)) YO PP
(veep SAAT) Wea IVY AA
: : * §(99.4290 SNAAT) GRID
‘(peguiay snurq) IU au0)S SSIMG
‘(eenporg SN. BD), Ivpag ueIpuy 10 ‘repoaq
‘(vuseu sngngoy) rejdog yorgq
‘(wrzuDj¢sn] SNUNAT) [aIN'T [esnj}IOg
‘(wo2uognol vr1auojzglt7) epar) asauvde
} Aa iD!) ABP2D
‘(psourds snund47) UIOYIAOL|T
‘(zesppsnog menOSTOpnas 7) WA sepsnog
‘(DY JUDIVAXQ SNSPIDL) ULOYT, PUY A
‘(waafised snussaagn)) ssardky asauedef
‘(pase varq) enidg uv yor[gq
‘(2ung2zT snapad) uourga’T jo rwpag
: 1 ES. SNUIT) BUI YNowWsI MA
‘(DAS SHINQUDS) IOPLA
: “smopy sntdq) addy
* (seypyuarso vary) aonidg [eUIIO
: “(spegsaguens SHUI) WIA PIT
: : ‘(mqyv vINJaT ) YOU
* (wsjaaxa snurq) Wig wekeeullzy
‘(pynjnsunpag sn74anQ)) YQ. UMOIT
" * (ogusury sa2gp) Wy qstueds
* “(nyourjag satgF) Myf APATIS
‘(wumanesuza snaagiun{” ) repag pay
wy kes
60 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
‘WYSIa MA Ul |Burosossg |Surjosoaig
Sv. 3.2 £g.0 ez
[6.1 11.P £g.0 $99
Lo. 1L.v £g.0 $QI
paSr | Sz.cr £g.0 gol
06.91 £0.71 £3.0 fz11
OleLt | eS.P1 £g.0 fort
ei 00.S1 Gea Sol
L6.¢1 1Z.0Z Se. EIOI
00. LI 96.zz Sean ECgr
gz. Li 1£.€Z iste tt Foor
Sq] ‘qT | Ma ang | ‘sqT
ooq ‘qng |"3s0g yoee
aad paqios| Aq paqios *ysog
-qe [IO -qz IO yovs jo | asearouy
a}0SOaIg | a30soa1g) | s}ua}zu0D [BIOL
JO IGS19.\A | JO WYSIOMA
‘SUOI}IPUOD IR[IWIS JapuN pue ‘JaquIT], Jo sadaId VAOGR OY} SP 9UII} SUIS 9Y} 3B P2}OSOAID 919M Isa J,
igs
S1€/
£071
6z£
Fogt
¥6c£
56
fob
Fach
ogy
‘SqT
a3ye
IqZI9A\
$ofz
$99
F101
fzz
blz
Sf1z
Splz
akerd
Ev6z
£f6z
‘sqT
a10jaq
IGSIIM
‘SLSOqd FONAY dO ONILOSOUND AH,
: : ‘(wvgoina Xt4VT) YOIe'T
: * “(ozojnounpag sn242nQ) YkO
‘(zesppsnog vénsjyopnasZ) WA Sse[snoq
: “(szagsaapds Snu27) BUI $JOIS
* “(snuvjojgopnasy 499F) a10wedks
* — *(psqaaxa va27g) vonidg KemIion
: * “(pgou29ag Sa1gR) Uy ATS
: ‘(seegsaagas snus) IUIg $}OIg
; ‘(vsja2xa wart) VONIdG ABMION
* “(snunpojgopnasg 4227) a1owweohS
8
ce gI
ce v
ce 8
(74 8
bxgx § 8
ce i,
iad 8
ce 8
$x9x $9 8
“suy ‘SUy ‘Iq
*S}SOd
*S}SOg JO a2zIS jo
49quIn NT
‘sisog JO puryy
zt
69
61
££
bE
1
ov
£¢
If
be
‘ON
aoua19jayy
THE CREOSOTING OF HOME-GROWN TIMBER. 61
The timber was all winter-felled. After sawing, it was well
seasoned in the open air, in a draughty place and protected
from rain, for at least six months—some of it longer. The size
of the trees from which it was cut varied very much; but, when
trees of that size were available, the samples were taken from
stems of not less than 12 ins. diameter. When the trees were
sufficiently large, they were first sawn into scantlings, 7 feet
long and 44 ins. by 44 ins. in cross section. Then, when the
pieces had become fairly dry, they were reduced to 6 feet by
34 ins. by 34 ins., and were again piled in the open air, ina
very draughty place, for about a month longer. That the spruce
posts absorbed more creosote than those of Scots pine may
perhaps be accounted for by the fact that the latter were sawn
out of old, well-hearted park trees, grown in the open, and
they therefore absorbed much less oil per cubic foot than they
would have done had they been made from younger trees
with less heart-wood. Scots pine certainly does, as a rule,
absorb more creosote than spruce, and the present results
must be regarded as exceptional. No note was made of the
proportion of heart-wood to sap-wood in the various specimens ;
but this is no doubt an important factor influencing the amount
of creosote absorbed by each. All the specimens were treated
at one time, special precautions having been taken to secure
correct identification after creosoting, and to ensure correct
weighment both before and after the operation.
[It is hoped that information may hereafter become available
in regard to the extent to which each species of timber was
penetrated by the oil—Hon. Ep. |
62 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
13. The Creosoting of Timber by Absorption.
(With Plate.)
By J. BALDEN, Bywell Office, Stocksfield-on-Tyne.
As the members of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society
who visited Dilston on znd August were not able to see the
process carried on there for creosoting estate-timber in operation,
the following notes may be of interest.
The creosoting-tank measures 16 ft. by 4 ft. by 4 ft. It is
made of ,°, in. boiler-plates, is fitted with 14 in. cock for
emptying, and has an iron stay across the top at the middle of
the tank. Two iron bars, 1 in. square, with the ends turned to
clasp the top flange, are fixed across the tank, and when it is
filled with timber, wedges are fixed underneath these bars to
prevent the timber from floating.
The reader will observe in Photograph No. 1 a simple
appliance for the purpose of easily filling the tank with creosote.
It consists of a stout larch pole, set 3 feet into the ground, and
stayed on cross sleepers. The hoist consists of part of a gate,
hung on crooks, and it carries a small check pulley by which the
barrels are lifted above the tank for filling it, or, by swinging the
hoist round, for removing them as they are filled during the
emptying of the tank. The tank is portable. When it is in use
the wheels are removed, and it is fixed solid on the ground, the
wheels being utilised for the bogie. Corrugated sheets are used
to cover the tank when it is full, in order to throw off rain.
The creosote used is of the following specification :—Specific
gravity, 10°6 lbs. per gallon; boiling point, 428° Fahr.; entirely
liquid at 103°. There is no deposit on cooling to go°; at 60°
there is a deposit of from 25 to 30 per cent. of naphthaline, and
it is guaranteed to contain 5 per cent. of tar acids. The price
at present is about 3d. per gallon.
This appliance is used for creosoting Scots pine posts and
rails, farm building roofing-timbers, sleepers, etc. No heating is
required. The drier the wood the more creosote will it absorb.
Six weeks’ drying in summer is sufficient. When well dried, posts
and rails will absorb on an average about ? gallon per cubic
foot.
[To face page 62.
|
—
~
~
THE CREOSOTING OF TIMBER BY ABSORPTION. 63
The following are recent tests :—
(a) 143 cubic ft. of Scots pine scantlings, 12 ft. by 8 ins.
by 2 ins., and 12 ft. by 6 ins. by 3 ins. The wood
was cut on 16th July; it was put into the tank on
28th August, and remained therein for 138 hours.
The amount absorbed was 0°65 gallon per cubic
foot.
(6) 81 cubic ft. Scots pine sleepers, 8 ft. by 5 ins. by 2# ins.,
absorbed o°61 gallon per cubic foot in 18 days.
These were all cut from trees of about 40 feet on the average.
Mature redwood does not absorb so freely as younger wood.
Posts and rails of the former quality are sufficiently creosoted
after 48 hours steeping. Photograph No. 2 shows a spruce post
treated in this way. It was taken from a post and rail fence
in boggy ground, where it had been erected for ten years. The
photograph shows how perfect is the preservation. ‘Throughout
its whole length the fence was as sound and firm as if newly
erected. Scots pine is more readily treated than spruce.
This simple process enables timber to be economically utilised
which would otherwise be almost unmarketable. The whole
plant costs under 4 30.
64 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
14. Notes on Continental Forestry in 1906.
By JoHN NIsBeT, D.Cic.
FRANCE.
The Revue des Eaux et Foréts, the semi-official fortnightly
review of forestry in France, contains a large number of
exceedingly interesting articles. It contains, in fact, such
a wealth of valuable matter that it is hard to select for con-
densation into a few pages what may seem of greatest interest,
and may perhaps prove most suggestive to the British
forester.
Without considering so closely as in rg04 and 1905 the
details of the forest budget, it may suffice merely to say that the
receipts are estimated at £1,221,200, and the expenditure at
4557,200, leaving a net revenue of £664,000, which is just
about the same sum as the net income derived by the Govern-
ment of India from the forests of British India. Of the gross
expenditure, £200,380 are allotted to the maintenance and
improvement of woodlands and mountain tracts, for the rewood-
ing of which, and the conservation of the soil, no less than
£135,000 are set apart. Although a vast amount of attention
is given to the forests in France, not only by the Depart-
ment of Woods and Waters and by Communal authorities,
but also by keen politicians and by corporate bodies of
different kinds, yet there is a feeling of anxiety about the
looming aspect of the timber question and the ensuring of
adequate supplies in the future. The note that is struck
may well appeal to us too, for if we cannot, as a nation,
see our way to provide funds for planting as large a_pro-
portion of our waste lands as seems feasible with a fair
prospect of profit, then our main chance of being able to
provide for our wants in coming days is to have some strong
preferential privilege as regards the Canadian timber, about
which we must sooner or later enter into a costly economic
warfare with our greatest competitors, the United States and
Germany.
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 65
This is how the internal position in France strikes some of
those who are studying it so carefully :—
“In this review it is almost superfluous to repeat that the
forestal situation is not satisfactory. No one has forgotten the
grave warnings given by M. Mélard in 1goo [as to the world’s
timber-production decreasing, while the demands for wood are
increasing |.
“On the one hand, the forests not placed under regular
control are disappearing, especially in the mountains, through
easy evasion of the ineffectual provisions of the Forest Law as to
felling.
“On the other hand, rewooding goes on so slowly that it does
not keep pace with the damage that meanwhile increases and
extends. It is a work of Sisyphus. ‘Since one has been plant-
ing, or pretending to plant,’ as Thomas Grimm very truly said in
the Petit Journal of 2nd December 1904, ‘all our mountains ought
to have resumed their luxuriant covering of former days.’ But
after 45 years of effort and expense, and of scientific and zealous
work, the sum total of our additions is less than 495,000 acres,
scattered over the south, centre, and south-east of France.”
These facts are being discussed and commented on over the whole
length and breadth of France, and pressure is being brought to
bear on the Government to have the Rewooding Law of April
1882 amended, so that progress may become more rapid.
Savants, university professors, civil engineers, and the press
condemn its faults. ‘‘The south-west, having navigable rivers,
has inscribed forestal reform as the foremost of its claims, and
in Parliament the discussion of the budget gives rise to warm
pleading in favour of forests and replanting. And these are
encouraging signs.”
“One cannot deny,” writes M. Pardé of Beauvais in the
preamble to another very interesting article on ‘‘ The Forestry
Question in France,” “that forestry is one of the questions of
the day in France, as in other countries. It is handled almost
daily in reviews and journals by writers of various professions;
it is inscribed on the programme of several select committees;
numerous societies concern themselves with it; committees are
formed in different localities to try and solve it. The problem
has two aspects: to preserve and improve the existing wood-
lands, and to create new woods on waste lands.”
VOL. XX. PART I. E
66 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A very suggestive side-light was thrown on the question by the
considerable increase in the price of all timber, but especially
of pitch pine, at the great port of Marseilles last January; and
as these high prices have continued right down till now, they can
hardly be merely casual and temporary. Being closely con-
nected with the above, special interest is attached to an article on
the planting of waste lands in the Department of the Loire, nearly
two-thirds of which, or over 1100 square miles, consist of mountain-
ous tracts forming the water-catchment area draining into the
river Loire. The valleys, however, are a rich industrial region,
silk and cotton being the chief industries; but mines yield over
42,500,000 annually, and these consume nearly 6,000,000 cubic
feet of wood (Scots pine) every year, valued at about £160,000,
and representing the normal yield of over 120,000 acres. As
there are only about 36,000 acres under Scots pine in the Depart-
ment, it has hitherto drawn its supplementary supplies from the
adjoining Department of Haute-Loire; but this latter only
contains less than 75,000 acres of pine woods, and has also its
own particular demands to comply with. Azd this means that
hitherto the coal-mines of the Lotre districts have only been able to
supply their needs by heavier falls of pine-timber having been made
than is consistent with rational and conservative treatment of the
Jorests. So far for the coal-mines alone; but large quantities of
light coniferous wood are also required to supply the wants of
the 647,000 inhabitants, scattered at over 200 per square mile
over the district, and this has to be imported from the Jura
mountains and even from Switzerland. In course of time,
however, it is greatly to be feared that the rise in the price of
timber will become most serious, hence cogent reasons exist for
endeavouring to plant as extensively as possible on all tracts
not under other forms of cultivation,—while at the same time
regulating the falls made in the existing forests, in order to
prevent the flooding of the tributary streams and the main river
after heavy rainfall.
A small commencement was made in 1862, when £120 were
voted for planting and a nursery was formed (now extending to
74 acres), the plants from which are distributed gratuitously
to public and communal bodies and private landowners. In 1904,
no fewer than 1,500,000 plants were thus handed over, packed
and delivered free of charge at the nearest railway station
indicated, a sum of £60 being contributed by the Department for
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 67
this and similar purposes. But the demands are growing year by
year, and this nursery is no longer large enough to satisfy those
now being made, hence two new nurseries are being formed else-
where. Since 1862, plants or seed have been thus delivered to
1745 different applicants, communes and private parties, and
21,000 acres have been planted at a total cost of £33,120,
of which £5520 have been contributed by the Department,
415,280 by private parties, £1840 by communes, and
410,480 by the State. Including everything, the average
cost of planting has been £5, 4s. an acre. In 1904 petty
subventions, amounting to £1150, have been made by the
State and the Department to communes and public bodies
towards this work, and the law of 1882 has been applied to
ensure the compulsory acquisition and planting of two tracts,
aggregating about 10,750 acres.
Throughout the Department of the Loire there are over
100,000 acres of waste land and rough grazing, worth at most
only from 1s. to 1s. 4d. per acre per annum. Experiments
made on several acres in the commune of Doizien have
shown that even by eradicating broom, and dressing with
chemical manures parts that are not too rocky or too steep,
a seven-fold return of hay can be had over what can be
collected on the unimproved land.
To provide useful object-lessons for school children in some
of the hill-communes, plots of 12 to 15 acres with good soil, but
overgrown by broom and gorse, have been acquired at a cost
of about £3, 4s. an acre, and planted by the children. It is
expected that at 30 years of age these small plantations will
be worth from £32 to £48 an acre, and the profits arising from
-ach plantations will go to augment the contributions to the fund
for old-age pensions. The State is assisting this movement by
contributing half the sum necessary for buying the land, and
defraying the whole cost of planting.
Closely connected with these well-considered and continuous
efforts to afforest waste lands, special interest attaches to the
results now being obtained from the great work achieved in
planting the dunes of Gascony with Maritime Pine. These well-
known plantations of the Zandes were originally begun in 1803
at Lit-et-Mixe, and in 1804 at Mimizan, when the first sowings
were made to try and fix the shifting sand. The work of
fixation proceeded continuously, being carried out on the largest
68 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
scale between 1838 and 1860, and was practically completed in
1864. The planting done from then down to 1880 was mostly
in the nature of filling blanks and wooding the J/effes or lower
and more or less inundated tracts.
In the preliminary survey made from 1819 to 1822, the area
devastated by the shifting sands in the Landes Department
amounted to over 120,000 acres, of which about 87,000 acres
required fixation. Of this, about 65,000 acres have been
retained in the control of the Forest Department, while the
remaining 55,000 acres have been handed over to communes
and private owners, or else alienated under laws passed in 1860
and 1863.
In 1906 the woods now vary between 76 and 77 years of age.
The oldest woods, 76 and 77 years, only occupy small areas in
the forests of St Julien-en-Born and St Eulalie; and usually the
oldest class does not exceed 60 to 65 years of age—the age
being uniform over large tracts operated on simultaneously, as,
for example, in the forest of St Eulalie, where there are 6700
acres dating from 1862. This uniformity of age must, of
course, give rise to practical difficulty as regards the first
regeneration of these woods; and their ages usually decrease
from east to west, which also complicates matters for the
first regeneration.
A working-plan was drawn up for these forests during 1884 to
1887. The communal tracts were taken as the units on which
operations were based, and the blocks of forest have been treated
separately or grouped together according to their extent, while
the forests themselves bear the names of the communes in which
they are situated. There are 11 such forests in all, which form
2 Inspectorships (Mont-de-Marsan and Dax) in the Bordeaux
Conservatorship. These forests are treated as highwoods, by
means of gradual clearance and natural regeneration. The
rotation is fixed at 75 to 80 years, divided into 15 or 16 periods
of 5 years each (corresponding to the area of 5 compartments,
and equal to 5 annual falls), while the estimated yield is fixed
by the cubic contents to be expected. According to their
extent, the different forests are divided into from 2 to 6 working-
circles, which extend in long strips parallel to the sea-coast, and
are marked off by the parallel paths or fire-traces. The first falls
are, of course, allocated at the eastern edge of the whole block.
In each working-circle the annual falls are numbered, and the
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 69
normal course of regeneration is fixed from north to south. In
each forest excluded woods have been omitted from definite treat-
ment along the dune and the coast-zone, in order to form a
wind-screen protecting the main block of woods to windward
from the action of storms and of sand thrown up by the
sea,
The prescriptions of the working-plan are very simple.
Throughout each quinquennial period, each compartment, except
that to be regenerated and those forming young woods, is given a
thinning accompanied with tapping of resin, while the trees to be
removed are tapped to death for 4 years before their fall, and
simultaneously the stems girthing over 4 feet are lightly tapped
for 5 years. The oldest compartment, or that coming in its
regular turn, is regenerated by clear-felling preceded by
exhaustive tapping of all the trees, these being cut in the fifth
and last year of the period. The compartments forming
young woods are run through by ordinary thinnings, without
being tapped.
Every fifth year, at the commencement of each period, each
working-circle is gone through, and distinctive State hammer-
marks are put on all stems which are to be either sold standing
for clear-felling, or thinned out, tapped to death, and sold stand-
ing, or else merely lightly tapped. This involves a large amount
of careful selection. In 1905, in the Mont-de-Marsan Inspection,
the hammer-marking extended to 5 working-circles, having an
area of Over 15,000 acres; it lasted over 44 months, and
612,455 stems were marked (456,795 for tapping to death, and
155,060 for light tapping).
The first clear-fellings for regeneration began at Mont-de-
Marsan in 1gor, in the forest of St Eulalie. Until then only
thinnings and tapping had taken place; and the mature falls
began just when a considerable rise was occurring in the price of
timber and resin. But already instructive details are available
as to the yield in material and money. In the clear-falls the final
outturn consists of about the following percentages: timber 60,
pit-wood 20, fire-wood zo. In the thinnings the relative pro-
portions vary, of course, according to the age, but in woods of
35 to 50 years old it works out to timber 35, pit-wood 45,
fire-wood 20. The amount of resin obtained varies, but is
approximately about ;/; of the tonnage of the wood. In the
woods that are being thinned, 50 of the vigorous stems tapped
7O TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
lightly yield a hectolitre of resin (22 gallons, or 2¢ bushels),
whereas it takes 59 of the stems that are being tapped to death
to produce the same quantity. In falls for regeneration in the
woods of 65 to 70 years old there are left on the average about
8o.trees an acre, and in the 4 years of exhaustive tapping they
yield about 19 hectolitres (418 gallons, or 524 bushels), z<.,
17 trees are required to furnish 1 hectolitre of resin.
Space forbids the citation of details as to the extent and age
of recent falls, the amount of material extracted, and the prices
obtained, etc., which can have no great practical value for the
British forester. What is noteworthy, however, is that down to
1894 these plantations had always, from year to year, cost more
than they brought in; but in 1895 there was the first small
surplus of £134, and this has been steadily increasing till it
reached nearly £20,000 in 1905; and in future years, as a much
larger proportion of the woods become mature, the net revenue
will increase proportionately. Although the first final falls in the
Mont-de-Marsan Inspection, begun in 1gor, had to take place in
woods ranging from 23 to 63 years at the commencement of each
period, yet the annual gross income from these 56,000 acres
amounted to £61,600, and must incfease largely from year to
year—and all the more because the local value of both the wood
and the resin have been. steadily rising during the last 7 or 8
years, timber having increased by 50 per cent. since 1898, and
oil of turpentine by 175 per cent. since 1895.
Formerly one of the most desolate and sterile districts in France,
these coast tracts, covered with Maritime Pine, are now, thanks
to the work initiated 120 years ago by Brémontier, traversed by
roads and railways, and dotted over with saw-mills furnished
with all the latest machinery and appliances for converting logs
into planks, parquet-boarding, panelling, etc., and have uplifted
the whole region into a highly prosperous condition, with profit-
able industries firmly fixed on solid foundations.
It seems to convey a lesson to Britain, if Britain is minded to
consider the whole matter attentively. We have our coal-mines,
which alone in the future will require more pit-wood than we are
ever likely to grow within the United Kingdom; and unless we
form extensive plantations soon, the price of pit-wood may, in the
course of the next 20 to 4o years, rise so high as greatly to in-
crease the cost of coal. But the pith of the lesson seems to me
to be that any great national scheme of planting in England,
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. al
Scotland, Ireland, or Wales should, to have a proper chance of
success, be dealt with in a scientific manner likely to combine
efficiency and economy, and not be rather jumped at hastily and
without careful elaboration of a far-seeing scheme. It has only
been by adopting careful scientific methods, and employing well-
trained agents, that the above successful results have been
_ obtained on the south-west coast of France.
The Colonial Forest Departments in Algiers, Tunis, and Indo-
China all show a net surplus for 1905, and the Algerian Service
has been placed on a more favourable footing by a recent
increase in pay. ‘The question of colonial forestry is apparently
not neglected by the central Government even in the smaller
colonies, because the Ministry of the Colonies has recently sent
a “forest mission” to inquire into and report on the _ best
measures that can be taken to protect the existing woodlands,
and to study the question of planting in the Upper Niger, Upper
Senegal, the Tchad, and other regions. These inquiries are
expected to have important results on the climatic conditions
and the regulation of the water-supply in the rivers throughout
the territories to be visited.
As in previous years, the results are published of investigations
made into the diseases of fresh-water fishes, the inland waters
being under the control of the Forest Department. The interests
thus concerned are very important; and there can be little doubt
that if any great national scheme of planting be adopted in the
United Kingdom, the subject of inland fisheries will raise up
many problems much more difficult to solve than those that
have now there to be dealt with.
The past year has added one new insect to the large number
of those already classifiable as injurious. In the late summer of
1904, about 15 acres of Scots pine near Embrun, in the Hautes-
Alpes, were found to be infested in the foliage by a small moth,
which was thought to be Leucaspis pint. But Dr Leonardi, the
Italian entomologist, has ascertained that this is a new, though
very closely allied species, and has named it Leucaspis affinis.
Apparently, however, its attack has not spread, as no mention
has yet been made of this during 1906.
Among fungous diseases, Z7ichospheria parasitica has been
doing a good deal of damage in some of the silver-fir woods on
the Hautes Vosges. It appears to secure rather an easy foot-
hold in that damp climate, and especially on hill-sides with a
72 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
northern aspect; and it is most apt to make its appearance in
woods that have been allowed to grow up too thick, on account
of thinnings being delayed.
Last year produced a rich mast in the beech-woods at St
Gobain, in the Aisne, and attracted such swarms of wood-
pigeons that a rough estimate was made of the loss they were
causing. It was calculated that there were fully 10,000 pigeons.
As the crops of some shot at g o’clock in the morning held from
54 to 79 beech-nuts, it was estimated that each pigeon would
consume about 150 daily, amounting to 1,500,000 for the whole
of the flocks. As the pigeons remained feeding there for a full
month, this meant the destruction of 825 bushels of beech-nuts,
worth £300, and sufficient for the broadcast-sowing of 125 acres.
The actual result of this visitation was that all the good seed
was completely consumed throughout the mature falls prepared
for natural regeneration. The question may well be asked,
“‘Why was this destruction allowed to go on unchecked for a
whole month?” Although the wood pigeon is known to be
injurious, yet it appears that the subordinate forest officials have
no general authority to shoot it. In any case, it is difficult to
reduce their numbers largely by shooting ; but organised effort
to harass them continually would keep them on the move, as
they do not like being disturbed. If scared away from the
woods, however, this would only mean that they were being
driven to prey on the farmer—for, like the destructive rabbit,
they must satisfy their voracity somehow, whether in the wood-
lands or in the fields.
Amendments to the Code Forestier have recently been laid
before Parliament. One of these, dealing with fines for damage
done by farm-stock grazing in woods, serves to show what is
officially considered the sliding-scale in this respect, viz., for a
pig 1, a sheep 2, a horse or mule 3, a goat 4, and an ox, cow
or calf 5 francs; and the amount of the fine is the double of
that if the woods trespassed in are less than 10 years old.
The public parks and gardens within the city walls of Paris—
and therefore exclusive of the Bois de Bologne and Bois de
Vincennes—aggregate 530 acres, of which 310 acres belong to
the town. In these public ornamental grounds there have been
planted over 38,000 trees and 417,000 shrubs, while other 86,700
trees have been planted along the boulevards, streets, etc. These
125,000 trees would form quite a large woodland if growing all
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 73
in one mass, and it would then be a remarkable mixture of all
kinds of indigenous and exotic trees of an ornamental character.
In the streets of Paris wood-paving continues to increase rapidly,
and in 1904 over 20 per cent. of the total roadway had been
paved with wood-blocks. Along with other merchandise, wood
brought into Paris is subject to payment of oc¢roz duties, which
have been raised considerably for wrought wood during the
past year. For rough unfashioned hardwoods the duty is 11°20
francs per sttre, or about 3d. a cubic foot, while for wrought
and fashioned wood it is 13°30 francs, or over 34d. a cubic foot.
Softwoods are somewhat less heavily taxed; but these imports
must increase the cost of building very considerably. In Britain
we escape such imposts, although this only means that the taxes
levied by our municipalities are based on other foundations and
collected in a different manner.
GERMANY.
The German forestry journals contain, as usual, a wealth of
scientific information. But, also as usual, there are a great
many papers of a more or less purely mathematical nature.
For more than thirty years there has been constant wrangling
about increment, valuation of soil and crop, etc., all involving
very learned-looking algebraic formule. Viewed from a practical,
common-sense point, there is far too much of this psewdo-screntific
hair-splitting in the German forestry journals, involving bitter
argumentation as to the application of the financial theory to
the problems of sylviculture. In practice the financial theory
is adopted by every State in its forest conservancy. The main
objects of the prescriptions laid down for management are—(1)
conservation, and (2) the realisation of the largest net income
obtainable consistent with due conservation, and the attainment
of the various national-economic objects included under this
comprehensive term. This seems completely lost sight of when
the highly-trained German foresters take pen in hand to indulge
in pseudo-scientific paper warfare, and to wrangle about com-
parative trifles. Hence many of the learned articles are of little
or no practical value to the forester, and especially to the British
forester ; and consequently that which may interest and aid him
most has to be looked for chiefly in the discussions raised at
local meetings, and in reports made about results attained in
different portions of the German empire.
74. TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The statistics of the Prussian forests published in 1906 show
that they are constituted as follows :—
State Forests,
Communal Forests,
Private Forests,
HECTARES (=
Broad-leaved Trees,
Coniferous Trees,
Copses and Coppices,
Woods treated by ‘‘ Selection,”
Highwoods (including blanks sand
clearances),
2°47 acres).
2,630,890!
1,438,047
4,201,197
2,554,636
5,715,498
869,489
955,061
6,445,584
8,270,134
| 270.134
8,270,134
1 The official statistics for 1904 give a total area of 2,847,930 hectares,
of which 2,554,259 are wooded and 293,671 not wooded.
How far the gradual endeavours to establish a normal series
of age-classes has hitherto been successful may be judged of
from the following summary :—
Over 100
Years.
Broad-leaved
Flighwoods 1—
State Forests, 124,217
Communal ,, 55,934
Private ss 50,274 |
Conifer
Highwoods 1—
State Forests, . | 261,455
Communal ,, 13,611
Private PP 60,716
81-100.
218,210
35,621
121,950
61-80.
103,481
88,946
64,745
271,828
66,517
255,312
41-60. 21-40.
100,946 | 83,234
83,223 | 69,844 |
79,720 | 91,073
387,613 | 381,256
129,690 | 178,383
488,858 | 672,153
1 In hectares (=2°47 acres).
Up to 20. |Blanks
701,407
78, 106
54,291
77:597
387,215
175,342
19,177
Clear-
"| ances.
38,145
10, 181/15,471
54,483
62,642
In both of the above classes of highwoods the tendency of
private owners to work with a lower rotation than the State
seems clearly traceable—and very naturally so, as that means
locking up less capital in the growing-stock of timber, also
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 15
getting earlier returns, and, on the whole, a larger percentage
from the total capital invested in land and timber-crops.
The 7,000,000 acres (in round numbers) of Prussian State
forests yielded in 1904 over 412,000,000 cubic feet of wood,
or about 65 cubic feet per acre actually stocked, and of this
total rather more than the half was used for timber, while rather
under one-half had to be disposed of as fuel. The total income
realised was over £5,854,400, and the expenditure incurred
amounted to £2,755,230, leaving a net surplus of £ 3,099,107,
which shows a clear income of gs. 7d. per acre actually cultur-
able. Cultural operations extended to nearly 32,000 acres, and
cost £43,500. Employment was given to 156,772 hands for
a total of 10,479,589 days.
But in some respects the details regarding sport within these
Prussian State forests are for us perhaps the most interesting
of all. I have often pointed out that forestry and sport are not
inimical—bar rabbits, which are really only glorified vermin,
destructive to both field and woodland crops—and the official
statistics throw an instructive light on this. Shooting brought
in an income of £23,550, of which £7400 were for shootings
let outright, and £16,150 for those ‘“‘ administered” by the State
—that is to say, an estimate is made of the existing head of
game, and of the number of each kind that shall be shot during
the year, and the right of shooting to that extent is let generally
to the head forester in charge of the forests at a very moderate
amount, perhaps less than the food-value of the game. The
total bag for these “administered” shootings alone was in 1904 :—
4elks, 2176 stags, 3276 hinds, 1726 calves; 1673 fallow-deer and
1128 calves; 9969 roebucks, 5264 does, 4oo calves; 2246 wild
boar, 107 capercailzie, 162 black grouse, 405 pheasants, 7 wild
swans, 2865 hares, gto partridges, and 69 moorfowl. JVot a
rabbit! but there they are treated as vermin. These returns
of feathered and ground game seem poor; but such “lower
hunting” is generally let outright to the forest officials, and no
returns are in that case called for. It is unnecessary to ex-
patiate on the quality of sport which is represented by 2176
stags and 2246 wild boar, and especially the latter, because a
wounded boar is a nasty customer to contend with, a regular
“thrawn deevil.”
Throughout all these 7,000,000 acres of woods, many of them
highly inflammable pine-tracts, only fifteen fires occurred in
76 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
1904, in which 2300 acres were seriously injured, and 1500 acres
only inappreciably or slightly damaged. This seems to indicate
not only excellent protective measures, but also a very striking
absence of ill-feeling between forest officials and the rural
population. .
As is well known, Prussia, like Saxony, prefers,to maintain
two forest academies (at Neustadt-Eberswalde near Berlin, and
Muenden near Cassel) in place of instituting theoretical instruc-
tion at one or more of its universities. These academies
require no extraneous assistance in their teaching; each is fully
equipped in this respect, and it may be useful to summarise
briefly their teaching strength, frequentation, and cost :—
| Winter Session 1904 to 1905. Eberswalde. | Muenden.
(a) Teachers of Forestry—
| Director, I I
Ordinary Professors, 4 3
Assistants and Tutors, . 5 5
(6) Teachers of Natural Science, Mathe- }
matics, Land Surveying, and Road- 6 5
| making, : : : : ( |
| (c) Teachers of Law and National | ;
Economy, . : : ; 5.
Total ya 17 15
(a) Students for State Forest Service—
In Prussia, . ; al 18 Bi
| In other German States, 2
| (6) Students for other than State Service—|
In Prussia, . : : ey 16 13
| In other German States, F | 9 3
Foreigners, , : : aie 23 8
| Total, 3 . 66 68
ee cna a
| Income, : é £ : Z a) £596 £469
Expenditure, , by , = Nl) Gre £4061
Net Cost of Instruction, F : » | AGrrr £4192
These teachers are all men of high scientific attainments,
some of whom have a European and even a world-wide reputa-
tion; and however much anyone may perhaps desire to see a
similar academy of forestry opened in any part of the United
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 7 fel f
Kingdom, yet one must at once admit that it would be quite
impossible to provide such a high class of theoretical instruction
for such a moderate annual expenditure.
In one very important respect as to its future development
Prussia occupies a much more favourable position than
Britain—namely, in regard to adequate, well-ensured supplies
of pit-wood for the coal-mining industry. It now furnishes about
175,000,000 cubic feet of pit-wood annually, which represents
about one-fourth of its total production of wood. This is attained
in the ordinary course of prudent management, and without any
purpose of growing woods with a low rotation and solely for
pit-wood, which it is considered unwise to attempt owing to the
fact that every now and again the market for small stuff of
pit-wood size is liable to be strongly influenced by calamities
such as heavy windfall or extensive injuries by insects, etc.
Among the most important of the recent publications on
German forestry is Professor Endres’ (of Munich) Handbook of
Forest Policy, Legislation and Statistics. This is the most complete
and up-to-date work on this branch of sylvicultural knowledge.
Among some of the innumerable matters with which he deals,
one is naturally anxious to know the latest conclusions that have
been drawn from the experiments still going on to ascertain
the effects of forests on atmospheric precipitations. The con-
clusions here shown are that the woodlands do not increase the
rainfall, but merely influence its distribution within the wooded
area and its immediate vicinity. As regards the hydro-
economic effect of woodlands in increasing, retaining, and con-
suming the water that finds its way into the soil, it can
meanwhile only be said that on level ground the woodland soil
is moister than soil in the open merely to a depth of about
6 inches, whereas in the lower layers, which are those generally
pervaded by the root-system of trees, it is considerably drier than
soil in the open. But in hill-forests the hydro-economic
conditions are more favourable in the woodlands; fence wooded
mountain tracts may justly be considered the chief water-reservoirs
throughout Continental Europe, as was proved by Ebermayer and
Hartmann’s investigations, published in 1904. What applies
on the Continent will also apply in Britain, and the large
plantations now being made in water-catchment areas in
connection with the water-supply of Edinburgh, Liverpool, and
other cities will in due time produce most beneficial results.
78 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Another important publication recently is the third edition of
Professor Sorauer’s Handbook of Flant-Diseases. Of special
interest in this regard is what he has to say about the
predisposition of the larch to infection by the canker-fungus.
Basing his remarks on Weber’s researches into the influence of
soil and situation on the chemical composition of the ash of larch
timber, he points out that the transference of the larch from its
indigenous mountains to the plains has, in many cases, occasioned
a change in the manner of growth, whereby its immunity against
diseases has been destroyed. In the comparatively mild and
damp autumns on the plains the close of the vegetative period
is delayed, and therewith the entrance into the period of winter
rest that is necessary for its normal development—much in the
same way, to give a homely example, as late hours are bad for
young children. One frequent result of this is that it becomes
less hardy against frost; and with the formation of any sort of
wound caused by frost the door is, of course, opened for the
entrance of wound-parasitic fungi. Hence Sorauer urges the
importance of in future considering, more than has hitherto been
done, the suitability of soil and situation for any particular
kind of tree brought from mountain tracts into low-lying
localities, and to avoid the mistake of being misled by the belief
that cach kind of tree can thrive wherever plenty of food-material ts
available for tt. And, of course, this just comes to the practical
common-sense opinion, based on everyday observation and ex-
perience, that not only the larch, but also every other kind of tree,
will thrive most vigorously and be least liable to disease of any
sort when it is grown on a soil and situation suited to its normal
requirements—and also that the more the soil and situation vary
from such normal standard for any tree, the less will be its
power of withstanding climatic influences, diseases of all sorts,
or the attacks of noxious insects.
A scheme for carrying out manuring experiments in connection
with the German Forest Experimental Establishments has been
drawn up, so that in the near future interesting results are likely
to be ascertained and published. This question is now under-
going careful investigation at various centres, and is certain to
be well threshed out. Exhausted nurseries, of course, need
rehabilitation, and nurseries on poor soil require to be improved
and brought up to proper fertility; but the methods hitherto
adopted are now going to be examined very critically. Professor
NOTES ON CONTINENTAL FORESTRY IN 1906. 79
Wein (Munich) is of opinion that as artificial manuring pays in
agriculture, it should be even more profitable in forestry. The
requirements as to plant-food for woodland trees is not small,
as, for example, in the case of 1- and 2-year old Scots pine,
which extract from the soil about 60 lbs. of nitrogen, 40 of
potash, 25 of phosphoric acid, and 50 of lime per acre. Hence,
he considers, the gradual but certain exhaustion of woodland
soil should be counteracted by suitable manuring. Woodland
soil, he says, is deficient especially in a regular source of nitrogen,
such as is supplied to farm-land by stable-manure and the
accompanying activity of soil-bacteria, with the result that good
farm-land contains up to o'15 per cent. or more of nitrogen,
as compared with only oor to o’03 per cent. in woodlands.
And the same is the case, he states, as to phosphoric acid,
although there is generally sufficient potash, except in very light
soil and moorland. He shares the opinion held by some (see
our Zvansactions, Vol. XIX. Part II., 1906, page 249) that quickly-
grown plants, raised in rich nurseries, are better able to thrive
when transplanted to poor woodland soil than plants of less rapid
development ; but exact investigations will in due course of time
prove whether there may not be here, as in so many other
things, a golden mean. Certainly, if animal life may be allowed
to furnish any fair and reasonable analogy, a human being of
any age—child, youth, or adult—is better able to satisfy any
demands made on him or her if merely well nourished, and
neither too richly fed nor in any way starved. The opinion may
be wrong, but if I were purchasing plants I should personally
prefer well-developed, well-rooted, compact, healthy-looking,
sturdy, bushy plants, grown on a good soil somewhat above
the medium. Put such in a better soil than that of their nursery,
and they will very soon overcome the disturbance caused by
transplanting ; and if they are unfortunately to be put out on
jand much poorer than the nursery, there is, one would think,
more chance of the plant soon accommodating itself to the
changed environment, and the more or less damaged condition
of its root-system, than if it had been accustomed to consider-
ably larger food-supplies in the nursery. This touches, how-
ever, on a physiological question that has perhaps not yet been
fully studied—namely, Can any plant imbibe more food than is
sufficient for its natural requirements, or than can be assimilated
in a thorough manner, or stored up with advantage to the indi-
80 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
vidual organism? If not, then plants are much better endowed
in this respect than animals, as all of us must know from personal
experience. One knows, however, from observation and experi-
ence, that plants of rank growth are more liable to suffer from
early autumn frosts than those which close their vegetative
period fairly early in the season.
Another point which should, I think, be noted, is that young
plantations of extremely rapid growth at first do not necessarily
thrive later on. I know a case in Hampshire where the growth
of a larch plantation was extremely rapid for 8 or g years,
then suddenly the whole plantation became attacked with canker
and had to be entirely cleared. The same occasionally occurs
with Scots pine on land that has been under farm-crops. A very
interesting article in the Zestschrift fiir Forst- und Jiégdwesen for
March 1906, describes how a young Scots pine-wood which had
grown remarkably quickly on farm-land suddenly became infested
with Fomes annosus and then with Agaricus melleus at about
20 years of age. As the subsoil was similar to that in the
surrounding woods that were not thus affected, there is a strong
probability that the sudden loss of constitutional vigour was due
to something connected with the surface-soil and its former
manuring, although these had undoubtedly been the cause of
the rapid growth during the early years of the plantation.
A Forestry Exhibition has been held during this year at
Nuremberg, concerning the many interesting exhibits in which
some remarks may perhaps be made elsewhere.
THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL EXCURSION. 81
15. The Twenty-ninth Annual Excursion—Northumber-
land and Durham, 31st July to 3rd August 1906.
By the AssIsSTANT EDITOR.
The Twenty-ninth Annual Excursion of the Society was held
in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, the estates
visited being Alnwick, Lambton, Dilston, Healey, Minster Acres,
and Cragside. The Excursion party, which was under the
leadership of Mr Buchanan, the Convener of the Excursion
Committee, assembled at the Central Station Hotel, Newcastle-
on-Tyne, their headquarters during their visit to the district, on
the evening of Monday, 30th July. The party consisted of the
following gentlemen :—W. Steuart Fothringham, Esq. of Murthly,
President; J. W. A. Adams, Mill Hill, Middlesex; Robert Allan,
Polkemmet, Whitburn; Thomas Bond, Lambton; Dr A. W.
Borthwick, Hon. Consulting Cryptogamist, Edinburgh; J. B.
Braid, Whitley Court, Stourport; Charles Buchanan, Penicuik ;
Thomas Christie, Forres; James Cook, Arniston; R. W.
Cowper, Gortanore, Sittingbourne; T. Alex. Crombie, Longhirst,
Morpeth; Wm. Dick, Hamilton; Alex. Finlayson, Hardengreen,
Dalkeith ; A. C. Forbes, Armstrong College, Newcastle; James
Forbes, Overtoun, Dumbarton; Robert Forbes, Kennet, Alloa ;
Alex. Fraser, Inverness; Robert A. Fraser, Edinburgh ;
Robert Galloway, Secre¢fary, Edinburgh; Sydney J. Gammell of
Countesswells; A. T. Gillanders, Park Cottage, Alnwick ;
George Halliday, Rothesay; J. Smith Hill, Aspatria; James
Kay, Bute; Thomas Kennedy, Lambton; A. M‘Gregor,
Penicuik; W. M‘Kerchar, London; D. L. Mackintosh, Stronvar,
Balquhidder; W. J. H. Maxwell of Munches; John Methven,
Edinburgh; Alex. Milne, Edinburgh; Wm. Milne, Foulden,
Berwick-on-Tweed ; Wm. Milne, Hexham; A. B. Motherwell,
Airdrie; A. J. Munro, Edinburgh; George A. Munro,
Edinburgh; E. B. Nicholson, Edinburgh; James Pearson,
Sessay, Yorks; Geo. Porteous, Lasswade; W. Ralph,
Corstorphine; A. D. Richardson, Asséstant Editor, Portobello ;
J. Robb, Edinburgh; H. Rutherford, Fairnington, Roxburgh ;
Thos. Sharpe, Monreith, Wigtownshire; James Shiel, Abbey
St Bathans, Grant’s House; Wm. Steven, Dalkeith; Duncan D.
Stewart, Castlehill, Inchture; Jas. Stoddart, Bonnyrigg;
VOL. XX. PART I. ee F
82 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Walter C. Stunt, Lorenden, Kent; Jas. Tait, Penicuik; Jas.
Wm. Watt, Carlisle; E. Whittinghame, Newport, Salop; Jas.
Whytock, Dalkeith ; Edward Wiseman, Elgin; Ralph J. Wylam,
Lambton.
On Tuesday morning a start was made for Alnwick Castle,
the seat of the Duke of Northumberland, but owing to an
unfortunate breakdown in the weather a considerable part
of the day’s programme which had been mapped out by
Mr Gillanders, the head forester on the estates, who acted as
guide to the party, had to be abandoned.
The party arrived at Alnwick at 11 o’clock, and scarcely had
the day’s proceedings commenced when a violent thunderstorm,
accompanied by torrential rain, broke, and continued with more
or less severity till mid-afternoon. Before they had to seek
shelter, however, Mr Gillanders was able to show the Excur-
sionists a small experiment which he had commenced in order
to ascertain how plantations of ordinary broad-leaved trees
formed on grass land and bare ground respectively would be
affected by (a) allowing the herbage in the former case to have
free scope, and (4) by keeping the latter continuously under
hoe and rake. One of the well-equipped estate nurseries was
next visited, but by this time the rain had commenced to de-
scend in torrents, and shelter had to be sought. Taking
advantage of lulls in the storm, the party made their way on
foot by way of the Castle and the beautiful gardens to the
White Swan Hotel, where they were kindly entertained to
luncheon by the Duke of Northumberland. Mr Fothringham
proposed a vote of thanks to his Grace for his hospitality, and
for allowing the party to visit his property, and to Mr Gillanders
for his trouble in arranging the Excursion. Thereafter a
visit was paid to one of the estate saw-mills. Here much of
interest was seen. Besides ordinary wood-working machinery
and creosoting plant, one or two novel features in estate
work were observed. One of these was the conversion into
wire fencing material of old steel pit winding-ropes. These old
ropes are purchased at about £2, 1os. per ton, and, by special
appliances, they are unwound and the strands composing them,
after being dipped in hot coal-tar, are used as ordinary fencing
wire. Another novelty seen here was the Hoe “chisel-tooth”
circular saw, an American invention, in which the teeth are
detachable from the disc ; but its work did not produce a very
THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL EXCURSION, 83
favourable impression among the timber merchants present,
its cross-cutting being more of the nature of a tear than a cut.
Tea was served at Hulne Abbey, and on the way through the
policies to Alnwick station some fine old silver fir, a few large
Douglas fir, and a number of good clean-grown larch, girthing
8 feet at breast-height, were observed.
On Wednesday, rst August, the Excursionists visited Lambton
Park, the seat of the Earl of Durham. Driving from Newcastle,
Lambton was reached at 1o o’clock, and on their arrival the
party were met by Mr Bond and Mr Smith, the forester and
gardener respectively at Lambton, who acted as chaperons.
In marked contrast to that of the previous day, the weather was
delightful, and the park, which is a very extensive and finely
wooded one, and gardens were seen at their best.
On entering the policies, the party made a tour of the grounds
in the vicinity of the Castle, which occupies a commanding
position overlooking the valley of the Wear, and after an
inspection of the beautiful garden and some other parts of the
grounds, they drove to Bowes House Farm, where lunch was
served. Mr Fothringham proposed a vote of thanks to Lord
Durham for his kindness in allowing the Excursion party to
visit his estate, and to Mr Bond for the pains he had taken in
connection with the arrangements for the visit, and thereafter
a visit was paid to one of the estate saw-mills and timber-yards.
Here a good deal of discussion took place regarding the lasting
properties of some of the timber which was being converted
into fencing material, and Mr Bond mentioned that well-
seasoned oak posts had been found to be quite sound after being
twenty years in the ground. The party returned to Newcastle
early in the afternoon in order to take part in a conference
at the Armstrong College, and to hear a paper read there by
Mr A. C. Forbes on “ The Value of Waste Land for Afforesta-
tion Purposes.” !
On arrival at the College the party were kindly entertained
to tea by Lord Barnard, D.C.L., the Chairman of the Agri-
cultural Committee. Lord Barnard was unable to be present,
and Professor Lebour, the Vice-Principal, who was introduced
by Professor Gilchrist, welcomed the party to the College.
Mr Fothringham, on behalf of the Society, thanked Lord
1 Tt is hoped that the paper may appear in the July part of the Zvansactions.
84 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Barnard and the College authorities for their kind reception,
and Professor Gilchrist returned thanks on behalf of Lord
Barnard and his colleagues. In doing so Professor Gilchrist
mentioned that, as the result of an agreement entered into:
between H.M. Office of Woods and the College authorities,
the local management of the Chopwell Woods had been taken
over by the College, and that these would afford opportunities
for practical demonstration to the College students of forestry.
Before the reading of Mr Forbes’s paper the party were
conducted over the electrical and engineering laboratories,
in which some interesting experiments were shown. In the
engineering laboratory a fine testing-machine has been installed,
and a demonstration in timber-testing, the chief result of which
was to show that clean-grown foreign coniferous timber is much
stronger under a crushing strain than that of home growth, was
given for the benefit of the party.
The Annual Excursion Dinner was held in the Central Station
Hotel in the evening, the President, Mr Steuart Fothringham,,.
being in the chair. The loyal toasts were given from the chair,.
and other toasts proposed were the Lord Mayor, Magistrates
and Town Council of Newcastle, by Mr Gillanders; the Guests,
by Mr Buchanan; the Royal Scottish Aboricultural Society, by
Sir Francis Walker, Commissioner to the Duke of Northumber-
land; Kindred Societies, Educational Institutions, and the
Landed Interest.
Thursday, znd August, the Excursion party spent in the
neighbourhood of Hexham. From Newcastle to Hexham the
journey was by rail, and on their arrival at Hexham they drove
to Dilston, the property of Mr Beaumont, M.P., where they were-
met by Mr Balden, the estate agent, who acted as guide. In
passing through the “ Devil’s Water Glen,” some fine clean-
grown oak and larch, girthing about 8 feet on the average at
breast-height, were seen, and after an inspection of a thriving
young larch and Scots pine plantation on the Duke of
Northumberland’s property, the Dipton Woods, part of which
belong to Mr Beaumont and part to the Duke of Northumber-
land, were entered. On entering the first section of these, which
belongs to the Duke of Northumberland, Mr Gillanders, his:
Grace’s forester, produced and explained a working-plan which
he had prepared for the systematic management of all the
woods on the ducal property here. In a part of the Dipton.
THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL EXCURSION. 85
Woods belonging to Mr Beaumont a crop of Scots pine one
hundred years old received a good deal of attention from the
party. The crop was very good, but, owing to its having been
thinned rather freely in the early stages, the timber was some-
what rougher than it should have been. The plantation contains
something like gooo cubic feet per acre, which, at 4d. per foot,
works out at £150 per acre. A younger part of the same wood,
belonging to the Duke of Northumberland, was also visited,
and after an inspection of the portable saw-mill which was
being used here, and a demonstration of the method of extract-
ing the timber from the adjoining woods, by means of a winding-
drum and wire cable with which the traction engine which
drives the saw-mill is provided, the party repaired to some
thirty-year-old plantations, also on the Duke’s property, where
Mr A. C. Forbes has commenced some interesting experiments
to show the effects respectively of (2) removing from the ground,
every third or fourth year, the needles shed by the trees,
(4) leaving the needles as they fall, and (c) dressing the
ground with beech leaves.
After lunch at Holly Bush, an inspection of some newly formed
Scots pine plantations on the Duke of Northumberland’s
property was made. The soil is of a light sandy nature, with
an overlying layer of thin peat, carrying a strong crop of
heather. In planting this, Mr Gillanders has adopted the plan
of removing wholly a large turf, about a yard in diameter, where
each plant is inserted, in order to get the roots into the mineral
soil beneath, and the results seemed to amply justify the method
employed. Some young Scots pine plantations on the same
property, on which experiments with various kinds of artificial
manures were being carried out, were next visited, and the
party thereafter repaired to a part of the Dipton Woods belong-
ing to Mr Beaumont, where some splendid larch were seen.
These trees are ninety years old, and a sample acre contains
6600 cubic feet, which, at rs. per cubic foot, works out at £350
per acre, and this on ground which, it was stated, is not worth
more than rs. per acre for other purposes. A hurried inspection
of a rather open thirty-year-old Scots pine plantation, some parts of
which had been badly damaged by squirrels, on the Healey estate
was made ex route to Minster Acres ; and at the latter place, where
a short halt was made, some fine specimen conifers were seen,
including an avenue of Wellingtonias of very vigorous growth.
86 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The party then drove to Riding Mill, whence they returned to
Newcastle by train.
The Excursion was brought to a close by a visit to Cragside,
the residence of Lord Armstrong, on Friday, 3rd August.
This property was acquired by the late Lord Armstrong, and
by bringing to bear on the problem the happy combination of
engineering skill and fine taste for landscape effect which he
possessed, what at the time he entered into possession was a
sheer waste has been converted into a beautiful demesne,
teeming with ornamental coniferous and broad-leaved trees and
flowering shrubs of every description. The soil is in many
parts of the property very shallow, so shallow, indeed, that it
is insufficient to conceal the underlying rock, and in the
vicinity of the mansion-house enormous quantities of soil had
to be transported for the establishment of the plants. But so
skilfully has everything been carried out, that it is now difficult
to imagine the ground ever having been the waste it formerly
was.
The party travelled from Newcastle by rail to Rothbury, and
on their arrival they were met by Mr Bertram, the overseer
on the estate, under whose guidance they were conducted
over the demesne. On the outlying parts the principal
coniferous trees used are the Scots and mountain pines, trees
well adapted to thin poor soil such as this is. An inspection
was made of the splendidly equipped laundry, the workshops,
the electric power house, and other objects of interest, and
thereafter the party drove through the grounds, by another
route from that by which they entered, to Rothbury, where
lunch was served in the Station Hotel. After lunch, a start
was made for Brinkburn Station. On the way, a halt was made
to see two recently formed mixed hardwood and coniferous
plantations, and also one of the estate nurseries on the Duke
of Northumberland’s property ; and from Brinkburn the party
travelled by rail to Morpeth, whence they took their departure
to their respective destinations.
FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT PEEBLES. 87
16. Forestry Exhibition at the Highland and Agricul-
tural Society’s Show at Peebles, July 1906.
By JoHN F. ANNAND, Overseer, Haystoun.
As in former years, the Society arranged a Forestry Exhibition
in connection with the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show,
which this year was held at Peebles. On the whole, both as
regards extent and variety, the Exhibition of 1906 compared
favourably with any of its predecessors. It was a little dis-
appointing, however, to find that in a good forest district like
Peeblesshire, only two of the landed proprietors in that county
were exhibitors. ‘There were sixteen competitive sections, and
in most of these there were several entries.
A very important section was that in which some beautiful
specimens of the timber of Scots pine, larch, and Norway spruce
were shown. In this section there were eight competitors, the
chief awards going to Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart. of Haystoun,
who had the first and third places, and to the Earl of Mansfield,
who was second. The Arnott Trustees, Bandon, Co. Cork, who
exhibited boards taken from trees of a much less age than the
others, received a special award of a No. 2 Silver Medal in
respect of the excellent quality of the timber and the skilful
manner in which the boards were manufactured. A _ similar
competition was that between the exhibitors of specimens of the
timber of any three coniferous timber-trees, excluding the above-
named sorts; and in this competition the first prize was won by
the Duke of Buccleuch for a very excellent exhibit of silver fir,
Menzies spruce, and Weymouth pine boards, while the specimens
of Weymouth pine, Cembran pine, and black American spruce
sent by Mr Steuart Fothringham of Murthly made a very good
second.
Of no less interest and importance were the competitions in
which specimens of the timber of broad-leaved trees were shown.
One section was restricted to oak, ash, and Scots elm, and here
again Sir D. E. Hay took the first and third prizes, the Earl of
Mansfield being second. The oak and ash in the first and the
elm in the second prize lots were of exceedingly fine quality.
The elm in the third prize lot was somewhat faulty, the high
average of this lot being due to the superior quality of the oak
and ash.
88 YRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In the section devoted to the timber of broad-leaved trees other
than oak, elm, and ash, the first prize went to Sir D. E. Hay
for a highly meritorious exhibit of sycamore, black Italian poplar,
and beech ; and the second to the Marquis of Breadalbane, who
sent fine specimens of beech, birch, and sycamore.
No. 1 Silver Medals were awarded to the Earl of Mansfield for
an estate or farm gate made of larch timber, and to Messrs
William Sinton & Sons, Jedburgh, for plant tubs and vases made
of oak grown in Jed Forest. The Scone gate attracted much
attention, and the fine quality of the timber was greatly admired.
For full-sized sections of rustic fences made of larch thinnings, a
No. 2 Silver Medal was gained by Mr Alex. Pollok, Tarbolton,
and a Bronze Medal by Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart. For examples
showing the best methods of utilising small wood, No. 2 Silver
Medals went to the Earl of Mansfield and Mr John Smith, Peebles,
a Bronze Medal being awarded to Mr Alex. Pollok, Tarbolton.
There was a very varied and interesting collection of articles
lent for Exhibition only. To this section the Earl of Minto sent,
from his Hawick estates, an interesting contribution which in-
cluded specimens of wood showing damage done by squirrels
and the destructive effects of the beech aphis; specimens of young
plants exhibiting root-systems as resulting from (a) natural sowing,
(4) notch-planting, and (c) pit-planting; and planks and rails
showing the effects of artificial pruning on the timber of various
species. The Earl of Mansfield sent from the Scone estate a
large collection of forestry tools used on his properties; a special
gate latch with an automatic closing arrangement; some exceed-
ingly fine pieces of plank of Scots pine, larch, sycamore, elm,
and other timber grown on the Scone estate; and some large
planks of Douglas fir grown on that estate along with some
foreign planks of the same species, showing the difference in
growth. Another useful and important collection was that
belonging to the President, Mr Steuart Fothringham of Murthly,
who contributed specimens of larch, Scots pine, and Norway
spruce, showing the quality of the timber produced by wide
and by close planting. Mr Fothringham also sent a very interest-
ing model of a water-gate, the chief feature of which was that it
could be put on or removed without going into the water.
Sir Duncan Hay’s exhibit was a large one, and included
conifers in tubs taken from a small experimental wood four
years planted. The species shown included European larch,
FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT PEEBLES. 89
Japanese larch, Norway spruce, Weymouth pine, Scots pine,
and Douglas fir (Colorado and Oregon forms). The result of four
years’ growth showed that the lead was decidedly being taken
by the Oregon Douglas fir and the Japanese larch, the European
larch following up closely. He also sent samples of mature
round larch and spruce timber from poor soil at 1100 feet eleva-
tion. Some of these stems measured up to too feet in length,
and ranged in cubic contents (quarter-girth measure) from 50 feet
to 75 feet each, timber to 6 inches diameter only being measured.
From a young plantation of pure larch seventeen years old, on the
same class of soil, he sent sample stems having an average height
of 29 feet and a stem diameter at 4 feet 6 inches of 5} inches;
and from a mixed plantation of larch, Douglas fir, spruce, and
silver fir seventeen years planted, on similar soil, he sent average
sample stems which showed the following measurements :—
Diameter at Diameter at
Height. Surface of 4 ft. 6 ins.
Ground. High.
Douglas fir (green form), 38 feet g inches 6% inches
Larch (European), : 46.) 5, Soe 64»,
Spruce (common), : wae Cae 44 yy
Silver fir(common), . 2374 ae 4 Be
The Society’s collection of photo-micrographs of timber of
British forest-trees attracted a good deal of attention, as did also
a similar collection of eight hundred British and foreign ones
exhibited by Mr James A, Weale, timber merchant, Liverpool.
Mr Balfour of Dawyck, Peeblesshire, had a small but very
interesting collection on exhibition. He showed twenty-four
distinct species of introduced conifers in pots, specimens of
timber illustrating results of pruning, larch plants damaged by
the pine weevil (/y/obius abietis), and a section from a large
branch from one of the original larches planted at Dawyck.
This branch contained excellent timber, and measured 24 feet in
diameter. But probably the most interesting part of Mr Balfour’s
exhibit was that of the timber of three introduced conifers,
namely, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Douglasit), green form, Adbzes
concolor, and white American spruce (ficea alba). The timber
was shown by complete cross sections of the stems and by planks
taken from parts of the stems. The Douglas fir timber, and also
that of Adies concolor, showed a remarkably large proportion of
90 ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
autumn wood in the concentric rings, and was of specially good
quality, clearly showing the possibilities for timber-production in
this country of some of the western American conifers.
Lord Lamington sent an interesting exhibit of fencing stobs,
creosoted by simply steeping them in an open tank; and the
spruce, Scots pine, elm, beech, birch, and oak stobs so treated,
which had been eleven to thirteen years in use, were in a remark-
ably good state of preservation.
Dr Borthwick sent a very complete and instructive set of
herbarium specimens of British forest-trees; Mr John Smith,
Peebles, a collection of specimen blocks of timber grown in
Peeblesshire; Mr Gillanders, Alnwick Castle, a very complete
set of cases of insects injurious to forest-trees; and Mr Robert
Allan, factor, Polkemmet, sent larch stobs which were said to
have been in use in a clay soil for forty-two years. They had
not been treated in any way, and were in a remarkably good
state of preservation.
Mr Adam Spiers, timber merchant, Edinburgh, had an interest-
ing exhibit of planks of home-grown hornbeam, walnut, and
common and Siberian larch; and he also exhibited Scots pine
stobs which had been in use in a fence for forty years. The
stobs had been thoroughly seasoned, and then steeped in boiling
coal-tar.
Messrs Laing & Mather, Nurserymen, Kelso, very kindly
sent, for decorative purposes, a collection of golden privet in
tubs. These, grouped in various ways throughout the Exhibi-
tion, had a very pleasing effect.
The awards in the Exhibition section were as follows:—A
Gold Medal to Mr Jas. A. Weale, and No. 1 Silver Medals to
Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart., Mr W. Steuart Fothringham of
Murthly, Dr Borthwick, and Mr A. T. Gillanders.
A new feature of the Exhibition was that on each day a lecture
was given on some subject connected with forestry. Mr Munro
Ferguson, M.P., gave an address on “Instruction in Sylvi-
culture”; Sir John Stirling-Maxwell discussed “The Planting of
Waste Land”; Mr A. D. Richardson gave a paper on “The
Larch Disease Fungus”; and Mr J. F. Annand gave a short
paper on the ‘Quality of Timber, and how this may be affected
by Cultivation.” Some of the papers appear in the Zransactions.
Altogether, the Exhibition at Peebles was a very instructive
one.
THE FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT DERBY. Or
17. The Forestry Exhibition at the Royal Show,
Derby, 1906, and some of its Lessons.
By a CORRESPONDENT.
The Forestry Exhibition at the “Royal” was this year
organised by the Council of the Royal English Arboricultural
Society, under the personal supervision of Mr George Marshall.
The greater portion of the forestry exhibits was housed within
a shed erected for the purpose, and associated with agricultural
education, nature study, and school gardening; and the
combination of these kindred exhibits was so full of instruction,
both of a practical and scientific kind, that it would perhaps
be difficult to say whether the direct knowledge gained from the
forestry exhibit, or the indirect knowledge gained from the
associated exhibits, was the more valuable. In the case of
forestry, perhaps the indirect knowledge and indirect returns are
more valuable than the direct. Judged from this standpoint,
therefore, the Royal Agricultural Society acted wisely in com-
bining agricultural education, nature study, and forestry in one
united section.
As regards some of the more important exhibits connected
with agricultural education, the Rothamstead Experimental
Station had examples showing the effects of nitrogenous manures
on various crops, under varying conditions, resulting from ex-
periments lasting over many years, and illustrated by diagrams.
The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, arranged
their exhibits under three heads, viz., Agricultural Chemistry,
Geology, and Biology. Perhaps the last appealed most directly
to the forester, inasmuch as it contained very good illustrations
and examples of plant diseases, insects injurious to crops, ticks,
lice, etc. As regards ticks, it may be noted that the study of
these is now considered very important by the colleges, as they
are very potent agents in spreading disease amongst animals,
The South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, showed some
very good examples of living insects feeding on their respective
host-plants. These were arranged by Mr F. V. Theobald,
who has devoted considerable attention to, and has done
some very important work in, this section of biology.
Cambridge University exhibits were under the supervision of
92 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Professor Middleton, and included some interesting results in
connection with the formation and improvement of pastures, and
a species of disease-resisting wheat was shown.
The Royal Agricultural Society had a large exhibit, that
from the Experimental Station shown by Dr Voelcker, and
ably explained by his assistant, Mr H. M. Freear, being the
most important portion for the forester. There was a very
instructive set of pot cultures and diagrams; but perhaps the
most instructive was an exhibit demonstrating the influence
on wheat of soils of lime and magnesia in varying relative
proportions. There was also an interesting exhibit showing
the influence of lime in improving turf. It often happens that
when planting is done on old pasture, and more especially on
waste land, there is a spongy layer of half-dead grass immedi-
ately above the soil, which has a harmful effect on the young
trees. If we use a fairly large-sized plant, say a 2-year 2-year
Scots pine, it is not only partially buried, but this spongy layer
prevents rain and moisture from reaching its roots. If, on
the other hand, we use say 2-year 1-year Scots pine,
and do the work thoroughly, it becomes necessary to remove
a sod prior to planting the seedling. Hence both methods
involve considerable expense, and court a proportion of failures.
The spongy layer is acid in reaction, and contains nitrogenous
matter derived from the decayed plant residues of which it
is composed. The nitrogenous matter, however, is not directly
available as a plant-food, but must first be converted into a
soluble and available form by the action of the nitrifying
organisms always present in fertile soil. When the soil is
acid, the nitrifying organisms are unable to do their work;
hence lime is applied to neutralise the acidity of the
soil, and thus gradually to allow the nitrogenous matter to
become converted into a soluble and available form. By the
use of lime, then, the agriculturist causes the useless layer to
disappear and the grass to improve; and the arboriculturist
may do the same by the use of slag (which contains lime as
well as phosphoric acid)’on land of a clayey nature, and slag
and kainit on poor soil, together with severe pasturing by cattle
and sheep prior to planting. It is open to question whether,
from a manurial point of view, the slag improves the young
trees, but undoubtedly it improves the pasture, inducing the
stock to eat the herbage closer, and therefore subsequent planting
THE FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT DERBY. 93
can be more cheaply and better done. In short, it is the
mechanical condition of the surface soil that is the all-important
factor in planting, the slag being simply an agent for producing
the desired results.
The Forestry Exhibition proper comprised seven sections, viz.,
(I.) Seeds and Cones; (II.) Trees and Shrubs; (III.) Woods
and Plantations; (IV.) Timbers; (V.) Insects and Diseases ;
(VI.) Plans and Maps; and (VII.) Tools and Appliances.
In Section I., the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester,
and the Country Gentlemen’s Association showed very good
examples. In Section II., outside the building, the Duke of
Northumberland had an exhibit and a small planted plot
illustrating a sylvicultural mixture of light-demanding and
shade-bearing trees, regarding which the following explanation
was given:—“‘The number of plants per acre, and method
of mixing, could be varied according to circumstances. The
number per acre in this case was 4840, as set out on the
plot, and the mixture consisted of—(@) an outer row of beech
for shelter; (4) a second row containing a fair sprinkling of
sycamore as a wind-resisting tree; (c) oak at g feet apart
for the permanent crop; (d) other hardwoods for returns during
the rotation; (e) a sprinkling of larch for early returns; and
(7) shade-bearers of spruce, silver fir, and beech for soil-
protection and stimulation of the main crop. The advantages
of this method would be unbroken canopy throughout the
period of growth, improved quality of timber, greater volume
per acre, and at the same time this kind of mixing would make
excellent fox and game coverts.”
As regards mixing, it may be said that the method just
mentioned cannot be claimed as perfect, but two important,
though very elementary, points should be borne in mind, viz.—
(x) that mixing should never be done in a haphazard way,
and (2) that the idea that for game coverts the greater the chaos
of trees, shrubs, grass, and weeds, the better the results, is a
pure delusion. On the contrary, it is far better to form game
coverts on sound sylvicultural principles, inasmuch as they will
then yield genuine sport to the present owner and profitable
woods to his successors.
In Section III. the Earl of Yarborough, who sent the largest
forestry exhibit to the Show, had a very complete and instructive
set of photographs of different kinds of trees in various stages,
94 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
from the nursery lines to mature crops of 120 years old, together
with the methods of manipulating and creosoting the manu-
factured timber. Having regard to the brevity of human life,
as compared with that of the trees, the photographs in question
illustrated the fact that it is only by thus bringing together a
series of individuals in their successive stages that we can get a
view of the progressive development of a crop; and further,
that first-class forestry can only be attained by a succession of
good foresters co-operating with a succession of equally able
owners.
In Section IV. the same exhibitor showed a very fine collec-
tion of timbers, both as sawn boards and as hand specimens,
all beautifully mounted and carefully labelled. In addition
to this exhibit, the Earl of Yarborough showed a very
large collection of creosoted and uncreosoted wood grown in
various soils and situations, together with a very elaborate
exhibit of 158 different kinds of home-grown woods
naturally dried, and then creosoted under pressure, all the
kinds being treated at one operation, and the results obtained
were tabulated on a large printed sheet. The Duke of
Northumberland showed small samples of creosoted wood
illustrating the creosoting of zaturally dried wood by absorption,
boiling, and under pressure respectively. The question of
creosoting timber, when carefully studied, is more intricate
and interesting than appears on the surface, but from a purely
estate point of view, we derive from the exhibits of these two
noblemen three important lessons, vizi—(1) that as timber
must be thoroughly dried before tt ts creosoted, natural drying is
the best estaze method of preparation; (2) that all kinds of
timber take in more or less creosote; and (3) that, according
to circumstances, each of the methods—pressure, boiling, and
absorption—may give good results.
In Section IV. the Duke of Northumberland showed specimens
illustrating the effect of dense and of thin crops in branch sup-
pression and on the quality of the timber. Two of the examples
sent in may be noted. A large portion of a stem taken from
the centre of a pure Scots pine wood 70 years of age, ©
showed the evil effects of too early thinning. The clean
portion of the base of the stem was no doubt the result of
thick planting, and the thick branches seen at the top were
probably produced in consequence of the plantation having
THE FORESTRY EXHIBITION AT DERBY. 95
been thinned too early. The commercial value of the crop
was therefore very much depreciated. Contrasted with this
there was another section of a stem showing the advantages
of deferred thinning, and the following is a copy of the descrip-
tion which accompanied it :—‘“‘ Section of spruce tree taken from
a portion of a 45 year old pure wood, now containing 632 trees
to the acre, with cubic contents (true measure) of 6000 feet.
Section taken 1o feet from base. Total height of tree, 53 feet.
Cubic contents, 1o feet. The trees were originally planted at
3 feet apart, and only dead and very heavily suppressed trees
have been cut out. This shows the advantage of deferred
thinning, as the increment amounts to 1333 cubic feet per acre
per annum. The average increment of the whole wood (about
Ioo acres, on moorland peaty soil) is over too cubic feet per
acre per annum. It is therefore a very valuable crop for
estate purposes.”
There were other exhibits of a varied and interesting nature,
some of the principal being a collection of British timbers from
the Earl Egerton of Tatton, Tatton Park, Cheshire, and
specimens of home-grown commercial woods and _ similar
products of the Colonies and of the United States.
In the remaining Sections were well represented a variety of
exhibits, viz., insects on trees, fungi injurious to trees, working
' plans, books on forestry,“etc.
As regards nature study, the exhibits consisted of specimens
of work actually done in rural, elementary, and secondary
schools. The exhibits sent in by the Lea and Cromford schools,
Derbyshire, were very fine indeed. It is almost impossible to
exaggerate the beneficial character of this training of the youthful
mind. It will no doubt have an important influence on the
future welfare of the people, while at the same time it must have
important bearings on forestry, inasmuch as any youth receiving
a training of this sort prior to beginning the study of practical
and theoretical forestry cannot fail to have developed two im-
portant faculties, viz., those of observation and deduction.
96 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
REPORTS BY THE HONG
SCIENTISTS
1. Report by A. W. Bortuwick, D.Sc., Honorary Consulting
Cryptogamist.
Although the queries received during the past year have -
been slightly more numerous than usual, still, there was nothing
of special interest which has not been dealt with in former
Reports, and consequently need not be repeated here. It might,
however, be mentioned that specimens of Japanese larch
attacked by the larch canker fungus have been received from
different places. One or two specimens, which have recently
come in, are still under investigation and will be reported upon
later.
*
2. Report by R. Stewart MacDovueca.t, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.,
Flonorary Consulting Entomologist.
The feature of the year as regards forest insects has been the
extended attack on larch in Cumberland by the larvee of Vematus
Erichsoni, the Large Larch Sawfly. A full account of this insect
and its work appears elsewhere in the Zransactions.
Inquiries also reached me as to the larch aphis, the pine beetle
(Hylesinus piniperda), and the large pine weevil. From several
sources the giant wood wasp was sent. The caterpillars of the
pine sawfly (Lophyrus pint) were here and there troublesome,
and Mr F. Moon sent me material of Lofhyrus rufus, the
larvee of which had proved pestiferous. Useful ichneumon
species were received from various places for determination.
From Mr G. Brown, Beauly, came a specimen of the death’s
head moth,
REPORTS BY THE HONORARY SCIENTISTS, 97
One of the troublesome insects of the year was Retinta buoliana,
the pine shoot twister. From both Scotland and England com-
plaints of the damage done by the caterpillars of this little moth
reached me. The moth lays its eggs in July or in late June, on
the buds of young pines, the eggs being laid singly. The larve
overwinter as small caterpillars, and renew their feeding in the
next spring, tunnelling in the buds and young shoots. Pupation
is generally in June. The only practicable measure against the
pest is the timely cutting off and burning of the infested shoots.
This is a measure worth practising, from the tendency of the
moth to spread. Mr James M‘Callum, Canford Manor Estate,
Dorset, who sent me material in the month of June, found that
with him Scots pine was worst attacked, and then Austrian pine,
Corsican pine, and Pinus insignis. Mr M‘Callum had also
Douglas fir infested. This last is an important observation,
being, as far as I know, the first recorded attack of Retinia
buoliana on Douglas fir,
VOL. XX. PART I. G
98 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
NOTES AND QUBRtE.,
SYLVICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS AT NOVAR.
The larch experiments at Novar originated from an acre plot
of mixed larch and Douglas fir casually planted twenty years ago
on a corner of shingly arable land of small agricultural value.
After a dozen or fifteen years of fast growth, the larch was
singularly free from aphis and blister. Patches of larch with
which natural beech was intermingled were also comparatively
immune; and so the question presented itself whether larch
should be grown pure or mixed, and, if mixed, then how? That
is the inquiry pursued here on empirical lines, but always on the
assumption that thick screens of shade-bearers round larch in
clumps or singly tend to hinder the distribution of the spores of
Peziza Waillkommiz.
Alongside of these experiments there has been the alternative
two-story policy, already admirably described in the Zvansac-
tions, which consists of a larch crop underplanted with shade-
bearers at 15 or 20 years old. It is the opinion of those
who have managed these plantations for 25 years, that this
system promises well wherever larch comes away freely and is
likely to mature, as to which there has been no difficulty for the
last 130 years at Novar. It is true that it is a system evolved
by comparatively ignorant persons, yet in this particular enterprise
empirical judgment is probably more reliable than that of any
expert. For experiments of any kind in preventing larch disease,
save by thin cropping or mixed plantations, is extremely limited ;
exotic Coniferze have never before been grown so cheaply as to
permit their use in sylviculture ; while little can be taught even
in the country of sylviculture, larch being seldom seen in Germany
from Berlin to Hamburg or from Dresden to Strassburg. At any
rate, experimental results at Novar promise so well that many
hundred acres of pure larch will be treated in the manner already
described, with the object of getting the largest combined crop
NOTES AND QUERIES, 99
of larch and shade-bearers to produce the best quality of all
classes of timber.
It may be interesting, further, to describe the alternative series
of experiments in mixed plantations designed rather to protect
larch from disease than with regard to the fate of other varieties
employed. These were initiated by Colonel Bailey, and through
his advice a number of plots were formed of such mixtures as
larch, beech, spruce, and silver fir; Scots pine with larch at
20 feet intervals, pitted and notched; spruce and larch; larch
pitted and notched in adjacent lots. The experiments in notch-
ing and pitting were designed to ascertain whether, by quicker
growth in the pits, the larch would more readily escape disease ;
there is little difference in the result after seven years’ growth,
and the cost of pitting and notching is respectively as £ 2, rgs. 6d.
to 13s. 9d. the acre, Both systems are now practically abandoned
for dibbling two-year seedlings,
The silver fir, on which Colonel Bailey most properly relied for
larch mixtures, was raised in great numbers, but it became useless
from aphis: this disaster led to much delay and to some years of
nursery work to find substitutes, spruce being too slow and not
the best shade-bearer, and beech too uncertain in value for
general use. After six or eight seasons, Douglas fir, Menzies
spruce, Zsuga Mertensiana, Thuya gigantea, Abies grandis, and
Lawson cypress were selected as the most promising varieties for
ordinary sylviculture; the cost of some of them does not much
exceed that of Scots pine and spruce. Others are still being
tried. Some two hundred acres of larch are more or less mixed
with these Coniferz; in part both species are planted simul-
taneously, in part blanks among pure larch are filled in with
shade-bearers, in part a designedly-thin crop of larch is filled in
with shade-bearers after the lapse of two or three years, which
gives it, as a light-demander, the right amount of start. The
value of this work is yet to be determined, but it is plain, from
the 20-year-old plot, that a mixture of larch and Douglas fir
produces a heavy crop of excellent timber of both kinds, that the
Douglas fir is not sufficiently cleaned, and that, if the race is
close, the Douglas fir inclines to be too swift. It is still too soon
to say whether, if the larch is given a start, the leaders of the
shade-bearers will be sufficiently clear, but this seems likely.
This mixture well deserves trouble, especially where the larch
needs help on second-class larch soils. The mixture of Menzies
I00 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
spruce and larch should succeed, giving the larch a start of two
years, the leader of the spruce being very persevering. Larch is
certainly too quick for mixing with Zhuya gigantea and Lawson
cypress, while of all simultaneous coniferous mixtures with larch,
probably Zsuga Mertensiana will give least trouble, for even if it
gets away first, the unassuming leader of the hemlock does not
interfere with the larch, and its side branches are less persevering
than those of the Douglas fir, while Zswga Mertensiana is liable
to be kept back by frost-bite at the earliest stages of its growth,
which gives the larch a start, and, like the Lawson cypress,
ZL. Mertensiana is greatly appreciated by a hare or rabbit. The
general disadvantage of filling in blanks with shade-bearers
is that, if these tend to make larch strong and healthy, their
shade hampers subsequent effort to replace fresh blanks or to
underplant. As in the case of any mixture, the shade-bearers do
not clean themselves properly, and the plantation, especially in
the absence of trained foresters, is hard to thin. To produce the
minimum of disadvantage is naturally the object of these experi-
ments. Among the acre plots formed three years ago are larch
mixed with cypress and hemlock, and plots have been planted
with half a crop of larch, to be filled in with Menzies spruce and
other species. There are half acres also of Japanese larch, pitted
and notched; it grows extremely well, but as the Tyrolese larch is
sufficiently prosperous, and the value of its timber is better known,
very few of this species are being used in the woods except
for appearance’ sake and to fill up blanks in Tyrolese larch,
since the Japanese spring away somewhat quicker after planting.
Other plots are being formed, such as of oak and larch; oak,
beech, and larch; Spanish chestnut and larch. It may be noted,
as regards the more ordinary assortments, that in mixing larch
with Scots pine the former is apt to be blown crooked as it
rises above the pine, when it also damages many neighbours.
Blanks in spruce filled with larch a few years after planting
promise well. Larch with spruce and Scots pine is a mixture
which needs the bill-hook fairly early, and is difficult to manage.
It is best to clump the larch on suitable soil, surrounding them
with screens or clumps of other varieties. If larch clumps on
soils of first-class larch quality are large enough, they can be
eventually underplanted, should that system, as seems probable,
predominate over other methods of larch culture.
R. C. Munro FErcuson.
NOTES AND QUERIES. IOI
EXPERIMENTAL PLots aT NovaR.
(Extracts from a Report by CLive Marriort.)
The land has been carefully laid out and planted, each
plot consisting of two acres, though a good many of them have
been subdivided. The two-acre plots are separated by narrow
rides. The soil throughout almost the whole area is good,
though the northern portion is best and richest. The former
old crop of larch grew to an enormous size, and produced
extremely fine timber of high quality. Most of the present
plants have been in the ground for three to five years.
Larch and Zhuya gigantea.—The two acres are equally mixed,
planted 3 feet 6 inches apart, and were stocked at the same time.
The larch looks very well and seems healthy, but the Zhuya is
of a bad colour, and there are some deaths. The larch is
predominating, and it is probable that the Zzya will not thrive
well until it obtains a certain amount of shelter from the larch.
Abies grandis.—The whole two acres are pure Adses grandis,
planted 3 feet 6 inches apart. The plants seem healthy and
strong, but there are some deaths, and the growth is not very
good. It is noticeable that the plants do not look nearly so
well as those growing in the shade, where they have been used
for underplanting.
Tsuga Mertensiana (Albertiana).—One acre of larch and
Tsuga Mertensiana equally mixed. The larch looks well and
healthy, and shows good growth. Among the Zsuga there
are many deaths and stunted plants. A few of the plants look
well and show a good growth, but there is a marked difference
between them and the young trees used in underplanting. The
Tsuga appears to require some shelter.
Tsuga Mertensiana, pure.—One acre of pure 7suga Mertenstana.
This plot is not very thriving; there are many deaths and
blanks, and the area will have to be replanted. On the extreme
north side, however, the trees look better and show good
growth ; this, again, points to their requiring shelter, as on the
extreme north the hill-side and trees give a considerable amount
of protection.
Pseudotsuga Douglasii.—The two-acre plot is divided into two
portions. One acre is planted with pure Douglas fir, and the
other with Douglas fir and larch mixed. The pure Douglas fir
show most splendid growth; there are very few deaths, and the
102 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
trees look remarkably fine and healthy. On one plant I
measured last year’s leader, and found it 2 feet 6 inches long.
In fact, the whole plot is remarkably satisfactory.
Larix leptolepis (Japanese larch).—This plot is situated at
the extreme west of the experimental plots ; it is divided into two
parts by a narrow ride, and has been planted six years. The
trees are a good height, and seem very strong and well. There
have been very few deaths, and the whole plantation looks
flourishing. It is claimed for the Japanese larch that it is very
strong, and better able to resist the attacks of the deadly larch
disease than the native larch. This may be so, but the larch
disease is present in the plot even at this early age, though in
a very slight degree, and time alone will show the disease-
resisting qualities of this tree.
{Mr Marriott has sent specimens of diseased Japanese larch.
A further report on the progress of the disease in this plot will
be welcome.—Hown. Ep. |
EsraTE-CONDUCTED EXPERIMENTS IN SYLVICULTURE AND OTHER
BRANCHES OF FORESTRY.
The writer strongly advocates an extended and more systematic
testing by local experiment of various methods of sylvicultural
treatment, of various measures of protection against hostile
influences, and of other acts involved in the successful raising
and utilisation of crops of trees. Such experiments, if carefully
conducted, the results being intelligently observed and accurately
recorded, would not only add to the knowledge and professional
efficiency of those who conduct them, but, if made widely known
through the medium of our Zvansactions, would also prove of
great value to others who are engaged in similar work.
Many most useful and instructive experiments or investigations
may be satisfactorily carried out on quite a small scale. For
example :—The comparative efficacy, in a certain locality, of
the planting in pits, notches or dibbled holes of plants of different
species and of various ages or sizes, may be tested by means of
a few short and adjacent rows of plants, from the progress of
which the results may be seen. and compared at a glance. An
experiment in direct sowing, on ground where the.digging of
NOTES AND QUERIES. 103
pits or other holes presents difficulties, owing to the shallowness
of the soil, the water conditions, or other cause, may be made
on a very small area. So also may the planting of weed-
encumbered ground with shade-bearing and quick-growing
species (such as Douglas fir), or other means of stocking such
ground, be put to a practical test; while various methods and
degrees of pruning hardwoods may be practised on groups of
trees very limited in extent.
Again, the degree of shade which, under local conditions, each
of the more important exotic conifers is able to bear, and the
place which each of them should occupy in a graded list
of shade-bearing capacity which included our British forest
trees, could be determined by experiments on a very modest
scale. The knowledge thus acquired might be applied to
determine the relative suitability of all these species for the under-
planting of light-crowned crops, and the age and degree of
density of the latter found to be most suitable under the circum-
stances of the locality ; while the suggested investigation could
easily be extended so as to include the treatment of larch
disease. A commencement might be made to test the
suitability of each of these species for cultivation as a forest
crop in this country.
Other experiments which could be conducted equally easily
might be:—The testing of the capacity of certain exotic species
to grow in high, wind-swept situations, to act as wind-breaks, or
to flourish by the seaside when exposed to gales accompanied
by salt spray; the protection of young plants of tender species
from injury by frost (see an article by Geo. U. Macdonald at
p. 287 of Volume XIX. of the Zvansactions) ; the combating of
attack under various conditions by insect or fungoid pests, or by
game or vermin; and the promotion of natural regeneration by
exposing the mineral soil in patches or strips, or by other means.
The above and many other investigations and experiments
could be carried out on a small but sufficient scale in the ordinary
course of work, either without additional outlay, or at a trifling
cost; but the results could not fail to be of great value to all
engaged in forestry, and they would certainly well repay the
trouble expended on them.
It is, however, very desirable that, on every considerable
forest estate, a conveniently situated area should be devoted to
experiments and investigations on a somewhat larger scale than
104 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
has been suggested above. The cost, which might still be very
moderate, would be recouped many times over by the gain of
practical knowledge to be applied in the management of estate
woodlands; while the “ garden” could not fail to become a source
of interest to the owner, as well as to the whole of his estate staff.
Indeed, if costly mistakes are to be avoided and financial success
to be secured, such investigations should precede all extensive
operations, and should form an essential feature of the ordinary
business on a timbered property. Every important industry is
nowadays guided by analogous investigation; brewers and
other manufacturers pay large sums for chemical analysis or
other researches conducted in order to keep their knowledge
up to date, and thus to secure a sound economic basis for their
business. Expenditure thus incurred is looked upon as a part
of the current outlay, and as essential to commercial success.
Can those who are responsible for the management of British
forests afford to neglect, or to unduly curtail, any reasonable
means of deepening and widening the foundations on which
their important industry rests ? FH; «Bs
THE Rate OF GRowTH OF Pseudotsuga Douglasit IN THE
Woops or Saxony.! (Communicated by John Booth.)
It deserves to be more widely known in forestry circles that
Prince Bismarck interested himself to a high degree in the
introduction and cultivation of exotic species of trees, and
that it is in part owing to his initiative that for some time the
Prussian State Forestry Administration has carried out cultiva-
tion experiments on a large scale. Influenced by the celebrated
Mr John Booth, the Prince also had experimental plots
established over a still larger area in the woods of Saxony,
especially with the object of making experimental cultures of
Pseudotsuga Douglasiz.
The first yearling plants of this species were introduced in
the year 1878 by Mr Booth into the woods of Saxony, and
were placed in nurseries. In the year 1881 the then four-
year-old trees were planted out in the first experimental plot.
Translated from the Zestschrift fiir Forst- u. Jagdwesen, p. 8, 1906.
NOTES AND QUERIES. 105
For this purpose a plot, which had been for two years used
as an enclosure, was utilised, the soil being a humus-containing,
gravelly, and somewhat loamy diluvial sand (valued in the estate
books as a spruce soil of Class III.). Here a total area of
0°47 hectares,! protected at the sides by old timber, was
planted, half with four-year-old Douglas fir in 1°5 metre squares,
and half with spruce in 1°2 metre squares.
The amount of timber on this plot, which has not yet been
cleared, has now been calculated by means of a careful survey.
The accompanying Table gives an interesting view of the
growth-relations on the two experimental plots.
{ .
| Dovuctas Fir. Age, 29 years. Spruce Fir. Age, 29 years.
| Area planted, 0°235 hectares. Area planted, 0°235 hectares.
‘ |
ae | ae | Cubic 23 | Phe Cabie |
han = } ce H
2 ob Olt es a3 Contents. || mB oO. ee te ee Contents. |
oo | og] = ise ay e381 Pac? | 2 Te
cc Qo on Cae c.. ec 2o a) “Se i. oe
ww Es ) ° mt es | ° /
Si a Be = Se Per = a = | - | 3S Per :
uv os | : o -os
| As 45 | Tree. | Tol |) Hs | (8 | tree.) So
t | | i |
>) a | ae ee
| Inn wieein | In In
,Incm. In m.,| In sq. m.\cub.m.| cub. m. | In cm. Inm.! Insq. m.|cub.m. cub. m.
oe 5| 8 | 0006] 0-01; 0°05 4 95| 61! O°II9 | oor! 0°95 |
6 | 162] 10] 07458] 0°02| 3°24)|} 6 368. 8 | 1°040 | 0°02! 7°36
8 99| 12 | 0°498|0'03| 2°97) 8 405} 10 | 2°036 | 0°03 | 12°15
| 10 |118] 14 | 0°926| 0°06! 7°08 fe) 297| 10 | 2°333 | 0°04 11°88
| IZ |120! 16 | 1°357] 0°09 | 10°80 12 120; {2 | 1°357 | 0°07 8°40 |
KA T20)/ 407 | L985 | O12 | 15°48 14 50| 14 | 0°770 |o°IO! 5°00!
| 16 90 18 | 1°810|0°17|15"30|} 16 * 15) 14 | 0°302 | 0°13 | T-95 |
} 18 | 69) 18] 1°756| 0°22) 15°18} 18 4; 16} o'102 |o18;) 0°72
{ 20 FOO 1571 | 0:28 | 14700 || 20 I} 16 | 0°031 | 0°23! 0°23 |
i) 22 6| 19 | 0°228| 0°34| 2°04 :
| 24 12| 20 | 0°543|0'40, 4°80),
| 20 ale2 | 07372 | 0:49 | 3°43) |I
28 I} 22 | 0°062]0°59} 0°59 ;
| 32 Ip22 | O1080'|'0°72| 0°72 5 i
| SEQ | 1r652) ... | 95°68 = 1 1335] 2. | (OvOOO)|t.- P ane
If the results be reduced to 1 hectare, then we have—
Douglas fir, total area of basal trunk sections, - 49,583 sq. metres.
Spruce, total area of basal trunk sections, . - 34,426 sq. metres.
Douglas fir, total yield of wood, . : ; 407 cubic metres.
Spruce fir, total yield of wood, : ‘ 207 cubic metres.
The wood of both plots could now be used for poles, and
in part as small pit-timber. An estimate of the market value
1; hectare =2°47 acres.
106 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
of the crop, according to the prices now quoted in this country
for firewood, works out at about 1000 marks for the Douglas fir
and about 360 marks for the spruce. The above statements thus
show that, when growing on the same soil, the Douglas fir, as
compared with the spruce, yields about twice the amount of
timber, with about three times the value. In reality the results
are even more favourable to the Douglas fir, for present
observation and experience show that its wood far surpasses
that of the spruce in quality, and consequently higher prices
are to be expected for it.
The results of the experiments on the cultivation of the
Douglas fir thus justify to their fullest extent the favourable
impressions which this ‘species has everywhere made (see
John Booth, Zhe Lntroduction of Exotic Species of Trees; and
the May number, rgo1, of the Zeitschrift fiir Forst-u. Jagdwesen),
and awake the wish that its cultivation should be extended over
a larger area than at present in the great forest regions.
THe Heap ForESTER OF TITZE-FRIEDRICHSRUH.
AFFORESTATION OF THE TALLA WATER-CATCHMENT AREA.
We are glad to learn that the Edinburgh and District Water
Trust are considering the afforestation of the Talla water-
catchment area. This work, if successfully carried out, would
tend to secure a regular supply of pure water for the use of
the city, and the forest would, no doubt, be made available
as a much-needed training ground in practical forestry.
Municipal forests, like State forests, are not exposed to all
the vicissitudes which are inherent in forests under private
ownership; and a well-managed municipal forest in the vicinity
of Edinburgh would greatly facilitate the training of students
of both the University and the College of Agriculture, while
it would, at the same time, afford a valuable example of
modern scientific forestry, which would be taken advantage
of by landowners and others interested in the important
question of profitable forestry. The forest would ultimately
yield a steady revenue to its owners. _ Hon. Ep.
'See also the Zeitschrift fiir Forst- u. Jagdwesen, 1905, p. 282, ‘‘ The
Rate of Growth and Timber of Pseudotsuga Douglasz? in Germany,” by
Professor Schwappach.
NOTES AND QUERIES. 107
THE MIDLAND REAFFORESTING ASSOCIATION.
From the Report for 1905, the third year of its work, this
Association would appear to be making substantial progress.
At the first annual meeting its membership was 94; now,
as the result of an “Appeal” issued in October last, over
the signature of the president, Sir Oliver Lodge, it stands at
260. Financially, too, good progress is being made, for it is
pointed out that whereas a year ago nearly all the members
paid the minimum subscription of five shillings, very many
now contribute a guinea or more. Current expenses are charged
against subscriptions, and donations go to form a permanent
fund from which advances may be made for planting, and to
which all such advances are to be repaid as each planting
contract is completed.
The Association was formed as the result of a public meeting
held in Birmingham on February 12, 1903, for the purpose of
promoting the reafforestation of waste land, including pit-tips
and spoil-banks, more particularly in that part of the Midlands
known as the Black Country. It seeks to attain its object by
convincing the public that its plans are feasible, and by making
“the knowledge gained from previous attempts, their successes
and their failures, the basis of a Great Public movement, which
shall restore to the district some of its ancient beauty, and render
back its waste places to the service of men”; and its views are
disseminated through the Press, and by means of pamphlets and
lectures. It is also prepared to give expert advice to those
intending to plant on their own account, and, where opportunity
offers, to form model or demonstration plantations. The estab-
lishment of Branches (three have now been formed) is also one
of the methods by which the Association prosecutes its work.
But the most important of the work undertaken by the
Association is the planting of waste land. It is estimated that
there are 30,000 acres of waste land in the Black Country, and
of this 14,000 are immediately available for planting purposes.
The Association contracts for the planting of this waste land at
the rate of £5 per acre, including both plants and labour;
in some cases it also fences the plots at a price agreed upon.
Progress is, of course, slow, but a considerable area has already
been planted, and a feature of interest in connection with this
work is that “during this past winter a considerable sum has
108 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
been paid, in well-earned wages for remunerative work, to casual
labourers who might otherwise have swelled the ranks of the
Unemployed.”
A good map, prepared by Mr P. E. Martineau, whose services
as Organising Secretary have been secured, accompanies the
Report, and from this an excellent idea of the very large propor-
tion of the surface of this part of the country which is covered
by these pit-mounds and spoil-banks may be obtained. Photo-
graphic illustrations are also given to show the transformation
which has been effected on some of the pit-mounds by planting,
and to prove that, though conifers and oaks do not take kindly
to the atmospheric conditions, willows (of which a large number
have been planted), birch, alder, and many other hardy kinds of
trees thrive quite well under the conditions prevailing in the
Black Country. An appeal for willow cuttings in September
last met with a cordial response, and His Majesty the King
has shown his interest in the Association’s work by a donation
of twenty thousand of these from Windsor Forest.
The Honorary Consulting Forester to the Association is
Professor W. R. Fisher, B.A., Oxford, and the Secretary is
Mr Hubert Stone, Bracebridge Street, Birmingham.
A. 2, dee
THE DENBIGHSHIRE SCHEME FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL STATION.
Under the title 4 Word on Forestry and the Denbighshire
Scheme for an Experimental Station, the leading features of the
above scheme have been set forth by Mr John Mahler, of Chirk,
in a small pamphlet, published in September 1905.1
After some references to the finding of the Departmental
Committee on Forestry (1902), relating among other things to
the suitability of the British climate for timber-growing, the
likelihood of a shortage in our timber imports in the near future,
the necessity for additional facilities for theoretical instruction
and practical demonstration in forestry, the demand for demon-
stration areas under State or corporate control, and the desir-
ability of illustrating collegiate instruction in forestry by means of
1 Oswestry : Woodall, Minshall, Thomas & Co., Caxton Press,
NOTES AND QUERIES, 109g
“example plots,’ Mr Mahler goes on to show how, under the
Denbighshire Scheme, corporate control by the county council
and scientific management under Mr Fraser Story, the lecturer
on forestry at Bangor, will be obtained in the working of their
forestry station, which will at the same time serve the purpose of
a demonstration area to the forestry students at the North Wales
University College and other teaching centres.
The plot of land selected for the experimental station is
situated at Pontfadog, near Chirk. It lies between the goo and
1200 feet contours, and it has an aspect extending from north to
south-east. According to Mr Fraser Story’s report, extracts
from which are given by Mr Mahler, the soil and situation are
“typical of a great deal of land in Wales which ought to be
afforested,” the area is well placed as regards roads, and there is
probably a considerable demand for pit-wood in the district.
As regards the nature of the experiments which might be
made, Mr Story mentions the following :—
1. The planting of indigenous and exotic species in such a
way as to test their comparative suitability for the ground,
and their rate of increment and timber value; and the
comparative advantages of pure and mixed plantations,
and of even and uneven aged woods.
2. The various methods of planting, such as “slit” or “notch”
planting, “vertical notch” planting, “ pitting” with the
spade and mattock, and so forth.
3. The various ages at which seedlings and transplants should
be planted out, and the best planting distances, taking
cost into account.
4. The investigation of different kinds of sylvicultural treat-
ment of timber crops, including various systems of
thinning and underplanting, and the comparison of dense
and “open” woods, etc.
The Denbighshire and University College authorities are to be
congratulated on the acquisition of this important adjunct to the
equipment of the lecturer on forestry, and it is hoped that this
laudable effort in the furtherance of the teaching of the subject
will be promptly followed in other parts of the country.
ADI:
IIO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Estate Forest MUSEUMS.
In an article which appeared recently in the Zvdian Forester,
the formation of local forest museums is strongly advocated, and
the writer of the following note trusts that the day is not far
distant when no considerable forest estate in this country will be
without its small museum, the contents of which have all been
obtained in the local woods.
The collection would include, among other objects, the
following, viz.:- Specimens of insects and fungi (each in its
various stages) which attack the forest crops—these being
required to facilitate the recognition and suppression of the
pests; Specimens of diseases and defects due to other causes ;
Examples of damage by fire, snow, hail, or other injurious
phenomena ; Specimens illustrating the quality of the timber of
various species produced on the estate; Articles manufactured
on the estate, including timber creosoted, or otherwise treated
with the object of increasing its durability. Specimens of the
buds, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits of forest trees (including
exotic species which may not yet have been established as such),
with a collection of dried seedlings in their successive stages of
development, would form a useful and interesting addition to the
above.
The Society’s Honorary Scientists would, the writer feels assured,
willingly identify objects submitted for their examination.
The accommodation necessary for such a museum would be
on a very modest scale; a small room in some out-building,
furnished with a deal table, a chair and a few shelves would
satisfy all requirements. And the equipment required would be
correspondingly limited—a few glass-stoppered bottles, some
methylated spirit, a collecting-box and one or two books of
reference would afford a good start, and the cost of these would
be trifling. Measures should of course be adopted to effectually
protect the building and its contents against risk of destruction
or injury by fire.
At first, no doubt, a good many objects would be brought in;
but later on, additions to the collection would obviously be made
more rarely, and the time occupied in forming the little museum
would not be found to interfere with the ordinary duties of the
forester.
On the other hand, the following, among other important
NOTES AND QUERIES, III
advantages, would accrue from the establishment of the suggested
museum :—-
1. Improved efficiency of the staff—(a) By increased ability to
recognise forest pests in all their stages of development.
(This they are not now in all cases able to do—not
through any fault of their own, but by reason of the
absence of means of acquiring the necessary knowledge.)
(4) By development of their powers and habits of
observation. (c) By increase of interest and pleasure in
their work generally; and by new attractions found
within the woods, with the consequent inducement to
spend more time in them. The small cost of the
museum would be covered many times over by the
increased efficiency thus promoted.
2. A further advantage lies in the collection, at numerous
points throughout the country, of objects relating to
forestry, and regarding which information can readily
be communicated to others through the Society’s Trams-
actions, and can thus be made a source of mutual benefit to
all engaged in the industry of timber-growing.
A commencement in the direction above suggested has already
been made on a few estates. These need development; but the
good example thus set should now be followed by all who desire
to practise forestry as a profitable industry. BS Be
IrisH FORESTRY STATION.
The family seat of the late Mr Parnell at Rathdrum, purchased
by the Department of Agriculture recently, is now being used
as a training ground for foresters. At the present time there
are thirteen students, most of whom have previously been
engaged in forest work or gardening. Special lectures are
given them in one of the rooms of Mr Parnell’s house, principally
in the evenings and at odd times. During the remainder of
the day they are engaged in cutting down timber, dressing it,
or planting, according to the season of the year. Besides
their instruction, these men receive a wage of 16s. per week
during the first year, 18s. during the second, and 2os. during
the third year.— Zhe Timber Trades Journal.
112 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ForRESTRY INSTRUCTION AT ARMSTRONG COLLEGE.!
An important advance in the development of the forestry
branch of Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne, has been
effected by an agreement between H.M. Office of Woods and
the College authorities, under which the latter take over the local
management of Chopwell Woods, in the county of Durham.
These woods, which are within a few miles of the College, extend
over an area of nearly goo acres, and carry crops of larch, spruce,
Scots pine, oak, ash, and other trees, most of which were
planted about fifty years ago. The woods will be gradually
brought under a proper rotation of cropping by the clearing and
replanting of the more mature portions from time to time, and the
carrying out of this work will afford favourable opportunities for
demonstrating the various operations relating to practical forestry.
Mr J. F. F. Horner, H.M. Commissioner of Woods, has
obtained the consent of the Treasury to a house being provided
in the woods as a residence for the College lecturer in forestry,
Mr A. C. Forbes, and to continue to pay as heretofore the
ordinary working expenses of the woods. The arrangement will
facilitate the holding of short courses for practical foresters and
others desirous of acquiring a knowledge of the subject, while as
a practical demonstration area for the students attending the
College forestry class the woods will be invaluable, and should
render Newcastle an excellent centre for forestry instruction.
[Scotland is still without a Demonstration Forest, or even a
Forest Garden.—Hon. Eb. |
DEAN FoREST SCHOOL OF FORESTRY.
The Department of Woods and Forests has intimated that
a fourth class, for students between the ages of sixteen and
twenty-three, is to be started early in November. Instruction
is given free, and extends over two years. Wages are at the
rate of from 8s. to ros. per week, on the principle of no work
no pay, but students would require from 5s. to 7s. in addition
from private sources. Further particulars upon application to
the Secretary of this Society; or to the Office of Woods,
1 Whitehall Place, London, S.W.
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for June 1906,
by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
NOTES AND QUERIES. II3
APPOINTMENTS BY THE GENERAL Post OFFICE.
The General Post Office has created four new posts of
“Assistant Pole Inspector” in connection with the supply of
telegraph poles for use by the Department. Candidates must
be between the ages of twenty and twenty-five years. Salary
commences at £ 100, and rises by annual increments of £6 to
#140. Assistant Pole Inspectors may be selected for promotion
to the class of Pole Inspector, on £150, rising by annual
increments of #10 to #220. Further information may be
obtained on application to the Secretary of this Society.
Hon. Ep.
DEMONSTRATION FOREST FOR SCOTLAND.
On the 2oth June, in the House of Commons, Mr Herbert
Roberts asked the following question:—What steps have been
taken to carry into effect the recommendation of the Departmental
Committee of 1902 on British forestry; and whether any
communication has been addressed to corporations and
municipalities relative to the Committee’s recommendation as
to the desirability of planting with trees the catchment-areas of
their water supply?
Replying on behalf of the President of the Board
of Agriculture, Sir E. Strachey said:—1. The Departmental
Committee recommended that the Alice Holt Woods, in Hamp-
shire, should be made available as soon as possible to serve as a
demonstration area in England. This has been done. A full
report as to the past history, present position, and future manage-
ment of these woods has been prepared by Dr Schlich at the
request of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and the
recommendations made therein are being systematically carried
out. A certain amount of experimental planting has already
taken place. Copies of Dr Schlich’s report, illustrated by plans,
can be had on application to the Commissioners. J¢ was also
recommended that a suttable estate should be purchased tn Scotland
to serve as another demonstration area. Several properties have been
brought to the notice of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, but,
VOL. XX. PART I. H
II4 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
for various reasons, they did not appear suitable for the purpose.
Two additional properties are now under consideration, and as soon
as a suitable estate has been found the Treasury will be approached
with a view to purchase. 2. The recommendation of the
Departmental Committee that lecturers should be appointed at
Oxford and Cambridge has to some extent been met by the
augmentation of the salary of the Sibthorpian Professor of Rural
Economy at Oxford, who is now Professor of Forestry Botany.
It is understood that an estate will be placed at his disposal for
demonstration purposes. 3. A sum of £500 a year, which was
placed by the Treasury at the disposal of the Board for the
establishment of lectureships in forestry, has been allocated to the
University College of North Wales at Bangor and the Armstrong
College at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The results have been most
encouraging. A considerable number of students have been
found desirous of taking a full collegiate course of study, good
classes of practical foresters and others have been conducted at
selected local centres, while there has been a constant demand
on the part of landowners for expert advice from the lecturer.
4. A school for working woodmen has been established by the
Commissioners of Woods and Forests in the Forest of Dean, and
is now in the third year of its existence. From eighteen to
twenty youths are receiving instruction. 5. Legislation would
be necessary to remove the inequality in the levy of the estate
duty on timber, and it has not been possible hitherto to take any
steps in this direction. The matter has, however, not been lost
sight of. 6. “The Railway Fires Act, 1905,” which comes into
force on January 1, 1908, will give some protection to owners of
woods against loss by fire caused by sparks from locomotives.
7. Special inquiries were made in 1905, with a view of ascertain-
ing the extent of land now occupied by woods in Great Britain,
and the results have been published in the Agricultural Returns
for that year. The three categories suggested by the Depart-
mental Committee were adopted. 8. With the object of ascertain-
ing the districts in which local authorities have developed the
catchment-area of their water supplies by afforestation, the Board
communicated with the Local Government Boards for England
and Scotland, who sent out a circular letter to all local authorities
asking for a return. The results were tabulated and published in
the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for November 1904. A
leaflet on the “Relation of Woods to Domestic Water Supply” was
NOTES AND QUERIES, 115
published in January rg04, and a large number of copies have
been issued. The Board are keeping the various recommenda-
tions of the Departmental Committee steadily in view, and they
hope to be able from time to time to proceed further in the
directions indicated in their Report.
|The above ministerial statement is very welcome, especially
that part of it which relates to Scotland, and which is here
printed in italics.—Hown. Ep. |
RESEARCH AT THE INDIAN FoREST SCHOOL.
The following Resolution has recently been published by the
Government of India :—
“The Government of India have had under consideration
the desirability of making better provision for scientific research
in connection with Indian forests. They cordially acknowledge
that the work of the Forest Department has been characterised
by marked and progressive development, which has resulted
in an improved condition of the standing timber, and in a
satisfactory increase in the net revenue derived by the State
from its forests, while due regard has been paid to the interest
and needs of the population residing in their neighbourhood,
and to the requirements of the future. The energies of the
Department have, however, hitherto been largely confined to the
practical management of the forests under its charge, and
comparatively little attention has been directed to the work of
research, which has been pursued with such beneficial results in
other countries. In order, therefore, to provide a staff of experts
who will be in a position to devote a large proportion of their
time to the prosecution of scientific research connected with
forest produce, as well as to give the best available training to
candidates for the forest services, both of British India and of
Native States, they have, with the sanction of the Secretary of
State, decided to raise the status of the existing Imperial Forest
School at Dehra Dun, and to add to its staff. The school will
now be known as the Imperial Forest Research Institute and
College, and the staff will include six officers of the Imperial
Service holding the following posts :—
*(z) An Imperial Sylviculturist, who will make sylviculture his
116 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
special study. (2) An Imperial Superintendent of Forest Working
Plans, who will collect and collate statistics of the results of
forest management throughout India, which are provided by the
control forms annually submitted to the Government of India, so
that the valuable information required in the different provinces
will be made available to the whole Department. In addition to
this he will assist the Inspector-General of Forests in the control
at present exercised by the Government of India in the prepara-
tion of working plans, performing in this matter the functions at
present exercised by the Assistant Inspector-General of Forests.
In order to render this assistance more effective, and to remove a
serious defect in the present system, he will visit the forests in
which working plans are being prepared, and will record a note
upon the local conditions of the forest for the information
of the Inspector-General of Forests. A copy of this note will
also be sent through the Conservator to the local Government for
information and for any action that they may care to take upon
it. (3) An Imperial Forest Zoologist, whose chief duty will be
to investigate the damage caused by insects and other pests, and
to suggest remedial measures. (4) An Imperial Forest Botanist,
who will study the botany of forest plants, diseases of trees,
and distribution of species. (5) An Imperial Forest Chemist,
who will investigate the chemical properties of soils and of the
produce of the forests. (6) An Imperial Forest Economist, who
will make a special study of the best methods of rendering forest
produce of all kinds available at the smallest cost to consumers,
and who will keep in touch with the commerce of India with a
view of fostering and meeting the demand for forest products.
These officers, in addition to their research work, will each
deliver a course of lectures on his special subject at the College,
and take part in the training of students, but the educational
work will be mainly carried on by Assistant Instructors, who,
besides their duties in the class room, will be in personal
charge of the students out of lecture hours and during their
practical training in the forests. They will be four in number,
and will usually be selected from the Provincial Forest
Service. One of the Imperial officers, who will ordinarily be a
Conservator of Forests, will, in addition to his other duties, hold
the post of Principal. The members of the Staff, who will be
seconded on their respective lists, will draw the pay, substantive
or Officiating, to which they are entitled on those lists, together
NOTES AND QUERIES. 117
with the following local allowances: Principal, Rs. 200 per
mensem ; other Imperial Officers, Rs. 150 per mensem; Assistant
Instructors, Rs. 75 per mensem.”
[The above Resolution will be hailed with satisfaction, as
providing the means of placing Indian Forest Management on a
sound and rational footing, based on local investigation. We
trust that before long the Home Government will confer a
similar benefit on our own Forest Industry.— How. Ep. ]
LarcH DIsEAsE ON Pinus Laricio AND Pinus sylvestris.
In 1883 I planted up an opening 400 or 500 yards long
and about 20 yards wide through a wood about fifty years
old. The glade had been left for landscape effect; but, as it
gave upon the open sea, the gales of 1881-82 had wrought great
mischief upon the garden at the north end of it, so I determined
to plant it up. The soil, I believe, had never been cultivated,
at all events not during the previous eighty years. The trees
planted were larch, Scots and Corsican pines, and beech, with a
few Pinus insignis and Cupressus macrocarpa next the garden end.
All grew rapidly, but the larch became so badly affected with
Perisporidium that they were all cut out in rg00. During the
present season I detected the larch disease on two of the
Corsican pines (one of these trees was in a suppressed condition).
I sent a section of the stem to Kew, where the fungus was
verified. JI may mention, in passing, that the Pinus znsignis has
far outstripped all the other trees in this plot, one of them
having attained the height of 62 feet in twenty-two years.
In another plantation of twenty years’ growth, where some oj
the larch have been affected, I have found a Scots pine bearing
the disease. This is the first instance recorded, so far as I know,
of the growth of that fungus upon this species of pine.!
Thuja gigantea.— Anybody who has visited Mr Younger’s fine
woodland at Benmore, in Argyleshire, will be inclined to ratify the
forecast made to me more than thirty years ago by Mr Peter
Lawson, taat Thuja gigantea (Lobbit, as it was then called) was
to be the tree of the future in British woodlands. At Benmore
may be seen about 2000 acres, planted from twenty-eight to
1 The disease has been previously observed on Scots pine.
118 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
thirty-five years ago almost exclusively with Douglas fir and
Thuja, which have grown since under forest conditions, and
rival each other in height and girth. Nevertheless, some care
should be exercised in planting the Zhuja, for it is liable to
injury from frost when in a young state, especially on low ground.
My own experience with it may be of service to others.
In the spring of 1901 I sowed fifteen shillings’ worth of seed
of Thuja gigantea obtained from Johannes Rafn of Copenhagen,
which produced between 50,000 and 60,000 plants. After once
transplanting, these were fit to put out in the spring of 1904,
being then 12 to 15 inches high. They were planted in various
places, among other, 7 acres of flat ground, whence a crop of
spruce had been removed, were planted solid with them. They
grew at a great pace during the summer, but in the spring of
Ig05 came a severe late frost, which killed half of them outright,
and sorely crippled the rest. Along the south side of this plot is
a wood about fifty years old on rising ground, screening a strip
of land from the southern sun. In this strip the ZZuzas hardly
suffered at all; here, and elsewhere, the shelter of older trees
saved them, and they are now 3, 4, and even 6 feet high.
The lesson from this is the same which Mr Munro Ferguson has
exemplified at Novar, namely, that this valuable tree should be
used for underplanting older wood.
Is Rhododendron barbatum INSECTIVOROUS ?
The buds of Rhododendron barbatum, like those of the horse-
chestnut, are covered during summer and autumn with an
exceedingly clammy, green varnish, which hardens in winter
into a brown coat. Innumerable flies, attracted by the glistening
buds, settle upon them, and pay the penalty of death. The
characteristic bristles on the petioles of the leaves, whence the
plant takes its specific name, assist in the entanglement of the
larger-winged insects which otherwise might be strong enough
to escape. Is this indiscriminate slaughter without purpose, or
does the plant derive nutriment from its mixed bag of victims ?
Why is this splendid rhododendron so seldom grown? It is
as hardy as &. ponticum, though its blossoms, of matchless
scarlet, are apt to be destroyed by the frosts of March. This
danger may be mitigated if the plant is grown in the partial
shade of an open wood. HERBERT MAXWELL.
MONREITH, October 1906.
NOTES AND QUERIES. II9
COMBATING COCKCHAFER ATTACK IN THE NURSERY.
The following method I have found very effective in checking
the spread of this pest in our nursery here.
Whether the attack be in the seed-beds or in the transplant
lines, I dig a trench, from 6 inches to 1 foot wide, and about 18
inches deep, round the affected area, and this I either fill with
a mixture of soot and kainit (a larger proportion of the former
being used), and a little soil, or I leave it open and place
about an inch of soot in the bottom. In the former case the
grubs are unable to pass through the soot and kainit mixture ;
in the latter they fall into the ditch, and being unable to extricate
themselves from the soot, can be collected by hand, which
should be done every morning. As soon as I can get the
nursery crop removed, I, if possible, sow the infested ground
with a green crop, such as turnips or peas (the latter I dig
down when in flower for manure), or plant it with potatoes,
using a heavy dressing of soot and kainit. This mixture seems
to destroy the grubs, as I have rarely seen any after it was
applied, and by adopting this procedure I am able to have
the ground again ready for seed-beds or seedlings in the
autumn.
Wm. MACKENZIE,
Forester, Novar.
SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTION OF SQUIRRELS.
The immense damage done by squirrels to Scots pine woods
in the north of Scotland induced the owners of such woods, some
four years ago, to consider how best they could get rid of
these destructive animals. When it is kept in view that the
value of Scots pine timber is probably as much reduced by
squirrel damage as the cost of planting is increased through
damage by rabbits, it will be seen how necessary it is to put a
stop to the havoc wrought by the squirrel.
Immunity from squirrel damage is impossible on any one
estate unless practically all the woodland owners in the district
I20 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
unite upon an effective plan of concerted action. On most estates
efforts are made to keep down squirrels. Sometimes as much as
4d. a tail is paid for them, but in no case is immunity secured.
The keeping down of squirrels by gamekeepers depends more
upon the keeper than upon the reward, as it is frequently
observed that squirrels will abound in woods patrolled by
keepers, excepting perhaps where there is one keeper who
takes an exceptional interest in the work, or where there is
one who has a trained squirrel dog. Dogs are necessary if
squirrels are to be put down, and the best dog is one trained
to hunt squirrels only. The need for concerted action arises
from the fact that one wood occupied by squirrels will infest
a whole country-side. These facts were accepted as a basis
for action by the larger number of woodland owners in Ross-
shire, and in the late summer of 1g02 a meeting of the
principal proprietors there was held and a Squirrel Club formed.
The object of the Club was to protect woods from the ravages
of squirrels, the inadequacy of individual effort to cope with
the extraordinary damage caused by them being the reason
for its formation. The Club was originally confined to owners
of woodlands in Ross and Cromarty, but now its operations
extend also to the portion of Inverness-shire north of the Cale-
donian Canal. The rules adopted by the Club were that during
the months of October and November the woodlands of the
members of the Club were to be examined by its inspector,
who was to report to the secretary, through whom all corre-
spondence would pass. Copies of the inspector’s report would be
furnished to members. A list of Club squirrel-killers who would
be open for engagement in the months of November and May
was to be kept by the secretary. Killers of reliable character
were to receive a sum of £3 per annum for the keep of a
trained squirrel dog, and 21s. per week when engaged by
the Club or its members, half of this wage being payable
by the Club, and half by the member whose woods were
reported by the inspector to contain an excessive number of
squirrels.
The subscription for the first year was fixed at £1, with an
additional further subscription of one penny per acre for each
acre over 200. The result of the first year’s working was
presented in February 1904, when the subscription was reduced
by one-half, members whose woods did not exceed 200 acres
NOTES AND QUERIES. I2I
subscribing 1os. per annum, and those whose woods exceeded
200 acres subscribing at the rate of one halfpenny per acre for
every acre above 200. In the first year the woodland area
covered by the Club’s operations was 38,292 acres, the sub-
cription amounting to £167, 19s. 5d. The number of squirrels
killed was 4727, and the bonuses paid upon squirrels’ tails was
477, 6s. 8d. In the next year (1904) the area of the Club’s
operations was increased by 600 acres, the subscription was
485, 6s. 5d., the number of squirrels killed was 3988, and
the bonuses paid amounted to £66, gs. 4d. Last year the
Club’s operations extended over 46,985 acres, including a
portion of Inverness-shire; the subscription was again reduced,
the amount collected was £51, 14s. 3d., the number of
squirrels killed was 3431, and the bonuses paid amounted to
4,56, 18s. 4d.
Continuous systematic effort has apparently had the effect
of reducing the number of squirrels within the area of the
Club’s operations, and practically all the woods in the district
have been patrolled. The foci where trouble might be looked
for have been controlled, and the numbers have been kept
down. One or two instances, selected from estates working
under the Club’s arrangements, may be given as fair instances
of the effect of the work. On one estate containing 4000 acres
of woods, the numbers for the last three years were 178, 134,
107; On another estate of 4000 acres, the numbers for the
same period were 515, 375, 144; On another of 1220 they
were 272, 87, 183; on another of tooo they were 57, 66,
46; on another of 400 they were 120, 186, 71; on another
of 2000 they were 231, 259, 188; on another of 3370 they
were 152, 92, 98; and on another of 6920 they were 1208,
1309, 671.
If the country were divided into districts, and combined
action, similar to what has been taken in Ross-shire, adopted
in each, the prospects of the destruction of squirrels would be
greatly improved, and an addition would be made to the value
“of Scots pine woods throughout the country—a thing to be
hoped for, but hardly likely to be realised under present con-
ditions.
A. FRASER,
Inverness.
I22 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
SPREAD OF FuNGUS DISEASES BY MEANS OF HYBERNATING
MYcELIUM.
The Journal of the Board of Agriculture for August 1906
contains an article entitled “The Spread of Fungus Diseases by
means of Hybernating Mycelium.” The gist of the article is
that certain diseases may be communicated from the parent
plant to the seedling through hybernating mycelium, which takes
up its abode in the seed. Attention is also called to the fact
that disease may be spread in vegetative propagation, such as
by tubers and bulbs. The main interest in the article lies in the
fact that, in certain plants, disease has been found to pass from
one generation to another by infected seed, and entirely without
the intervention of spores. The phenomenon appears as yet to
have been observed only in the case of grasses, but whether or
not this method of disease propagation holds good among trees
is a matter for future investigation. A. We lee
‘¢ SLIME-FLUX” ON BEECH TREES.1
The disease known as “Slime-flux” is due to the activity of
certain very minute yeast-like organisms, which set up fermenta-
tion and subsequent dissolution of the elements of the wood and
bark. This results in the formation of weeping wounds. If
such wounded parts are removed at an early stage, the cavity
treated with a fungicide, and afterwards carefully closed, but
little injury follows. On the other hand, if the disease is allowed
to run its course, the wood becomes sodden with water, and the
tree eventually dies.
BOTANICAL SURVEY OF SCOTLAND.
The Scottish Geographical Magazine for May 1906 contains
an article by M. Hardie, D.Sc., entitled “ Botanical Survey of
Scotland.” The scientific and practical importance of such a
Survey is first emphasised by the author, who then proceeds
to outline the plan he has adopted to lay the foundations upon
which a future detailed Botanical Survey may be built up.
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for June 1906,
by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
NOTES AND QUERIES. 123
He divides the North of Scotland into ten phyto-geographical
districts, which are indicated on a map accompanying the
article. The various topographical features of these districts
are described, together with the characteristic flora of each.
The whole question is of the greatest interest from a botanical
point of view, but incidentally the author makes reference to
matters which are also of interest to the forester.
Naturally, the character of the forest flora will vary in the
different districts according to the factors of the locality. We
take the following - quotation from page 233:—‘‘A more
abundant rainfall on the Atlantic section has so far accelerated
the modelling of the West Highlands as to reduce the original
upheaved peneplain to narrow ridges and peaks, while the
Grampians are left at the stage of large blocks, with but a
rude carving as yet. The same agency is responsible for a
well-marked and well-known difference in the vegetation. A
constantly moist, mild, and cloudy atmosphere, with a fairly
regular distribution of rainfall all the year round, and an
abundant supply of ground water, form ideal conditions for the
development of pasture. Indeed, in the west we have to deal
with an essentially pastoral landscape. According to local
circumstances of gradient and drainage, of nature of soil and
subsoil, of altitude and exposure, the numerous modalities of a
complete series of pastures are displayed before us. They
range from peat-bogs and wet moors, on bottom and terrace
lands, to the dry grass moors and the alpine deserts on the
steeper and upper slopes and summits. The whole of this
section is, to a surprising degree, bare of forests, not from any
natural cause, but through the agency of man. ‘That this work
of destruction has been made easier by the fact that in the
sub-alpine zone a species of forest tree, thoroughly adapted
to the climate, was lacking, is, however, very likely. For the
excess of rainfall and wind is not favourable to the Scots pine,
the only native timber of importance for this zone, or to the
larch, which has much the same ecologic requirements. Norway
spruce, silver fir, and the Douglas. fir would, under proper
management, be best suited to these western hills. In the
lower parts, mixed deciduous forests are quite at home, although
there remain but insignificant vestiges of their former splendour.
Cereal cultivation is similarly discouraged by the excessive
rainfall, and finds but little available ground along the raised
I24 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
beaches and on bottom lands. Thus, setting apart the question
of forests, the West Highlands are fit for little else than pastoral
industry.”
In contradistinction to the Western Highlands, the author
points out that on the east the drier and clearer atmosphere
and the more extreme climate give rise to quite a different
vegetation. He says of the Eastern Highlands :—“ Their
vegetation is essentially one of heather and dry grass moors
on the slopes, with extensive peat caps on the plateaux and
terraces under 2500 feet, and alpine deserts on the broad higher
summits. Here, indeed, are found ideal conditions for Scots
pine and larch in the sub-alpine zone, and for mixed oak forests
up to goo feet. After the wholesale disforestation, heather
and peat soon got the better of the intended pasture, and ever
since ling-burning has extended their power and limits.”
Speaking of the North-west Highlands, Dr Hardie mentions
that the West Sutherland district, running S.S.W. to Ben More,
Assynt, has a high rainfall, but that the strength of the north
and west gales would probably prevent the existence of forests.
In summarising results on page 237, he points out that
“the upper forest limit is determined entirely by wind. It is
higher in the east than in the west, at the eastern than at the
western exposure, in the south than in the north. Fairly
constant at an altitude of from 1800 to 1g00 feet in the middle
Highlands, it rapidly goes down to from 1400 to 1500 feet on
the scattered and exposed mountains of Sutherland, eventually
reaching a much lower level on the western slopes of the extreme
north-west, which increases in width from south to north and
from east to west. It is followed upwards by a pseudo-alpine
belt of a few hundred feet in height. Whether this zone could
not be partially reclaimed in course of time by modern scientific
forestry is yet an open question.”
To conclude, on page 238 a fact well known to foresters
is mentioned, namely, that “‘bad management of a pine forest
may result in a more or less permanent deterioration of the
soil, and the substitution of heather or other waste moors for
pine.” Farther on the author says, ‘‘ We may well question, for
instance, whether, by reason of too early a separation of Scotland
from Scandinavia, the sub-alpine zone of the Western Highlands
has had the advantage of ecologically quite suitable forest-trees
and associates, like the Norway spruce; or, again, whether there
NOTES AND QUERIES, 125
was not room in the lowlands for the beech and associates whose
migration from the south may have been stopped by natural
barriers. These points, however, important though they may be
in practical forestry, will not, in any way, affect the general value
of a map of the natural primitive or potential vegetation.”
The article is worth the consideration of those who wish to
pursue this subject further. A. W..B.
HIsTorRY OF THE ScoTTisH PEatT Mosszs.
The same magazine contains an extremely well-considered and
written paper by Mr Francis J. Lewis, F.L.S., on “The History
of the Scottish Peat Mosses, and their Relation to the Glacial
Period.” Very little attention has hitherto in this country been
paid to this important subject, although there lies buried in these
peat-bogs a vast store of material which, if only brought to light
and studied in the proper way, as Mr Lewis has done, will yield
a vast store of information of first-rate importance.
In the present paper the author gives a general account of an
investigation in which he has been engaged, on the peat deposits
in the Scottish southern uplands. Among the numerous new
facts ascertained, there are many which are of special interest
to foresters, since the history and vicissitudes of the forests
which have from time to time occupied the ground are very
clearly shown from the records in the peat. To begin with,
the author mentions that the peat deposits reach their
greatest development in high-lying situations, and that at
the present day, on account of insufficient moisture favour-
able to peat growth, the hill-top, hillside, and upland valley
peat is generally in a state of rapid denudation, and, indeed, has
already been completely removed from large areas by incessant
rain-washing. In such deposits, which are channelled and
furrowed often to a depth of 12 or 15 feet, certain well-defined
layers containing tree roots and stems are seen, which indicate
the existence of a former forest. To quote the author’s own
words—‘“ Sometimes one, more frequently two, and occasionally
three such forest layers can be recognised, separated by thick
beds of peat, quite free from any traces of trees. These forest-
remains are frequently present in the peat in districts where no
126 ‘TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
trees will grow at the present day: to take but two instances,
forest-remains are abundant in the peat of the now almost treeless
Outer Hebrides, and on the summits of the Grampians, at more
than 3000 feet above sea-level. The great thickness of many of
our peat deposits (sometimes reaching 30 to 50 feet), the known
slow rate of growth of peat, and the frequent presence of two
forest zones, is evidence that the conditions have changed con-
siderably since the mosses began to form, and a closer examina-
tion has shown that large areas of peat in Britain date back to
the later phases of the Glacial period.”
Mr Lewis shows, in the course of his paper, that in the upper
forest zone, which may be traced in many districts in the north
and south of Scotland, Pinus sylvestris was the dominant tree,
particularly in the Highlands, while in Tweedsmuir and other
parts of the southern uplands the prevailing species was birch.
On page 249 he states that at one period occurred a wide-
spread growth of Pinus sylvestris, of very large size, between
2000 and 3000 feet, in the Highlands. This was followed by a
relapse to wet, moorland conditions, which prevail to the present
day. Accompanying the article are a very interesting series of
illustrative photographs, also a diagram showing the succession
of plant-remains in various peat deposits. A,’ Wags
REMARKABLE CONIFERS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
There are no doubt many very large and remarkable
specimens of conifers throughout Great Britain and Ireland,
which were not reported to the Conifer Conference of 1891,
or to the Board of Agriculture when its list was prepared in
1903. As a contribution towards collecting interesting details
of this kind, I may instance the fine Adzes grandis at Madresfield
Court, Malvern, Worcestershire, the seat of Earl Beauchamp.
Measured on 7th September 1906, it had a height of 114 feet
and a girth of 8 ft. 4 ins. at breast-height. It is probably
one of the tallest trees in the United Kingdom.
At the same place there is also a very fine avenue of Adzes
nobilts var. glauca, now about sixty years old, but, unfortunately,
badly attacked by Chermes on the twigs. J. Bi
NOTES AND QUERIES. 127
THE VALUE OF WILLOW TIMBER.
In the columns of the timber trade journals particulars have
been given of some extraordinarily high prices which have
recently been obtained for willow timber suitable for cricket bat-
making. As is well known, there is no other wood which, for
lightness, toughness, and resilience, can approach willow for this
purpose; and for the best bats the white, or Huntingdon, willow
(Salix alba) is that which is most prized, the timber of the crack
and Bedford willows (S. fragilis and S. Russelliana) being what
is principally used for inferior bats. These prices ranged from
5s. to ros. 6d. per cubic foot, and in one instance, on the pro-
perty of Sir Walter Gilbey, at Bishop Stortford, 11s. 6d. was
obtained, a figure which eclipses many of those given for fancy
foreign hardwoods, and which is at least double what is generally
obtained for the most valuable of our British hardwoods, except-
ing perhaps an occasional large walnut. But to fetch prices like
these, the timber must be clean and fast-grown, and it must not
be more than about thirty years old. Slow-grown timber, rough
timber such as is grown in hedge-rows, or that of old pollarded
or defective trees, is quite useless for the purpose, the
fibre of the wood being much too hard and brittle. The best
timber for the purpose, too, can be grown on land which is, as a
rule, of little value agriculturally,—that is, land which is too
moist for grain and root crops, and which it might be difficult to
drain sufficiently in order to make it pay under these, and which
otherwise might be mere waste. Ase ie
A New TIMBER.
To the long list of timbers which we import, yet another has
to be added. This is camphor-wood (Ciznamomum Camphora,
Nees), which is now, for the first time, being brought in quantity
from Formosa. On account of its excellent sanitary properties,
the wood is said to be especially valuable for constructive work,
such as flooring, wainscoting, and so forth, in hospitals, etc.
As DMRS
128 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
CREOSOTED TIMBER.
In a paper on ‘Timber as Used in Engineering Structures,”
which was read before the Newcastle-on-Tyne Association of
Students of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Mr J. R. Baterden,
Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., states that creosoted timber withstands the
teredo and other sea-worms indefinitely, where even greenheart
has failed. He is only able to quote one instance of a creosoted
pile being attacked, and in this case workmen had cut through
the creosoted shell, and thus given the worm access to the
interior. Even here, however, the damage done was confined
to the unprotected heart. In the Gulf of Mexico, he states,
creosoted timber is untouched after sixteen years, whilst the
same class of timber used untreated is, in similar conditions,
useless at the end of two years. He quotes Mr Preece as
stating that in telegraph work he had never in the course of
thirty years’ experience seen a properly creosoted pole show
the slightest sign of decay. The Burnettised poles fixed in 1844
on the London and Southampton and Gosport line, he alleged,
had all failed within twenty-seven years; whilst a line of
creosoted poles erected between Fareham and Portsmouth in
1848 were as sound when taken up in 1883 as when first put
down. The objections to creosoting, he says, are two in
number—viz., the liability to fire, and the dirt inseparable from
the process.— The Timber Trades Journal.
Woop PRESERVATION BY ELECTROLYSIS.
A new method of applying a preservative to railway ties and
timber is described in L’/udustrie Electrique of Paris. The
process consists of the artificial metallisation of the pores of the
wood, the metal being deposited electrolytically. In brief, the
method requires first the application of a solution of some salt—
sulphate of copper, for example—by placing the wood immersed
in the solution in a closed chamber and subjecting it to pressure.
The wood is thus thoroughly impregnated with the solution. It
is then taken out and piled up in layers in a concrete reservoir.
The first layer of timber is immersed in the same copper sulphate
solution, and also rests on a layer of jute or other fibrous material,
NOTES AND QUERIES. 129
which is supported by an electrode made of woven strands of
copper. Similar electrodes are placed between each layer of
timbers as they are piled up to the desired height. Alternate
electrodes are then connected to the opposite poles of an alter-
nating current supply, and the current is allowed to pass. The
action is said to decompose the solution and set free metallic
copper in the pores of the wood. Besides the preservative action
in thus closing the pores, it is said that a certain amount of
copper sulphate is permanently retained in the pores, giving an
additional preservative effect.—TZhe Timber News and Sawmill
LEingineer.
A “Bic TREE’s” CENTURIES OF LIFE.
The following is from a paper sent by Mr Fred Sweetland,
Arizona, September 1906.
A remarkable recuperative power following an injury was
found after examination of the Sequoias of the Converse Basin.
The effects of certain tremendous forest fires occurring centuries
ago are registered in the trunks of these trees, and the record
is completely concealed by subsequent healthy growth. Among
a number of similar cases, the most instructive record of these
ancient forest fires was observed in a tree of moderate size
—about 15 feet in diameter, measured at 5 feet from the
ground. It was 270 feet in height, and 2171 years old. The
tree when felled had an enormous surface burn on one side,
30 feet in height, and occupying 18 feet of its circumference;
this was found to have been due to a fire occurring a.D. 1797.
The tree, when cut in r1goo, had already occupied itself for
103 years in its efforts to repair this injury, its method being
ingrowth of new tissue from the margin of the great black
wound. When the tree was cut the records of four fires were
revealed. The history of the tree was as follows :—
In 271 B.c. it began its existence. In the first year of the
Christian era it was about 4 feet in diameter above the base.
In 245 A.D., at 516 years of age, occurred a burning on
the trunk 3 feet wide. One hundred and five years were
occupied in covering this wound with new tissue. For 1196
years no further injuries were registered.
VOL. XX. PART I. I
I30 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In 1441 A.D., at 1712 years of age, the tree was burned a
second time in two long grooves, 1 and 2 feet wide respectively.
Each had its own system of repair. One hundred and thirty-
nine years of growth followed, including the time occupied
by covering the wounds.
In 1580 A.D., at 1851 years of age, occurred another fire,
causing a burn on the trunk 2 feet wide, which took fifty-six
years to cover with new tissue. Two hundred and seventeen
years of growth followed this burn.
In 1797 A.D., when the tree was 2068 years old, a tremendous
fire attacked it, burning the great scar 18 feet wide. One
hundred and three years, between 1797 and 1goo, had enabled
the tree to reduce the exposed area of the burn to about 14 feet
in width.
It is to be noted that in each of the three older burns there
was a thin cavity occupied by the charcoal of the burned
surface, but the wounds were finally fully covered and the
new tissue overlaying them was full.
W. B. HAVELOCK,
Brocklesby Park, Lincs.
FORESTS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
A report just issued by the Premier of Western Australia
states that the total wooded area of the colony is estimated
at 98,000,000 acres, and the extent of merchantable timber
has been reckoned to be, approximataly, as follows :—Jarrah
mainly (with blackbutt and red gum interspersed), 8,000,000
acres; Karri, 1,200,000 acres; Tuart, 200,000 acres; Wandoo
(white gum) and allied timbers, 7,000,000 acres; York gum,
yate, sandal-wood, and jam-wood, 4,000,000 acres—total,
20,400,000 acres. This represents a forest area of merchant-
able timber four times greater than the whole area of Wales.
The total value of timber exported from Western Australia
for the ten years ended 1904 was £4,800,000.—The Timber
News and Sawmill Engineer.
FORESTRY APPOINTMENTS, 131
FORESTRY APPOINTMENTS:
PROFESSOR SOMERVILLE.
The most important appointment of the year is that of
Dr Somerville, one of the Assistant Secretaries to the Board of
Agriculture, to the Sibthorpian Chair of Rural Economy in the
University of Oxford. Professor Somerville commenced his
career as an agriculturist, and he enjoys the distinction of being
the first student to obtain the then recently instituted degree of
B.Sc. in agriculture at the University of Edinburgh. Next
turning his attention to forestry, he repaired to the famous Forest
School of Munich, where he graduated D.CEc., and on his return
to Scotland he started a course of lectures on forestry in the
University of Edinburgh. Soon thereafter he was appointed
Professor of Agriculture and Forestry in the Durham College
of Science at Newcastle-on-Tyne; subsequently he was trans-
ferred to the Chair of Agriculture in Cambridge University ;
next he went to the Board of Agriculture as one of its Assistant
Secretaries ; and now he has been selected to fill the important
post above alluded to. All members of the Society who know
Professor Somerville and the good work he has done for forestry
will wish him every success in his new post.
Mr A. C. FOoRBEs.
Mr Arthur C. Forbes, Lecturer in Forestry at the Armstrong
College, Newcastle-on-Tyne, has been appointed Forestry Expert
under the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction
for Ireland. As a practical forester, Mr Forbes has had an
extensive experience, he having held the post of head forester
for a number of years on the Wiltshire estates of the Marquis
of Lansdowne, and prior to his appointment to Newcastle he
held a similar position on the estates of the Marquis of Bath.
132 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
He attended Dr Somerville’s first course of lectures at Edinburgh
University, taking first place in the prize list, and subsequently
he spent some time in Germany. He is a well-known writer on
forestry, and recently he published a work of considerable merit
entitled Huglish Estate Forestry. In appointing Mr Forbes to
this important post, all will agree that the Irish Government
have made a wise selection.
Mr J. F. ANNAND.
Mr John F. Annand, overseer on the Peeebleshire estates of
Sir Duncan Hay, Bart., has been appointed to succeed
Mr Forbes as Lecturer in Forestry at the Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne. Like Mr Forbes, Mr Annand is a practical
forester. In 1892 he entered the Royal Botanic Garden,
Edinburgh, for the purpose of passing through the course of
instruction which had been instituted there for practical foresters
and gardeners, and three years later he, along with one of his
colleagues, Mr Wm. Davidson, now head forester on the Margam
estates in South Wales, obtained the diploma in forestry of the
Highland and Agricultural Society. The best wishes of all
will follow Mr Annand into his new sphere, where we are
confident he will prove a worthy successor to Mr Forbes.
A. (Ds ae
REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 133
REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.
Trees: A Handbook of Forest Botany for the Woodlands and
the Laboratory. By H. MarsHatt Warp, Sc.D., F.R.S.,
etc. Vol. III., ‘Flowers and Inflorescences.” Cambridge
University Press, 1905. Price 4s. 6d. net.
When this work was commenced, it was the intention of the
author that it should run into six volumes, but alas! ere more
than half the series has been completed, he has passed away.
Professor Marshall Ward died at Torquay in August 1906,
at the comparatively early age of 53. At the time of his death
he occupied the chair of Botany in Cambridge University, in
which he succeeded the late Professor Babington. He was
one of the most distinguished of our English botanists, and he
was exceptional among his confréres in that he devoted a
considerable part of his time and talent to forest-botany. His
best known works relating to forestry are Zimber and Some of its
Diseases and The Oak. He also edited the last edition of
Laslett’s Zimber and Timber Trees; revised and edited Dr
Somerville’s translation of Professor Hartig’s classic Lehrbuch
der Pflanzenkrankhetten; contributed the chapter on _ the
botanical characters of forest trees to the second volume of
Dr Schlich’s Manual of Forestry; and at the time of his death
he was engaged on the work under notice.
In this, the third, volume of the series, the author deals with
“Flowers and Inflorescences.” ‘The plan followed is similar to
that adopted in the preceding volumes; that is, the book is
divided into two parts—‘“ General” and “Special.” In the
‘*« General” part the structure of the flower and the inflorescence is
dealt with, and the various types of the latter are discussed (a
by no means easy subject for the novice in forest or any other
kind of botany to grapple with), and this part of the book bears
evidence of the same painstaking and careful work which
134 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
characterised the “General” parts of the preceding volumes.
But the “Special” part is not so satisfactory. In fact, in all
three volumes there is in these “Special” parts regrettable
confusion in the descriptions of some of the more important
species, and unfortunate omissions of some of the others; and
should it be the intention to carry Professor Ward’s work to a
conclusion (and it is hoped that this will be done), it may not
be out of place here to draw attention to a few of them.
The greatest confusion, perhaps, occurs in the genus U/mus
(admittedly a very difficult one). In the case of the Scotch and
English elms the synonymy seems to have got inextricably
mixed up, and to the latter species an erroneous description has
been applied. In the first volume the author states an un-
doubted truth when he says that “there is still considerable
difficulty about the various sub-species or varieties of elms”; but
he must have been under some misapprehension as to the
distinctions between the Scotch and English species when he
described the twigs and buds of the former as being “stiffly
hairy,” and those of the latter as being “ practically smooth”
(vol. i. p. 184). In the typical Ulmus campestris, the twigs,
though thinner, are quite as hairy as they are in the Scotch
species (U. montana), Possibly the author has confounded two
closely allied species, U. campestris and U. glabra, and the
description of the former may have been drawn up from material
derived from the latter. In such genera as Zilia, Populus, Picea,
Pinus, and several others, too, matters are not quite satisfactory
in this respect. Some of the more important species, from a
forestry point of view, which have been omitted from the work
are the white alder (A/nus zncana), the Menzies spruce (Picea
sitchensis), the Japanese larch (Larix Jeptolepis), the Corsican
(as distinct from the Austrian) pine (?”us Laricio), the Lawson
Cypress (Cupressus Lawsoniana), and the Prince Albert fir
(Zsuga Mertensiana), while several of minor importance might be
mentioned. Again, many species, such as some of the rarer Alpine
willows (which in this country occur at altitudes considerably
above the limit of forest growth), the vine, the Virginian creeper,
Ficus carica, and many others, which seldom or never occur in
woodlands, might have been omitted from the work.
But while the opportunity is here taken to point out these
blemishes in what is undoubtedly the most important work of
the kind in the English language, it is done in no carping spirit.
REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. 135
No one recognises more fully than does the author of this review
the difficulties which have to be faced in a work of this sort,
more especially in genera such as U/mus, Populus, and Salix.
Professor Ward set himself a difficult as well as a big task, and
if he has fallen short of the ideal which he fixed for himself,
the shortage must not be measured by itself; it must be taken
with the whole, and by contrast it sinks into an insignificantly
small proportion of it. All interested in this important branch
of botany will join in regret that its talented author was
not spared to complete his work. Ars longa, vita brevis.
Ao Dk:
Deparimental Notes on Insects that affect Forestry in India.
Part III. By E. B. Sressinc, Forest Entomologist to the
Government of India.
This is a continuation of the notes that appeared in 1902 and
1903.
The present volume, extending to over one hundred pages, is
a record of excellent observational work on forest insects in
India. ‘Thirty-two different species of trees are noticed with
insects infesting them. Some of the insects described are new
to science. The notes on life-history and habits cannot fail to
aid greatly those concerned in forestry in India, the more so as
the descriptions—unless where technical terms are absolutely
necessary—are in easily understood non-technical language.
An additional feature of the volume is an excellent set of dight
full-page plates illustrative of insects themselves and of their
damage. R. S. M.
SomE RECENT BOOKS ON FORESTRY.
Schlich’s (W.) Manual of Forestry. Vol. I., ‘“‘ Forest Policy in the
British Empire,” 3rd ed., revised and enlarged. 6s. net.
American Works.
Dollars.
Schenck’s Forest Utilisation, : See
Joy’s Forestry Problems in United States 2 oes
Graves’ Forest Mensuration, ne A - 4.00
Hon. Eb.
136 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
OBITUARY NOTICE.
WILLIAM MACKINNON.
With much regret we have to record the death of Mr Wm.
Mackinnon, which occurred on the 24th of October 1906, at his
residence at Murrayfield, after a protracted illness.
An Aberdeenshire man, Mr Mackinnon, after serving his
apprenticeship with the firm of James Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen,
migrated southwards, and some twenty years ago became
manager of the nursery and seed-trade firm of John Downie,
Edinburgh, an appointment which he held at the time of his
death. During his connection with Mr Downie’s firm he
became known to a wide circle of people, and amongst horti-
culturists and arboriculturists alike, his simple, kindly nature
won him many friends. At the time of his death Mr Mackinnon
was a member of this Society’s Council (on which he had
previously served for several terms), and as a member of the
Excursion Committee he was one of the most frequent attendants
at the annual outings. He was also at the time of his death
a member of Council of the Scottish Horticultural Association,
the Honorary Treasurership of which he resigned a year ago;
and he was an ex-member of Council of the Royal Caledonian
Horticultural Society. In all three societies his memory will
long be cherished as one of the most likeable of men.
AL Ds Re
TRANSACTIONS
ROYAL
SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
VOL. XX.—PART II.
July 1907.
Lizut.-Cotonre, F, BAILEY, F.R.S.E.,
HONORARY EDITOR,
A. D. RICHARDSON,
ASSISTANT EDITOR.
ROBERT GALLOWAY, 8.8.C.,
SECRETARY AND TREASURER,
BF
QWY SA
—_
Ty
~~
LP
<¢ x
cy
EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
SOLD BY DOUGLAS & FOULIS, CASTLE STREET.
A. &J. MAIN & CO. L™
> » MANUFACTURERS cp ee
Pcsetene ete 8]
SHEDS.
In this SHED the
HAY or GRAIN can
be stored to with-
in a few Inches of
ROOF.
STEEL & IRON
~ BUILDINGS of
every Description.
ROOFING AND FENCING CATALOGUES on Application.
“. IRON AND WIRE FENCING.
SS
SPECIAL
QUOTATIONS for
gs, Large Quantities.
|
WU )
(V2
SEES
WROUGHT IRON RAILING, CATES, HURDLES,
CLYDESDALE IRON WORKS,
Possilpark, GLASGOW.
49 CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.C.
CORN EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, EDINBURGH.
ADVERTISEMENTS,
By Special Appointment to his Majesty the Ring.
Telegrams— Telephone Nos.—
Edinburgh, Central 2674.
a3 A 2675.
Glasgow, Argyle 2336.
London, 2117,
P.O. Hampstead.
MACKENZIE & & MONCUR,
HOTHOUSE BUILDERS, LTD.
Heating, Ventilating, and Electrical Engineers,
and Iron Founders.
EDINBURGH: Registered Office—Balcarres Street.
Works— Balcarres Street.
is Foundry—Slateford Road.
LONDON: 8 Camden Road, N.W. GLASGOW: 121 St Vincent Street.
‘*Hothouse, Edinburgh.”
‘‘Tron, Edinburgh.”
‘*Preibhaus, London.”
”
eee) bil it) wa Daas
yt | ili wa iat a
HOTHOUSE BUILDING. —Hothouses or every description designed and erected
in any part of the country, with improved Ventilation, Gearing, Staging, and
Heating Apparatus complete. Plans and Estimates on application.
HEATING.—Churches, Public Buildings of all kinds, Schools, Mansions, Villas,
&c., heated efficiently by Low Pressure, Hot Water, or by Steam.
Speciality. —Barker’s ‘‘ Cable” System of Low Pressure Hot Water Heating, which
requires no sunk stokeholes or underground channels.
FOUNDRY.— Architectural Ironwork of all kinds, Stable and Cow House
Fittings, Sanitary Castings, Manhole Covers, Ventilators, Gratings, &c.
a
ADVERTISEMENTS.
DAVID W. THOMSON’S
FOREST TREES.
An extensive Collection of Seedling and Transplanted Forest Trees,
comprising
SCOTS FIR,
LARCH FIR (Native and Japanese),
SPRUCE FIR,
SILVER FIR,
ABIES DOUGLASII,
LARICIO and AUSTRIACA,
and other trees in great variety, and in good condition for Removal.
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS ve TREES In ALL sizes.
Rhododendrons, Ponticums, and Hybrids,
ALSO FINEST NAMED SORTS.
HOLLIES, YEWS, LAURELS) Pata,
and other Game-Cover Plants all recently transplanted.
CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS AND
CHOIGE FLOWER SEEDS.
See Catalogue of Selected Seeds for 1907, Post Free on application.
Hurseries—
WINDLESTRAWLEE, GRANTON ROAD and BOSWALL ROAD.
Seed Warebouse—
113 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegraphic Address—‘‘ LARCH, EDINBURGH.” Telephone, 2034.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The West of Scotland Agricultural College,
6 BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW.
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.
Day and Evening Classes are held in the College for the purpose
of preparing Students for the Certificate of the College, for the
Certificate in Forestry of the Highland and Agricultural Society,
and for the Examinations in connection with the Surveyor’s Institute.
A Special Month’s Course of Instruction for Foresters is given
in October of each year. Subjects of Instruction :—
Forestry, : : . W.F. A. Hupson, M.A., P.A.S.I.
Soils and Manures, . Professor WRIGHT.
Forest Entomology, . James J. F. X. Kine, F.ES.
Chemistry and Physics, Professor BERRY.
Prospectus of the Day and Evening Classes and of the Special
Class for Foresters may be had on application to the Secretary.
A. & 6 PATERSON, LIMITED.
HEAD OFFICE:
ST ROLLOX, GLASGOW.
Branches at ABERDEEN, BANCHORY, INVERGORDON, etc.
Buyers of Scotch Growing Woods.
Sellers of Larch Fencing of all descriptions.
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.
KEITH & CO, arniseo,us
ADVERTISING AGENTS,
43 George Street,
EDINBURGH.
ADVERTISEMENTS inserted in the Edinburgh, London, and
Provincial Newspapers and Periodicals; also in all Colonial and
Foreign Publications. A single copy of an Advertisement sent to
Keith & Co. ensures immediate insertion, without further trouble to
the Advertiser, in any number of newspapers, and at an expense
not greater than would have been incurred if the Advertisement or
Notice had been forwarded to each Newspaper direct.
A SPECIALITY is made of ESTATE and AGRICULTURAL
ADVERTISEMENTS, such as FARMS, GRASS PARKS,
MANSION HOUSES, &c, to Let, ESTATES for SALE,
TIMBER for SALE, AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, &c.; and
Messrs J. M. Munro, Lirp., having been appointed
Official Advertising Agents to the
SCOTTISH ESTATE FACTORS’ SOCIETY,
and to the .
HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,
Agents and Factors can have every confidence in placing their
Advertising in the hands of the firm.
REGISTRY for Servants (Male and Female) of all Classes.
KEITH & CO.,
43 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH.
Telegrams—‘‘ PROMOTE, EDINBURGH.” Telephone No. 316.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Original Brand—
ASIC ae
“THOMAS’ PHOSPHATE
POWDER.”
2 BRITISH MAKE.
GREAT PHOSPHATIC MANURE,
SUITABLE FOR
ALL SOILS AND ALL CROPS
UNDER SUITABLE CONDITIONS.
Grass, etc., on Light Soils need Potash
as well.
Pamphlets (regarding use on all Farm and
Garden Crops, as well as Forests) and names
of Local Agents on application to—
| CHEMICAL WORKS late H. & E. ALBERT
15 Philpot Lane, LONDON, E.C. a
“EUREKA.”
i) The Weed Killer that Kills Weeds. Cheapest and Best.
/ Ask for this Make. Prices and Proofs on Application.
ALSO
EU REKATINE. A SAFE TOBACCO
INSECT KILLER.
Bordeaux Mixture, Summer Shade, Lawn Sand, etc.
Write for List, and gratis Bogeioe “Chemistry = Garden and Greenhouse.”
TOMLINSON & HAYWARD, Ltd., LINCOLN.
FOREST TREES, FRUIT TREES,
SHRUBS, ROSES, &c.,
Grown in a most exposed situation on Heavy Soils,
therefore the hardiest procurable.
Every Requisite for Forrest, Farm, and Garpen.
Estimates for Planting by Contract furnished.
CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION.
W. & T. SAMSON, KILMARNOCK.
ESTABLISHED 1759.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Telegrams : Telephones .
‘““ROBINSONS, GLASGOW.” Nasicae) No. 3 PARTICK.
Corporation, No. W333.
ROBINSON, DUNN & CO,
Timber Importers,
Partick Sawmills, GLASGOW.
> ~. +e =<_____
Sawing, Planing, and Moulding Mills at
PARTICK and TEMPLE.
Creosoting Works at TEMPLE.
Esta blished 1 8 by
SEEDLING AND TRANSPLANTED FOREST TREES.
A Large Stock of
es ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHRUBS,
ROSES and FRUIT TREES.
Special Prices for Large Quantities, and Estimates given
for Planting.
JAMES DICKSON & SONS,
46 HANOVER STREET and INVERLEITH ROW,
EDINBU RG@s
CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.
SPECIAL AWARD For Exhibit of CHOICE CONIFERS
———— ES d6at the SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY’S CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW in Waverley Market,
Edinburgh, November 1904 and 1905.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE ey ae oe
ASSOCIATION LIMITED,
Popularly known as the ‘“C.G.A.,” is a society of
Landowners, Land Agents, Farmers, and others
interested in the land, numbering many thousands,
and residing in all parts of the kingdom.
Its work is divided into the following departments :—
The Country Club.
Expert Advice and Assistance.
Management of Estates.
Sale and Letting of Estates and Farms.
Sale of Live Stock, Timber, and other Produce.
Purchase and Supply of Estate Requisites.
Employment Register.
Publishing.
The Country Gentlemen’s Estate Book (annually) and The Estate
Magazine (monthly) form the official publications of the ‘*C.G.A.”
Membership.
The subscription for Membership is Ios. 6d. per annum, which
includes the official publications and all Members’ privileges with
the exception of the Club. There is no further liability. Members
may also become shareholders with limited liability.
Application for Membership and all correspondence should be addressed to—
24 and 25 St James’ Street, WM. BROOMHALL,
London, S.W. Managing Director.
TELEPHONE - - 3122 MAYFAIR.
TELEGRAMS - RURALNESS, LONDON.
Z Pa Aly
A es ey
{ “8
ar seo
1 ey)
‘ 4
\
i
i ! 1
fhed
fa is ,
aren i
Pie ,
} i
(Wak : ‘
; {
f
? ;
TVR,
F j .
ny
eey
ee i
i
Gi va!
iy v
Me
|
{
i
or, "
i” ) i
rei 4 |
\ \
Mi
'
#e ‘ , oa bel i i
{
MN),
GS itty *y St Ay Ve hy WV aM
are an pee aneren
. Py ‘ AD) i Be Ww. an
li i {
i Vig
1, ol a 7 iA! 2
ue
i val three
Ropal Scottish
Arboricultural Society.
IN
STITUTED 1854.
Patron—HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING.
Permission to assume the title ‘‘ Royal” was granted by Her Majesty
Queen Victoria in 1887.
4-56. JAMES Brown, Wood Commissioner to the
Earl of Seafield.
The Right Hon. Tar EArt or Ductr.
The Right Hon. Tue Eart oF Srarr,
Sir Joun Hatt, Bart. of Dunglass.
His Grace Tue DuKE oF ATHOLL.
JouHN I. CuaumeErs of Aldbar.
The Right Hon. Tur Ear oF AIRLIE.
The Right Hon. T. F. Kennepy.
-71. Ropert Hutcuison of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E.
2-73. Huca CiecHorN, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E.,
of Stravithie.
-75. Joan Hutron Baxrour, M.D., M.A.,
F.R.SS.L. & E., Professor of Botany in
the University of Edinburgh.
1-78. The Right Hon. W. P. ApAm of Blair-
, adam, M.P.
OFFICE-BEAR
i
P
|
BE
i.
| Sir KENNETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart.
IHN STIRLING-MAXWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollok-
WS.
W. M‘HATTIE, Superintendent of City Parks, City
lambers, Edinburgh.
Cou
ANNAND, Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College,
weastle-on-Tyne.
W. BORTHWICK, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
§ JOHNSTONE, F.S.1., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr.
+E LEVEN, Forester, Auchincruive, St Quivox, Ayr.
METH VEN, Nurseryman, 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
SCRIMGEOUR, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
D eY THOMSON, Nurseryman, 113 George Street,
oburgh,
BOYD, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.
xILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Nor-
‘Umberland.
FORMER PRESIDENTS.
| 1879-81. The Most
Hon. THe Marquis oF
Lorain, K.T.
1882. ALEXANDER Dickson, M.D., F.R.S.E., of
Hartree, Professor of Botany in the
University of Edinburgh.
1883-85. Hucu CLecHorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E.,
of Stravithie.
1886-87. The Right Hon. Sir Hersert Eustace
MAXWELL, Bart. of Monreith.
1888-89. The Most Hon. Tok Marquis oF
LINLITHGOW.
1890-93. Isaac Baytry Batrour, M.D., Sc.D.,
F.R.S., LL.D., Professor of Botany in
the University of Edinburgh.
1894-97, R. C. Munro FErcuson, M.P.
1898. Colonel F. Bartey, R.E.
1899-02. The Right Hon. THE Ear or MANSFIELD.
1903-06. W. Srevart ForurincHam of Murthly.
ERS FOR 1907.
President.
of Gairloch, 10 Moray Place, Edinburgh.
Vice=Presidents.
D. y Wino F.S.L, Estate Office, Mortonhall, Mid-
othian,
Sir THOMAS GIBSON CARMICHAEL, Bar
Malleny House, Balerno.
W. Srevart Foruringuam of Murthly, Perthshire.
ncil.
JOHN D. CROZIER
Aberdeenshire.
W. A. RAE, Factor, Murthly, Perthshire,
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks,
Chambers, Glasgow.
ROBERT ALLAN, Factor, Polkemmet, Whitburn.
JAMES COOK, Land Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge.
ROBERT FORBES, Overseer, Kennet Estate Office, Alloa.
SIMON MACBEAN, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
G. U. MACDONALD, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine
Cottage, Peebles.
t. of Castle Craig,
, Forester, Durris Estate, Drumoak,
City
-MASSIE, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
LES BUCHANAN, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
Lieut. -CoLtonreL F, BAILEY, F.R.S
JOHN T. WATSON, 16 St
GEORGE MACKINNON, Overseer, Melville, Lasswade.
ADAM otras Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-mills, Edin-
burgh.
Hon. Editor.
.E., 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
Auditor.
Andrew Square, Edinburgh,
Hon. Secretary.
R. C. MUNRO FERGUSON, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith House, Kirkcaldy.
Secretary and Treasurer,
ROBERT GALLOWAY, §.S.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Membership.
HE Roll contains the names of over 1100 Members, compris-
ing 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.
With the view of encouraging young Foresters to study, and to
train themselves in habits of careful and accurate observation, 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 to the present time, and have yielded satisfactory
results. Medals and Prizes are also awarded in connection with
the Exhibitions aftermentioned.
School of Forestry.
Being convinced of the necessity for bringing within the reach
of young Foresters, and others interested in the Profession, a
regular systematic course of Instruction, such as is provided in
Germany, France, and other European countries, the Society, in
1882, 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.
As a further step towards the end in view, the Society, in
1890, instituted a Fund for the purpose of establishing a Chair
of Forestry at the University of Edinburgh, and a sum of
3
4584, 3s. tod. 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. It is recognised, how-
ever, that a School of Forestry is incomplete without a practical
training-ground attached to it, which would be available, not only
for purposes of instruction but also as a Station for Research and
Experiment, and as a Model Forest, by which Landowners and
Foresters throughout the country might benefit. The Society
has accordingly drawn up a Scheme for the Establishment of a
State Model Forest for Scotland which might serve the above-
named objects. Copies of this Scheme were laid before the recent
Departmental Committee on British Forestry, and in their
Report the Committee have recommended the establishment of
a Demonstration Area and the provision of other educational
facilities in Scotland.
Meantime Mr Munro Ferguson, M.P., for a part of whose
woods at Raith a Working-Plan has been prepared, and is now in
operation, has very kindly agreed to allow Students to visit them.
Excursions.
During the past twenty-eight years, well-organised Excursions,
numerously attended by Members of the Society, have been made
annually to various parts of Scotland, England, and Ireland. 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, and during the summer of 1904
the Forest School at Nancy and Forests in the north of France were
visited. 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, in which are exhibited
specimens illustrating the rate of growth of trees, different kinds of
wood, pit-wood and railway timber, insect pests and samples of the
damage done by them, tools and implements, manufactured articles
peculiar to the district where the Exhibition is held, and other
objects of interest relating to Forestry. Prizes and Medals are also
offered for Special Exhibits.
+
The Society’s Transactions.
The Transactions of the Society, which extend to twenty
volumes, are now published half-yearly in January and July, and are
issued gratis to Members. A large number of the Prize Essays and
other valuable Papers, and reports of the Annual Excursions, have
appeared in them, and have thus become available to Students as
well as to those actively engaged in the Profession of Forestry.
Honorary Consulting Officials.
Members have the privilege of obtaining information gratuitously
upon subjects connected with Forestry from the following Honorary
Officials appointed by the Society.
Consulting Botanist.—IsAAc BAYLEY BAL¥FouR, LL.D.,*M.D., Sc.D.,
Professor of Botany, University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper,
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Chemist.—ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sc., 13 George Square,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Cryptogamist.—A. W. BORTHWICK, D.Sc., Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Entomologist.—ROBERT STEWART MAcDouGa tt, M.A.,
D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 13 Archibald Place,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Geologist. —R. CAMPBELL, M.A., B.Sc., Geological Labora-
tory, University of Edinburgh.
Consulting Meteorologist.—ROBERT COCKBURN MossMAN, F.R.S.E.,
F.R. Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place, Edinburgh.
Local Branches.
The Society, at a recent Meeting, approved of the formation of
Local Branches in suitable districts, and Local Branches have now
been established in Aberdeen and Inverness for the convenience of
Members who reside in the districts surrounding these centres.
The President of the Aberdeen Branch is Alex. M. Gordon of
Newton, and the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer is Robert Scott,
Solicitor, 230 Union Street, Aberdeen. The President of the Inver-
ness Branch is J. Grant Thomson, Wood Manager on the Seafield
Estates, Grantown, and the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer is
Alex. Fraser, Solicitor, Church Street, Inverness.
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,
Counties.
Aberdeen,
Argyle, .
Ayr,
Berwick,
Bute,
Clackmannan,.
Dumbarton,
Dumfries,
East Lothian, .
Rife, .
Forfar, .
Inverness,
Kincardine,
Kinross,
Lanark, .
Moray,
Perth,
Renfrew,
Ross,
Roxburgh,
Sutherland,
Wigtown,
On
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
Scotland.
JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
Joun Micuig, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater.
JoHN D. SUTHERLAND, Estate Agent, Oban.
ANDREW D. Pace, Overseer, Culzean, Maybole.
A. B. Ropertson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock.
Wo. Mine, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Wm. Inatis, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick.
JAMES Kay, Forester, Bute Estate, Rothesay.
RozsErt Forses, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
Rozert Brown, Forester, Boiden, Luss.
D. CrasseE, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie.
JoHN Hayes, Dormont Grange, Lockerbie.
W. S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk.
Wm. Gitcurist, Forester, Nursery Cottage, Mount Melville,
St Andrews.
EpMunD SANG, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy.
JAMES CRABBE, Forester, Glamis.
JAMES ROBERTSON, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie.
JAMES A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness.
JoHN Hart, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven.
JAMES TERRIS, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam.
JouHNn Davipson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell.
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers,
Glasgow.
JoHN Brypon, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
D. Scorr, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres.
W. Harrower, Forester, Tomnacroich, Garth, Aberfeldy.
JoHN ScrimeEouR, Doune Lodge, Doune.
S. MacBran, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
JoHN J. R. MEIKLEJOHN, Factor, Novar, Evanton.
Miss AMy Frances YuLE, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord.
JOHN LEISHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick. .
R. V. MaruHer, Nurseryman, Kelso.
DonaLp RoBertson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
JAMES Hoacarrg, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer.
H. H. WALKER, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill.
Counties.
Beds,
Berks,
Cheshire,
Devon,
Durham,
Hants,
Herts,
Kent,
Lancashire,
Leicester,
Lincoln,
Middlesea,
England.
JoHn ALEXANDER, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
FrANcIS MITCHELL, Forester, Woburn.
W. StoriE, Whitway House, Newbury.
Wm. A. Forster, Belgrave Lodge, Pulford, Wrexham.
JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington.
Joun F. ANNAND, Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield.
JAMES BARTON, Forester, Hatfield.
THOMAS SMITH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring.
R. W. Cowper, Gortanore, Sittingbourne.
D. C. HamitTon, Forester, Knowsley, Prescot.
James Martin, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham.
W. B. Havetock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park.
Professor Bouncer, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill,
London, 8. W. ;
Northumberland,JOHN DaAvipson, Secretary, Royal English Arboricultural
Notts,
Salop,
Suffolk, .
Surrey, .
Warwick,
York,
Dublin, .
Galway, .
Kilkenny,
King’s County,
Tipperary,
Society, Haydon-Bridge-on-Tyne.
Wo. Exper, Thoresby, Allerton, Newark.
W. Micutz, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop.
Wison ToMuInson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop.
Frank Hutt, Forester, Lillieshall, Newport.
ANnpREw Boa, Agent, Skates Hill, Glemsford.
Grorce HANNAH, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds.
ANDREW PEEBLES, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford.
A. D. Curistre, Marriage Hill Farm, Bidford.
D. Tait, Estate Bailiff, Owston Park, Doncaster,
Ireland,
A. C. Forsers, Department of Forestry, Board of Agriculture.
JAamEs WILSON, B.Sc., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
Arcu. E. Morran, Palmerston House, Portumna.
Tuomas Ropertson, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn.
AuEx. M‘RAgz, Forester, Castlecomer.
Wn. HenvERSON, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore.
Davin G. Cross, Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
FORM OF PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To be signed by the Candidate, his Proposer and Seconder, and returned
to ROBERT GALLOWAY, §&.8.C., SHCRETARY, Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Full Name,
Designation,
LEGATO ER a CP:
Candidates 4 Address,
Life, or Ordinary Member,
-——xvx
Signature, .
| Signature .
Proposer’s
Address,
Signature, .
| Address,
Seconder’s
[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
4500 per annum, Factors, Nurserymen, and others,
subscribing annually . é 5 : . Half-a-Guinea.
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, sub-
scribing annually ; ‘ 5 ; . 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.
V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Zvansactions. Any
Member whose Annual Subscription remains unpaid for three years
shall cease to be a Member of the Society, and no such Member
shall be eligible for re-election till all his arrears are paid up.
VI. Any eligible person may become a Zzfe Member of the
Society, on payment, according to class, of the following sums :—
1. Large Proprietors of land, and others, ; : « 410/10) 0
2. Small Proprietors, Factors, Nurserymen, and others, ; 5 Se
3. Foresters, Gardeners, Land-Stewards, and others, . ‘ 20 30
VII. Any Ordinary Member of Classes 1, 2, and 3, who has paid
Five Annual Subscriptions, may become a Zz/e Member on payment
of Two-thirds of the sum payable by xezw Life Members.
XII. Every Proposal for Membership shall be made on the Form
provided for the purpose, which must be signed by two Members
of the Society as Proposer and Seconder, and delivered to the
Secretary to be laid before the next meeting of the Council. The
Proposal shall lie on the table till the following meeting of the
Council, when it shall be accepted or otherwise dealt with, as the
Council may deem best in the interests of the Society. The
Proposer and Seconder shall be responsible for payment of the new
Member’s first Subscription.
18.
19,
20.
PANE
22.
23.
24,
25.
26.
27.
28.
29,
30.
31.
CONTENTS.
The Society does not hold itself responsible for the statements or
views expressed by the authors of papers.
Address delivered at the Fifty-fourth Annual General Meeting,
5th February 1907. By Sir KENNETH J. MAckenzinr, Bart. of
Gairloch, President of the Society, . . :
The Value of Waste Land for Afforestation Purposes. By A, C.
Fores, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, ‘
A Century of Forestry—1806 to 1906—on the Estate of Learney,
Aberdeenshire (with Plan). By the late Lieutenant-Colonel
Francis N. INNEs, .
Soil: its Origin and Nature. By Professor James Gerkiz, LL.D.,
D.C.L., F.B.S.,
The Utilisation of the Nitrogen of the Air. By ALEXANDER LAUDER,
D.Se., Honorary Consulting Chemist to the Society,
The Accumulation of Nitrogen in Forest Soils. By ALEXANDER
LAupDER, D.Sc.,
Forests and Rainfall. By R. C. Mossman, F.R.S.E., F.R.Met.Soc.,
Honorary Consulting Meteorologist to the Society, .
Arboricultural Notes from Portuguese East Africa (with two Plates).
By J. A. ALEXANDER,
A Session at the Eberswalde Forest Academy. By A. F. Writson,
C.D.A.(Edin.), - : : : :
Encouragement of Private Forestry. By Professor ScHWAPPACH.
(Translated by A. W. Borruwick, D.Sc.),
The Woods of Somerset. By W. G. Smiru, Ph.D., D.Sc., The
University, Leeds, . : - ‘ ; :
Notes on Indian Forestry in 1906. By Jonn Nisser, D.(c.,
Forestry in the Exhibition at Niirnberg,
Aberdeen Branch :—
Excursion to Drumtochty, Kincardineshire, 9th June 1906,
Excursion to Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire, 1st September 1906,
PAGE
137
142
168
178
183
186
188
194
201
212
216
219
233
238
241
ii CONTENTS
NotrEs AND QuERIES:—The English Elm in Scotland—Note on the
Beech Felt Scale (with Plate)—Resistance of Young Trees to
Drought—Diseased Scots Pine on Land formerly Arable—Degree in
Forestry at the Edinburgh University—The Study of Continental
Forests—Educational Excursions—School of Forestry in the Forest
of Dean—The Yale Forest School—Timber-Supply from Sweden—
‘*From the Ice Age to the Present ”—Reforestation in Scotland—
The Denbighshire Experimental Station—The Isle of Man Arbori-
cultural Society—Use of Creosote Oil in the United States—
Ordnance Survey Maps of the United Kingdom,
Oxituary NoricEs:—Lieutenant-Colonel Francis N. Innes of Learney
—M. Lucien Boppe, .
PROCEEDINGS OF THE RoyYAL ScoTTIsH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
1907.
PAGE
244
257
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
18. Address delivered at the Fifty-fourth Annual
General Meeting, 5th February 1907.
By Sir KENNETH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, President of the Society.
Two of the objects of our Society may be described as being—
(rt) An effort to keep before the inhabitants of Scotland,
and the Government of the day, the fact that in our
opinion the desirability of retaining the population
in the country districts can be most easily attained
by a thorough development of tree-cultivation, on
a systematic scale, on land at present more or less
unproductive, much of which is suitable for produc-
ing timber ; and
(2) The wish to aid prospective planters, whether for
appearance or for profit, with information that has
been acquired from the experience and by the
practice of our members.
With regard to the question of maintaining a rural population,
I have no personal belief that under any circumstances shall we
ever be able to induce those members of the working classes
who have settled in our big towns to return permanently to the
country districts. And we cannot in reason expect it. The
house in a town has conveniences which, to the wife who has
become accustomed to them, far outbalance any problematic
advantage of cheaper living and fresher air for the bairns in a
country district. If we men had to do the housework, I put it
to you that we should not only hesitate, but, in almost all cases,
absolutely refuse to leave a house with gas and water laid on,
for one where a paraffin lamp has to be cleaned, filled and lit,
and to which water has to be carried some distance from a well.
The grey mare is supposed to be the better horse, and while I
am not disposed invariably to concur with this proverb, I think
we must all admit that, in household matters, the woman has a
VOL. XX. PART II. K
138 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
right to be most fully considered ; and it is for this, as well as
other more frequently discussed reasons, that I do not think we
can hope to take population back to the land which is now
established in the towns.
On the other hand, I do think that a great deal might and
should be done to retain the present country population in the
country districts, and not only the present population, but their
descendants also. This we can only do by the provision of
employment on a large scale, and by the provision of proper
housing accommodation, together with certain attractions and
conveniences. I know that other panaceas are suggested. Are
they practical or feasible? Take small holdings,—one of the
ideas most largely before the public eye at present. Experience
does not lead me to believe that small holdings can be profitably
occupied, except in situations most exceptionally favoured by
soil, climate, and proximity to markets. Such areas are, un-
fortunately, limited in our country; and while I should most
gladly see them occupied by families of small holders who
could make a living, I fear it is useless to expect that any
development in this direction on practical business lines can be
sufficient to affect the larger question of retaining our present
rural population, and possibly of increasing it. Small holdings
can indeed only touch the fringe of the curtain that we want to
see. ‘Turn to allotments: there has been no demand to speak
of for allotments in Scotland up to date, and I don’t see how
that idea, which I think is really a good one, is to be developed
under present circumstances. But if there was that quantity ot
employment going which a fully developed forestry system all
over the country would provide, I think there would be a con-
siderable demand for allotments; and I think a man well housed,
with an allotment and constant employment at a fair avage,
would think more than twice about drifting off to chance
obtaining employment in a town.
Now, gentlemen, I am not bringing this before you in any
connection with politics, for politics have no place here, and I
am not a politician; but, to my mind, the question of retaining
a rural population is one of the most important of the day, of
vital interest to every Scotsman, and one which stands on a
plane above those many questions which form temporary
political shuttlecocks. I fear this question is very difficult to
solve by any solution which can be permanently successful, but
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS, 139
I think we should do what we can to consider how the object
can be attained, and, if we are satisfied that we are advancing a
solution which may last for a century, or even a solution which
tends to diminish the evil to any great extent, we should press
it with all the strength of our united energy.
My own impression is that, while in the past we have asked
the powers that be to establish a school for forestry and an
experimental area, we have never pressed home the point that,
in a matter of such national importance, the State itself should
be ¢he one to lend every assistance and encouragement to set
going work of the kind I have alluded to. So far as I am
aware, the State has never yet done a hand’s turn in the
direction of encouraging and assisting in the extension of tree-
culture in Great Britain, except in so far as its management of
Crown Lands goes. In this, its action is equivalent only to
that of an individual preserving or advancing his own interests,
and it cannot be termed national encouragement.
I shrink from estimating how many acres of land there are
at present in our country which have a valuation of from ts. to
3S. per acre for grazing purposes, and yet which are not too
rocky, too steep, or at too high an elevation to prevent their
producing a crop of larch worth, at least, £90 an acre in
seventy or eighty years. But while I shrink from estimating
the quantity of land available, I am prepared to assert and
prove that even a small area, such as 20,000 acres of such
land, under suitable timber-crop, will maintain a great many
more families in comfort than they will as a grazing area.
Under timber they will, in course of time, increase the assessable
value of the locality, and so benefit the parish, the district, the
county and the State from the view of taxable capacity; and
they will prove as remunerative to the landowner at the close
of the cycle as the annual grazing value #, and it is a big 7%
the capital with which to face the initial outlay can be obtained
at the same cheap rate, as regards interest and repayment, as
capital is already advanced at by the State for several other
purposes.
You will observe that I put the onus of making such a
scheme “work” upon the landowner and not upon the State.
I do this because, owing to windfalls and other unforeseen
accidents, there is but a small margin, and also because I am
dealing with a matter in which the man who sows cannot expect
I40 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
to reap, and therefore he has to be the more careful that he
lays out capital judiciously. It is true, as a general rule, that
the larger your concern the more economical is your manage-
ment; but this holds good only up to a certain point, and I feel
pretty confident that one hundred individuals will manage
100,000 acres of timber-crop, spread all over the country, better
and more economically than the State could do. I throw out this
suggestion with all deference to your knowledge and experience.
If, on considering it, which I trust you and others may be
disposed to do, you conclude that it is worthy of advancement,
it lies with you, by conversation and suggestion with your whole
circle of acquaintances, to give it more prominence.
On the subject of the aiding of prospective planters, I wish to
bring two points to your notice. First—the Rabbit. Fully as
destructive as the squirrel (as to the method of dealing with
which I refer you to our last issue of Zvansactions), this
animal has caused much harm and ill-feeling all over Great
Britain. But while the squirrel has only his charm and beauty
to excuse his existence, there is something else to be said for
the rabbit. Reduced to soup, he is much appreciated by many
people in cases of age or illness; properly associated with an
onion, he may even be said to be popular; and many people
enjoy a day’s rabbiting. I must say I like him to eat, I like to
have him to give away, and I like shooting at him; but, except
on these occasions, I never wish to see the little brute again.
At present he is pretty well ubiquitous, and one of the main
causes which retards the formation of plantations. That is to
say, if it were not for the cost of having to wire-net a new
plantation, the same outlay would plant nearly double the
ground ; and even when you have wire-netted, it is marvellous
how one or two will get in, and the damage they can do if not
immediately killed off. It is the same with agriculture. It is
wonderful how much harm a very few rabbits in a wood
bordering on a field of turnips can do when the neeps are just
coming through the ground, and again later in the year if hard
weather comes on before the crop is pulled. Equally he fouls
grass land, so that both sheep and cattle loathe it. In plain
words, he is a nuisance to “ culturalists” of every kind, and being
so easily caught and marketed, is apt to tempt some thoughtless
lads and lead them on to a path which frequently ends in worse
results than the simple taking of a few rabbits. But for all
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 141
his wickedness, he is one of our items of food supply, and
therefore we cannot suggest his extermination.
A remedy, or a via media, is not easy to suggest, but I think
the time has come when some attempt should be made to keep
him in control, that is to say, that he should be ruthlessly
trapped down all over the country except in particular areas on
every property, into which he should be wire-netted or retained in
some other manner, 7 the proprietor desires to keep him at all.
It seems to me very wrong that one man should want to keep
his ground clear of rabbits and find it impossible to do so
because his neighbour across the dyke maintains them in
quantities entirely uncontrolled. I think that if certain areas
were set apart for rabbits, and the killing of rabbits outside
all such areas were rendered free, we should very soon have
them carefully kept under control, and we should not see much
of them outside the reserved areas—at any rate, not enough to
cause the need for wire-netting for any cultural defence. I don’t
know that this idea will smile upon some people, but it is the
only solution of the difficulty which has struck me, and if you
think it worth considering we might, at some future meeting,
hold a discussion on the subject, and so arrive at the general
opinion of members, when we might be able, as a Society,
to formulate some action to mitigate the evil.
The other idea I want to suggest may be of more interest to
that large section of our members which comprises the nursery-
men and seedsmen. It is about seeds. We hear a great deal
about the germinating qualities and the purity of seeds. These
are very important matters in their way, but I venture to think
that neither of them in all cases gives us the true value of the
seed. What is wanted is seed from parents that will give the
most vigorous and strong growing plants, and the point I wish
to raise is, do we get seedlings of this type from seed taken from
trees that are young, middle-aged, or old? I know that at home
we try to collect seed from the largest and oldest trees which are
still apparently in full vigour, but I just wonder whether these are
the trees that produce seed from which the most vigorous type of
young plant will spring? As a matter of fact, in the case of
humanity and the animal world, the strongest and most vigorous
progeny is obtained by the mating of healthy parents on the
young side of middle life. I am sure that information on this
subject would be of great interest if it could be given to us.
I42 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
19. The Value of Waste Land for Afforestation
Purposes.!
By A. C. Forses, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The term “waste land” is so vague that it is perhaps
advisable to make some attempt to define what is meant by
it in this paper to begin with. In the Returns of the Board of
Agriculture, we do not find any land returned as “ waste,” but
large areas are represented as consisting of “mountain and
heath,” and to most of this class the term “waste” is usually
applied by rural economists. But, although the definition of
such land as waste may be relatively correct, we find, when
we come to examine it in detail, that the greater part of it has
been, and is still, utilised for several purposes which invest it
with a low value, and that absolutely waste land in Great
Britain is very limited in extent. The chief uses to which
mountain and heath land is put vary slightly with the locality
in which it exists, and it is necessary to glance at the distribution
of this class of land in various parts of the country to ascertain
what these uses are.
As regards England, we find that waste land is chiefly
confined to the south-west on the one hand and the northern
counties on the other. Cornwall, Devonshire, Somerset, Dorset,
Hampshire and Surrey possess the largest share in the former
part of the country, typical specimens of which are found in
the so-called forests of Exmoor and Dartmoor, the Quantock
and Blackdown Hills, the stretches of gravelly heaths in the
forests of Windsor, Woolmer, Bere and the New Forest, the
commons of Surrey, and smaller areas elsewhere. In the north,
the bulk of the waste land lies in the hill ranges which form
the Pennine Chain, the Lake District, the Yorkshire moors and
the fells of Northumberland along the Scottish Border.
Considered as regards their spontaneous vegetation only, there
is little difference between the waste lands in the two parts of
the country. Both are covered with such surface growths as
heather, bracken, rushes, Vaccinium, cotton grass and coarse
grasses of low value for grazing purposes. But when soils and
situations are examined, several important differences are noted.
In the south, waste land is chiefly characterised by very poor,
1 Read before the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, Ist August 1906.
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 143
sterile soils, lying at moderate or even low elevations. Such
soils are chiefly made up of Tertiary gravels, or such as rest on
hard, rocky subsoils which interfere with natural and artificial
drainage. In the north, on the other hand, waste land is often
associated with fairly good soils which have been formed by
the weathering of the rock below, or from glacial drift which
overlies it. The natural fertility of such soils, however, is
usually incapable of being turned to account owing to the
altitude at which they lie, and the slope of the hills of which
they form the surface. At altitudes of over 1000 feet, the
length of the growing season is too short, and the mean summer
temperature too low for cultivated crops to return a fair profit,
and since the value of agricultural produce has dropped to
such a low point, the tendency of late years has been to lay
down, or put out of cultivation, large areas of elevated land
which at one time existed as arable land. In all hill districts
rough pasture may be seen on land which, a few years back,
was growing oats, rye, and other hardy crops; but, under
present conditions, such land is not likely to be again broken
up, and in many cases it is gradually deteriorating by becoming
overgrown with gorse, bracken, or heather, and slowly acquiring
the same character as the hill land above or around it which
has never been under cultivation.
The uses to which such land is put by the owners or
occupiers are not numerous. In the south it is usually entirely
given up to the grazing of a few store cattle, and the breeding
of sheep, donkeys, and ponies. Exmoor is popularly supposed
to serve as a range and harbourage for red-deer, but, as a
matter of fact, these animals live chiefly in the woods which
surround or are interspersed with the moorland. Grouse do
not exist, and rabbits are about the only creatures which afford
sport in any numbers. So far as agriculture is concerned, these
waste lands may be considered practically worthless, the poverty
of the soil checking natural herbage, and prohibiting any attempt
at manuring or draining where a return is expected. One
striking feature of many of these heathy wastes in the south
is the rapidity with which they are becoming covered in places
by a natural growth of Scots pines and birch, and if not
interfered with or destroyed by fire, the afforestation question
would soon be settled without artificial agency. But the ex-
istence of swamps and iron-pan, and the absence of adequate
I44 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
protection from fire, grazing, etc., prevent the development
of large areas of satisfactory woodland, and few attempts are
made at present to turn this class of land to account, unless
it happens to lie in the centre of a large estate.
In the north, the utility of most of the heath-covered waste
for grouse moors and the grazing of black-faced sheep has
invested it with a certain value which may vary from Is. to
3s. 6d. per acre, according to its situation and capabilities.
In most cases, therefore, we find that this land is either laid
out in large enclosures, carrying a stock of from one to two
sheep per acre during the summer months, or where the land
rises to high elevations, or the surface is covered with deep
peat or is bare of surface-soil, is given over entirely to grouse.
In any case, we are dealing with a class of land which is
practically in its unimproved condition, and which will not im-
prove in fertility and is not likely to improve in value unless given
artificial assistance. At the present time this artificial assistance
is not readily given by those most intimately connected with it.
Thorough drainage and artificial manuring would doubtless
effect an improvement in this class of land, but whether this
improvement would be accompanied by an adequate increase
in its value either to the owner or occupier is another thing.
Only the hardiest breeds, such as black-faced sheep and
Highland cattle, are able to thrive on land of this description,
and the latter, at any rate, have never been regarded as
profitable sources of income to the ordinary farmer. We
may, then, take it for granted that neither the existing nor
the prospective values of mountain land for agricultural
purposes are likely to increase, nor are its possibilities sufficient
to encourage reclamation on an extensive scale.
VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR PLANTING.
The question which concerns us most closely as foresters,
however, is the one which has been chosen for the title of this
paper, and which has attracted the attention of rural economists
to a considerable extent of late years. It has also been brought
more prominently to the front by the social condition of a large
proportion of the working classes bringing the question of
employment in rural districts into the field of political inquiry.
Enthusiasts draw glowing pictures of our now bare hill-sides
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 145
clothed with timber-crops, giving employment to a dense rural
population, and bringing in a revenue which will extinguish the
National Debt in the course of a century or so. They regard
the indifference with which this subject has hitherto been treated,
by landowners on the one hand, and the Government (usually
the party to which they themselves do not belong) on the
other, as little short of criminal, and contrast the condition
of things in Great Britain as regards forestry with that prevailing
in France or Germany. I am quite sure that we all feel it our
duty, as foresters, to agree with a great deal of what they state.
In France, Germany, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, and other
countries on the Continent of Europe, we find the bulk of the
mountain-land either covered with thriving forests, or energetic
steps being taken to render it so. To say that such work has
not only been successful from a sylvicultural point of view,
but has also added considerably to the public revenue of those
countries, is simply to state a well-known fact, and it might
be worth while to inquire why it is that Great Britain presents
such a striking contrast to continental countries in this respect.
To answer this inquiry fully, however, would lead us too far
from the point we are dealing with, and all that can be
discussed this evening is the fact that such a difference does
exist, and the question whether it continues to exist from natural
or economic causes on the one side, or from sheer indifference
on the part of those interested on the other.
EVIDENCE For OR AGAINST THE PLANTING OF WASTE LAND.
The direct evidence that trees of various kinds will grow on
our waste land and hill ranges is fairly conclusive. In the
first place, we have the existence of scattered plantations of
various sizes and various degrees of imperfection, to convince
us that many kinds of trees will reach a fair size on suitable
soils and situations, and at elevations up to 1000 and 1200
feet above sea-level. This much most people acquainted
with tree-growth will allow, and no good purpose would be
served by spending time in proving that such is the case.
But the point which has never been satisfactorily settled is
the extent to which planting ona large scale can be profitably
carried out by an individual landowner, or a Government
willing to invest large sums of money in this work for the good
146 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
of a future generation. To settle this point, it is not sufficient
to prove that the trees will grow to any given size, or on any
particular soil or situation, but it is necessary to demonstrate
that a minimum quantity of timber can be produced per acre
in a given time, and at a cost which is so much less than its
market value that an average net return is left at the end of
the rotation which exceeds the annual value of the land
previous to planting. Of course, there are other features
connected with afforestation which are of equal importance
to that of its financial success. But we cannot ignore the
fact that no prudent Government, and certainly no private
individual, prudent or otherwise, will embark on a scheme of
any magnitude which is likely to result in a dead loss as an
investment. Yet, so far as any direct evidence is forth-
coming, this is just as likely to be the result of afforestation
as those high returns which optimists have figured out to their
own satisfaction, if not altogether to the satisfaction of others.
We are only too ready to admit that instances of undoubted
authenticity have been given of areas of waste land being
planted, and yielding crops of timber the value of which has
exceeded the cost of producing it, and left something substantial
over. But if any great number of authentic records exist in
this country of compact plantations of several hundred acres
in extent having given a net return of any definite sum per acre,
after allowing compound interest on all items of income and
expenditure, I should be glad to know where they are. Any
figures that I have seen or heard of usually miss out items
which must inevitably have represented expenditure of some
kind or other, or they refer to plantations of a few acres only,
which rarely enable any satisfactory conclusions to be arrived
at. In either case, we fail to get what we urgently require, viz.,
a definite statement which will prove that 5s., 1os., or 15s. per
acre per annum, as the case may be, has been obtained from
a number of blocks of tooo acres or so of otherwise waste or
semi-waste land by the process of afforestation.
If such a statement can be produced, it would go a long way
towards establishing such proof as we require to make out a
conclusive case for afforestation. But if not, then it is no use to
sit down and do nothing for the next one hundred years or so,
while investigators are working out their results from plantations
now in their infancy. It does not require a health specialist
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 147
to convince a man of average common-sense that fresh air
and good food are more conducive to good health than starva-
tion and confinement, and in much the same way the most
elementary knowledge of tree-growth will convince any man
that thin soils and exposed situations are not so favourable
for timber production as deep soils and sheltered valleys. But
between these two extremes are a variety of soils and situations,
at present practically bare of tree-growth, which constitute a
large proportion of the semi-waste land of the country, and
which it is clearly the duty of the advocate of afforestation
to investigate as thoroughly as possible before asserting definitely
that planting on this class of land will turn out a profitable
undertaking. The question of the best method of carrying
out this investigation has never, so far as I am aware, been
dealt with in this country, and it was with the idea of bringing
this important matter before the members of the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society that I prepared this paper.
In my opinion, any method of arriving at definite conclusions
on the value of waste land for planting purposes must be carried
out more or less on the following lines. I must here ask you
to remember, however, that I have in mind, not the planting
of small areas, but the wholesale, but gradual, afforestation
of a tract of country of several thousand acres at the least,
and which is to be planted with the idea of turning it intoa
forest district.
SUITABLE TYPE OF AREA.
The first point to which attention should be directed is the
selection of the area for investigation. To spend time and
trouble on the first piece of waste land we come across might
possibly lead to no useful result; as there is no close relation-
ship between the existence of waste or semi-waste ground and
its capacity or suitability for growing timber. As a suitable area
for investigation, I should consider a district in which at least
three-fourths of the land was incapable of intensive cultivation,
or unworthy of artificial assistance from an agricultural point of
view. With a few exceptions, such districts can only be met
with, in the north at any rate, on hill ranges, and, in a general
way, they may be said to lie at mean elevations of not less than
500 feet above sea-level. Below this level, the land is usually
148 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
4
already taken up by farms or plantations, and little remains to
be done in the way of extensive afforestation.
The next point to consider is the proportion of waste land
which appears suitable for profitable planting. Conclusions
arrived at on this point must at first be regarded as of a prelimin-
ary nature only, but in a general way a little experience soon
enables one to estimate, approximately, of course, the general
value of waste land for planting purposes. Practically bare rock,
exposed hill summits, ground covered with deep peat, elevated
slopes facing the prevailing wind, and, generally speaking, all
land over 1500 feet above sea-level, exclusive of river valleys,
may be considered unfit for successful afforestation, exceptions,
of course, simply proving the rule. A fair topographical know-
ledge of a district is usually sufficient to enable one to judge of
the advisability of proceeding with or discontinuing the work of
investigation, and if more than half the waste land of a district
appears unsuitable for planting, or compact blocks from 500 to
1000 acres in extent cannot be found, it may be unwise to
proceed further with it.
Another point of importance is the accessibility of an area,
and its proximity to industrial centres, good roads, railways or
waterways. It is a common contention that a sufficient and
steady supply of good timber will always create a market, and in
a general way this is probably correct. But even then, the cost
of transport to a consuming centre has to be reckoned with, and
unless natural facilities for this exist, the price obtained for the
timber is often too low to allow a profit to be made on it. Good
roads with easy gradients are probably of the first importance in
this country, either for horse, steam or motor traction. In hill
districts canals are usually out of the question, and rivers too
shallow to be turned to account unless for stationary machinery.
The existence of good main roads‘or railways will enable timber
to be sold at some profit, other things being equal, for feeders to
the main thoroughfares can always be provided when required,
given sufficient timber to justify their cost. In the absence of
any facilities for timber removal, it becomes, of course, a
question whether the skill of the forest engineer can provide them
at a justifiable cost at a later date, and the question of cost
depends almost entirely upon the class of timber the land can
produce. If only a small yield of an inferior quality appears
possible, it is very doubtful if timber-growing, under present
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 149
conditions, can be made to pay at all, as we shall see more
clearly later on.
INVESTIGATIONS ON TREE-GROWTH AND THE FACTORS OF
LOCALITY.
The above are the chief points to which attention should be
directed in the first stages of inquiry. The next step constitutes
the real work which investigations of this kind involve, viz., the
attempt to ascertain the rate of tree-growth in the district. This
work is attended with great difficulties, owing to the fact that
not only are woods in such districts as we are considering often
few and far between, but where they do exist, their condition is
far from perfect, and they can rarely be regarded as fair examples
of what the soil and climate are able to produce. To consider
them alone would, therefore, seldom result in any satisfactory
conclusions being arrived at, and in Great Britain, at any rate,
we are obliged to extend our investigations to the soils and
situations which the district presents to us bare of timber-trees,
and which have probably never borne trees within the memory
of man.
TREE-GROWTH.
Taking the former of these branches of investigation into
consideration first, it is not difficult to realise its importance, and
the great disadvantage of having to conduct our inquiries under
existing adverse conditions. For without normal tree-growth to
serve as a standard, it is practically impossible to ascertain the
value of the local climate as a factor of growth, for however
closely soils and situations may be studied, the effect of climate
still remains an unknown factor in the development of timber-
trees.
On the Continent, and particularly in Germany, invaluable
work has been done by the accurate measurement of sample
areas of pure woodland of various ages, and growing on different
soils and situations. By such measurements, which are made
in the various forest districts throughout the country under
precisely the same system of measurement, the effect of local
climate can be seen to a tolerable nicety, and the development
of different species followed without difficulty. With the aid of
the “yield tables,’ thus obtained, the value of the land for
sylvicultural purposes can be ascertained, and the period at
I50 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY:
which any given crop is likely to reach maturity predicted. In
Great Britain no reliable records of this kind have been made,
and it is almost impossible to say what our soil is capable of ©
producing if managed on proper lines. Most British measure-
ments of tree-growth have hitherto been confined to individual
trees, remarkable either for their exceptional size, rarity, or some
historic interest attaching to them. ‘These records, although
highly interesting up to a certain point, rarely enable the forester
to arrive at any conclusion as to the normal or abnormal
character of the growth of the trees in question. In the case of
common forest trees of the country, it is, of course, not difficult
to recognise the relative size of any given individual of known
dimensions, provided the soil, situation and age are given, and
compare it with the general average of the species throughout
the country. But it is impossible to tell whether such an
individual is a normal or abnormal specimen for that particular
district, unless the information is supplemented by further
particulars regarding those round about it. With old trees, again,
the age is often difficult to ascertain, while the dimensions of the
tree at eighty or a hundred years, the ages at which most forest
crops are cut, are unknown, and the rate of what may be termed
their economic growth cannot be ascertained. Measurements of
ornamental trees, such as conifers, are usually accompanied by
particulars of age, soil and situation, so that it is often possible
to obtain some idea of their rate of growth within a given time.
But unless such trees are sufficiently numerous to enable an
average rate of growth over a definite area to be struck, they
rarely justify any reliable conclusions being arrived at. Take,
for instance, the case of a certain species being represented by a
single individual, or by eight or ten widely separated trees. The
rate of growth of the one, or the average rates of growth of the
whole, do not afford any clear indication of what might be expected
from a forest crop of that species, covering, say, 5 or 10 acres of
ground, The single individual may possibly be growing on a
spot which is not typical of the surrounding soil, while the
widely separated trees may respectively be growing on soils
and situations varying in different directions, and effectively
preventing any connection being traced between their conditions
and the average rate of growth of the trees. But when a
sufficient number of trees of one species are found on a definite
area, all being of the same age, and all growing on the same
Qe
a
Bre Ol ae SA ee) ee
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES, I51
class of soil, and with the same aspect, slope, etc.,, it is generally
possible to obtain a good general idea of their rate of growth for
any given period by ascertaining the average size of the trees.
In this way, the general rate of development of a species may be
found for that particular soil, situation, etc., in the district. But
the conditions under which the trees have been grown as regards
space, determine whether the results are of any value to the
forester or not. If grown sufficiently close together to secure
branch suppression on the one hand, and the maximum
production of timber throughout all stages of growth on the
other, the yield-capacity of the soil can be ascertained without
difficulty. But if they have been standing so far apart as to
render the development of the trees other than what they would
be in a thick wood, no absolutely definite information can be
obtained which will show the maximum quantity of marketable
timber capable of being produced in a given number of years,
and it is therefore impossible to say what return the land is able
to make upon the capital invested in planting it.
It is in the general absence of trees grown under the former
conditions in this country, and more especially their absence in
hill districts, which renders the work of collecting useful data so
difficult. In Germany, where State forests have been in
existence for several centuries, the presence of thick forest crops,
of all ages, is so general throughout the country that the
number of measured plots is chiefly determined by the expense
and time involved in dealing with them. In Great Britain,
however, instances of really thick and full crops of more than
fifty years of age, and covering an area of one acre or so of
ground, are so scarce that one almost despairs of finding sufficient
to make the results of measuring worth recording. With younger
crops, things are somewhat better, but even with these, their
existence on high-lying hill land is very limited, and it is only by
careful search, and the use of more or less imperfect material,
that any great number can be found in individual districts.
The chief defects in hill plantations are usually associated with
their lack of management from the time of planting onwards.
It is, of course, an understood thing that many of the smaller of
these plantations were formed with little or no idea of growing
commercial timber, but simply for the purpose of providing
shelter for stock, farm-houses, or cottages. One result of this is
that they are often planted in situations and under conditions
152 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
which are sufficient in themselves to preclude the possibility of
success. ‘Their size is too small to enable the trees to derive any
benefit from mutual shelter, and this is often aggravated by their
occupying exposed points and ridges, while they frequently
consist of species which are not adapted for timber production
at all, and no use can be made of them.
In larger plantations, which might be expected to provide
valuable material, the most frequent causes of bad condition are
met with in badly drained soils, early and excessive thinnings for
the sake of fencing materials, the use of the plantations for graz-
ing purposes, and a general absence of systematic management
from the time of planting onwards, chiefly due to their distance
from headquarters. Add to these the fact that pure plantations
are the exception rather than the rule, and it can be understood
how difficult it is to find material of a suitable character. Yet
if searched for, material does exist which is worth making use
of, as I hope to show presently.
During the time I have been in the North of England, I have
made a modest attempt to get together data of a character which
would bear some resemblance to the results already obtained in
Germany and elsewhere. As yet, the actual results are so
insignificant as to hardly deserve mentioning, but a brief
description of the more important might be of interest to some
of you.
Up to date, sample plots of Scots pine, spruce, larch, and Corsican
pine have been measured in three centres, Dipton, Healey and
Ashgill. Of these plots, five are Scots pine, six spruce, two larch
and one Corsican pine, while other centres have been selected for
future work. The following description of these centres will enable
an opinion to be formed of the classes of soil and situation in each,
the figures relating to the plots being given in the Appendix
(see pages 166 and 167).
Dipton CENTRE.
Dipton, and the immediately adjoining woods, are the property of
the Duke of Northumberland, the executors of the late Mrs Back-
house, and Mr W. C. B. Beaumont, M.P. The total area is about
1500 to 2000 acres, the greater part of which occupies land which
was enclosed a little over one hundred years back, and planted by
the Governors of Greenwich Hospital, then the owners of the land.
The soil varies from clay to fine sand and coarse gravel resting on
the Millstone Grit, having an unimproved agricultural value of 2s.
to 3s. per acre. The elevation varies from 300 to 600 feet above sea-
level, and the general slope of the ground is towards the north,
north-west, and north-east. The natural surface vegetation is
heather or coarse grass, birch being the predominant indigenous
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 153
tree. This centre lies on the extreme edge of the area under
investigation, and adjoins the Tyne valley above Corbridge.
The chief forest crops are Scots pine and larch, with a little
spruce and hardwood timber. The Scots pine in both the Duke’s
and Mr Beaumont’s portions is exceptionally fine, while the latter
has probably the finest larch, both in the form of crops and in-
dividual trees, to be found in the country. In the Duke of
Northumberland’s portion, amounting to about 800 acres, a
systematic course of clearing and replanting is proceeding under
the direction of Mr A. T. Gillanders. Mr Beaumont’s portion is
under the charge of Mr J. Balden, the resident agent, and
probably few estates in the country can show a larger quantity
of well-grown timber.
HEALEY ESTATE.
This estate lies about two miles to the south-east of Dipton, and
is the property of Mr Warde Aldam, whose predecessor, Mr
Ormston, purchased the property in 1816, and during his lifetime
cut and cleared the greater part of the woodland area then existing,
while further plantations were formed until the extent of woodland
amounted to about 1700 acres. During the period of clearing,
one plantation alone is said to have realised #£;20,000, while
altogether about 456,000 worth of timber was sold during this
period, pit-wood at that time commanding a high price.
The soils are very similar in character and agricultural nature to
those at Dipton, but the elevations here rise to 1000 feet, while the
surface slopes rather more uniformly towards the north-east. The
whole of the younger woods consist of Scots pine and larch, with
a small proportion of spruce and Corsican pine. The Scots pine
generally is doing well, but the larch varies in quality a good deal,
and in many places fails to grow beyond pit-wood size.
For the best part of a century, the woods have been managed by
Mr Matthew Jewitt, the present forester, and his father before him,
both of whom have evidently fulfilled their trust to the advantage
of the estate.
ASHGILL Woop—ALSTON.
This is a plantation of about 300 acres, belonging to the Green-
wich Hospital Estates (which are under the management of Mr
John Davidson), to which it was added two years ago. This wood
lies about midway between Cross Fell, the highest point of the
Pennines, and the lead-mining village of Nenthead, and is fairly
well sheltered by the former from the full force of the south-west
wind. The elevation of this wood varies between 1250 feet along
the bed of the South Tyne, and 2000 feet at the highest point of a
shelter-belt which was planted in advance of the main crop. The
greater part of the wood lies between 1500 and 1800 feet, and
slopes gently towards the north-west, a deep ravine cutting through
the eastern side. The soil is chiefly composed of glacial clay resting
on Yoredale limestone, the surface being covered with a foot or two
of peat. The unimproved agricultural value of the surrounding
ground is probably about 3s. 6d. per acre, the natural soil being of
a more fertile character than those resting on the Millstone Grit.
The present crop in this wood is practically pure spruce, White
American having been mixed slightly with the European species.
A few larch and broad-leaved trees are present, but are too small in
number and stunted in character to be worth considering. The
VOL. XX. PART II. L
154 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
spruce forms a thick even crop about 50 to 55 years of age, average
individuals containing about 20 cubic feet of timber, the largest
trees running up to 50 feet cubic contents. On exposed margins
the White American species has succeeded much the better of the
two, and at the highest point of the shelter-belt a small clump has
attained a height of 10 to 15 feet, where neither Norway spruce nor
larch have been able to rise above the wall forming the boundary.
At 1800 feet, on damp, peaty ground, the same species has reached
a height of 30 feet, and is perfectly healthy, and the foliage entirely
unaffected by cold winds which redden the needles of the common
spruce. Lower down, where the two have been mixed together,
the American species has quite held its own, but Mr Davidson
states that it has been found much more liable to heart-rot than the
common spruce.
Mr Richardson, of Garrgill, who assisted in the planting of this
wood, has been kind enough to furnish the following particulars
of its past history :—Previous to 1850 the wood, which was then
owned by the London Lead Company, was carrying a crop of
young larch badly affected by disease and aphis. In 1851 to 1852
the ground was cleared of larch, which was then large enough for
fence-rails, pit-timber, etc., and the branches burned on the ground.
The part now occupied by pure spruce was prepared by cutting
open drains 6 feet apart, 3 feet wide, and 24 feet deep, and the
material taken out spread regularly over the ground between them.
This was done in the summer or autumn, and the ground planted
in the following March. In other places, pits were prepared by
cutting circular sods 15 or 18 inches in diameter, and the soil below
taken out, and allowed to weather before planting, the sod then
being placed grass downwards on the surface again. Other species
tried here were Scots, American, Corsican and mountain pines, and
ash, elm, poplars, beech, sycamore, etc., but all failed except spruce,
beech, and Scots pine. The last-named is doing well on dry ground
near the South Tyne, and beech and sycamore succeed well enough
for shelter; but for all practical purposes spruce is the only tree
which attains to any commercial value on the clayey subsoil.
Where the latter consists of gravel, and the ground is well sheltered,
as in the Gills, larch has attained dimensions of 20 to 30 cubic feet
in the past, but it appears to be too risky a crop for trying on a
large scale. Ash also reaches a size which can be turned to account
for handle wood, shafts, etc., and from the name ‘‘Ashgill” is prob-
ably indigenous, and beech attains a fair timber size on well
drained ground.
At the present time the spruce is being gradually cut in sections,
and a ready sale at 6d. per cubic foot is found for it as pit-timber,
for use in the Nenthead lead-mines. As shown in the table
appended, an average annual increment of 60 cubic feet has been
obtained from the ground, so that a gross rental of something like
30s. per acre per annum is being obtained from the best portions.
Allowing for bad and unproductive ground, and estimating the
annual cost of management, replanting, etc., at 10s. per acre, it is.
evident that a net annual return of 10s. to 20s. per acre is possible
from this ground under present conditions. This, of course, is due
to the exceptionally favourable conditions which exist for disposing
of the timber, and which enable a price to be obtained for it which
is probably fully double the average price which might be anticipated
in such a locality under ordinary circumstances.
Langdon Beck plantation, in which Plot 6 was measured, lies
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 155
about eight miles from Ashgill, in the upper valley of the Tees, and
is the property of Lord Bernard. The class of land resembles in
every respect that round Ashgill, and the chief difference between
the two plantations is one of size, Langdon Beck being not more
than twenty acres in extent, and, consequently, more affected by
wind than many parts of Ashgill.
Before placing any value upon the figures which relate to the
above-mentioned centres, it is necessary to remember that they
refer to sample plots which were selected on account of the excep-
tionally thick crops which stood upon them, and which were as
near the maximum carrying capacity of the soil as possible. They
must not be regarded, therefore, as indicating the volume or value
of an average crop of the same age and species actually growing
on the soil and situation, but rather as a proof that such a crop is
possible where the conditions are fairly uniform, and correspond to
those under which the sample plot was grown.
Another point to remember is the fact that no information was
obtainable which would show the actual volume removed from the
plots in previous thinnings. In some cases, especially in the
younger plots, this would be so small that it may safely be ignored
altogether. In others, it would probably place quite a different
value upon the soil for timber-growing to that indicated by the
figures given. One point, however, seems to be brought out fairly
clearly, and that is that two crops of the same age may have practi-
cally the same volume on the ground, although growing on soils
and situations varying considerably in quality. The difference
between a good and bad sylvicultural locality appears to lie in the
large size to which individual trees attain, and the increased volume
of the thinnings, which have resulted in the greater reduction of
the stems per acre at the maturity of the crop in the former. The
average annual increment of the standing crop alone, therefore,
must not be regarded as a true guide to the value of the locality
for timber-growing, as the market value of a cubic foot will prob-
ably be greater where the individual trees are large than where
they are small, other things being equal. The most valuable guide
in this point, so far as the standing crop alone is concerned, is prob-
ably the average height-growth to which the trees have attained
in a given time and under similar sylvicultural conditions, and this
point is of special importance in connection with comparative state-
ments of British and German sample plots.
Factors OF LOCALITY.
The second method of valuing land for timber production is
one which, under present conditions, is probably of greater utility
than that of sample plots, although the one should be a con-
firmation of the other. But the area of mountain land, or that
of a similar character to the waste land of the country which
already carries a crop of timber-trees, is so insignificant that the
intending planter has little opportunity to take existing planta-
tions as a guide in making a choice of species or deciding
1 Reprinted from the Report on Forestry Work during 1904-1906, published
by Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1906.
156 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
whether a crop of timber is likely to prove a success or failure
on a particular site. In a general way, it is true, the conditions
under which trees grow are sufficiently well known to enable a
forester of any experience to describe a locality as good, bad, or
indifferent, or to say with reasonable certainty that Scots pine
or spruce will grow here, or oak and ash there. So far, no great
difficulties present themselves. But when the finer distinctions
between various localities are separated into their component
parts, as they must be when a detailed examination is made of
them, it is very difficult to say what value can be placed upon
them individually. Local climate, soil and situation are all
extremely complicated factors which co-operate in producing a
definite effect upon plant-growth, but the relative importance of
each cannot be estimated with any great accuracy. All we
know is that they vary the rate of growth, the quality and
quantity of the timber, and the final development of any
particular crop to an extent which may render a profit possible
in one place, or result in a loss in another. Where these factors
are well pronounced, as in the case of a wet or dry climate, a
clayey or sandy soil, or an exposed or sheltered situation, their
effect can usually be recognised, and, according to the species
concerned, may be favourable or the reverse. But when they
are either so obscure, or influence one another to an unusual
extent, it is practically impossible to estimate the effect of any
one of them individually, and a great deal of planting work
must always be of a speculative character for this reason.
ASSESSMENT OF LOCALITY.
The point which is, after all, of most importance in connection
with our subject, however, is the extent to which reliable conclu-
sions can be drawn from a careful examination of the various
features of local climate, situation and soil. The question is not
so much the extent to which a combination of good or bad
features, or factors of locality, influence tree-growth, but how far
antagonistic factors go to create neutrality within their limited
sphere of influence. How far, for instance, does a good soil
compensate for a bad situation, a wet soil for a dry climate, or a
sheltered aspect for a windy or exposed district? In answering
this question, nothing of a very definite nature can be attempted,
it is true, and everything depends upon the limit which is placed
upon a choice of species. Apart from conditions which
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 157
absolutely preclude the possibility of tree-growth, hardly a
locality can be found which will not grow something or other.
But financial considerations compel us not only to limit ourselves
to species which have a recognised position in the timber-trade,
but also to those which can produce the required quantity of
timber in a given time. Such species will probably be found
very few in number. Spruce, Scots and Corsican pines, larch
and, to a limited extent, Douglas fir among the conifers, and
beech, birch, sycamore, and a little oak and ash, among broad-
leaved trees, are probably all that can be grown on a commercial
basis on ordinary hill land. Of these, spruce and pines are the
only species which can be depended upon on a large scale at
high elevations, and as trees for which a regular market exists.
Larch, of course, pays better than any where it succeeds, but its
success is too problematical to allow great dependence to be
placed upon it, while Douglas fir requires conditions of an ex-
ceptional nature for its success. The demand for most of the
broad-leaved trees is too limited for extensive planting of them
to be entertained, even supposing that they can be grown on
much of the land we are considering. It seems probable, how-
ever, that beech might be more extensively grown up to 1000
feet or so than it has been in the past, not only for the sake of
its timber, but owing to its favourable effect upon soil fertility,
and its power of resisting wind. Both birch and sycamore are
hardy enough for most localities, but it is doubtful if their
growth would pay on a large scale, while oak and ash could
only have a very limited existence at the best.
To stand on comparatively secure ground, therefore, we must
regard spruce and pines as the mainstay of our hill timber-crops,
leaving the others to come in as soil, situation and local markets
may occur to render their cultivation advisable. As regards
spruce, I am aware that it is an every-day experience that it
cannot be given away even when grown. But facts which apply
to small, isolated lots, many of which consist of trees which
would produce tears in an American lumber camp, or cause a
hardware manufacturer to extend his works, may not necessarily
apply to large areas of properly grown timber, and it is not
necessary to regard this species as hopeless because it has been
abused hitherto.
Taking these two species, then, as those for which the‘suit-
ability of a locality must be judged, the method of assessment
158 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
remains to be considered. It is impossible to place a precise value
upon any unplanted land for the growing of a particular species,
it is true, but it certainly seems desirable to obtain something
more definite than the bare classification of a locality as good,
bad or indifferent if possible, and, at any rate, no objection can
exist for the reasons which lead to any classification being given.
The only method which seems in any way to meet the require-
ments of the case is that of placing unit values upon the various
factors of locality by points, as shown in the following Table :—
ASSESSMENT OF SYLVICULTURAL LOCALITY.
PornTs.
Aver-
+ |'age.
I, SURFACE SOIL.—Minimum Depth—1 ft., _ . : ot: linen I
” 33 2 {ts A . a I
” 29 3 ft., ; : I
| 2. SUBSOIL.—Impervious, ‘ - : - - Poy || Iss: I
Rocky, : : ; : : : a I
Open, : : . ? J : I
3. MOISTURE.—Very Wet or Dry, . ; : ; os re I
Moderately Wet or aie ; : 3 cee I
Fresh, . ; ; ‘ I a
4. CHARACTER.—Clay, Sand, or Peat, . 5 2 oe ed I
Clayey, Sandy, or Peaty, - : aa I
Loam, . - : I x
5. SITUATION. —
Elevation—Above 1200 ft., —. z : oes. ol) eae 2
- 750 to 1200 ft., P : : fad 3
7 Below 750 ft., ; : ; 3
6. AspecT.—S.W. or W., ; : : 3 owe 1 ae I
ING Ss N.W., S.E., or Flat, - : Se Oi
N.E. or E., : d : ; I “s
7. EXPOSURE.—Full, ; ; F ‘ P ‘ ose see I
Moderate, : : : : : as I
Slight, . : : ; - ‘ I
8. SLopE.—Over 25 per cent., . ; : - : Se eee I
IO per cent. to 25 percent., . . . tee I
Flat or under 10 per cent.,_ . : : I
: —(de-
Over 10 Points=Good Locality, . . .)|+(x2) ducted)
37, 10) 55, Average locality... : ; 10 10 10
3. JO) .,.) — bad Wocalitye.
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 159
In this Table, the unit values placed upon several factors must
vary with the species and local climate. Altitude, depth and
character of soil, and, to a less extent, aspect and exposure, all
vary in their importance with the degree to which they affect the
species, and with the manner by which they are in turn affected
by the climate. No attempt has been made, therefore, to place
any value upon the latter, as it may be assumed to exert a fairly
uniform influence upon localities which are similar in other
respects, and which exist in the same district. No attempt should
be made, however, to compare localities assessed in two widely-
separated districts, or in districts with different physical features,
as it is obvious that the precise climatic conditions cannot be the
same.
As an example of this method of assessment, the sylvicultural
value of the sample plot in Dipton Wood, which has already
been referred to, may be given as follows :—
ANALYSIS OF LOcALITy—Dz1pron Woop.
+(x 2) uae —(Deducted).
I. Soir.
Surface Soil—Over 3 feet, . I
Subsoil—Impervious, . : Bh ae |r
Moisture—Fresh, . : 3 I
Character—Loamy, . : I
II, SITUATION.
Elevation—Below 750 feet, . 3
Aspect—N.E., : - 1 zs
Exposure—Moderate, . : S265, alles
Slope—Below Io per cent., . I
8 I 1| =(16+1-1) 16
Placing a value of 5 cubic feet per acre per annum on all
points in the first and second column, we should obtain an
annual yield of 80 cubic feet per acre on a full rotation. Com-
paring this estimate with what is actually on the ground in another
sample plot a hundred years of age, growing on a similar situa-
tion but rather lighter soil close by, we find that the latter agrees
with the estimate. That it will do so in all cases, however, is
160 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
very unlikely, but it, at any rate, gives us some definite basis to
work on, whatever the actual values placed upon the units may
be. In both these instances, conditions exist which must be
considered exceptionally favourable, both as regards locality and
the density of the crop on the ground.
The great difficulty of satisfactorily applying this method of
assessment to ordinary hill land often lies in the fact that the
quality of the locality is constantly changing. Soil varies in
depth, quality and character in the course of a few yards; eleva-
tion and aspect are continually changing on undulating ground,
and other changes take place which render it difficult to strike a
fair average for a large area. But still it is often possible to find
areas of two or three hundred acres with the same aspect and
degree of slope, and fairly uniform as regards soil, and with such
areas this method should give satisfactory results. With the aid
of the 6-inch Ordnance Sheets, the ground can be blocked
out into areas with similar aspects, slopes, and elevations,
leaving the soil and minor districts to be examined on the
spot.
With the assistance of such a method of analysis, and careful
observations on the growth and development of whatever trees
or plantations may exist in the vicinity, it should be possible to
obtain a fairly accurate estimate of the value of waste land for
planting purposes. The question as to whether such work as I
have sketched should be carried out by public or private agency
is a matter which does not affect the principles of the method
itself, but simply the extent to which it can be practised. So far
as the latter method of assessment goes, it can, of course, only
be applied to definite areas upon which planting is contemplated,
and must be left more or less to the public or private landowner,
or his representative. No private landowner plants without a
definite object in view, and, before planting, he usually obtains the
advice of his agent or forester as to the suitability of the spot he
wishes to plant. The condition of many plantations at the
present day suggest either that this advice was not always acted
upon, or that its quality was not of the best when given. But
so many incidents happen in the life of a plantation, that it
is impossible to diagnose every case of sylvicultural debility
which is met with from time to time, and the best course is
to study future methods of reform rather than regret the
past.
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. I61
The work of sample plot measurement and recording can only
be properly undertaken by some institution which concerns itself
with forestry education and investigation. To be of any value,
they must be made over a fairly wide area, and on a number of
different estates, and the selection of plots can only be carried
out satisfactorily by those who have made special study of such
work, and are able to form an opinion as to the relative merits
of individual plots. The actual measurements can, of course, be
made in many instances by those on the spot, but the true
significance of the figures obtained can only be appreciated
by those having a fairly extensive acquaintance with the
woods of the district generally, and able to arrive at reliable
conclusions.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
The next question is: Given land of a certain productive
power, what quantity of timber must it produce to pay rent after
allowing for the costs of planting and maintenance? This is not
an easy question to answer, as it depends upon so many points
which are constantly varying in character, and which render the
experiences of one district of little or no value in another. The
initial costs of planting are probably the easiest to estimate, as
their variations in different districts are not so great, and a general
average can more easily be struck. Legitimate maintenance
charges, again, are not difficult to estimate for a large and
compact area, as it is assumed that economic planting is only
contemplated when carried out on a large scale. As a matter of
fact, given the rent of the land, the average annual costs of pro-
duction can be estimated with tolerable accuracy, and the debtor
side of the account can be arrived at without difficulty. The
annual costs may be made up somewhat roughly as follows :—
Rent of land, 2s. 6d.; rates and taxes, 1s.; interest on planting
and fencing costs during first 25 years, 4s.; maintenance, 2s. 6d.;
total, ros. per acre per annum as the annual cost of keeping
a growing crop on the ground.
But when one comes to estimate the covering of this cost by
a given yield of timber, the problem is a difficult one. If timber
of a given size had a definite and fixed value in the market, it
would not be a difficult matter to find the number of cubic feet
necessary to produce the sum required. But, as is well known,
162 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
none can say with certainty, or even with probability, that a
certain class of timber on a certain area will be worth any definite
price per cubic foot in 60, 80, or I0o years’ time, as the case
may be. We have, it is true, existing prices to work upon, but
these are of little value beyond giving us some idea of the way
in which the prices of timber are affected by size of individual
trees, distance from railway or market, and so forth, enabling us
to fix, with some probability, relative but not absolute values.
Such approximate estimates, however, may be easily affected by
changes in industries which now use timber as their raw material ;
or by an increase or decrease in the costs of conversion or transit.
That such changes are likely to occur in the future, there seems
to be good reason for believing, but how far they will go, none
can say. At the present moment it is absolutely impossible to
make a reliable estimate as to the future value of any given
quality of timber in districts where it is constantly coming on the
market, and where the manner in which its price is affected by
local surroundings is fairly well known. It is evident, therefore,
that such estimates in connection with remote districts, in which
timber has never existed or been sold within living memory,
are practically valueless, and that the question of what
constitutes a profitable yield can only be answered within
fairly wide limits.
Several important points in connection with this question,
however, are worth considering. These are, first, the probability
or otherwise of timber generally increasing in value, and second,
the size to which individual trees can attain on the land proposed
for planting. An increase in the price of timber has long been
predicted. Ancient timber merchants tell us that their grand-
fathers had sad forebodings of the coming timber famine, and
students of old forestry literature will recollect that Evelyn, and
writers before Evelyn, lamented the growing scarcity of timber
in their time. But imports of timber still continue, and prices do
not show any indication of short supplies at present. Probably
the fact is that the existing supplies of timber are sufficient so
long as the supplies of iron and coal hold out, for it must be
remembered that wood is used for many structural purposes
because it is cheaper and lighter than iron, and not merely
because the latter is unsuitable ; while its extensive use for fuel
is prohibited because it is dearer than coal. For many pur-
poses, therefore, high-class timber could be dispensed with if its
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 163
relative price rose above that of iron, while abundant coal
supplies prevent a large proportion of the cheaper and inferior
wood being turned to account as fuel. So far as Great Britain
is concerned, anxiety on account of a timber famine seems a
little premature, taking the fact into consideration that the
countries from which most of our supplies are drawn, Canada,
Scandinavia and Russia, have enormous areas of land which are
intended by Nature for timber-growing, and that little or no
inducement exists to turn them to any other purpose. But
although a timber famine may be a thing of the remote future,
it is quite possible that a considerable rise in the price of the
better classes of timber may occur before many more years.
This may be due to such causes as the increased cost of conver-
sion and transit of foreign wood, the necessity for artificial
rather than natural methods of reproduction, and the tendency
to cut timber before the trees reach their maximum size, which
is invariably the first effect of an increased demand. The first
result of such a rise in price would be that other materials
would be used for many purposes for which such timber is now
employed, and that increased economy would be effected in the
use of timber all round, which would react upon the price to
some extent. We already see such agencies as these at work
in the increased use of iron in building construction, railway
sleepers, fences, telegraph poles, pit-props, and in hundreds of
other directions ; while economy in its use is being exercised by
preservative processes, such as creosoting, etc., which render
young, immature trees as valuable as fully developed timber in
its natural condition. But in spite of economy being exer-
cised in these directions, it is practically certain that any
considerable curtailment of the present imports of timber would
result (assuming, of course, that the present consumption con-
tinued) in a rapid rise in price of the better class of timber
which cannot be produced in a short period, and for which
substitutes cannot so readily be found. Whether this increase
would be shared by the smaller classes of timber, which are now
difficult to dispose of at any distance from a market, is another
matter, but one which is of paramount importance in discussing
the planting of waste land. As every practical forester knows,
high and exposed ground can only produce a very small propor-
tion of large trees, as compared with ground at lower elevations.
At high elevations, larger areas of poor, thin soil exist, while
164 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
the local climate also becomes less suitable for growing large
timber. Pit-props or pulp-wood are about the only classes of
timber which could be produced on such land, but at the present
moment the cost of carriage prohibits such timber being utilised
for pit-props unless within a short distance of a colliery or with
cheap water carriage, while pulping-mills do not exist, one
reason being, that the timber for keeping them running has
not yet been grown. What would happen with large and
regular supplies is another matter, and all we can say with
certainty is that a satisfactory market has to be found for
Scots pine, spruce and larch, the average size of which would
not exceed 10 to 20 cubic feet per tree, if the planting of hill
land is to be a financial success. At the present time, we know
prices for this class of timber are not satisfactory, although the
price of larch enables a little profit to be made. But as there
is little or no certainty about larch succeeding over large areas,
we can only depend with certainty upon the other two for per-
manent crops. The average price for these two species at
present is about 2d. per cubic foot, leaving out of account
altogether remote plantations from which timber cannot be sold
at all. With an average rate of growth of 50 feet per acre per
annum, this price brings in 8s. 4d. gross rental, which is equal
to a loss of about 2s. per acre if our former supposition of
annual costs is correct. With an average price of 3d. per foot,
this loss would be converted into a gain, but only to the extent
of a rental equal to that paid by the land in its unimproved state.
To obtain any clear financial advantage from planting this class
of land, therefore, we must get an average price of 4d. per cubic
foot, which should bring in a net rental of about 5s. per acre.
On favourable localities, we should gain a further advantage
in the yield of timber and the larger size of individual trees, and
in convenient situations a better relative price could be obtained,
and it is not difficult to prove that planting pays under such cir-
cumstances. But, taking the average yield of 10,000 acres of
land lying between 500 and 1500 feet above sea-level, I think
we should find that the yield of 50 cubic feet is, if anything, too
high, because a certain proportion of this class of land must be
allowed for as non-productive. Peat-bogs, swamps, bare or only
thinly-covered rock, are sure to occur to a greater or less extent
at elevations over 1000 feet, and tend to reduce the average
yield per acre, and although the cost of planting such land may
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 165
be saved, other charges have to be incurred in connection with
it, such as fencing, rates and taxes, etc., which increase the
expense without increasing the revenue. The greater the eleva-
tion, the greater the probability of these unproductive patches
of ground occurring, until, at elevations over 1500 feet, the
chances are that the area of really timber-producing ground is
too small to be worth troubling about, supposing that no other
unfavourable conditions exist.
Although the final results of the careful investigation of this
important question cannot be fully anticipated, the probabilities
are that they will prove that timber-crops of spruce and pine can
be grown at a profitable rate up to 1500 feet on suitable soils
and aspects, and where the mean elevation of the ground to
windward is sufficiently great to afford shelter from the full
force of the wind. Where the elevation does not exceed 1200
or 1500 feet, or on westerly aspects, the generally accepted
fact that the rooo feet contour-line marks the limit of profitable
tree-growth will probably be confirmed in a general way,
although exceptions may occur here and there which may prove
that limit too low in one place ortoo high in another. These
anticipations, however, are based upon the assumption that the
timber is grown in blocks with an average area of 1000 acres
or so, and that a minimum price of ros. per load can be ob-
tained for it in the wood. If the long-threatened timber famine
is upon us, there is every prospect that such a price may be
obtained for timber offered under proper conditions, and in
sufficient quantities to allow of economies being effected in its
handling and conversion.
166 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
SAMPLE PLots MEASURED DuRING
Dipto
ne Species Name of Wood Eleva-| Geological | goi! and Subsoil i t
Plot. P _ oon tion. Formation. a
I | Scots Pine . | Dipton 550 | Millstone Peaty Sand on | N.W.
Grit. Clayey Loam.
2 FE 55 500 + Gritty Sand S.W.
3 3 »» (7Oacres)| 550 a Fine Fresh N.E.
Sand.
4 - Snokoe 550 a Sand on Sand-| W.
stone Rubble.
5) | Larch Dipton 350 > Sandstone E.
Débris.
6 g Sunnyside 300 HE Sandy Loam .| S.
|
1 | Scots Pine . Sunnyside 800 | Millstone Gritty Sand N.
| Grit.
| |
2 | Corsican Pine aa 800 | 53 | Sandy Loam N.
| on Sandstone |
| Rubble.
I | Spruce Ashgill 1700 Yoredale Peaty Soilon W.
| Rocks Clay, am
| | (Limestone).
2 a3, ”° 1600 3”) Peat on Stiff | N.W.
Clay.
3 > » . | 1600 BA Aboutizinches, N.
Peat on White
| Clay.
4 ” a5 . | 1600 - Peat on Clay.) N.
5 ’ Tyneside Planta- | 1250 4 Alluvial Soil | |
tion. | on Limestone |
| Rubble.
6 A Langdon Beck . 1300 Boulder | Clayey Loam. | N.E.
| Clay.
|
Slope.
Under 10°/,
Under 10°/,
Fleal
Under 10°/,
9?
Ashg
Under 10 °l,
39
Flat ground
Under 10°,
1
ai
THE VALUE OF WASTE LAND FOR AFFORESTATION PURPOSES. 167
WINTERS OF 1904-5 AND 1905-6.
entre.
| | Equal per Acre.
| Natural Area Stem No. Stem Aver- | Aver- eek SALT
Exposure. Surface of Age. Crait of Basal age age S Cae avenge
| Growth. Plot. P-/Stems.| Area. |Height.|Q.G.B. H. x F). Welle Taree
| 2 ment.
ee a) gtr i Sq. Ft. | Ft. | In.
Moderate | Heather ./1 acre} 30 Tea ie2325i) 53°2 36 58 | 766 }
I, 60K |) 654 32 4 837 1718 | 57
III. | 240 | 1073 28 24 | 115
Strong . » ey | 301) NRA Grog" 35 44 | 152
Ties 245 17-3 32 4. | 227) >|) 1672.) 56
| nae 89 Bus 28 23 39
Slight . ae ages | 100 Te 38 | 80'0 80 | 172 |3200
| II. | 103 | 136°9 | 72 | 13% |3928 (| 7693 | 77
| III 36) e227 64 98 | 565 \
Strong . Grass te ee hk LOO if f20) 036 65 | 122 | 442 }
| IN Bis }| Bete) 59 9 472 >| 8040 | 80
| TES eae ay Ne 74 gl (
Sheltered | Ferns . .|% ,, | 7o(?), I. ai 9°5 | 100 | 14 475
| | II 2tn|ensO oo” | 11 633 7 | 6110| 87 (?)
| III a BS 80 8h | 112
Slight forsee Sela? f21si\: 60 I. 7 \eSSoi) Se“ \'132)"| 353
ID-s)| 20a) Roe 7s) Werte 55 | 4048 | 67
1 7 AST) NOd. 9% | 105
BCencre.
Ss heltered | Heather
facre| 48 Ie 31 | | 8 | 208 /
TE) orth 2656 36 6} 354 2472 | 51
. 5
}) Moderate ” sat yos ul 45 I. 13 9°64/ 55 10 | 212
LS || -39n axoro 50 84 0 | 3310| 73
III. rt 45 64 70
entre.
Moderate Heather .|tacre| 45 Ir T2 i toro 45 92 144
‘ 3594 | 77
68
III 15 2°6 | 45 5 za a hs
0 Bess) 50 I,| 28/ 17°7 | 45 | 9% | 318
II SON 28 40 68 | 433 ¢| 3332| 66
TIE. )| 36) 1 S27" (SG Miae: He 82
ra Rural 55 Les ips 84 50 | 10 168
Nie 28 | 12°5 45 7% | 225?¢| 3408] 62
a TET | “or eeenmeraer eyed
yi), Sheltered |Coarse Grass|# ,, | 55 I. 16 | 15°3 75 | 112 | 459
II 41 | 21°6 6 82° | 587 >| 4528 | 82
Ill 15 36 60 63 86
10 “Moderate ” 3 ” 32 I 13 52 40 73 83 }
Il. | 45 | 13°5 | 34 | 6% | 183 ¢| 2416] 75
a | Lite 16 3'0 30 54 36 \
+
|
168 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
20. A Century of Forestry—1806 to 1906—on the
Estate of Learney, Aberdeenshire.
(With Plan.)
By the late Lieut.-Colonel FRANCIS N. INNEs.
The following memorandum, with its accompanying sketch-
plan and schedule, has been drawn up to exhibit a succinct
account of the Forestry transactions carried on during the past
Ioo years on an average-sized upland Aberdeenshire estate,
which contains a fair proportion of arable ground, woodland and
moorland—thus illustrating the period during which Korestry
may be said in some measure, although imperfectly, to have
developed in the North-East of Scotland into an example of
applied science.
The Learney Estate comprises’ about 4081 acres, of which
1870 are arable, 158g are, or have been, under wood, and the
remaining 622 acres are buildings, roads, water, moorland, etc.
The elevation of the estate area rises from about 4oo feet
above sea in the lowest part at Torphins, to 1100 feet on the
summit of Craigenget (Hill of Learney), and 1500 feet on the
Hill of Fare, whilst the woodlands run from about 500 feet
above sea near Torphins to 1080 feet on Craigenget, and to 1110
feet on the Tillenturk shoulder of the Hill of Fare.
The average height of the woodland may be taken as about
800 feet above sea, whilst there are ample examples of exposure
to all points of the compass, seeing that the Hill of Learney
forms a part of the main watershed betwixt the valleys of Dee and
Don. The soil, which in many parts form a very thin covering
on the underlying granitic rocks, has frequently a light porous
gravel subsoil, occasionally traversed by layers of “ pan,” and in
some few parts replaced by clay and peaty formations.
With exception of the 45 acres or thereby of old home-wood,
which was planted at a considerably earlier date, the first large
plantations, consisting principally of larch, were made between
1806-1825; and up to 1831 little thinning and no clean cutting
seems to have taken place. During the following period of 13
years, up to 1844, thinning was carried on, but not to any very
great extent, and from 1844 down to the present time, thinning,
clean cutting, planting, and replanting have been carried on, as
shown by the annexed plan and schedule.
“9061 “saquaqdag
“SA3NN] N 4
Fo Rate od 0d Jopun Od
Bae PatNaa2 P7? SALDIT OZ LIAO SUONIPUD] FT —: SION,
= |
SNOLLYINVIG FLVEISY ANY]
LEARNEY ESTATE PLANTATIONS.
—1906=—=
=
4 LON CIEE Drumtasie Farm ]
300"
Note-Plantations over 20 Years old coloured ME
Do. under Do. Do 2
FN. Innes,
September, 1906.
A CENTURY OF FORESTRY ON THE ESTATE OF LEARNEY. 169
In 1844 there were 1420 acres of standing wood on the estate,
and from that date to 1905, say in the last sixty years, there have
been 1370 of these acres cut, leaving thus only 50 acres of old
home-wood now standing. Of the ground so cleared, 661 acres
have been replanted, and 169 acres of new ground have in
addition been planted, which thus accounts for the total of 880
acres of wood at present standing on the estate. A considerable
additional area of former woodland has been prepared, and is
now ready for immediate replanting, whilst another area of about
100 acres where beetle is prevalent is to be pastured by sheep
for a few years before replanting is carried out on it.
The actual financial return obtained during the sixty years
from the 1370 acres of woodland cleared may be summarised
as follows :—
Cut and used for estate purposes, . : J, 1,953
Thinnings and blown trees sold, : ; 9,666
Final clean cut sold, . é ; , : 61,852
Gross sum realised, . : | ve Tart
The average sums realised per acre were, approximately :—
Estate purposes and thinnings, etc., : . 4 8
Final clean cut, . ‘ ‘ ‘ ) : 45
Gross Average Return per acre, . £534
Of the 1370 acres which were cut, about 500 acres carried a
pure larch crop, about 100 acres carried pure Scots pine crop, and
the remainder mixed larch and Scots pine in varying proportions,
with a proportion of spruce in certain suitable places. The
average number of trees left standing per acre, when the time
for final clean cut arrived, was about 225 trees, which would
thus stand at about 14 feet apart. This result is arrived at
without making any deduction for shooting rides, woodland
tracks, etc., which would have slightly raised the average
number of trees per acre.
It is difficult to estimate an average of size and price for the.
mature trees all over the ground, as these vary so much with
the soil, elevation, exposure, and age at cutting; but the size
VOL. XX. PART II. M
I70 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
may be assumed all over at about 74 cubic feet, with fivepence
for pine and sevenpence half-penny for larch per cube foot as the
general prices obtained.
In reviewing the results and financial returns, and in com-
paring them with similar statistics from other localities, the
following points must be kept well in view in order to arrive at
any correct judgment :— :
1. The soil, elevation and exposure.
2. The age and species of the trees.
3. The mode of disposal in the market.
4. The facilities for transport on removal.
With regard to these points, in connection with the Estate of
Learney, the following observations may be made :—
1. The soil and elevation have been already described, but
it should be added that the hill is to a great extent isolated
and exposed to gales of wind from S.W. and N.W., which
have on several occasions made great havoc amongst the
trees, and thus both lowered the financial return per acre by
the small price obtained for blown and broken trees in a glutted
market, and lowered the average number of mature trees stand-
ing on the ground per acre when the time for clean cutting
arrived.
2. On a large extent of the ground the trees were allowed to
grow for eighty years before clean cutting, as they required fully
that time to arrive at maturity on the higher elevations; whilst
on other parts of the area the glutted markets, following the
severe gales experienced in 1893 and 1894, delayed sales for
several years. The trees, however, and especially the larch
on the northern slopes, have provided hard, close-grained,
sound timber, samples of which, well over eighty years
of age, may be seen in the Forestry Department of the
University of Edinburgh.
3. The trees were, as a rule, sold by means of advertisement
followed by offers taken in the open market, and have been
purchased by many timber merchants well known in Scotland,
and a fair market price has thus been secured. There is no
_ local industry in the immediate neighbourhood, such as coal-
mines or barrel factories, which can afford a steady demand
for thinnings and thus augment the financial return.
A CENTURY OF FORESTRY ON THE ESTATE OF LEARNEY,. b ays
4. In the earlier portion of the century under review facilities
for removal were practically non-existent, except in the form of
horse and cart. The woods lie twenty miles from the county
town of Aberdeen, and six or seven miles from the river Dee,
on the waters of which flotation by rafts was employed for the
forests in the vicinity of that river. Railway. communication
was only brought to Torphins in 1861, and the average distance
of the woods from Torphins Railway Station is about four miles
by road, whilst about one mile is frequently over rough tracks
on a rugged hill-side. The lowering effect on prices obtained
for trees, owing to difficulties of transport and distance from a
railway station, is too well known to call for further notice
here,
The cost of planting and replanting the 830 acres since 1844
amounted to £1955, being an average of £2, 7s, per acre, and
the schedule on the annexed plan gives the details, exclusive of
fencing and draining, neither of which have been heavy items,
as the ground is generally dry, and rabbits have been well kept
down. The cost of planting, as of most other such work, has
greatly risen in recent years, whilst the results in growth are
perhaps not quite so sure and satisfactory as in former times;
plants seem to be less hardy and more subject to the attacks of
the many varieties of insect pests, which are much described and
much depicted in books and in pamphlets, but against whose
depredations it is hard to find any practical remedy within the
limits of reasonable economy. Some interesting comparisons as
to the success of diverse methods with this end in view, by
varying the interval of time between cutting and replanting, by
change of crop, and by clearance and preparation of the surface,
may be arrived at from the particulars given in the annexed
plan and schedule.
Prevention of the formerly unknown ravages of ground game
and squirrels demands much time and attention, and the
necessary clearance of the ground from brushwood before re-
planting, after felling the previous crop, is now a troublesome and
expensive operation. As farmers and others are not nearly so
ready as formerly to remove the brushwood, although granted
free, collecting in heaps and burning has now to be resorted to,
which sometimes costs about as much as the ordinary price of
replanting. This apathy on the part of farmers is apparently
owing partly to labour difficulties, and partly to the fact
I72 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
that in many houses the grates are now adapted for coal,
whilst the open hearths, where brushwood burnt easily, are
disappearing. The peeled bark of larch, formerly used for
tanning, is now left lying on the ground, although fit for good
firewood.
The various systems adopted with reference to age and species
of plants, number per acre, arrangement of mixed plantations in
parallel strips, each strip consisting of a suitable number of
adjacent rows of the same species, “ pitting ” and “ notching” in
plants, as well as the preparation of the ground, and intervals
of time between successive crops, are noted on the plan and
schedule.
Particular attention may be directed to plantations numbered
16 and 21 in the plan, where examples of “ pitting” and ‘ notch-
ing” are given in the same plantation; to number 1, where
complete “underplanting” with spruce, where the larch crop
failed at sixteen years of age in a mixed plantation, has suc-
ceeded. ‘The general system of planting in strips, wherein, with
a mixed crop, the number of adjacent parallel rows of the species
forming a strip varies from one to six, is well illustrated in the
different plantations. It is evident that the system of planting a
mixed crop in alternate parallel strips, where the ground is
suitable for such, ensures simplicity in thinning, numeration,
removal, and in filling up vacancies; and in view of the insect
pests and diseases now prevalent, the adoption of mixed crops
seems very advisable, both for isolation of disease, and on the
well-known principles of not putting all the eggs in one
basket. »
Six rows of larch alternating with three rows of Scots pine or
spruce, or say only three rows of larch on ground where its
thinning seems doubtful, appears to be the most practical form
of mixture.
“ Scraping” or mattocking a thin layer off the surface about
6 inches square has been adopted in plantations numbered 13,
14, and 19, at an additional cost of about 7s. 6d. per acre, and
has been found useful for establishing young plants amongst
thick vegetation, but it is no satisfactory preventive of the beetle.
As a tree crop is, or should be, a long-lived crop, Forestry
requires a long time and great patience for the derivation
of knowledge, both from routine practice and from special
experiment.
A CENTURY OF FORESTRY ON THE ESTATE OF LEARNEY. 173
Forestry transactions do not appear to have been regularly
recorded and preserved in former years on many estates in this
part of the country, and the record of such transactions during
the last hundred years, on an average upland estate may there-
fore be of some use in the formation of a future working-plan, or
in deciding as to whether it is more profitable to employ certain
land for game, sheep, pasture, arable ground, with its attendant
expensive building and other outlays yielding small returns, or
to employ it for commercial woodland.
These problems have been often worked out in various forms,
and with various results and recommendations; but obviously no
general rule can apply, and the answer must in each case depend
on the locality of the area under discussion, and the market-
prices which can be assumed as reasonably probable for the
produce.
In the light of the experience here submitted, the problem
involving the comparison as a profitable enterprise of the
employment of land in the north-east part of Scotland, for an
arable farm, or for afforestation, may be presented in the follow-
ing form :—
Let it be supposed that a fifty-acre area of light soil, with no
special amenities, in north-east of Scotland, and about 800 feet
above the sea-level, has been converted into an arable farm.
The outlay required for such conversion would be dwelling-
house £250, farm offices £500, improvement and fencing of
fifty acres of ground, together with necessary road and water
supply, say £750, being a total outlay of £1500. The yearly
rent of the farm, at only 3 per cent. on the capital outlay, would
be £45, or eighteen shillings per acre. If one-sixth, which is
certainly no excessive estimate, be deducted for public burdens
and management, there remains for the proprietor only a sum of
fifteen shillings per acre as net annual revenue, representing 24
per cent. on his capital outlay, without allowing anything for the
purchase price of the unimproved land.
Should the tenant, however, under a lease of some years’
duration, as is not unfrequently the case, agree to provide free
of charge the necessary excavations, carriage of material, and
other assistance, then, of course, the landlord’s capital outlay
and the tenant’s yearly money rent per acre will proportionately
diminish, but this does not affect the general argument on the
subject.
174 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On the other hand, let it be supposed that a precisely similar
locality has been afforested by plantation with 1500 larch and
1500 Scots pine per acre, at an outlay of 46 per acre, including
the necessary preparation of ground and fencing. The trees
will have reached maturity in sixty years,! with a standing crop
of say 225 trees per acre, composed of about equal numbers of
the two species planted, having an average cubic content of 74
cubic feet, for which fivepence for pine and eightpence for larch
might be obtained per cubic foot.
The annual expenditure per acre during the sixty years
would be :—
Sagas
Interest at 3 per cent. on £6 capital outlay, . 39
Management, ce
Total annual expense per acre, . , 6.97
The receipts per acre during the sixty years before clean
cutting would be as follows :—
Value of Thinnings sold, ; : : PS)
Rent of grass pasture during the fiteal forty
years, at 2s. per acre, ‘ : 3 E 4
Total receipts, . ; «+ yoke
This sum of £14 is equivalent to an average annual receipt
per acre, spread over the whole sixty years, of 4s. 8d. Deduct-
ing this sum from the annual expenditure leaves an annual
deficit of 1s. 11d. per acre during the sixty years.
To meet the sum of such deficits, after allowing interest at
3 per cent. on each whilst unpaid, will require a lump sum of
about £17, payable at the end of the sixty years, and, deducting
this amount from the £46 then receivable as the price of the
mature trees, we find the proprietor left with a sum of £29, which
represents the £6 of his initial capital outlay, together with £423
of accrued profit per acre.
This accrued profit may be regarded as equivalent to a yearly
sum of 2s. 9d. received during the sixty years, with interest allowed
1 Under ordinary conditions such a crop would probably be felled at the age
of about eighty years.—Hion. Eb.
A CENTURY OF FORESTRY ON THE ESTATE OF LEARNEY. 175
on each payment at 3 per cent., and has the effect of raising the
yearly interest, already credited on the £ 6 of initial capital outlay
per acre, from 3 per cent, to fully 5 per cent.
The proprietor of the arable farm will be indeed fortunate if,
after the lapse of sixty years, he finds the capital value of his
buildings well maintained ; but meanwhile he has received only 24
per cent. yearly interest on his outlay, which makes but a poor
comparison with the smaller, but intact capital, and the 5 per
cent. rate of interest connected with afforestation.
Regarding the nature of the locality selected for the foregoing
comparison, it may of course be noted that an area could easily
be found producing timber results almost equal to those
indicated, but which, from shallow soil and rocky formation,
it would be quite impossible to use as an arable farm. This only
strengthens the case for afforestation.
The north-east of Scotland is one of its most important of our
forest districts ; and in looking round the country it is easy to see
that, whilst many acres now devoted to game and sheep might
profitably have been planted, many other acres have been
planted which will practically never produce timber of any value.
On the other hand, many poor acres have been turned into
arable ground, and furnished with costly buildings, which
might have been much more profitably employed for growing
timber, and may probably ere long go out of arable cultiva-
tion, leaving ruinous buildings as a memorial of the prevailing
ignorance of the possibilities of forestry.
The prospects of favourable results from judicious forestry
in this country seem now good, and it is to be hoped that such
an important industry, by which not only employment of labour
but beauty and shelter are maintained on the land, will not be
allowed to fail, through ignorance, indifference, or false economy,
although it may perhaps demand at the outset more of faith
and hope than almost any other branch of agriculture.
MOIT ‘odvurep apj00q ON ‘oonsdg 10} Arp 003 punosy
‘QIQISIA [IS ssaigoid Aj1ea pue ‘pazzid pua “N S8MOd ZT
‘oureds Aq posewuep Ajjieg “pus “g ye 4ydaoxa palley yoie'yT
‘OUId "§ BMOI g ‘YOIVT] SMO Gg *9[}00q Aq padseurep ould “§
*poyooyyem eovjang ‘yuanq dojo snotacid yo poomysnig
‘OUId “S SMOI gE ‘YOIVT SMOIG “a1OY YOIe'T
OJ altel {pus ‘N aseurep jomsinbg ‘suvod GT yw pares
yoreyT Luv “payoozyvum oovjins {punoisd uo 19yyeay doog
‘SOJEP SNOMIVA 4v OPCU SULTJIPPY “SpOOM IULOF] PIO
“aUld "S SMOL § ‘YOIVT SMOL
‘aSeuep 9[390q ON ‘guinq do1zs snotaoid jo poomysnig
‘OUI "§ SMOA G ‘YOTe'T SMOI E
“qySs osvuep o300q «=—yuanq doso snorAoid jo poomysnig
SMOI 9
“QUI "§ SMO1 g ‘YOIe'T
‘esewep of90q = “‘yuanq do.0 snotAaad Jo poomysnig
*quayeaaad asvasip yo1eT
‘OUI "S MOLT ‘YoAeT SmOIG ‘ames Aq posemeEp 190100 “MS
‘UI pus WooIg Aq poyoyo Ajjaed syuelg
*YOAe'T SMOL OT ‘AUTg ‘GSMOIZ *10}08.13U00 Aq savak g proydp
ould ‘s
ould
ould
ap ‘IA Tg ‘814%
27 tA TOR aay
auld
AL ACT § ‘814%
"aL shee) AT
Yyore'T 0006
aul 8}09§ 00ST
SUI, 8409§ 0006
84098 000T
83098 0008
yore’y 000%
Yore'T OOST
83098 0006
Youre] 0006
Yo1e'T 0006
‘aures Aq pasvurep 1OUI0D "A
“OUId ‘S SMOA ¢ ‘YOIVT SMOL F
,Tnun},, yuorue Auvyy ‘owes Aq pasvarep 19u100 "MN
‘pus “q ye wooAq Aq poxoyo Ajjaed syue[q “punois
ay} UO ,, nUIN},, JUsIOUe ALE “pus 4yseq je pazuRld YoIeT
*qno Suteq pue pos mou surg “g Ogg
‘O88T UL O4N4IWSqQNS sv 9UIg ‘g JSsuUOWIe pozUL[diopun
oonidg “punoi3 SOW UO pap YoleT “sMO.t [o[[ered ayeUI94[V
‘SHUVNGY
868T Yoiey
T98T yore'y
868T Yole'y
1061 Yore'y
868T yoey
OL8T qole’y
yore]
gcst auld *s
gcst auld Ҥ
auld *§
ossT ould “Ss
‘ynQ AvoA] “angen
*d0UQ SMOLADUd
ould
$3099 008
Your'T OOOF
AL AL TS “AK T | ota 87098 00ST
et soar aavercoaral. ObOk
Se OA auld $309§ 00OT
DUE Se erate yea 53008 0001 | gqgt
AL UCTS MAT | auld 83028 008 poe
'S “1k Z yore] 000F
at a
sla] s [ala
ALIX T'S “ad T | outd 83098 O1ZT
"S “814% yore'y O98
aL AC Tg “Ad T | aut 83008 00ST
00 8 | yak Tg sik z yoae'y 00ST 8681
$$$
“AL “IA T Wg ‘sik Z | oUt 89008 OSE
sae Be yoawy oer | T68T
auld 8300
OUT 8}09§ OZFS
D> BS
[ p ¥ ‘ady ‘AID 19d ‘Sururyg ‘usta
SUnUvId 10 a! is amoIY aa
adaVy 19
aa ‘daINVId SAXUy, 978d | Foquinn,
gonadg ;
“SUIAIITTY Jou sonadg ould $3099 9G8T
yoae'y
+e eta +r +
‘soovrd Assour ‘dup | poxty 668T
ur donidg puv Joppy ‘“punors prey uo ould “§ puv yoy :
jee eee re ————————
| OUT 8}09§ SPST
a7 7a POS “WA 1 | OUI 8309S OFS
“OO6T UT paqued opis "Nye sa1ovg “SAO JarTerud oyeU199[V 0 StI an ane a3 a ; Soni onre {. 2eue
‘aures Aq posvuiep DUT §8909Q OBES LOBT
Apavg = *payrey Asout yoreyT = ‘sMor jolpeted azeus99/V qolv'T OGG
*Burqqno 09 snoraoad ‘sad OT ourg’s yssuoWe pozuedaopun aonadg L68T ould '§ aonadg L88T
‘auld 'S UJIM pula "N38 pally sdvy ‘gape prod yu 4daoxe ‘[losqns aQ ad TS “AKT | OUT $3098 OTZT
ul ued 03 Sarmo ‘pares A[QsOul Youve] “ould '§ SMOA G*YOIV'T SMOI F 0 at "gS ‘B14 ZG youre'yT 0898 L88T
“AN 9% 1auI09 MOT UL : "aT AA Tg “81k Z| BUId 83098 00ST
qdooxe [fom Saray} syurepq ‘eaig "§ SMOI g ‘YOIeT SMOI ba8T ould ‘8 00% Ww ad TR “814 ale Youe'y 00ST 006T
4 an AAT SR) DUT 830909 OGES
*punois jo yavd soddn uy pares yorey Avy = “[losqns uy ued 9C8T eet 0 GIT ie af L as ane cs Ie] OFZ 6881
SS = eel =e te oe = +—
‘aUId ‘§ SMOLE ‘YOAUVTT SMOIE ‘ouTs Aq YY SIS . ay ad ToS “Ad T | 9UTd $3098 00ST
pur ‘oyj00q Aq oSvueq “yuainq doso snotaoad Jo poomysnig 668T ould °S 049% AL ates AD qoae'y 00ST G06T
auld §}09§ 00ST ¢
"SMOA [O[[VIVd 94BU194[V LG8T ould ‘S Stee 00cT 098T
“Tom ‘Bara1yy you qnq
“A'S UO poppe Ing sepsnog pus Yyoug aU0g
poomysnig ‘paqgid qied ‘g
eh Ee ee
*SMOI 9}CUI04/V
"OUId ‘GS SMOIg ‘YOIeT SMO G ‘aUTg'’g Suryouise Mou o]}90q
*payoojqem oovjing ‘yuunq dogzo snoraeid yo poomysnig
‘aseuep
aptjeeq fpunoas Liq “yuanq dojo snoracad yo poomysnig
‘ould’ S SMOIg ‘YoUVTSMOIg “QuIng dos snorted Jo poomysnig
youey
auld ‘S
yore]
“ay, ‘a4 T “Ss “sad
“paaowlad 2681 youvy || 0 0 @ an af : Se ‘ek :
*aUld “§ SMO g ‘YOIVT BMOL E le
‘ours Aq poanfat Apyved yore 9c8T auld ‘Ss
OUT 83098 OST
(ouery OOST
AUT 83098 0002
Yo.re'T 0002
auld 83098 OOST
yorv'T 00ST
oUt 8309S 00ST
yore'T 00ST
auld 83098 OOST
youu] 00st
—_—_———
samvoay
088 wa0L
(a4 rai
178 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
21. Soil: its Origin and Nature.
By Professor JAMES GEIKIE, LL.D., D.C.L., F.R.S.
1
It is matter of common knowledge that the so-called “ solid
rocks ”—the bones or skeleton of the land—are to a great extent
concealed under a covering of loose materials of various kinds.
More especially is this the case in low-lying and gently-undulating
countries, where hard rock may perhaps be seen only in river-
cuttings, sea-cliffs or other natural exposures, or in artificial
excavations. In mountainous regions, on the other hand, the
bones of old Mother Earth are more commonly laid bare. Even
in such tracts, however, the steeper hill-slopes and the bottoms
of the valleys are often more or less overspread with incoherent
materials—the living bed-rock appearing perhaps only in the
dominant peaks, crests, ridges, and buttresses of the higher
elevations, and in ravines and gorges at lower levels. All the
unconsolidated materials referred to are known collectively as
“‘soils” and “subsoils,” and consist essentially of mineral
ingredients, derived from the disintegration of the so-called
“solid rocks.” Such being the case, it is obvious that the
character of subsoils and soils must vary with the nature of the
rock or rocks from which they have been derived. Disintegrated
sandstone, for example, must differ greatly from disintegrated
granite. It does not follow, however, that the soil-cap yielded
by any particular kind of rock, must necessarily always have
the same character. Much depends on the configuration or
shape of the ground, and much also on climatic conditions.
This will be readily understood when we consider how subsoils
and soils come to be formed.
Rocks are invariably traversed by cracks and other fissures or
natural division-planes, and they are moreover all more or less
porous. Certain grits and sandstones, for example, are so
pervious that water soaks into them almost as readily as into a
sponge. Other rocks are so fine-grained and’ compact that they
are only permeated with the greatest difficulty. So slowly,
indeed, does water invade the extremely minute pores and
capillaries of clays and argillaceous rocks, that these rocks are
usually described as “impermeable.”
The mechanical action of rain and frost upon rocks is so very
obvious that it hardly needs to be described. Everyone knows
SOIL: ITS ORIGIN AND NATURE. 179
how water which has found its way into the fissures of a rock
tends to widen these when it freezes. Rock-surfaces exposed
to such action naturally become fractured and shattered, as may
be seen everywhere amongst our mountains, the slopes of which
are so frequently mantled by frost-riven débris. When water
freezes in the minute pores of rocks, it tends in like manner to
force the grains and particles of the rock asunder, so that when
thaw ensues the disintegrated material is ready to be removed—
in other words, the rock crumbles. Although frost is the most
conspicuous rock-destroyer in this country, it is by no means the
only agent of destruction. Rocks expand superficially under
the heat of the sun, and contract again when cooling supervenes.
Such alternate expansion and contraction loosens the cohesion
of the mineral constituents of rocks, and thus so far plays the
same part as frost. But this particular action, it is needless to
Say, is most notable in regions where the diurnal range of
temperature much exceeds that experienced in temperate
latitudes.
The mechanical action of rain is not less obvious than that
of frost. It washes rock-surfaces and removes disintegrated
materials, and the same operation is performed by water derived
from melting snow. Wind, also, to some considerable extent,
tends to sweep away the grit and dust derived from crumbling
rock-masses. In this country, however, rain and running water
are undoubtedly the most active agents employed in removing
disintegrated rock-materials from higher to lower levels. Slowly,
or more rapidly, as the case may be, these eventually find their
way into the natural drainage-system of a country. Much of
the sediment carried by streams and rivers consists of the dis-
integrated rock-material washed by rain and melting snow from
the surface of the land. Thus the mechanical action of rain
cannot be considered without reference to that of streams and
rivers. The latter, as we all know, are not mere carriers of
sediment, but effective agents of erosion. By means of the
sand, grit, and gravel which they sweep along, they grind the
rocky surfaces over which they flow, and, at the same time,
undermine their banks, and thus are ever deepening and widen-
ing their courses. Much of the sediment resulting from this
ceaseless process of erosion eventually escapes to sea, but not
a little is caught in lakes or lodged within valleys, where it forms
our well-known alluvial plains and terraces.
180 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Speaking in general terms, therefore, one may say that the
demolition of rocks and the removal of their débris proceed most
rapidly on steep slopes and along the natural drainage-lines of
a country. On flat and gently-undulating ground the products
of disintegration move so slowly that they tend to accumulate
upon, or in the immediate vicinity of the rocks from which they
come. On steeper declivities the rate of movement augments,
while it attains a maximum in stream and river-courses. Every-
where, therefore, from the tops of our highest mountains, down
to the sea-coast, disintegrated rock-material is moving, slowly or
more rapidly, as the case may be.
Hitherto we have been considering the mechanical action of
the superficial agents in the breaking-up of rocks and the
removal of the materials. We may now glance at the chemical
action which affects rocks, and greatly aids the mechanical
action of the several agents referred to. Without going into
detail, it may be said that rocks fall a more or less easy prey to
the destructive energy of chemical changes, according as they
consist of relatively soluble or insoluble ingredients. Rain-water
always contains some proportion of carbon-dioxide and oxygen,
derived partly from the atmosphere and partly from the
vegetable soil through which it percolates. Charged with these
re-agents, it is enabled to attack rocks of all kinds. Some of
these, such as limestone, consist of materials which are readily
soluble, and may thus be almost wholly removed in solution as
bi-carbonates—only a meagre proportion of relatively insoluble
matter being left behind. Other rocks again, such as quartzite,
are composed of mineral matter which strongly resists the solvent
action of rain, and owe their disintegration, therefore, almost
entirely to the mechanical action of the superficial agents.
Between these two extremes comes a very large series of rocks
which are affected in various degrees by rain. Take granite as
anexample. ‘This rock is composed of three minerals, namely,
insoluble ! quartz, and two silicates known as felspar and mica.
1 Probably there is no mineral matter quite unaffected by water. Under
sufficient pressure, and at a high temperature (conditions which must obtain at
no very great depth in the earth’s crust), even the most refractory minerals are
attacked by water. But at the surface and at slight depths such a mineral as
quartz is practically insoluble, while many other minerals are only dissolved
with extreme difficulty. Many of these, however, although not directly
soluble, are broken up chemically by rain-water, and transformed into soluble
and relatively insoluble materials.
SOIL: ITS ORIGIN AND NATURE. 181
These silicates, acted upon by rain-water, are eventually decom-
posed and converted into certain soluble and insoluble com-
pounds. The soluble matter, consisting of bi-carbonates, are
leached out, while the insoluble compounds may remain behind
in the decomposing rock, or be washed away by the mechanical
action of the rain. Such chemical changes are not confined
merely to the superficial portions of rocks, but take place at all
depths to which water can percolate. Rocks may in this way
become “rotted” for hundreds of feet below the surface of the
ground.
Living plants play an important réle in the disintegration of
rocks. By means of the acids in their roots they dissolve out the
mineral substances they require. Further, their roots enter the
natural division-planes of rocks, and gradually wedge these
asunder, and thus, by allowing freer percolation of water, they
prepare the way for more rapid rock-disintegration. The
reduction of rocks is likewise helped on in many places by the
action of tunnelling and burrowing animals—by worms and
moles, for example, and by different kinds of insects. All these
not only take part in the process of soil-circulation, but are the
means of introducing much organic matter, and hence they aid
the chemical action of percolating water.
The rate at which disintegrated rock-material travels over the
surface is determined not only by the form of the ground, but
largely by the character of the climate. In regions practically -
devoid of any vegetable covering, as desert-tracts, loose
materials may be removed from the steeper slopes as rapidly as
they appear. In such countries mountains and hills, however
rapidly their rocks may be crumbling down, are not mantled
with sheets of disintegrated materials, but are kept bare by the
wind, which sweeps everything away to the low grounds, which in
time, therefore, become more or less concealed under accumula-
tions of drifting sand. In Arctic regions, again, where vegetation
is meagrely developed, rocks are broken up with astonishing
rapidity, and the disintegrated débris, under the influence of
alternate freezing and thawing, readily descend declivities—
occasionally moving ez masse down relatively gentle slopes.
Under ordinary conditions such rapid transference of rock-
materials is quite exceptional in temperate lands. Only amongst
our mountains does anything of the kind become conspicuous—
where, owing to the inclemency of the climate, and the steep
182 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
gradients of the ground, a continuous vegetable covering is
often impossible.
The protective influence of forests and turf, and the destructive
results which follow from their inconsiderate removal, have
long been recognised. In forest-clad hill-regions the soil-cap is
covered with a layer of decaying vegetable matter, derived from
the forests themselves. In the case of very old forests, this
vegetable layer may vary from a few inches to a foot or even
more in thickness. As it consists of a matted mass of leaves,
branches, and fallen trunks, it is not readily removed by rain—
the latter becoming absorbed and finding its way down into the
soil-cap and the underlying rocks. After circulating through
these rocks for a longer or shorter distance, it is again discharged
as springs of clear water. But should the forest be destroyed,
the vegetable covering of the ground will soon begin to disappear
—the waste resulting from its oxidation being no longer made
good by the supply of fresh materials from above. In time,
therefore, the bared soil-cap becomes subject to the mechanical
action of rain, which is no longer entirely absorbed—much at
once running off and carrying with it a burden of sediment.
Thus the soil-cap becomes reduced, and may be even entirely
swept away. Precisely the same kind of destruction attends the
removal of old turf from steep slopes. No doubt, even in forests
and turf-clad land, soil is gradually being removed from higher
to lower levels; but the process is slow, and the loss is. made
good from the subsoil, while the latter grows at the expense of
the underlying rocks. But when the protective vegetable cover-
ing is removed from a steep slope, soil and eventually subsoil
must vanish—the disintegration of the rocks, however rapid it
may be, cannot keep pace with the washing away at the
surface.
| Vote.—This article will be continued in our next issue. |
THE UTILISATION OF THE NITROGEN OF THE AIR. 183
22. The Utilisation of the Nitrogen of the Air.
By ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sc., Honorary Consulting Chemist to the
Society.
In a paper recently published in the TZyransactions of the
Society (Vol. XIX. Part II. p. 245), Dr A. W. Borthwick gives a
striking account of the progress which has been made in recent
years in Germany, Belgium, and other continental countries in
the application of artificial manures in forestry. The work
described there can hardly be said to have passed much beyond
the experimental stage, yet the results so far obtained certainly
suggest that considerable use may be made in the future of
artificial fertilisers in forestry. In this connection, therefore, I
have thought that the recent attempts which have been made to
utilise the nitrogen of the air for manurial purposes might be of
sufficient general interest to justify a short description in the
Transactions.
It is now a matter of common knowledge that nitrogen is a
constituent of all plants, and that unless an adequate supply of
this element is available, the production of healthy vegetation is
impossible. This element, nitrogen, exists in large quantities in
the air, of which it forms about four-fifths of its bulk.
Comparatively few plants, however, are able to utilise the
nitrogen of the air directly, but can only make use of it when it
is in combination with certain other elements, as we have it in
nitrates, and, in consequence, the enormous stores of nitrogen
existing in the atmosphere are of little use directly for fertilising
purposes. For the supply of nitrogen to plants, then, we are
limited to such suitable compounds of nitrogen as exist already
formed in nature, or to such as we can prepare artificially. At
present we have three main sources of supply, viz.—(1)
farm-yard manure and other forms of organic nitrogen; (2)
sulphate of ammonia; (3) nitrate of soda. Of these, only the
sulphate of ammonia, obtained in the distillation of coal for
gas or coke, may be said to be prepared artificially. When we
consider the enormous annual waste of nitrogen in sewage, as
well as the inevitable loss of nitrogen which takes place in the
preparation of farm-yard manure, we see that we are gradually
using up our stock of nitrogen compounds suitable for manuring,
The nitrate deposits at Chili are by no means inexhaustible,
and, together with this steady diminution in our supply of
184 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
nitrogenous fertilisers, we have to consider also the fact that the
demand in the future for these fertilisers will steadily increase.
Public attention was first directed to the possibility
of a “nitrogen famine” by Sir William Crookes in his
Presidential Address to the British Association at Bristol
in 1898. Not only did he point out the danger, but he also
pointed out what he considered to be the remedy—the utilisation
of the nitrogen of the air by causing it to combine with oxygen
under the influence of electricity. At first sight this seems a
very obvious way out of the difficulty, but the peculiar
properties of free nitrogen makes the problem of its utilisation
by no means such a simple matter. The element nitrogen, as it
exists in the air, is a very inert substance, that is, it is only with
the greatest difficulty that we can get it to combine with other
elements to form the compounds of nitrogen, which alone are
valuable from the fertilising point of view.
The address of Sir William Crookes directed fresh public
interest to the problem, which had long been a favourite one
with chemists, and since 1898 reports have appeared from time
to time announcing not only new methods of fixing the nitrogen
of the air, but also that the methods have been a commercial
success. With the possible exception of the methods to be
considered in this article, these hopes have unfortunately
not been realised, and we are still hardly in a position to
say that the problem has been satisfactorily solved. Sir
William Crookes pointed out that the essential condition for
success was an abundant supply of electrical power at a
sufficiently cheap rate, to be obtained probably by the utilisation
of the water-power at present running to waste in many parts
of the world.
About 1785 the famous English chemist Cavendish showed
that if you pass electric sparks through air, combination
takes place between the oxygen and nitrogen, with the
ultimate formation, in the presence of water, of small
quantities of nitric acid. The same effect is seen in nature
during a thunderstorm, the rain-water after a thunderstorm
always containing more nitrates than the average amount
present. Unfortunately, the amount of nitric acid formed by
passing electric sparks through air is very small, and the cost of
the electric energy required has hitherto prevented any success-
ful application of the method on an industrial scale. It is
THE UTILISATION OF THE NITROGEN OF THE AIR. 185
believed, however, that within the last two years the problem has
been successfully solved by two totally distinct methods. In the
first of these, which has been worked out by two Norwegian
scientists, Professor Birkeland of Christiania University and
Mr S. A. M. Eyde, a Norwegian engineer, the reaction which
has been made use of is the combination of the oxygen and
nitrogen of the air under the influence of the electric spark, first
discovered by Cavendish. Briefly the process consists in
passing a current of air through a powerful electric arc flame of
special construction, whereby combination between the oxygen
and nitrogen takes place. The fumes of oxides of nitrogen,
as the compounds formed are termed, are absorbed in towers
filled with limestone and afterwards worked up into “Lime
Nitrate,” the name the product has received commercially.
After many trials on a small scale, works for carrying out this
process were erected at Notodden, in Norway, in May 1905, and
so successful has the process been, that large extensions are now
in progress, and it is expected that an installation of 30,000 horse-
power will soon be in full operation. The annual output of the fully
extended works is estimated at 20,000 tons. The basic calcium
nitrate, or “lime nitrate,” as it is called, contains about 132 per
cent. of nitrogen, and can be obtained in the form of a fine dry
powder which can be readily distributed by an ordinary sowing-
machine. Precise details as to cost are not yet available, but it is
expected that the new fertiliser will compete in price with nitrate of
soda. Considering how essential the supply of electric energy
at a low price is for the success of the process, it is perhaps
inevitable that the works should have been started in some
country like Norway, where cheap water-power is so abundant.
So far as it has been tested, lime nitrate seems to be quite equal
to Chili saltpetre as a fertiliser.
The second method is quite different in principle from the one
described above, and has been patented by two German
chemists, Drs Frank and Caro. Its starting-point is the well-
known substance calcium carbide, now so largely employed for
generating acetylene gas for lighting purposes. This substance
is prepared by heating together in an electric furnace, to a high
temperature, calcium carbonate, or chalk, and coke or some
other convenient form of carbon. Nitrogen gas is next prepared
by passing air through a cylinder containing metallic copper,
heated up to a suitable temperature, whereby the oxygen of the
VOL. XX. PART II. N
186 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
air is absorbed, the nitrogen passing on to a gasholder, where it
is stored. By heating the calcium carbide in a current of
nitrogen, combination takes place, and a compound of calcium,
carbon, and nitrogen is formed (calcium cyanamide), which is
placed on the market under the name of “lime nitrogen.” Lime
nitrogen is a black powder, not unlike basic slag in appearance,
which generally smells slightly of acetylene. It is not directly
a plant-food, but in the soil it is converted gradually into
calcium carbonate, or chalk, and ammonia, the latter of which
is absorbed by the soil, to be rapidly converted into a valuable
plant-food. It is evident that in “lime nitrogen” we are dealing
with a much more complicated substance than “lime nitrate,” and
that extensive trials will have to be made, in addition to those
already carried out, before we can be certain of its value under
varying conditions of soil and climate.
23. The Accumulation of Nitrogen in Forest Soils.!
By ALEXANDER LAUDER, D.Sc.
In this paper M. Henry discusses the important problem of
the nitrogen supply of forest soils. He shows that, notwith-
standing the large amount of nitrogen stored up in the trees and
removed from the land when the timber is felled, the amount
of nitrogen in the soil not only does not diminish, but, on the
contrary, gradually increases. Even under the least favourable
conditions, as when trees are grown on sand-hills, a gradual
formation of humus, and consequently a gradual storing up of
nitrogen, takes place in the soil.
As an example he takes the case of the forest at d’Hourtin
(Gironde), sown with the seed of the maritime pine about 1850,
and now forming a fine pole-forest, the stems being from
30 to 4o inches in circumference. The soil consisted of nothing
but sand-hills without a trace of vegetation, and contained no
nitrogen. Analysis of the soil now shows that, exclusive of
the surface layer of decaying vegetable matter which was
carefully removed before the soil was sampled, it contains 1°33
1 La Forét Accumulatrice d’Azote, par M. E. Henry. (2xtrait du
Bulletin mensuel des stances de la Société des sctences de Nancy.)
THE ACCUMULATION OF NITROGEN IN FOREST SOILS. 187
per cent. of organic matter. This organic matter or humus
contains about 1°5 percent. of nitrogen, which means in an
acre of soil of 6 inches depth, about 240 lbs. of nitrogen.
This represents the accumulation due to fifty-six years’ growth,
exclusive of what has been lost, of what has been stored up in
the trees, and of what is present in the surface layer of
decaying vegetable matter. It must further be noted that
the soil in question would, for a long time, have little or no
absorptive or retentive power for soluble nitrogenous compounds
such as ammonia or nitrates.
The power of soils to absorb and retain nitrogen is very
varied, and depends on a great variety of circumstances, such as
the fertility of the soil, the composition of the principal stock,
of the vegetable soil-covering, mode of working, climate,
abundance of micro-organisms, etc. In the case of an old
forest on fertile soil, the rate of increase of nitrogen is much
greater, and the example quoted above may fairly be taken
to represent the minimum rate of increase,
M. Henry next considers in turn the various means by which
the soil can gain and lose nitrogen, and shows that the main
source of increase is undoubtedly the nitrogen of the atmosphere ;
how is this “fixed” and ultimately converted into a form
suitable for plant-food? That leguminous, and, to a lesser
extent, certain other plants, usually abundant in the undergrowth
of a forest, can fix the nitrogen of the air by means of the
bacteria on their roots is now well known. The growth of
these plants, then, gradually increases the amount of nitrogenous
matter in the soil.
In addition to this, however, the announcement made by
M. Henry in 1897, that certain micro-organisms, working on the
dead leaves of various trees (oak, beech, hornbeam, aspen,
Austrian pine, etc.), especially in the presence of moisture,
have also the power of fixing the free nitrogen of the air, is now
confirmed, not only by the later results of M. Henry himself,
but also by the independent investigations of H. Siichting in
Germany and D. L. Montemartini in Italy.
It is thus seen that the leaves at their fall, in addition to
returning to the soil all the mineral matter not fixed in the body
of the tree, form a substratum each year for the life of the
micro-organisms which play such an important part in the
fertilisation of the soil.
188 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
24. Forests and Rainfall.
1. IN THE PLAINS OF MIDDLE LATITUDES, FoREST LOWERS
THE LEVEL OF THE PHREATIC WATERS.
Till 1898, the year when Western Europe learned the unex-
pected results set forth by M. Ototzky in 1895 with regard to
the forests which occupy the Black Lands (Tchernozem) of
Russia, in the governments of Voronej, Kherson, and Saratov,
it was believed that in countries of the plains, where the subter-
ranean water stratum is absolutely stagnant and consequently
there is no flow, the forest played, with regard to water stored in
the cavities of the earth, the same part as it does in hilly and
mountainous countries. It has long been known, and often
stated, that forest under the latter conditions (that is, placed on
slopes where rain-water would flow down if the soil were bare,
and where the water that sinks in flows over an impermeable
bed, more or less sloping) stops all flow, and consequently
increases and prolongs the supply of the springs, while prevent-
ing rapid and violent floods.
Now, the numerous borings carried out on the southern
border of the region called in Russia ‘“ Forest Steppe,” have
enabled Monsieur Ototzky to formulate the following con-
clusion :—
“From all the observations made in the forests of the steppes
of Southern Russia, we draw this result—that all physico-
geographical conditions being equal, the level of phreatic® waters
in the forests of the steppe belt is lower than in the adjacent steppe
or in neighbouring open country. . . . The depression of the level
becomes more marked under old forests than under new planta-
tions. Under the forest the water is found, in the season of
vegetation, to be 4 or 5 metres lower than under the steppe
or the fields. But if, in the whole of this region of Southern
Russia, where the rains are small, and heat and evaporation
considerable, forest vegetation lowers to such an extent the level
of the phreatic waters, has it the same effect in the northern
1 Les Foréts et les Plutes, par M. Henry, Professeur 4 l’école Nationale des
Eaux et Foréts.
2 The name given by Daubrée in his Szbterranean Waters to the sub-
terranean water nearest the surface—that which supplies the wells.
FORESTS AND RAINFALL, . 189
regions—in the neighbourhood of St Petersburg, for example—
where the climate is colder and damper, and evaporation less?”
This is the point which Ototzky wished to verify in his
campaign of 1897, and this is his conclusion :—‘ In spite of
different physico-geographical and climatic conditions (sub-
terranean waters being abundant and near the surface, and
the climate cold and very damp, etc.), I met, in the forests of
the northern belt of Russia, the same fact as in the steppes.
Everywhere in the forests I studied, the level of the subterranean
waters 1s found lower than in the neighbouring open ground.” It
appears that this conclusion applies generally to the whole of
Russia, on condition, of course, that the soil has the same
‘mineralogical composition, and that its various layers are
horizontal, this being the cause of the immobility of the
subterranean waters. These results were so contrary to the
prevailing ideas, that it was necessary to verify them, and to
see if different climatic conditions, notably a much greater
rainfall, would not modify and even reverse the results obtained
in Russia.
On the tst July 1899, Monsieur Daubrée, Director-General of
Forests, consented, at M. Henry’s request, to grant the Forest
School a sum for research into the influence of forests on
subterranean waters in the north-east of France, where the rain-
fall is about three times greater than it is in the governments
of Voronej and Kherson. The forest of Mondon, near
Lunéville (Meurthe-et-Moselle), was chosen for this investiga-
tion, because it realises sufficiently well the desired conditions.
The observations, taken uninterruptedly from 4th May 1900 to
24th August 1902, during twenty-eight months, from eight pairs
of borings made at random under the forest and in the bare
lands adjoining, proved that the level of the subterranean waters
zs, in all seasons, three decimetres at least lower under woods than
outside them. ‘Thus in a climate where the rainfall is much
greater than at St Petersburg (80 cm. of waterfall at Mondon,
and only from 45 cm. to 50 cm. at St Petersburg), the remark-
able evaporating power of the forest makes itself clearly felt by
the lowering of the water-level in the soil.
At the same time, M. Tolsky was making observations in the
forest of Parfino, near Staraia-Russa (government of Novgorod),
where there is a School of Forestry. “In concluding,” says the
author, ‘“‘this short account of our observations made regarding
I90 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
the level of the phreatic waters during five months of summer
and five months of winter, November rgor to October 1902, one
is obliged to conclude that the devel of subterranean water in
standing forest is lower than in the ground from which it has been
cleared, both in summer and in winter, and that the oscillations of
level are less in the standing forest.”
M. Ototzky, persistently continuing his researches on this
important point, is at this moment publishing a work in Russian,
entitled, Subterranean Waters, their Origin, System and Distribu-
tion, the second part of which, “Subterranean Waters and
Forests, chiefly in the Plains of Middle Latitudes,” has just
appeared. And M. Ototzky has also taken observations by
means of chains of wells in the pine forests of the Lande of
Gascony.
Four plains regions in Europe, where the subterranean water
zs absolutely stagnant and motionless, have thus been examined,
and seem to show the same characteristics, but too little has yet
been done in this direction for anyone to be able to formulate
a general law on the subject. In place of the series of borings,
as adopted by the Russians, M. Henry suggests a simpler
method by means of pairs of wells, the construction of which
he then proceeds to explain.
In the tropics, where the evaporation from the earth is so
much more marked, forests might not be found to have this
influence on the level of the subterranean waters. The result
of experiments carried on in different parts of the globe would
throw much light on the relation between the evaporation from
the soil, whether bare or cultivated, and the transpiration by
forests.
2. THE AIR Is MOISTER OVER GREAT WOODED AREAS.
Of the whole rainfall, part is evaporated directly from the
vegetation, another part is evaporated from the soil, a third
flows away, a fourth lies in the surface-soil, reaching its
maximum when the soil is saturated, a fifth is absorbed by the
vegetation for its growth and transpiration, and the surplus only
goes to feed the stratum of subterranean water. This surplus
is less under woods, and therefore the amount of water absorbed
in other ways must be proportionally greater. In plains, with
which our investigations are concerned, there is no flow of
FORESTS AND RAINFALL. 1g!
water, and therefore that may be eliminated for our present
purpose. The fraction imbibed by the surface of the soil is
the same in forests as in agricultural land; the fraction
evaporated on or in the soil is less in forests; the fractions
retained and evaporated by vegetation, and absorbed for its
growth and transpiration, must consequently be greater. ‘This
is known to be the fact, and the difference between the amount
of evaporation from crops and that from forest can even be
measured.
There must, therefore, be zz the air over forests a much larger
amount of watery vapour than over any other cultivated ground,
and this has been demonstrated to be actually the case, notably
by the meteorologist Fautrat, who states, further, that this
moisture is more pronounced over evergreen than over deciduous
woods. It is very difficult to measure the transpiration from
wooded areas. The only results that can be quoted are those
of the Austrian, Dr Franz R. von Hdéhnel, who, in the course of
observations continued from 1878 to 1880, ascertained that a
hectare of beech forest, 115 years old, absorbed daily from 25,000
to 30,000 litres of water.
The theory of the dampness of the air over forests is further
borne out by aerial meteorologists, amongst others by Renard,
who asserts that when aeronauts pass over wooded land there is
always a well-marked fall of the balloon. This fact has also
been observed above the forest of Orleans by many military
aeronauts.
3. FOREST INCREASES RAINFALL.
When a mass of damp, hot air strikes against this column of
damp, cold air rising from woods, at least a part of its watery
vapour is likely to condense into the form of mist or small rain,
thus causing more rainfall over wooded areas than over bare or
cultivated plains. This has been proved by experiments at
Nancy and other parts of France, Germany, Russia, and even
India. But the extent of the influence of the forest on the
rainfall is, of course, difficult to measure. From what has been
shown, it is obvious that forest, when it has sufficient masses of
water at its disposal, works like an extremely powerful pump,
bringing the water up from a depth where it had become useless
to vegetation, and sending it back into the current of atmospheric
circulation.
192 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
4. TO WHAT EXTENT DOES ForREST AUGMENT THE
RAINFALL OF A REGION?
It is impossible to answer this question precisely, but at
places where observations have been made, an augmentation of
8 to 15 per cent. in the annual rainfall has been found. The
matter is one which has received considerable attention from
those who are interested in reforestation; some of them
declaring that forests have “‘znjfinitely little” influence on the
rainfall of a district—others asserting with truth that forest is
of great importance. It promotes the fall of rain by increasing
the weight of clouds with the watery vapour which it supplies;
by chilling the atmosphere, and thus inducing condensation ;
and by squeezing passing clouds, and thus causing precipita-
tion.
5. FoRESTS FEED SPRINGS.
In hilly and mountainous country, where springs exist and the
subterranean waters are in motion, forest plays a very different
part. It augments and prolongs the supply of springs that have
a deep source, and dries up superficial springs. For this there
are two reasons :—
1. In forests furnished with a proper layer of humus, all
surface flow of water ts stopped by the leaves and roots on the
ground, even though the slope may be considerable. ‘Thus, at
the time of the melting of the winter snows, for instance, the
water on a wooded mountain disappears in a different way from
that on a bare or grassy one. On the bare mountain, on the
occurrence of thaw, the snow, exposed freely to sun or to warm
wind, melts quickly and runs down at once, having no time to
sink into the ground. This is often the cause of great floods.
On a wooded mountain the snow melts much more slowly, and
even if there is not much obstruction in the way of dead leaves,
the slowness of the thaw gives the water time to sink into the
ground. And this ground, which is always enriched by decom-
posed leaves and mould, acts like a sponge. It can absorb
water up to four or five times its own weight; the soil
immediately beneath it is also very absorbent, and the roots,
while obstructing flow, do not drink up much moisture in winter.
The water thus sinks s/ozw/y into the ground, and finds its way
to impermeable strata of rock, from which springs rise.
FORESTS AND RAINFALL,’ 193
2. Wooded mountains have also an influence, much more
important than that of bare mountains, on atmospheric precipita-
tion, through their action in damping and chilling the layers of
air which arise from them. ‘The extreme dryness of Spain, for
example, in June, July, and August, is due to the fact that,
though damp winds blow over it from the Atlantic, the mountains
against which they strike, being bare for the most part, are heated
by the sun, and the wind, instead of being chilled by contact with
them, 1s warmed. ‘This is noticeable in the provinces of Grenada,
Jaen, and Murcie, in spite of their proximity to the sea and the
absence of more western chains of mountains which might
intercept the damp winds. When rain does fall on the Sierra
Nevada and the Sierra de Segura, disastrous floods are fre-
quently the result, the ground being bare and calcined, and
presenting no obstacle to the downrush of the water. The
winds in the south of Europe blow generally from the west in
summer, but for want of a refrigerator, such as plain or mountain
woods, they do not get chilled and condensed. The rainfall
is generally determined by accidents of relief; and, notably in
Spain and Algeria, the wind which comes directly from the sea
has a temperature much lower than that from the land, and
becomes warmer, not colder, as it reaches the high plateaux.
There is only one method of compelling these winds to cool
and condense into rain, and this method, an zfallible one if
foresters and aeronauts are to be believed, is forestation. All
circumstances being equal, zooded mountains induce more
abundant precipitation than bare mountains. But so far no
conclusive experiments have been made except with forests of
the plains.
R. C. Mossman, F.R.S.E., F.R.Met.Soc.,
Honorary Consulting Meteorologist to the Society.
194 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
25. Arboricultural Notes from Portuguese East Africa.
(With Two Plates.)
By J. A. ALEXANDER.
Before starting upon a general description of this part of
Africa and its sylvan landscape, it may be necessary to fix its
geographical position. The whole territory to be described
extends from the Zambesi river to Lourenco Marques, a distance
along the coast-line of 633 miles. The first part is the territory
of the Companhia De Mocambique—known as the Province of
Manica and Sofala—which I am immediately connected with.
The head station is Beira, built upon a sand-bank near the
mouth of the Punge river, which drains most of the water-
shed that the Beira Mashonaland railway passes through.
Owing to its position, Beira is very healthy for an African
coast town. It is 7570 miles from Southampton by usual steam-
ship routes, and seven days’ railway travelling from Cape Town
by mail train, over 2000 miles across South Africa.
In this paper I shall only deal with the coast-line of a 20-mile
belt in width, and the numerous islands that are situated on the
coast, often near the mouths of the perennial rivers that fall into
the Indian Ocean.
The Province of Manica and Sofala extends from the Zambesi
river to the 22nd degree line. Being low-lying ground, the high
tidal wave passes over it for some miles inland, and up the
rivers for 30 miles. The forest cover is chiefly mangrove
bushes within the tide-line—consisting of Rhizophora mucronata,
Rhizophora sp., Ceriops Candolliana, Bruguetra cylindrica, and
B. gymnorhiza. ‘The last is known as the red mangrove. It is
a very heavy, hard wood, resisting the attacks of the white
ants (Zermites), and it is much sought after for house-building
purposes. It is peculiar in its habit, not being often found with
other trees, and always in gregarious patches. It often grows to
a good size and height, and is found farther inland than any
other tree of this genus. When the Portuguese first came to
this coast, in the beginning of the fifteenth century, they used
this tree for all their forts and buildings. No stone could be
found, and they brought what they required from Portugal, no
easy task, as it had to be carried round nearly three-fourths of
ARBORICULTURAL NOTES FROM PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA. I95
Africa. Cassipourea verticillata is another common shrub. A
good trade is done with the south of Europe ports in mangrove
bark, but the unsystematic way in which it is handled cannot
leave much margin of profit. I have seen it sent away in
gunny bags—no attempt being made to reduce the cost of
freight by baling. The mangrove bark is a poor tanning
substance, producing a yellow dye. It contains too much of a
pigment for leather preserving. I have often wondered why
foresters at home waste so much time and trouble in laying out
the oak-bark in fine leaves, when it has all to be reduced to a
powder in the first process of manipulation. As a cinchona
planter, I did the same thing, until I visited a quinine factory
and saw the bark reduced to dust. From that date I spoke-
shaved the bark off my cinchona trees, getting the same results
at half the cost, and, best of all, I saved my trees. The Indian
Government are very wise to still go on producing quinine from
the cinchona tree. The chemist came in with his production,
and killed out the sound, wholesome fever reliever of the planter.
But what is the quinine the public are now served with? A
poisonous chemical extract, with little of the properties of the
genuine article.
The cover of the islands consists mostly of the trees and
bushes mentioned. Near native huts there are cocoanut palms
(Cocos nucifera) ; and they have also the cashewnut (Anacardium
occidentale, L.) and mango (AZangifera indica, L.), both of which
were introduced from India by the trading Mohammedans about
the same time that the Portuguese first visited this coast. It is
only within the last few years, however, that the cocoanut palm
has come to be extensively cultivated, and at a few places only
are old trees to be found. The history and value of this tree
would alone occupy a long article. The cashewnut is a
favourite tree with the Kaffirs. From the fruit they obtain a
highly intoxicating spirit, and while that is in season (from
October to December) they do not want work, for men, women,
and children live in a state of intoxication.
The great characteristic tree of the region, which can be seen
from some distance from land, and always on the highest points,
with an ugly blunt head and branches, and for nine months of
the year leafless, is the baobab (Adansonia digitata). Many of
these trees can be found 80 feet in girth. Its wood is soft and
spongy, but the acid matter surrounding the seeds, which are
196 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
contained in a shell the size of an ordinary orange, produces a
pleasant cooling drink. From the inner bark, fine fibre can be
made, which the natives turn to use in the making of fishing-
lines and fishing-nets, which they tan with mangrove bark.
Another tree which attracts strangers by its long racemes ot
flowers and cylindrical fruits is K7gelia pinnata (D. C.), but it
has no commercial value.
Acacias are represented by Acacia arabica, A. Kraussiana,
A. caffra, A. horrida, and A. pinnata. The wood of all is
exceedingly hard and very durable, but owing to their very
thorny nature, and the difficulty in getting them cut down, they
are not so often turned to useful account as they should be.
The Palmyra palm (Borassus flabelliformis, L.), the “ Palmeira
brava” of the Portuguese, stands out in his solitary grandeur.
This palm is cultivated on the Zanzibar coast, and also in
India and Ceylon. It produces a commercial fibre from which
brooms and brushes are manufactured.
The tamarind tree (Zamarindus indica) is one ot the finest
timber-trees of the East, and the seed-pods are of great value
to the natives, but only a few trees are to be seen near the
dwellings of the Indian traders.
Taking a general view of this territory from the Indian Ocean,
it is separated on the north and west from British Central Africa
(Rhodesia) by the high mountain ranges Gorongosa and Manica,
over gooo feet high. The lowlands are mostly open forest with
rank grasses, the most common of which is Phragmites communis
(Trin.), often to feet high. Much of the country has been
rendered worthless by the annual fires that have swept it, but
my representations are this year bearing fruit, and only lands
that are required for cultivation are now allowed to be fired.
Over this belt of lowland the number of species of timber-trees
is limited, and, with the acacias already mentioned, we have
one Albizzia (A. fastigiata). The heart-wood of this tree is heavy
and durable, and the Kaffirs never cut it down, for they have
discovered its value as a shade-tree, and cultivation is success-
ful under all the species of A/bizzta. In many countries they
are planted as shade-trees, for the light feathery foliage gives
the necessary shade, and the small leaves shed over the planta-
tion form excellent manure.
As a forest product, I must mention the valuable creeper,
Cocculus villosus (D. C.). When searching for basket material
ARBORICULTURAL NOTES FROM PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA. I97
(not having bamboos within the dry zone), I made a trial of this
creeper for basket-work with satisfactory results, and all our
agricultural and cotton gathering baskets are now made with
it. The mid-rib of the leaf of one of our common dry-zone palms,
Phenix reclinata (L.), is used as the framework. The mid-rib
of the leaf of this palm is also used for fishing-baskets, and
for the framework of the fish-fences that are to be seen along
the coast, as it withstands the effects of the salt-water for a
few years.
Useful fibre plants which we have turned to account in
making ropes are—Azbiscus vitifolius, Hl. calycinus, A. canna-
binus, H. gossypinus, and HZ. tiliaceus.
One of our best timber-trees is Zanthoxylum capense, the
*‘knob-thorn” of the natives, a tree with curious spines on the
trunk and branches, which are used for pipe-bowls. The wood
is used for farm purposes, and the fruit, which is pungent, and
is called the wild “cardamon,” is used medicinally, while the
bark of the root is a native remedy for snake-bite. The white
ironwood (Zoddalia lanceolata, Lam.) is a useful wood, and
is used in waggon work. The timber of the Cape chestnut
(Calodendron capense, Thb.), a handsome tree when in flower,
is also used for waggon work. The white pear (Ajpodytes
dimidiata, E. M.) yields a good hard wood.
Zizyphus Jujuba (Lam.) and Z. mucronata (Willd.) are both
very common. The fruit is eaten by the natives, and the
root and leaves are used medicinally. The wood is very
durable, and, owing to their thorny character, they are useful
fence trees, and can be pruned into any form. hus levigata
(L.) and &. longifolia (Sond.) yield useful, hard, heavy wood.
Millettia caffra (Meisw.) is a small-sized tree, producing abundant
handsome flowers. From this tree, the heart-wood of which
is almost black, the natives make their walking-sticks and
knob-kerries. Dalbergia multijuga (E. M.) and D. melanoxylon
(Guill.) both yield hard useful wood, but they do not grow
to a large size, and cannot compare with the Indian species.
Dalbergia Sissoo (Roxb.) and Pygeum africanum (Hook.), the
latter a large tree, not uncommon in Africa, produce good,
useful timber. Combretum truncatum (Welw.), one of the largest
and finest timber-trees in Africa, yields an exceedingly hard
and heavy wood. Lugenia capensis (Harv.), £. cordata (Laws.),
and £. sf. are all useful woods for house-building purposes.
198 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A plant belonging to the cucumber family must be included
as forest-produce. This is Zelfaria pedata (Hook.), a gigantic
tree climber, with a large gourd-like fruit, often 60 lbs. in weight,
and which contains from 200 to 300 seeds which are rich in
oil, and form an article of export to Europe. The natives
boil and eat the seeds. Gardenia Thunbergit (L.) is a small-
sized tree, with large, white, sweet-scented flowers. The wood
is very hard and tough, and is used for many purposes.
Another forest product found in abundance in some parts is a
variety of coffee (Coffea arabica), with small, numerous, and
rather astringent berries. It is the chief coffee used by the
Portuguese and natives.
Myrsine melanophieos (R. B.), an erect tree, common in
South Africa, produces excellent and useful timber. JZinusops
caffra and M. obovata (Sond.), “ Milkwood,” are both useful
woods, and are used in buildings and carriage work. Schrebera
alata (Wel.), a moderate sized tree, produces very hard wood
and a profusion of fragrant flowers. Olea verrucosa (Link.),
a not uncommon tree, produces heavy, strong wood, which is
used for teeth of mill-wheels, etc. Olea faveolata (E. M.) and
O. laurifolia are both useful woods.
Dobera Roxburghii (Planch.) is a large soft-wooded tree found
about mangrove swamps, the timber of which is used for
making canoes. Strychnos Atherstonet (Harv.) is one of the first-
class woods of South Africa, and is used for staves, etc. There
are many other species of this genus, some of which produce
edible orange-shaped fruits, but their timber is inferior, In
the natural family Hemodoracee are some interesting commercial
plants. Of the Sansevieras, which comprise twelve species in
Africa and tropical Asia, two species, Samseviera guineensis
and SS. cylindrica (Bojst) are plentiful on the coast. The fibre
from the stalks of these plants is of a very fine silky nature,
commanding in the European markets the high price of £30
per ton. The natives in the East produce beautiful mats and
cordage from the fibre. These plants occur on stony places
in the open forests and on old ant-hills, where they luxuriate,
producing strong growths.
Of charcoal woods we have the following :—Bridelia micrantha
(Planch.), Zrema bracteolata (Bl.), Grewia caffra (Mei.), Sapindus
capensis (Hook.), and many others.
Not uncommon is Zrachylobium Hornemannianum (Hayne),
ARBORICULTURAL NOTES FROM PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA, 199
the gum copal tree of the east coast. Bowkeria sp. is a common
tree. It is used for canoes, and the ash is very white, contain-
ing a large proportion of potash. Some of the common large
trees are Ficus capensis (Thb.), #. cordata (Thb.), & Vogelit
(Mig.), and / asperrima (Roxb.). They are used for canoes.
In passing, I may mention that the country is rich in pasture
grasses, there being over fifty species on the coast belt, and
large herds of cattle are now to be seen. Fever and tsetse fly
are unknown,
In the Inhambane and Delagoa Bay districts, the land rises
almost from the sea, so that it is only at a few points, and on
the river banks for some distance, that mangrove swamps can
be formed. The cover is mostly low, thorny scrub, consisting of
Acacia, Capparis, Zizyphus, Vitis, Abrus, Cassia, Carissa, Ipomea,
and some of the coarse grasses. As seen from the sea, the
Inhambane neighbourhood, with its beautiful land-locked bay,
is almost an entire grove of cocoanut palms. No forest cover
nor timber-trees are to seen. Palms and cashewnut trees
cover the country for many miles inland.- Only in the far
interior, commencing at sixty miles inland, do clumps of forest
appear; but to give a description of that area is outside the
limits of this paper. The country is very populous, and the
chief industry is in connection with the produce of the cocoanut
palm.
Excepting by some of the river valleys, and near the Transvaal
border, the district of Lourengo Marques has a very poor forest
cover. The British Government made a serious mistake in not
acquiring this port when the Portuguese wished to part with it
for £12,000, not long after the award of Marshal MacMahon, in
1872. A fancy price would now be asked for it. Lourengo
Marques is the best natural harbour in South Africa, and is fast
becoming the most important port, being the proper outlet for
the Transvaal. For lack of protection and conservation, there
is little remarkable to relate regarding timber-trees and forest
produce along this coast-line. Protection is only now coming
into force. In the adjoining British colonies, afforestation is fast
progressing, the Governments having come to understand that
until there is forest cover to protect the crops and herds
from pestilential winds, blights, and insect ravages, the bare
mountain ranges and open plains are worthless for agricultural
purposes. In this territory we have considerable forest cover,
200 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
and it. only requires protection to become a valuable
reserve.
In a subsequent paper I hope to deal with forest-trees and
forest-produce—embracing the rising country and mountain
ranges—in a more comprehensive way. With the exception of
ornamental trees planted about the towns, very few exotic trees
have been introduced. The Casuarina has become naturalised
—the seed having been blown over from Zanzibar and
Madagascar. It is an exceedingly durable wood, and being
rich in carbon, is one of our very best charcoal woods. It is
truly a marvellous tree, luxuriating as it does in Africa, Arabia,
Egypt (on the banks of the Suez Canal), the dry plains of India,
on the mountain ranges at 6000 feet elevation, in the West
Indian Islands, the islands of the South Pacific Ocean, etc. It
has travelled far from its native habitat—Queensland.
ety
Rea NY Gy
Jace page 200.
a
{7
SIX YEARS OLD,
NTT),
4
es
<=
>
N
=)
>
>
ES (MAN/H(
IN THE Ff
TRE
BBER
A RU
AR
CE
9 oye ee 9) =
en BRS take OO ee NF See
A SESSION AT THE EBERSWALDE FOREST ACADEMY. 201
26. A Session at the Eberswalde Forest Academy.
By A. F. WiLson, C.D.A.(Edin.).
Noting the attention which has recently been given to
scientific forestry, I resolved, after finishing my agricultural
classes at Edinburgh University, to pay a visit to Eberswalde,
where I remained from the rst April until nearly the end of
August. My principal aim was to engage in practical forest
work ; but I also attended certain of the Academy classes under
advice from Dr Schwappach, who suggested them to me in
view of the extent of my previous studies. I had previously
attended the Edinburgh University course in forestry, along with
my agricultural classes, and I found it of great benefit in pursuing
my further studies.
Eberswalde lies in the sand-plain of North-eastern Germany,
and is within an hour’s journey from Berlin. The district for
miles around is naturally more or less flat, and the soil, as a
rule, is poor, consisting principally of sand. The district under
forest control comprises nearly 50,000 acres.
In giving this short sketch of my visit, I will deal mainly
with the Scots pine, as it forms 75 per cent. of the woods
round Eberswalde. The other 25 per cent. is chiefly composed
of beech and oak, some of the young plantations being
stocked with the red oak (Quercus rubra). Young plantations
of Douglas fir are being extensively introduced, and the older
plantations, the maximum age of which is 20 years, are thriving
splendidly. Self-sown birch occur in considerable quantity,
while alder are grown in the swamps.
When I arrived in the beginning of April, I found that the
work in the forest and nursery was in full swing, so I had
the opportunity of seeing the different kinds of work in progress,
THE Forest NURSERY.
The nursery, which has been in existence for seventy years,
is situated about a mile from the Academy, and is quite access-
ible to the students at all times. It is under the management
of Professor Schwappach, who gave practical demonstrations
to the students from time to time during the spring on the
method of cultivating and manuring the nursery soil, and also
on the sowing of seed and transplanting of plants.
VOL, XX. PART Il, fe)
202 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The situation of the nursery is very good. It has a gentle
north-easterly slope, and is well protected from various
adverse influences by a Scots pine and beech wood about
120 years of age. It is enclosed by a high wooden fence,
it is protected from rabbits by wire netting which runs along
the outside of the fence, and is fixed half a foot below the
surface of the ground as a protection against burrowing. Along
the outside of the nursery are spruce trees 70 years old, and,
owing to their dense evergreen crowns, they give assured pro-
tection. The enclosure, which is nearly an acre in extent, is
cut into four main divisions by means of two paths cross-
ing each other at a right angle. Each division is more or less
subdivided.
Soil,—Through long years of careful cultivation, the soil is
as near perfection as possible. It is a fine sandy loam, quite
free from stones. It has received from time to time large
dressings of leaf-mould, and every year it receives a dressing
of basic slag and kainit. _ It is therefore in first-class condition.
Work.—Operations commence about the middle of March,
the work consisting principally in the lifting and transporting
of plants for use in the forest. When the nursery has been
cleared of its growing stock, the greater part of which is 1-year-
old seedling Scots pine, the ground is carefully trenched, the
bottom spit being placed on the top; and as this sort of cultiva-
tion is carried on every year, the most thorough mixing of the
soil takes place, and the beneficial effect of it is seen in the
uniform size of the plants grown. When the trenching is
finished the soil gets a top dressing of kainit and basic slag,
and this is gently worked into the surface-soil. The ground
is next laid out into beds. The breadth of the bed is 4 feet,
and the length may be from 5 to 15 yards, according to the
situation. A breadth of 4 feet has been found to answer best,
as with this there is no difficulty in the way of weeding, the
beds being thoroughly under control from both sides. Weeding
paths one foot wide are left between the beds. After the beds
have been marked off, the surface is gently trodden, and a
special soil-mixing implement, consisting of an arrangement
of discs, is used to pulverise the surface-soil. This is
followed by a light hand-roller, which evens the surface of the
bed and gives it a certain degree of firmness, and it is now
ready for the drawing of the seed-drills, which are run cross-
A SESSION AT THE EBERSWALDE FOREST ACADEMY. 203
ways for coniferous seeds, and generally lengthwise for large
seeds, The drills which run cross-ways are made by a special
drill marker, which is a very practical implement, and makes
a very good finish. It can be adjusted to suit any width
between the drills, and also to form large or small drills,
according to the size of the seed. The drills are arranged, in
pairs, 2 inches apart, and half a foot between the pairs.
Another and quicker method of drawing the drills is with the
“‘markeur,” an implement like a large rake, having usually four
or five specially made teeth, with which the furrows for large
seeds, such as oak, beech, and chestnut, are made. These
drills are made parallel with the length of the bed, instead of
across it, as is the case with the former implement. Another,
and a very quick, method is by means of a roller. This is the
same width as the bed, and has five V-shaped ridges upon
its surface. It is drawn once backward and forward, the ridges
forming the seed-drills. The two last-mentioned implements
have long handles, and are pulled backward and forward by
two workers—one at each side of the bed. I saw them at work
in the nursery at Cloister Chorin, which is very much larger
than the Eberswalde nursery.
When the seed-beds have been prepared, Scots pine and
other seeds of a like size are sown either by means of the “seed-
horn,” a very quick though somewhat irregular method, or
by means*of the ‘sowing-stick.” The latter gives greater
uniformity in the sowing, and was used principally in the
nursery garden at Eberswalde. This “sowing-stick” is made to
suit the width of the bed. It has two sides fixed at a right
angle to each other, the lower side being broader, and containing
little grooves at regular intervals. Each groove holds about
two seeds. The seed is contained in a long wooden trough,
from which the “ sowing-stick” is filled. To use it, two workers
are required, one to hold each end of the stick. They dip it
into the seed-box, from which it is filled, and they then lift it
above the seed and give it a turn, when the surplus seed falls
back into the box, only that contained in the grooves remaining.
The charged stick is then placed over the drills in the seed-bed,
and on being turned upside down the seed falls out. To me
the method was quite novel, and it interested me very much.
Although a costlier process than that by the seed-horn, by this
method clumping is avoided when the plants come up, and
204 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
they are more uniform. After being sown, the seed is lightly
covered, and the operation is completed by rolling the bed.
Before being sown, the seeds receive a coating of red lead—
1 lb. red lead to 10 Ibs. seed—sufficient water being added to
moisten the seed.
Transplanting.—The cultivation of the soil, and the size of
the beds for the young transplants, is the same as has been
already described for the reception of the seed. The method of
transferring seedlings to the nursery lines in the Eberswalde
nursery ensures the greatest success, if this is to be attained
by careful planting. A worker places a board 4 feet long by
6 inches broad across the bed, and gives it a stamp in order
to even and consolidate the surface. The soil is now dug
away, about a spade deep, from the front of the plank. This
plank is now replaced by another 7 inches broad instead of
6, the extra inch in breadth being notched for the reception
of the plants. The distance between the notches is 6 inches,
therefore the distance between the plants when planted is 6 inches
by 6inches. The plants are kept in boxes, and the worker places
a plant in each notch. The worker sees that the roots are
hanging naturally, and he then gently fills in the soil round
about them. When properly covered, more earth is added, and
well tramped round the roots. Soil is now thrown forward to
level up the trench, and operations begin again for another row.
When a bed is completed it looks exceedingly well, and the
plants as a rule all thrive. All yearling coniferous seedlings,
and also some broad-leaved species, are transplanted in this
way. The work of transplanting is no sooner finished than
weeding has to be commenced. The weeds consist mostly of
chickweed and sow-thistles, and they grow quickly in the friable
sandy loam. Once, during the summer, the young plants get a
quantity of artificial manure in the form of sulphate of ammonia,
(NH,,).SO,, dissolved in water, the quantity being 20 grammes
to to litres of water.
REPLANTING OF THE FELLED AREAS.
Transportation of the Plants from the Nursery.—The Scots
pine seedlings are usually taken from the nursery for the re-
generation of the felled areas at 1 year old. Very great care
is taken in the handling of the young plants, in order to avoid
A SESSION AT THE EBERSWALDE FOREST ACADEMY. 205
anything in the nature of abrasions to the roots or stems. They
are lifted either by means of the spade, graip or fork, which is
inserted deeply enough to ensure clean lifting. A spadeful of
earth and plants is allowed to fall gently, so as to loosen the
earth round the roots. This avoids the tearing of the tender
rootlets, which is certain to happen when the earth is only
loosened, and the plants pulled forcibly up. The young plants
are then collected and put into rows of five blocks each, each
block containing 1000 plants. The heeling-in is usually done
in a shady part of the nursery. The rows are placed close
together and covered with spruce branches for the preservation
of moisture, and the plants are kept there until ready for trans-
porting to the forest.
When plants are sent long distances, great attention is paid
to the packing. Young plants are packed in hampers at the
rate of 20,000 to 40,000 plants per hamper, the price for plants
being 1s. per 1000 for 1-year-old seedlings, and 2s. 6d. per 1000
for 2-year-old seedlings. The plants are packed in layers, with
their roots to the inside, and layers of moss—which reduces
evaporation of moisture to a minimum—are placed between the
layers of plants. The method of packing large plants, say
5-year-old beech, is rather interesting. Long wires are placed
on the ground, some distance apart and parallel to each other.
Long rye or wheat straw is next laid across the wires. Straw
bands are then placed across the straw, and lastly a layer of
damp moss. The plants are now laid on the moss, perpendicular
to the wires and straw bands. There are generally 120 plants
in each consignment, and they are packed in four bundles of 30
plants each. A layer of moss is placed between the bundles
and over the roots. The straw bands are now tied round the
plants, and then comes another layer of loose straw. The wires
are first bound tightly round the bundle and fastened with pliers,
and after being laced longitudinally the consignment is ready
for rail. By experienced workmen the packing can be done in
a very short time. The plants cost 5s. per roo, while the
packing costs ro per cent. more—that is 6d. per roo plants.
Large saplings are usually tied into convenient bundles, and
merely have their roots protected. When small plants, such as
I- or 2-year-old Scots pine, arrive at the forest area which is to
be planted, they are again carefully heeled into trenches and
protected against the sun.
206 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
When required for planting, the plants are placed in boxes
which usually have two compartments. To the partition in the
middle of the box leather covers are attached, and these are used
to cover the plants and protect them against drought while in
the field. The roots are kept moist by being embedded in
thin mud.
Cultivation of the Forest Area prior to planting.—In the
Eberswalde district the soil and air are so dry, and the growth
of grass (chiefly Azra flexuosa) and blaeberries so persistent, that
natural regeneration of the Scots pine meets with no success,
and artificial regeneration is wholly depended upon. This is
done by sowing or planting in prepared strips, the percentage of
the area regenerated by sowing being one-third as compared
with two-thirds regenerated by planting. But where the soil is
fresher, and carries a good crop of beech, natural regeneration
under the small group system is doing very well.
The cultivation of the ground for Scots pine is usually done
in strips about 1 foot wide, the width of the uncultivated strips
between these being 3 feet. The turf may either be stripped by
means of a plough, with a flat share and double mould-boards,
or by means of the spade or broad hoe. The former method is
quicker, but the sod is very irregularly taken off, with the result
that the depth varies; and when there are many roots and
stones present some other method must be adopted. In cultivat-
ing the strips with the spade, the sod is cut down both sides and
also down the middle. This allows of about half a foot of
inverted sod being placed on either side of the planting strip.
The inverted sod on each side prevents the young plants from
being smothered by the rank growth of grass, which always
grows strongly for a year or two after the old crop has been
removed, and it also hastens the decomposition of the under-
lying turf. A covering of grass, especially of Aira flexuosa,
and moss is considered bad, as it usually dries the soil and pro-
duces dry-humus, which is of no use to the plants.
After the strips have been cleared, a man turns over a spadeful
of earth at intervals of a foot and a half, and a worker follows with
a wedge-shaped planting-spade, which he inserts into the turned
over soil. This implement is pushed backwards and forwards
so as to form a V-shaped incision. Another worker follows with
a box containing the plants. Stooping, he uncovers the box;
and taking a plant in his left hand, he proceeds to place it in
A SESSION AT ‘THE EBERSWALDE FOREST. ACADEMY. 207
the incision formed by the planting-spade—holding it against
one side, and seeing that the roots are arranged naturally. He
then inserts his right hand into the notch and loosens the soil,
which falls naturally round the roots. The operator now inserts
the planting-spade into the ground a few inches back from the
plant, and by first pulling the handle towards him, and then
pushing it towards the plant, the soil round the roots is
consolidated, and the slit is closed at the top. Professor
Schwappach estimates the cost of planting an acre of Scots pine
at from £2, 10s. to £7, according to the difficulties presented in
the cultivation, etc.
Pit-planting is also largely practised, especially if the ground
to be regenerated presents difficulties in the way of quick
cultivation. This is, however, not always the case. The size
of the pits are about 14 foot square, and the distance between the
pits and the rows 4 feet. The cultivation of the pits was effected
either by the spade alone, or by the broad hoe followed by a
special soil-mixing implement. The turf is stripped off and inverted
round the sides of the pit. The soil is then carefully turned over
and mixed. The special mixing implement was rather interest-
ing. It contained a number of blade-shaped prongs, each prong
or tooth consisting of two parts, the flat of the top part being at
right angles to the flat of the lower part. The implement is
forced gradually into the soil by means of the foot, the handle
being held by both hands. It is’ then pushed slowly backwards
and forwards until the soil is thoroughly mixed. Two plants,
generally 2 years old, are then planted, one in each corner of
the pit.
In newly regenerated areas, if the grass is rank and threatens
to overcome the young plants, the ground between the cultivated
strips is mown with hooks in July.
The cost of labour in the Eberswalde district runs from 2s. 6d.
to 3s. for men, and 1s. 6d. for women, per day.
TEMPORARY ForREST NURSERIES.
In all large areas which are being regenerated, a temporary
forest nursery is formed in order to provide a supply of plants
to fill up the vacancies caused by failures among the young
plants. The mortality is caused principally by frost, Prssodes
notatus (stem), Melalontha vulgaris (roots), and Hysterium (young
needles).
208 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The selected area is cleared of all turf, weeds, stones, and
old roots, and the soil is thoroughly mixed. Before anything
further is done a fence of wire netting is constructed round the
cleared area. The posts of the fence usually consist of Scots pine
stems split down the centre. The stems used are those which
have been more or less affected with Zvametes pini, which
produces a form of ring-shake. The wire netting is 3 feet wide,
the mesh being small enough to keep out rabbits, and it is
secured half a foot below the surface of the ground to prevent
them from burrowing underneath. The posts are about 6 feet
apart, and they stand 4 feet above the ground. A single wire,
to which the netting is attached, is stapled to the top of the
posts, and the cost of the completed fence is 4d. per yard.
When the area has been fenced, the seed-drills are drawn,
- usually by means of the “markeur,” as this is the quickest
method. The seed is sown by the seed-horn, the drills
are covered with the back of a rake, and the surface rolled.
A part of the area is usually reserved for 1-year-old seedlings
which are transplanted in the temporary forest nursery in order
that they may become acclimatised before being planted out
in spring to fill up the vacancies.
InsEcT PEsts.
Like other forest areas, Eberswalde is not spared the inflic-
tion of insect pests, but the damage done by these is small
compared with that inflicted by fungi, as the latter work havoc
principally on old woods which are coming to their best.
Of the Coleopterous family, the pine weevil (y/obius abtetis)
and the smaller pine weevil (Pssodes notatus) do considerable
damage to the young Scots pine and other conifers by gnawing
the stems of plants from 2 to 5 years old. Perhaps a greater
enemy of young plants, both broad-leaved and coniferous, is
the cockchafer beetle (A/e/alontha vulgaris), which does great
damage in the grub stage by gnawing the roots. Remedial
measures are seldom practised in the forest, as the results are
so incomplete and the cost is so great; but in the nursery
affected plants are pulled up and destroyed, while between the
beds round pits with steep sides are dug, into which the beetles,
when crawling about in the evening, fall and are collected
and destroyed. Of the beetles which attack the older Scots
A SESSION AT THE EBERSWALDE FOREST ACADEMY. 209
pine, the pine beetle (Aylesinus piniperda) causes the most
damage. When the mature beetles appear in July and August,
they fly to the crowns of the Scots pine, and bore into the
young shoots, the leader-shoots generally being chosen. They
mine towards the terminal bud, and after a gale of wind numerous
shoots may be seen lying on the ground beneath the trees,
When a leading shoot has been destroyed, a secondary one
takes its place, resulting in a few years in a bent and twisted
stem. The same result is also produced by crows and wood-
pigeons alighting on and breaking the leading shoots.
Of Lepidopterous insects the worst is the Nun moth (Lzparis
monacha). The damage is done by the caterpillars, which
feed upon the needles of the Scots pine, and to a less extent on
those of the spruce. The attack may be so severe that nearly
all the needles may be eaten through or devoured. The moths
were exceedingly common in August, and it was quite a usual
occurrence to find at least a dozen at rest on the bole of a tree.
The Nun moth differs from the majority of insects in this order
in taking two years instead of one to complete its life-cycle.
Where forestry is practised on a large scale remedies are never
tried, as the cost generally far exceeds the benefit derived. The
Pine Shoot Tortrix moth (Retinia buoliana) gives rise to twisted
stems through the caterpillars boring into the leading shoots,
and thereby causing a lateral shoot to bend upwards to take the
place of the attacked leader.
Larch is not grown to any extent at Eberswalde, as the soil
is quite unsuited for it, and where it is to be seen, it does not
present a very healthy appearance. In the month of June
nearly all the younger trees were affected by the larch-mining
moth (Coleophora laricella), the larve of which mine the
needles, the tips of which become yellow. The remedy is to
plant larch in suitable situations only.
FUNGOID DISEASES.
As I have already said, fungoid diseases are much more
destructive here than insect pests. Perhaps the worst of all,
at anyrate in the pine woods, is Zrametes pint. This fungus
attacks woods from 70 years old and upwards, and as the
rotation for the pine is 120 years, serious damage is occasioned
just before the woods are ready for the axe; hundreds of
210 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
pounds are lost every year through the damage caused by this
fungus. The disease takes the form of a kind of ring-shake,
caused by the mycelium spreading round an annual ring, and
producing decomposition of the wood. The spores find an
entrance through a wound, generally a broken branch. The
only remedy is to cut out the affected trees, which are easily
detected by the presence of the dark fructifications on the stems.
The disease may spread fairly rapidly, as the old woods are
only visited once every ten years for thinning purposes.
Another fungus of scarcely less importance is Peridermium
pint. The mycelium of this fungus interferes with the circula-
tion of the sap of the tree, the crowns become “ dry-headed,”
the needles turn brown and fall off, and the tree ultimately
dies. Small groups of trees all more or less affected were very
noticeable, showing that the disease had been transmitted from
the one to the other. The only remedy is to cut out all attacked
trees, but when too heavy thinnings are not desired, trees which
have only lost the needles of their under branches, and which
show fairly healthy leaders, are left over till the next thinning.
Until recently, it was the practice to leave the best trees of one
rotation to stand over till the end of the following rotation, but
it was found that these standards became “ dry-headed”’ while
surrounded by the young crop of the next rotation, and the
practice has been discontinued.
Great damage is done to the young Scots pine by the needle-
shedding fungus (Hysterium pinastri). It causes the needles to
turn brownish-red and fall off. Plants up to six years old suffer
most, and they usually succumb. Older trees of all ages may
show signs of attack, but they usually manage to survive it.
Of the root fungi, the most destructive is Trametes radtciperda.
This fungus only attacks the Scots pine on good soil (which was
part of a glacial moraine). The heads of the attacked trees are
more or less compressed looking, and the branches black in
colour. They are to be felled in a clear-cutting this year,
and the ground is to be replanted with red oak (Quercus
rubra), the damper parts being stocked with the American
white ash (Fraxinus alba).
BOTANICAL GARDEN.
Of the many interesting departments in connection with the
Forest Academy, not the least so is the Botanical Garden. It
A SESSION AT THE EBERSWALDE FOREST ACADEMY. 211
is situated near the nursery, and contains a collection of the
various species of European trees. The garden has been laid
out in a meadow with an intervening sand-hill, and its longest
side has a sluggish river for its boundary. The designing of
the garden leaves little to be desired, and the place is very well
kept. The paths are all bordered with conical-shaped hedges
of spruce about two feet high. The garden is devoted almost
solely to trees, but a number of ornamental shrubs are scattered
throughout. The soil is practically of two kinds, the damp and
water-logged soil of the flat, and the poor sandy soil of the
higher ground. It can therefore be easily seen that a number
of the species would be quite unsuited to the ground, if it were
to be for anything other than demonstrative purposes. On the
water’s edge begin the willows, poplars and alders; then the
ashes and:spruces. On the drier ground are the planes, maples
and oaks. ‘The oaks showed how unsuited they were to the soil,
as they were very unhealthy looking and covered with lichens.
On the more rising ground are Silver Firs, Weymouth’ and
Austrian pines, and a few unhealthy larch. On the higher
portions of the garden the different varieties of the genus Prunus
are grown. There are also plots demonstrating the various
kinds of apple and pear trees. The beds containing the fruit-
trees seemed to have obtained dressings of leaf-mould from time
to time. All the trees are scientifically named on metal plates.
A botanical lecture is held almost every week in the garden,
where the different plants are dissected, and the means of
recognising the different trees is also fully described and
demonstrated.
Before closing this article, 1 may mention that the Academy
contains museums in connection with the various sciences
taught, and they are most “up to date.” If a foreigner cannot
at first follow the lectures clearly, he can at least profit im-
mensely by a few visits to the places mentioned, particularly
that which is set aside for the various implements in connection
with forestry, and he will have the additional opportunity of
seeing their use demonstrated in the field.
I hope this imperfect sketch may be the means of inducing
others to take a course of forestry at Eberswalde; if they
do, I can assure them that they will be received with the
greatest kindness and consideration by the various professors
whose classes they may attend.
212 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
27. Encouragement of Private Forestry.
By Professor SCHWAPPACH. (Translated by A. W. BortTHwick, D.Sc.)
I have been asked to contribute an article to the Zramsactions,
and in selecting a subject suitable to Scottish conditions I cannot
do better than describe a case where the principle “help your-
self” has been applied in German private forestry with the most
satisfactory results.
Although German proprietors take much more interest in the
welfare of their forests than English or Scottish proprietors, still
the condition of the woods on small and medium-sized German
estates leaves much to be desired, and the education of those in
charge of the smaller forests is frequently very rudimentary and
incomplete. Within the last eight years two important measures
have been adopted to bring about an improvement. The one
consists in the creation of a Forestry Department in the Boards of
Agriculture, which is composed of specially trained forest experts ;
the other is the formation of the Society of Private Foresters of
Germany. I will perhaps on another occasion deal with the
result of the Forestry Department of the Board of Agriculture ;
at the present time I will describe the Society and its work.
In the spring of 1903 the Society was formed in Berlin. The
editor of the Deutschen Forstzeitung, Herrn Neumann, of
Neudamm, led the movement, and also bore the initial expense.
To begin with, the Society was composed of foresters and a few
gentlemen interested in forestry matters, but soon forest pro-
prietors also recognised the importance of this Society, and
became members, so that the work of the Society is now carried
on by a very gratifying combination of forest proprietors and
their foresters. ‘The number of members at the present time is
about 2200. ‘Those foresters with an income not above 2000
marks per annum pay 3 marks; the rest pay 5 marks as
a yearly subscription. Forest proprietors pay too marks on
joining, and an annual subscription of at least 5 marks. The
affairs of the Society are managed by a special and a general
committee. The special committee consists of two foresters and
a forest proprietor. The general committee consists of fifteen
members, of whom six are foresters and six forest proprietors,
the other three being extraordinary members (professors, experts),
ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRIVATE FORESTRY. 213
An annual meeting is held in August, and at this time, as well
as in February, a sitting of the general committee takes place.
In order to bring the members into more intimate touch with
each other, and to represent local interests to the best advantage,
branches of the Society have been formed, mostly according to
provinces and confederated states. These branches hold meet-
ings, and possess power to look after their own local interests.
The Society has, in the meantime, two important pieces of
work on hand:—(z1) improving the education of the under
foresters, and (2) regulating the pension in the case of those unfit
for work, together with other various kinds of business in con-
nection with these undertakings.
The education of the under foresters in Germany at the
present time is on the average unsatisfactory, and in many
cases insufficient. Frequently gardeners and game-keepers are
put in charge of forests, and at the best these men have received
their initial training from other foresters. In order to improve
matters, three measures have been adopted :—(1) holding examina-
tions, (2) providing courses of instruction, and (3) the establish-
ment of a special school. The examinations are held by
Commissioners of the Society, and this gives those already in
service an opportunity to demonstrate their ability and to obtain
a certificate of efficiency. Such examinations were held in 1905
and r:g906. In the first year there were roo, and in the
second year 60 candidates from all parts of Germany, and for
1907 as yet 40 applications have been made.
The course of instruction is conducted by an expert, in the
following manner:—Foresters, and also forest proprietors,
assemble at some locality favourably situated to a suitable
forest, where they remain a week. In the forenoons excursions
are made in the forest to see and practise the most important
operations, such as thinning and planting. In the afternoons a
two hours’ lecture is delivered, and this is followed by a discussion
of questions bearing on the excursions, the lectures, or any other
subject propounded by the members. It has, however, been
found that this entails too much work and too great a strain on
one teacher, hence in future two persons will share in the work
of instruction.
These courses have met with great appreciation, and have
served a very useful purpose. The most important service which
the Society has rendered is the establishment of special schools
214 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
for the training of young people for private forest service, since
there are otherwise no such institutions in Germany. The
establishment of the school was made possible by the help
of the town of Templin (Province Brandenburg, situated go
kilometres north of Berlin), which possessed 3000 hectares of
forest, and sold 1°5 hectares for the building and a large forest
garden at the very low price of 100 marks, and guaranteed a loan
of 80,000 marks at 1°8 per cent. interest, which loan is to be
paid up at the rate of 1°5 per cent.; and, lastly, it placed the forest
at the disposal of the Society for teaching purposes. Several
other towns have taken an interest in the school and made
similar endeavours. The school can accommodate forty pupils,
and contains a dwelling for the director, an assistant and a
caretaker. The cost of the building itself was 92,000 marks, and
that of the necessary adjuncts (furnishings and fittings) 12,000
marks. With this sum it was possible to introduce all modern
requirements, such as water-supply, electric light, and good
teaching material. The total amount necessary, namely, 104,000
marks, was raised from the following sources:—To the 80,000
marks lent by the town were added 10,000 marks, the previously
collected capital of the Society, and 14,000 marks were given by
the forest proprietors and other members of the Society. The
course lasts one year (1st July to 15th June). The pupils pay
424 marks, for which they receive board, lodging and instruction.
The actual cost is naturally much higher, and runs to 700 marks
per head. ‘The deficit is made up out of the Society’s means,
the support of two Boards of Agriculture, and the current sub-
scriptions of forest proprietors. The object of the instruction is
purely practical, and value is attached to the fact that the pupils
learn to do all kinds of forest work. The school was opened on
the 1st October 1906, and has developed splendidly. According
to my mind, it should be quite possible to establish a similar
institution in Scotland.
The second important object of the Society at the present
time is, as already stated, the establishment of pensions. The
salary of an under forester is usually not very great, but he may
be able to make ends meet as long as he is able to work. His
case is, however, very different and unsatisfactory when, through
age or illness, he becomes unfit for work. The proprietors of
small and medium-sized forests cannot, and will not, guarantee a
legal claim to a pension such as that guaranteed by the State
ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRIVATE FORESTRY. 215
and Communities to their servants. The Insurance Societies
demand such high annual premiums from an individual that he
cannot pay them. The attempt has, therefore, been made to
obtain more favourable conditions, either by the establishment
of a special fund, or by the Society making terms with an
Insurance Company. ‘This is a very difficult question, and has
taken years of consideration to obtain a very small insight into it.
At present the matter stands thus, these two propositions exist,
each of which in its own special way has pretty much the same
object in view. By payment of ro to 12 per cent. of the wages
(according to age) it is expected that the forester would after ten
years, provided he was incapacitated, be entitled to a pension
equivalent to a percentage on his usual wages, commencing at
33 per cent. and rising gradually to 75 per cent. It is also
expected that the forest proprietor will pay half of the premium,
or more, provided he is satisfied that the forester is insured. It
is to be hoped that this problem, which is very important for
the great mass of private forest officers, will be brought to a
satisfactory solution during the current year.
May these lines contribute towards the undertaking of similar
operations by the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
216 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
28. The Woods of Somerset.!
The publication of a further memoir of the Geographical
Distribution of Vegetation in Britain adds to our exact know-
ledge of the nature and distribution of British woods, and is
evidence that the work initiated by the late Mr Robert Smith is
being vigorously prosecuted. The district dealt with in the
memoir is divided into a lowland and an upland area.
The former consists of recent deposits, and was primitively
treeless; and even now plantations are uncommon there. The
geology of the upland area is a matter of great complexity. It
includes an almost unbroken sequence of strata from the Old
Red Sandstone to the Chalk, and it might be inferred that the
vegetation must be equally diverse. Such, however, is not the
case. Vegetation responds to the substratum in which it grows,
z.¢., to the soil; and while the soils of the upland area are
singularly free from recent deposits, and bear a direct relation
to the underlying rocks, yet those differences among rocks
and resultant soils which are important to the geologist are
not necessarily those which affect vegetation. From the
standpoint of vegetation, it was found necessary to subdivide
the soils of the upland area into only three classes,—
sandstones, limestones, and deep marls and clays; and the
vegetation is considered under these headings.
A characteristic of the soils of the sandstones is the readiness
with which a coat of humus appears as a superficial layer, and
which, when the ground is left to itself, in time develops a
covering of peat. The ultimate plant association of the sand-
stones appears to be an oak wood; but most of the primitive
woods of the district have been destroyed and converted into
farmland, or have degenerated into heaths or moors. Oak woods
are recorded as occurring on the Greensand, on the Coal-
Measures, and on the Old Red and Devonian Sandstones. The
oak wood region of the Greensand is roughly co-terminous
with the limits of the ancient forest of Selwood, which originally
covered about 20,000 acres. On many of the heaths, commons,
1 Geographical Distribution of Vegetation in Somerset: Bath and Bridgwater
District, by C. E. Moss, M.Sc. London: The Royal Geographical Society,
1 Savile Row; Edward Stanford, 12, 13, and 14 Long Acre, W.C. 1907.
Price, to Fellows, 2s. 6d.; to non-Fellows, 5s.
THE WOODS OF SOMERSET. 217
old warrens, quarries and other waste places on the sandstones,
copses of oak, birch and sallow spring up quite spontaneously.
There is not a natural beech wood of even moderate dimensions
to be found in the district. Isolated trees and small clumps of
beech occur here and there, and small belts and plantations are
not uncommon.
The vegetation of the limestones is much more varied in
character than that of the other rocks and soils of the district.
The woods of the limestones are dominated by the common ash.
Natural copses of ash and ash-associates are numerous, the
larger of which possess many features in common with the ash
woods. The ash woods occur on the slopes of limestone hills.
Reference to the vegetation map which accompanies the paper
will show how they fringe the summit cultivation on the Mendip
Hills. Ash woods are found on the Carboniferous Limestone,
on the Dolomitic Conglomerate, and on the Oolitic lime-
stones around Bath. Some of the ash woods are partially a
result of modern forestry; yet many appear to be truly primitive,
and seem to be the scattered remnants of the historic forest of
Mendip. ‘The soil of the ash woods is a red marl, sometimes
very shallow, stony and dry, and in such situations the ash
occurs to the exclusion of every other arboreal species. Great
stretches of dog’s mercury and wood garlic are characteristic of
the ground vegetation of the ash woods: bluebells and bracken
are scarce; and olcus mollis is quite unknown. The ash wood
had been recognised, in a previous botanical survey of Yorkshire
by Smith and Rankin, as a type of the vegetation of the Carboni-
ferous Limestone of Yorkshire; and the occurrence of pure
ash woods is also recorded on the same geological formation
in Derbyshire. It would seem, therefore, that the ash wood is
characteristic of limestone districts.
Oak-hazel woods are characteristic of the deep marls and
clays, such as the New Red (Keuper) Marl, the Lias, the
Bradford Clay, the Fuller’s Earth and the Oxford Clay. The
oak is the dominant tree, but in these woods it is not planted so
thickly as in the oak woods of the sandstones. Shrubs, usually
hazel, are planted among the oak standards, and the hazel-
coppice is exploited. The tendency to replace hazel-coppice by
high-forest is not observable in Somerset. Many of the oak-
hazel woods are about a century and a half old; but others are
more ancient, and possess many of the characteristics of
VOL, XX. PART II. P
218 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
primitive woodland. As in the other woods of the district,
game are reared and shot, and the woods are intersected by long
straight drives. Conifers are often planted, sometimes as a pro-
tection along the border of the woods, sometimes as ornaments
along the drives, and are often useful as landmarks. The
ground flora resembles that of the more shady portions of the
ash wood. ‘The soil of the oak-hazel woods is very damp, and,
as in the ash wood, is deficient in humus.
My observations show that the presence or absence of
lime in the soil is not the determining factor in the distribution
of the dominant tree; for whilst ash is dominant in the lime-
stone woods, yet oak is dominant in the deep marls and clays,
which are often highly calcareous ; and, on the other hand, oak
is dominant not only on highly calcareous marls, but also on
the silicious soils of the district. The deep soil of the marls
and clays and of the Greensand is favourable to the variety of
oak with stalked acorns (Quercus pedunculata), whilst the usual
form of oak met with on the shallow and rocky sandstone soils
is the sessile-fruited oak (Q. sesszliflora).
Lichens are abundant on many of the trees of Somerset. In
some cases, particularly on old birches, fruiting specimens of
Usnea barbata, the tree-beard lichen, are excessively common,
and other species are equally in evidence. Though lichens are
not parasitic on the trees, yet their occurrence in excess hinders
normal growth and development.
The introduction of conifers into the woods of Somerset is on
a large scale. Pine and larch plantations are abundant, but
there are no large spruce plantations. The larch can scarcely
be regarded as a successful introduction, as, in every larch
plantation examined, the larch canker (Peziza Willkommit) was
found, and in some plantations the disease was very prevalent.
Mixed plantations of larch, spruce, Scots pine and beech are
common throughout the district, especially on the Mendip
summits, at an altitude of about tooo feet.
In small areas, it would appear that plant associations are
determined more by edaphic or soil factors than by climatic
conditions ; but the soil factors cannot usually be inferred from
a geological map merely. Of the edaphic factors, the occurrence
of humus and humous acids is one which is highly important,
and deserving of more attention than has yet been bestowed
upon it. W. G. Situ, Ph.D., B.Sc.,
The University, Leeds.
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 219
29. Notes on Indian Forestry in 1906.
By JOHN NisBer, D.CEc.
Probably for the first time in its history, the Indian Forest
Department had a very high compliment paid to it in the
Secretary of State’s Budget speech in the House of Commons,
when he stated, on zoth July 1906, that “there has been an
increase in forest revenue in five years of more than £600,000.
I cannot wonder that those who are concerned in these opera-
tions look forward with nothing short of exultation to the day
when this country will realise what a splendid asset is now being
built up in India in connection with these forests.”
The net surplus revenue, after deducting all direct and indirect
expenditure on the working, management and improvement of
the 250,000 square miles of State Forests entrusted to the
Forest Department (of which about 100,000 are reserved, and
150,000 protected or unclassed forests), amounted in 1903-04
to £670,000, but in 1904-05 it rose to £730,000, and in 1905-06
it was estimated at £840,000. And these large sums of net
revenue, it must be remembered, would be very largely increased
if any credit were given for the money-value of timber, bamboos
and minor produce either removed free under grants and
registered rights of user, or else sold to privileged parties at
reduced rates for extraction. But large though this revenue be,
there is still ample room for its expansion, as it only represents
below £3 a square mile of forest, or 13d. an acre.
One is apt to get bewildered in the immensity of Indian figures
and areas. They run so easily into millions of cubic feet of
timber and, of fuel, many millions of bamboos, hundreds of thou-
sands of pounds sterling of revenue, and thousands of square
miles. The 250,000 square miles of State Forests are
administered by nineteen Conservators, so that each such circle
contains over 12,500 square miles of reserved or unreserved forests,
while the actual extent of territory forming each Conservator’s
charge averages over 57,000 square miles, which is over 3400
square miles in excess of the total area of England and Wales.
Two of the effects of the large surplus revenue earned for the
Indian Treasury have been the reorganisation of the Forest
Department and the improvement of the scale of pay to the
officers. The last reorganisation took place in 1882, so that the
improved position now given to forest officers has only been
220 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
somewhat tardily accorded. However, better late than never.
As now reorganised, the sanctioned scale of appointments
provides from 6th January 1906 for :—.
Rupees per Month.
1 Inspector-General, ‘ - ona salary of 2650
2 Chief Conservators (Burma and Coe a oe 2150
6 of I. Grade, ¥ 1900
19 Conservators, : : 7 Of OL eee 5 1700
oiohIlin as a 1500
136 Deputy Conservators, : - : Commencing with a salary
72 Assistant Conservators, . . | of Rs.380a month, rising by
9 Foreign Service Appointments (4 temporary), | annual increments of Rs. 40
I Assistant Inspector-General, : a month to Rs. 700; and
5 Officers at Imperial Forest College aia after that by increments of
Research Institute, Dehra Dan (who each | Rs. 50 a month to Rs. 1250
draw in addition a special allowance of |in the twentieth year of
Rs, 150 a month), : - . | service.
These are very substantial increases of salary, which remove a
well-founded Departmental grievance of several years’ standing,
although the question of improved pension for the two lower
grades of Conservator is still unsettled. But what had perhaps
quite as much as the handsome revenue to do with obtaining
this improvement in pay was the fact that the last year’s com-
petitive examination, advertised for nineteen vacancies, was a com-
plete failure. For the first time since the institution of this system
(in 1867) there was an almost total lack of candidates. So com-
petition was abolished, and selection by an advisory committee
took its place: and this gave the India Office food for thought.
The very unnecessarily expensive three years’ course of training at
Oxford is still in vogue, and will remain so till 1909, but the
Secretary of State is bound by a formal promise (made in his name
in the House of Lords by the Under Secretary, the Marquis of
Bath, in March 1905) to reconsider his orders about this in March
1908. After that it may perhaps be possible that desirable changes
may be made for procuring suitable training for probationers
at a much smaller cost of their time and money than at present.
If it be possible, as actually is the case, to train Indian civil
servants in a twelvemonth’s time, and to obtain civil engineers,
and educational and scientific officers ready to proceed at once
to India, it should not be impossible to obtain fairly well-equipped
foresters, now that forestry is taught at several universities and
at most agricultural colleges.
This important question of the training of probationers for the
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 221
Indian Forest Service has, naturally, been attracting much
attention among Indian forest officers, and especially since the
issue of the Government Regulation of June 5, 1906, converting
the Dehra Din School into an Imperial Forest Research Institute
and College (see Vol. XX. Part I. pp. 115-117). This institution,
maintained since 1878 for the training of subordinate officers
(rangers and foresters) for the various Provincial Services, has
now been transformed into a place where technical instruction
and scientific research are combined. The lectures are hence-
forth to be given entirely in English, the lower vernacular classes
for foresters being thus abolished, and each of the six research
officers is to give a course of lectures in his own special branch.
This will not interfere with the research work, as the lecture
session is confined to the four rainy months (July to October),
when in any case all the officers will be at headquarters.
This arrangement is a decided improvement. When I was
deputy director and chief instructor at Dehra Din in 1894,
I had to lecture not only on Sylviculture, Management and
Protection, and Utilisation of Produce, which were my own
proper professional subjects, but had also (in the absence of the
regular lecturer) to deliver a special course on Zoology, for which
I felt myself little qualified.
For the vernacular teaching of the lower subordinates
(foresters and forest guards) the various Local Governments are
now making the necessary provision. The first of such purely
local Forest Training Schools was that proposed and organised
by me (1895-97) whilst Conservator in Burma, and the second
that at Coimbatore for Southern India, organised by Mr Gass,
Conservator of the Southern Circle, Madras.
The researches that can now be undertaken at the Research
Institute and College will differ considerably from those questions
with which the various European Experimental Stations are con-
cerned, for the special problems requiring solution are of entirely
different nature in the temperate and the tropical zones. And
even in the different provinces of India (extending to over
1,000,000 square miles), the forest questions vary considerably
in many respects. That this work will be undertaken enthusi-
astically is evident from the feeling of gratitude with which the
Department has welcomed the Government Resolution :—
The study of the injurious pests, both animal and vegetable, the chemistry
of the widely varying soils and of the extremely numerous minor products of
222 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
the forests, and finally a knowledge of these minor products themselves, have
been quite beyond the power of the heavily worked executive officer to grapple
with. No one but the specialist, the Forest Officer who, having followed the
ordinary educational course of his brother officers, has subsequently made a
speciality of a particular branch of these forest sciences, can hope to obtain,
after perhaps years of patient observation, investigation and experiments, such
an acquaintance with his subject as to make his researches available from a
practical and economic point of view to the Executive Officer. Owing to the
recent enlightened action of the Government of India, the Department will now
have four officers each devoting himself to one of these special branches, and
we foresee in the near future, and it may be written without hesitation or fear
that the conviction will be found unjustifiable, that such an advance will be
made in our knowledge of these subjects, both in economic and scientific
directions, as will justify to the hilt the action of Government and the previous
convictions of the Department as to the necessity of the present departure.
We feel sure that we are but voicing the sentiments of the Service when we
tender to the Government of India our sincere acknowledgments for one of
the most important economic and scientific departures which has been made
since the creation of the Forest Department, and we have every confidence
that the results achieved will fully justify the far-seeing statesmanship which
has inaugurated the new policy.
As regards the training of probationers, there are not wanting
some who, with a solid foundation of common-sense, suggest that
the special training of Indian Forest Officers can perhaps in
future best be given at Dehra Din; and there are many others
who think that the late Coopers Hill and the present Oxford
training neither was, nor is, what is wanted. These are, of
course, aS one can quite well understand, views which do not
commend themselves to Dr Schlich, even although everyone may
recognise the good work he has done for twenty years at Coopers
Hill and is still engaged in at Oxford. But with the preparatory
technical instruction (mainly in Continental forestry, or its direct
offshoot) now obtainable at various university and collegiate
centres, it should be easy to obtain men for the Indian and
Colonial Forest Services by open competition in the four main
branches of Forestry and the chief Cognate Sciences, and then
give them one year’s special and chiefly practical training.
A long tour (April to July) in Southern and Eastern France
(Alpes Maritimes, Gascony and the Pyrenees, and the Vosges),
in Wurtemberg and Baden (the Black Forest), in Bavaria (the
Bavarian Alps and the forests on the plateaux and plains), and in
Switzerland, these being the parts of Southern and Central Europe
which are undoubtedly by far the most instructive to the Indian
forester, might be followed by a three months’ course of lectures
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 223
(August to October) on Indian Sylviculture, Protection, Working
Plans and Utilisation, Indian Forest Law and Departmental
Procedure (Forest Code and Accounts); then by the voyage to
India in November, and a four months’ tour (December to March)
directed from the Imperial College at Dehra Din, before the
commencement of actual service with the official year (April r).
But if any collegiate course is to be continued after 1909,
at Oxford or at any other University centre, then the teaching of
Indian vernacular languages seems just as desirable as in the
case of the Indian civilians, who study chiefly at Oxford and
Cambridge during their one year of probation.
What would perhaps be the most suitable training of all would
be a system closely approximated to that given to the Indian Civil
Service probationers—namely, after a collegiate course and an
open competition in Forestry and the Cognate Sciences, a one-
year’s course of study at Oxford or Cambridge in Indian Forestry,
Forest Law, and Departmental Procedure and Accounts, together
with Hindustani and other vernacular languages, and one
special branch of science (Botany, Zoology, Geology, or Soil-
Chemistry) according to choice. This would save time and
money, and make the disparity between Civil Service and
Forest probationers less glaring than at present, when the
Forestry course costs far more, although the pay and the
pension in prospect are both far less than the Civilian is
certain to obtain.
This subject is here adverted to at greater length than would
otherwise have seemed proper, but the correspondence in the
Indian Forester shows clearly that it is one of the burning questions
of the day out there, the importance of which regarding the
future progress of the Department it is impossible to ignore.
One of the most interesting and valuable of the papers
published during the year is an official bulletin (No. 9) by
Mr Eardley Wilmot, Inspector-General of Forests, concerning
The Influence of Forests on Water Supply. Nowhere in the
world is this question of greater moment than in large portions
of our Indian Empire, where scanty rainfall and deficient water-
storage capacity mean at least poor crops, and often severe
famine affecting millions of human beings throughout all the
regions where the rainfall is scanty and precarious. In the
Government of India Resolution of October 1894, the Depart-
mental policy formally adopted was that “the sole object with
224 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
which State forests are administered ts the public benefit.” Formal
recognition was therein given to the necessity of “ protection from
the devastating action of hill torrents of the cultivated plains which
lie below them,” but no allusion was made to the necessity of
maintaining, so far as possible, a permanent water-supply in the
soil. Thus soil-erosion was put prominently forward, while
agricultural utility was not so definitely kept in view—although
as early as 1846 Dr Gibson, then Government botanist in
Bombay, had drawn attention to the serious results to agriculture
already in progress owing to the rapid wastage of woodlands,
and his warnings had induced the Court of Directors to send out
a dispatch (No. 21, dated 7th July 1847) asking the Government
of India to investigate and report to them the “‘ effect of trees on
the climate and productiveness of a country, and the results of the
extensive clearances of timber.’ After a lapse of fifty-nine years
Mr Wilmot’s bulletin is a long-deferred reply to this request, and,
of course, it is made with special reference to existing conditions.
In it he points out the obvious fact that the beneficial mechanical
effects of forests should be all the greater when rainfall is either
superabundant or scanty, when the temperature is high, and when
the hill-sides are steep; hence tropical or sub-tropical countries
frequently present conditions where the conservation of forests in
suitable localities may be of vital importance. In India this is
the case. The chief industry is agriculture, dependent on a
favourable water-supply, provided either directly from rainfall or
else indirectly from rivers, tanks or wells. And in the present con-
dition of many parts of India dependence cannot be placed on
seasonable rainfall, so that if precipitations of rain are allowed to
run to waste, in place of being carefully conserved, India may in
course of time find her rivers silting up and her canals running
dry. Properly located forests tend to diminish this waste and
to form natural reservoirs from which a perennial flow proceeds,
and therefore in India the indirect value of forests is, perhaps,
really greater than the direct benefits accruing as to timber, fuel,
bamboos, etc., not forgetting the large net surplus of revenue
annually enriching the Government treasury.
The denudation of the hills and river-catchment areas in India
certainly affects larger interests than those of the individual or
the local community, for the whole country suffers when famine
occurs over large areas, as also in a minor degree when unloosed
torrents cause waste of water which should be stored in the soil
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 225
for use in the dry season, and flood low-lying tracts throughout
the lower courses of the rivers. But the important work of
distributing the water-supply by canals, dams, tanks and wells is
comparatively easy if rivers, streams and springs flow per-
manently and equably. Even if the protection and efficiency of
large distribution works is alone considered, forest conservancy
measures will, wherever this is possible, in future ensure a more
regular and even supply of water to such works.
The great rivers of India are fed by the glaciers and snows of
the Himalayas or trans-Himalayan tracts, while smaller catch-
ment-areas are dependent on rainfall. It might be supposed that
the flow of the glacier-born rivers is beyond man’s control; but
this is not so, for it has been proved that the catchment-area in
the hills between the snows and the plains is that part of a river’s
course which should receive the most careful attention, because
this is the area within which forests can prevent avalanches
and torrents, and can store up a large proportion of the
waters, to give them off gradually in perennial springs and
streams. From the permanent snow-level to the upper tree-limit
no protection is needed to control the course of the Himalayan
rivers; but from this point onwards the influence of rainfall
becomes all the more important with decreasing elevation above
the sea-level—the rainfall being generally heaviest from the
7000 feet contour-line to the foot of the hills. At the top a stiff
shrubby growth of dwarf rhododendrons and juniper forms an~
effective surface-covering. Close below are the birch forests ;
and below these the pines, firs and cedars forming dense forests ;
while lower still the pines ahd oaks merge gradually into the
broad-leaved woods clothing the lower slopes leading down to
the plains. If left untouched, this protective belt ensures an
equable flow of the water down to these plains; and there can be
no doubt that the lowering of the water-level in the great rivers,
the drying up of springs, the covering of fertile agricultural lands
with mountain débris, and the destruction of villages, towns and
fields by disastrous floods, have been mainly due to the rash
clearance of the primeval forest covering of the mountain slopes.
Among numerous examples taken all over the country, Mr Wilmot
quotes, in proof of this, one of the latest examples, and one
peculiar in its way, which occurred in the summer of 1905 in
connection with the Cauvery river, the water-level of which was
reduced below the lowest estimates on which the Mysore electric
226 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
power works were based, so that great expense and inconvenience
were incurred by the unexpected diminution of the power de-
livered under contract to the Kolar Gold-fields and elsewhere.
Although one-fourth of British India is under forest of one sort
or another, the distribution of the forests throughout the country is
not such as to efficiently regulate the water-supply. The catch-
ment-areas of many rivers are in Native States, and thus outside
the control of the Forest Department. This is specially the case
as regards the important Upper Indian rivers, upon which the
chief irrigation works depend. And many of the chief rivers of
other provinces also have their catchment-areas in Native States.
The main issue of the present situation is that effective steps of
some sort must be taken by the Government of India to safeguard
and improve the catchment-areas of all important rivers situated
in Native States, and this matter is undoubtedly one of great
urgency in many parts of the country. In fact, the matter seems
ripe for early consideration at the hands of a small Commission
appointed to tour round the country and submit a report. The
value of the work of such a Commission would be incalculable.
Among recent protective measures required to prevent the
destruction of agricultural land through sand-torrents (chés) let
loose owing to reckless clearance of the natural woodlands that
formerly kept the soil fixed zz sz¢u, the chief has been the Punjab
Land Preservation (Chés) Act, which aims at protecting the
forest-clad slopes of the lower Himalayas from denudation by
graziers. Although only a short time in force, this Act has
already been productive of improvement. In the Hoshiarpur
district, where these chés are most destructive, excellent work is
being done, although the people think it a great hardship and do
not realise the good results that will follow. All the bare slopes
which gave rise to these sand-chés have been or are being made
Reserves, and the rights of the people therein are being com-
pounded, so there is every probability that all the remaining
valuable cultivation will escape the calamity. Attention is not
yet being paid to the Jhelum district, where there is a long series
of small hills running almost north-east to south-west and
parallel to the river. Between the hill series and the Jhelum
river there are large tracts of valuable and fertile fields, which
year after year are being encroached upon by the sand brought
down by the ravines (locally called as). These fas are in-
creasing in dimensions year by year. Between Jhelum town and
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 227
Sanghoi village, a distance of 9 miles only, there are five or six
such as, one of which (specially called 4ahan, and only about
3 miles from Jhelum) is now about 14 miles in breadth. All these
kas bring down every rains an immense quantity of sand on to
the cultivation. During the last ten years between Jhelum and
Sanghoi two new sas have appeared, so that the devastation
caused is on the increase. In February 1906 the big kahan
shifted its course and turned towards the cultivation of the
villages Naugran, Kot and Aryala, thus covering valuable fields
with sand, and creating also a new 4as near the village Naugran.
Great devastation is being done. All the hills are absolutely or
nearly bare. They consist of loose sandstone with very little
vegetation, and there is nothing to prevent the water carrying
the sand down towards the Jhelum river. As there are fewer
executive difficulties than was the case in the Hoshiarpur district
(for all these hill tracts are already Reserved Forests, and the
people have only limited and defined rights in them), it is to be
trusted that the Government may soon try to restock the hills, and
thus save the cultivators from the calamity which is otherwise
impending.
Throughout the Punjab much is also being done in the way of
planting trees along the road-sides. During 1902 to 1905 nearly
600 miles were planted, 76 per cent. of which were successful.
This is a very satisfactory result, seeing that the work was mainly
carried out in Mianwali and the two Canal Colonies, which are
all districts in the arid region. Of the roads suitable for arbori-
culture, 53 per cent. have now been planted with trees at a heavy
cost, met from Government grants made to district boards.
The Irrigation Department during 1902-05 planted over 1000
miles of avenues, and more than half the total length suitable
for tree-planting has now been stocked. The planting chiefly
took place in the arid western districts of the Province,.where
the Jhelum river and the Chenab Canals enabled a high
percentage of success to be achieved. Some 2700 acres of
nurseries were started with excellent results, the failures re-
presenting only one-fifth of the whole. Arboricultural operations
cost over £20,000. But the Buildings and Roads Branch of
the Public Works Department made tree-planting profitable, and
realised £1100 net revenue from their operations. About two-
thirds of the total length of the roads considered suitable are
now planted with trees, and the percentage of failures is low.
228 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
The Punjab Government has urged upon district officers to
keep in view as the chief means of successful tree-culture (1)
the enlistment, by their own interest in the matter, of the active
help of the villagers, and (2) the employment of a properly trained
expert as district forester, whose time will be taken up chiefly with
the care of living trees, and not with the sale of dead ones.
In the Madras Presidency the first results of an important
experimental cultivation of trees, shrubs and other plants to
provide leaf-manure for agriculture were published at the close
of 1905. In May 1904 the Madras Board of Revenue accepted
the proposals of the three Conservators of Forests to sow the
seeds of suitable varieties in selected places in the reserved
forests in Tanjore, Trichinopoly, North Salem, North Arcot and
Chingleput districts (Central Circle), and in the unreserved lands
and reserved forests of Madura and Tinnevelly (Southern Circle).
The Collectors of other districts, where it was considered that
the existence of a sufficient supply of green manure rendered
such measures superfluous, were asked to see that the supply
available was placed at the disposal of the cultivator at a price
suited to his means. The Board at the same time urged
that every encouragement and assistance should be given to
peasants wishing to grow such plants, shrubs and trees on their
own lands. Experimental cultivation was undertaken on
a limited scale in the Chingleput, North Arcot, Tanjore,
Trichinopoly, Madura and Tinnevelly districts. Except in
Madura all proved a failure, chiefly owing to the unfavourable
character of the season. In Madura, two blocks of unreserved
lands were selected with an aggregate extent of 70 acres, lying
in the Periyar zone and easily accessible. Seeds of Cassia
auriculata mixed with a small quantity of seeds of other species
were sown broadcast. Seedlings have sprung up over three-
fourths of the area sown, and are thriving, although, owing to
scanty rainfall, their growth is not so good as it might otherwise
have been. It is hoped that after from three to five years their
leaves can be cut and used as manure. In the Central Circle
no such experiments were undertaken in North Salem, but two
plots with a total area of 168 acres were prepared for sowing in
1906. The attention of Collectors has again been drawn to
the importance of placing a good supply of leaf-manure at the
disposal of the cultivators at moderate rates wherever the want
of it is felt. But in Tinnevelly the offer of grants of assessed
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 229
waste land free of assessment for five years for the purpose of
cultivating Zephrosta purpurea and other shrubs suitable for leaf-
manure met with no response.
The Para Rubber Plantation at Mergui, in the Tenasserim
division of Burma, in the south-eastern part of the province
running down to the Malay Peninsula, “has been recently
extended by 819 acres, at a cost of £764.” Begun in 1900, the
portions first planted began to reach tapping-size in 1905, when
793 lbs. of dry rubber were sent to London, and sold for 4s. 84d.
a pound. Mergui is, however, a little too far north of the
equator to provide the special climatic conditions for the proper
thriving of the Hevea brasiliensis, which belongs purely to the
equatorial regions of Para in the Amazon delta; and, conse-
quently, it is there even more likely to be attacked by noxious
insects and fungous diseases than will probably be the case in
localities nearer the equatorial line, such as Ceylon, the Malay
States, Sumatra, Java and Borneo, or the equatorial districts on
the west and east coasts of Africa. But throughout the hills
and plains to the south and east of the Amazon delta, the
region to which the Hevea is indigenous, this Para rubber tree
occurs only sporadically scattered throughout a multitude of
other trees in the dense forests,—whereas, for the sake of
economy and labour-saving in planting, weeding and cleaning,
tapping, and supervision and management generally, rubber-
plantations in Ceylon, the Malay States and elsewhere are being
formed pure, or else the trees are grown as standards about 15
to 20 feet apart over ground-crops consisting of tea-bushes,
lemon-grass, cacao, etc.; and consequently there is the great
danger of somewhat the same results being produced (guod dei
avertant) as have occurred with us in regard to larch plantations,
namely, the fostering of fungous disease of little danger while
the host-plant grows only sporadically among many other trees,
but almost certain to develop into a dangerous epidemic when
pure plantations are formed extensively.
This is, unfortunately, only too real a danger. Para rubber
plantations in Ceylon and the Malay States have already shown
themselves liable to attacks by rats, insects, and fungous
diseases. The two chief diseases of the latter sort are caused
by species of Vectria attacking stem and branches, and species
of Homes attacking the butt and roots. Though no very serious
results have yet been recorded, there can be no doubt that these
230 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
fungous diseases constitute a grave source of danger. In these
hot, damp, tropical climates fungi can increase with terrible
rapidity, as was shown when the disease caused by Hemeleta
vastatrix almost entirely destroyed the Ceylon coffee plantations
about thirty years ago, and utterly ruined that profitable industry.
The Mergui plantations have, of course, not been exempt
from insect and fungous attacks; and in 1906 it was found that
at least three different kinds of white ants (Zermites) were
attacking the trees, first enclosing the trunk in a thick crust of
earth, and then eating through weak spots into the heart of the
tree. Two of these were recognised as 7. Gestroi and T.
annamensis, but the other specimens have not yet been identified,
nor is their life-history known. Similar attacks by white ants
had previously been reported from Borneo, Singapore, and the
Malay States; and it is to be feared that these Zermites may
become dangerous pests in the rubber plantations throughout
the Indo-Malayan region.
Elsewhere, what appears almost certain to be a fungous disease
has recently become noticeable in the Deodar plantations made
in the Kulu district of the Punjab Himalayan tracts. Cultural
operations for artificial reproduction of Deodar were begun
in Kulu about 1875, when four reserves were constituted and
a plantation was made in each, the planting being done in lines
1o feet apart. All four plantations are on the bank of the
river Blu, on almost level ground full of big boulders. Their
joint area is 189 acres, and they are now more or less fully
stocked, with blanks here and there. ‘The total cost on these
plantations has been up to date about £630, or £3, 6s. 8d.
per acre, which is somewhat high. ‘The trees now girth 3 to 4
feet, and most of the plantations require thinning. ‘They would
be of considerable value had not fungous disease sprung up
in two of the above forests, from which all the trees are now
dying. It appears first in the upper part of the tree, where
the top leaves begin to thin out, until the top dies; then it
travels downwards until the tree dies altogether. In 1903 this
disease was limited to one of the forests (Sial Bihal Reserve), in
which a few of the trees were infected. But by 1906 the whole
of this forest was infected, and the disease had spread into
Dana Bihal Reserve, the infected trees being scattered over the
whole area, no healthy compact groups being now left. It was
at first thought that as the trees were growing on the river banks
NOTES ON INDIAN FORESTRY IN 1906. 231
on a level, undrained soil, they died as soon as their roots
reached the water-level; but there are a good many thriving old
trees of 10 to 15 feet girth. Some diseased trees were therefore
felled, and the heart-wood was found to have an abnormal
colour, and to emit rather a strange, unpleasant smell. Some
infected trees were also dug out, and a search was made for
insects or fungi, but without success. It is probably a fungous
‘disease; but whatever its cause, the disease seems to be fast
spreading. Up to now it has been seen only in the plantations,
but it may soon spread to the numerous Deodar trees growing
spontaneously in the locality.
Since its foundation (in 1878) a fine Forest Museum for all
India has been formed at the Dehra Din College, but within the
last five years a good beginning has been made in forming local
or provincial forest museums. In 1902 Mr Gass, Conservator
of the Southern Circle of Madras, started a collection of
specimens of timber and other forest produce, and set apart one
of the rooms in his office for this purpose. It was then intended
that the collections should be limited to that Circle, and, with
the approval of the Board of Revenue, a circular was issued to
all forest officers in the Circle explaining the object and scope
of the proposed institution, and communicating the heads under
which specimens were required. Specimens soon began to
arrive, and increased in number so rapidly that it soon became
evident that a most interesting and instructive forest museum
could be formed if its scope were extended to the three Circles
of the Presidency. This has since been done, and the practical
value of the museum has become so evident that in 1906 the
late Governor (Lord Ampthill) sanctioned the erection of a
special building for housing the exhibits on up-to-date lines.
Of the 100,000 square miles of reserved and protected State
forests in India, 70,000 have now been surveyed, chiefly on the
four-inch scale, and the forest maps are probably superior to
those of any other country in the world. But, as many of the
remaining 30,000 square miles of unsurveyed forests are not of
sufficient present value to justify the extra expenditure, the existing
one-inch maps will probably in most cases suffice in the meantime.
Since 1904 the Superintendent of Forest Surveys and the whole
Forest Survey Branch have been placed under the direction of
the Surveyor-General of India, in place of being, as formerly,
under the direct control of the Inspector-General of Forests.
232 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
The Department is steadily striving to find uses and profitable
markets for its produce. Throughout 1905 a wood-pulp expert
from home was engaged at the Rangoon timber depot in making
experiments with bamboos and about a dozen different kinds of
abundant trees as yet of little or no local value, in order to try
and ascertain if there be any chance of producing a marketable
pulp therefrom. A report has recently been issued as to the
commercial prospects of the experiments, and the Local Govern-
ment is now considering what offers should be made to induce
private enterprise to take up this manufacture. The bamboo
tracts abounding in Burma contain great possibilities as to
higher-priced pulp for the finer kinds of note-paper. Twenty-five
years ago I had much correspondence with the late Mr Thomas
Routledge, of Claxheugh, on this matter, and he prepared ex-
cellent paper from bamboos which I sent to him. In quality he
ranked these bamboos above esparto grass for paper-making.
In 1882 or 1883 he obtained a concession for this purpose, but
died before the company’s work could be commenced. But the
bamboo tracts are still there, awaiting exploitation by capitalists.
And it is not in Burma only, where 75 per cent. of the whole
province is under forest of one sort or another, but throughout
the whole of India, whose total extent of eleven hundred thousand
square miles is covered with State forests (partly reserved, partly
unclassed and unprotected) to the extent of nearly one-fourth,
that forest produce is largely available for extraction—if only
profitable markets can be found for it. At present there is a
great wealth of fine, hard, beautifully-coloured and beautifully-
grained wood, which, together with vast quantities of miscel-
laneous raw produce of one sort or another, are practically
nothing more than waste products of the woodlands.
Efforts more or less successful are continuously being made
to find remunerative markets for these timber-trees and other
products. But it is more difficult to find a profitable market for
any unknown kind of wood than for almost any other kind of
raw product; and even though the Forest administration in India
is officially classified as a “ gwas/-commercial department,” its
efforts in a mercantile direction are, of course, not permitted to
have the freedom exercised by private merchants. Still, this
matter is not being lost sight of; and the yield of the Indian
forests may hereafter be expected to increase largely, both in
volume and in money-value.
FORESTRY IN THE EXHIBITION AT NURNBERG. 233
30. Forestry in the Exhibition at Niirnberg.!
During the present summer and autumn a most interesting
exhibition of Bavarian industries has been held at Nirnberg,
and in a country possessing 6} million acres of forest
(nearly one-third of the total land area), it was only natural to
expect that Forestry would occupy an important section. In
point of fact the forestal display, both in its industrial and
educational aspects, is regarded as the. finest that has ever been
attempted. A few notes on certain special points may not be
without interest to English readers.
Of the 64 million acres of Bavarian forest land, the State owns
about 24 millions, private individuals about 3 millions, while
villages, towns, and endowed institutions possess about 1 million.
Although Bavaria possesses such a wealth of wood, there are
few countries where more attention is given to methods of
preservation by means of impregnation. In Great Britain
impregnation by creosote is by far the commonest practice,
whereas in Bavaria, and in Germany generally, a mixture of
creosote and chloride of zinc is most commonly employed, next
follows chloride of zinc alone, and then comes creosote. The
comparatively subordinate position occupied by creosote in
Germany is not due to lack of appreciation of its merits, but is
entirely a question of expense. In this country, with abundance
of coal, creosote, a by-product, is cheap ; in Germany, and especi-
ally in Bavaria, where coal is relatively scarce, creosote is dear,
and more attention is given to other impregnating substances.
The different systems or methods of impregnation are
classified as follows :—
impregnation by Ascent, where posts or poles in a green state
are set with their lower ends in a tank of the solution. As the
sap of the wood is withdrawn from the top by natural evapora-
tion, the solution enters below and rises in the cells and vessels,
and in a short time (depending on the kind of pei will appear
at the upper surface.
Impregnation by Imbibition takes place where wood is
thoroughly air-dried, and is then immersed in the solution.
The water of imbibition, which is in the substance of the cell-
walls, is expelled and replaced by the solution.
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for September
1906, by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
VOL, XX. PART II. Q
234 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Impregnation by Filtration, where the solution is stored in a
tank at a higher level than the stem to be impregnated, to
which it is led by a pipe which is closely fitted into a hole in
the wood. In this case the solution is under pressure, and is
thus forced into the wood. :
Impregnation by Injection, where the wood is first artificially
dried and is then placed in a steel chamber, from which air may
be pumped, and into which the solution is introduced under a
pressure of several atmospheres. This is the method usually
adopted on a large scale in this country.
As is well known, different species of wood absorb fluids very
differently, the least suitable for impregnation being those with
a well-marked duramen. The difficulty in forcing fluids into
such wood is due to the fact that their vessels are packed full of
a cellular growth (¢hyloses), as may readily be seen through a
microscope of moderate power.
As was to be expected in a national exhibition in the country
in which Hartig laboured for many years, and where Tubeuf
now holds the chief professorship of Forest Botany, the diseases
of wood, living and dead, are illustrated by a wealth of material
never before equalled. Perhaps the most interesting object in ©
this sub-section is the model of a dry-rot chamber, the original
being at Bernau on the Lake of Chiem in the Bavarian High-
lands, some two hours by rail from Munich. The quality of
timber is tested in many ways, by resistance to pressure, resist-
ance to tension, specific gravity, etc. But for many purposes
the. important thing to determine is resistance to decay, and
Tubeuf has hit upon a novel and effective way of applying
this test in a reliable and fairly rapid manner. For this
purpose he has had a wooden hut erected in a_peat-bog,
thus ensuring that it shall always be fairly moist, and into this
house he has introduced a supply of old wood which is full of
the dry-rot fungus. In order to test the power of resistance to
decay of any species of wood, or of wood treated by any special
preservative method, he places blocks of a given weight within
reach of the fungus, and in a few months, or a year or two at
most, definite information as to the rate of destruction can be
obtained.
A number of cross-sections exhibit the inexplicable con-
dition of things that growth is more rapid on the under side than
on the upper side of the branch of a conifer, whereas in the
FORESTRY IN THE EXHIBITION AT NURNBERG. 235
branch of a dicotyledon the opposite is the case. This may be
seen by cutting off horizontal branches of the two classes of
trees named. In the case of the conifer, the pith will be found
to be nearer the upper than the lower side of the section, while
in the dicotyledon the shortest radius is on the under side. The
horizontally disposed roots of trees (the spruce is a good
example) also show marked eccentric growth, but in their case
the character of the eccentricity is always the same, the greatest
growth, and therefore the longest radius, being on the upper
side. It is evident that the upper side of a root is subjected to
less pressure from the soil than the lower side, and as the
cambium makes most wood where the pressure is least, the
greatest growth is found in a root precisely where it is to be
expected. But the variable condition of things in the branches
of conifers and dicotyledons has always been a puzzle to botanists,
and no satisfactory explanation is yet available. Nor is it quite
easy to say why, in a tree grown on a steep hill-side, greater
growth should be shown on the side away from the hill.
A fine series of young trees has been prepared to illustrate
the fact that most of the roots of forest trees live in intimate
association with delicate fungus mycelia {(mycorhiza). This
relationship has not been fully worked out, but it is evident that
it is of the same character as the symbiosis that exists between
the roots of leguminous farm and garden crops and _ bacteria.
Sometimes the mycelia work their way between the cells of the
epidermis and cortex (e.g., Scots pine, spruce, beech, oak, birch),
and roots so affected are called ectotropic mycorhiza. In other
cases the fungus strands actually penetrate the cells of the root
(endotropic mycorhiza), examples of which are Zhuya occidentalis
and yew.
In Bavaria, as in this country, oak bark has experienced a
great drop in price during the past twenty years, the price per
cwt. having fallen from 4s. 9d. in 1885 to 1s. gd. in 1905. Con-
currently with this decrease in value, the returns from coppice
woods have steadily declined, being 13s. 9d. per acre in 1885
and 8s. in 1905. But during the same period the returns from
high-forest have shown a satisfactory increase, having risen
from gs. per acre in the former year to 11s. 9d. in the latter.
The cause of the fall in price of home-grown bark is the large in-
crease in the importation of tanning materials, notably quebracho
wood, specimens of which, and of the extract, were on view.
236 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A number of interesting cross-sections were shown to illustrate
the great increase in growth that results from heavily thinning
a wood of oak or beech a few years before the final felling
(Lichtungszuwachs). On the section a zone of a certain colour
(e.g., red) represents the growth made by the tree, during say
ten years, before being isolated, while outside this the timber
formed since the wood was thinned may be artificially stained
green. The annual increment due to the admission of light
is usually very great, and is often as much as 20 per cent.,
that is to say, a tree of 30 cubic feet may, in three years, have
attained to about 50 cubic feet.
A number of cones formed of sections, two inches thick, taken
every metre (3°3 feet) along an average stem, are shown illustra-
tive of the yield of different species under different conditions.
Thus, a beech-wood 131 years old in Spessart has an average
height of 115 feet, and carries 7835 cubic feet per acre, quarter-
girth measure. An average oak from a forest in Spessart (over
200 years old) is shown in section, the height being 119 feet,
and the volume per acre, quarter-girth measure, 10,325 cubic
feet. A spruce-wood, 60 years old, in the Bayrischer Wald is
similarly represented, the average height being 86 feet, and the
contents per acre 5820 cubic feet, quarter-girth measure.
The export and import timber-trade for the whole German
Empire is represented graphically, and shows that whereas in
1880 the imports amounted to less than two million tons, valued
at less than four million pounds, in 1904 they exceeded five
million tons, valued at nearly twelve million pounds sterling.
During the same period the export in timber fell from 830,000
tons, valued at a little over two million pounds, to 323,000 tons,
of a value slightly exceeding one million pounds. ‘Thus it is
seen that, even with its gigantic forest wealth, Germany’s timber
imports greatly exceed the exports.
An interesting section of the Exhibition is concerned with the
display of products chemically prepared from wood. In 1889
it was discovered that the cellulose prepared from spruce timber
could be made to furnish an excellent artificial silk, not so
elastic and strong as the real article, but superior to it in lustre.
The annual production is now estimated at over two million
pounds’ weight, valued at 15s. per pound. It is now largely
used in upholstery and for making ties and other articles of
apparel.
FORESTRY IN THE EXHIBITION AT NURNBERG. 237
More recently, artificial horse-hair has been produced from the
same source.
Yarn from wood is now an important article of commerce.
It is found to dye and wash well, and to be very durable. It is
to some extent replacing jute, cotton, and linen.
By the action of alkalies, oxalic acid is now largely prepared
from sawdust, too lbs. of the latter giving about 80 lbs. of the
acid.
Acetic acid has long been distilled from wood, the firm of
Lanfach in Spessart, who are exhibitors, consuming annually not
much short of a million cubic feet of beech timber in, this way.
It is estimated that in the year 1900 about three and a half
million cubic feet of wood were distilled in Germany for the
production of four million pounds’ weight of acetic acid, most
of which was used in the production of artificial indigo, though
some went to make table vinegar.
In the production of acetic acid, wood is placed in a retort
and heated to a temperature between 536° F. and 608° F.
It is found that wood treated in this way yields about 24 per
cent. of charcoal and 50-54 per cent. of liquids, while 22-24
per cent. goes off as gas. The liquid portion, by further treat-
ment, yields 6-10 per cent. of tar, 3-10 per cent. of wood-
spirit, and 54-64 per cent. of acetic acid.
Doubtless the most important substance produced by the
chemical treatment of wood is cellulose, for the production of a
ton of which some 230 cubic feet of timber are required.
In Lower Bavaria (Niederbayern) private forests cover an
area of some 650,000 acres, and constitute 79 per cent. of the
total wooded surface. In the beginning of last century there
was a strong movement on foot in this district to split up and
apportion communal forests amongst those who had rights over
them, with the result that the present owners, in some cases,
possess a piece of woodland only a few yards wide, and as little
as a quarter acre in extent. Naturally, the management of these
woodlands leaves much to be desired, and the State in 1900
appointed six forest experts, with ten assistants, whose chief
business it should be to effect an improvement in these private
woods. State nurseries (covering 120 acres) for the supply of
plants of the best quality at cost price have been established in
many places, the number of young trees distributed last season
being r8} millions
238 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
31. Aberdeen Branch.
Excursion to Drumtochty, Kincardineshire, 9th June 1906.
The first excursion of this Branch of the Society took place
on June gth, 1906, when, by the kind invitation of Sydney J.
Gammell, Esq. of Drumtochty and Countesswells, the beautiful
Estate of Drumtochty, Kincardineshire, was visited by a party
from the associated counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine.
The party travelled to Fordoun by rail, and thence they were
conveyed in brakes to Drumtochty, where, on arrival, they were
met by Mr Gammell.
Led by Mr Gammell and his forester, Mr Mitchell, the party
were conducted to a larch plantation, stretching along the east
end of Finella hill. This plantation extends to about 120 acres,
the lower part being about fourteen, and the upper part from
seventy to eighty years old. Before entering the plantation, Mr
Gammell exhibited a plan of his estate, coloured so as to show
at a glance the portions which had been planted, particularly in
the last fifteen or twenty years, and indicating the kinds of trees
which had been used and the age of the plantations. Mr
Gammell explained that he kept a record of the acreage and
kinds of trees planted; the cost of plants, planting, and tending ;
and the progress made at certain stages. The general plan on
which he proceeded, he explained, was to lay down a two-storied
high-forest on the upland parts of the estate. At the end of
twenty-five years the first thinning took place, and at the end of
the second twenty-five years the wood was very heavily thinned
and underplanted with Douglas fir, the estimate being that the
latter would, at the end of fifty years, be as big as the larch at
eighty or one hundred years. About 50 acres of the lower
portion of the Finella plantation was planted some fourteen
years ago with larch, mixed with a sprinkling of Scots pine
and spruce. This was immediately after the great storm which
did so much damage to the woods in the east of Scotland. The
upper part of the wood consists of very fine larch, apparently
between seventy and eighty years old, but it was the opinion of
the majority of the party that the timber should now be cut, and
that little advantage was to be gained by allowing it to remain
standing much longer, a
EXCURSION TO DRUMTOCHTY, 239
An extensive young plantation of larch raised from Tyrolese
seed was next inspected. This covered a large expanse of hill-
side, from which a crop of larch had been cleared some years
ago, the plants having been put in at 3 feet apart. Mr Gammell
also showed another young plantation of larch raised from home-
grown seed, and some discussion arose as to the comparative
merits of the two kinds; but in both cases the plants were so
small that it was very difficult to form a definite opinion on the
matter.
A visit was paid to the nursery, where many young trees,
including larch, spruce, mountain pine, Douglas fir and broad-
leaved trees, especially oaks of both the sessile and pedunculate
varieties, were being reared. The party next proceeded to
inspect a fine nine-year-old larch plantation. This showed much
better growth, and had an altogether healthier appearance than
the Finella plantation, the improvement being explained by the
fact that the trees had been planted in soil which had _ previously
carried a crop of timber, and which had a considerable depth of
humus; and Mr Gammell expressed the opinion that, in cases
where this could be done, it would pay proprietors to plant trees
on bare parts of their estates, if only to prepare the ground for
the reception of a second crop.
The party were now conducted to an older plantation which
had been severely thinned and underplanted with Douglas fir,
spruce, and silver fir, all of which were very healthy, and
promised to form a fine second crop. Some little damage
was noticeable here, presumably from roe-deer. On the way
to the saw-mill a very fine specimen of Picea sitchensis
(Menziesit) was seen. It had a height of about 87 feet, a
girth at 5 feet from the ground of 11 feet 3 inches, and a spread
of branches of 61 feet. Several other good specimens of the
newer Coniferze were also observed here, notably a very fine
Cupressus macrocarpa, about 4o feet high, and growing
vigorously.
The estate saw-mill and workshops are admirably arranged.
The saw-mill is driven by a water-turbine, the water for which
is taken from the Luther, and conveyed by a lade built of
concrete. The turbine develops about 13 horse-power, and
it also drives all the machinery in the estate carpenter’s
shop. ;
Luncheon was served in one of the offices, and thereafter
240 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
a general meeting of the Branch was held. Mr Gammell,
one of the vice-presidents, in the unavoidable absence of the
President, Mr Gordon of Newton, presided. ‘The transaction
of the formal business over, a hearty vote of thanks was, on
the motion of Mr J. Michie, M.V.O., Balmoral, accorded to
Mr Gammell for permitting the party to visit his estate, and
for his kindness in presiding over their meeting. In acknow-
ledging the vote, the chairman stated that he was pleased to
welcome them to his estate, and that it afforded him the greatest
pleasure to be able to contribute in any way to the advancement
of forestry.
After a visit to the intake for the water for the saw-mill,
the party were conducted through another mixed plantation
on the north side of the glen, and then, descending the hill,
the route lay through an old, mixed plantation, stretching
along the bank to the castle. Here some very fine silver firs
were met with, one of which measured about 104 feet in height,
with a girth at 5 feet from ground of 1o feet ro inches, and
a spread of branches of 38 feet ; and there were others of almost
equal size. Several very fine straight-stemmed oaks were also
seen here. These appeared to contain from 80 to too cubic
feet of timber each, and they indicated perfect health and
thorough suitability to the soil and situation.
After visiting the castle and its well-kept grounds, the party
wound their way back to Auchinblae, where the brakes were in
waiting to convey them to Fordoun, a highly interesting and in-
structive tour having been enjoyed. The arrangements reflected
the greatest credit on the Hon. Secretary, Mr R. Scott, and the
thanks of the party are due to Mr Mitchell, the forester on
the Drumtochty estate, for the tree-measurements given here,
and for the attention he gave to the Excursionists.
The party included Lieut.-Col. Innes of Learney, and Professor Trail,
Aberdeen, Vce-Prestdents of the Branch; and Messrs Irvine, of Drum ;
Fleming, of Dalmuinzie; Michie, Balmoral; Braid, Durris; Hart, Cowie ;
Bruce, Dunnottar ; Greig, Aberdeen University ; France, Aberdeen ; Clark,
Haddo House; Crozier, Durris; Harper, Aberdeen; Maxtone, Duff House ;
Ewing, Strichen ; Wylie, Ballogie; Sim, Park ; Singer, Castle Newe; Bell,
Forglen ; Reid, Durris; Bremner, Durris; Hutton, Glendye; Fraser Smith,
Auchnagatt; A. Cocker, Aberdeen; Duthie, Aberdeen; Cumming,
Aberdeen; Gray, Aberdeen; Robertson, Durris; Bowman, Durris; Fyfe,
Durris ; Stephen, Drumtochty ; Goodson, Drumtochty ; and Robert Scott,
Aberdeen, Honorary Secretary of the Branch,
EXCURSION TO STRATHBOGIE, 241
Excursion to Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire, rst September 1906.
The second excursion of the Branch took place on September
Ist, 1906, when, by the kind permission of the Duke of Richmond
and Gordon, K.G., a visit was paid to His Grace’s Strathbogie
estate. The party assembled at Huntly station, and, under the
guidance of Mr John Rule, forester at Huntly Lodge, they were
conveyed to their destination in brakes.
The first halt was made at Dunbennan plantation. This plan-
tation is eighteen years old, about 300 acres in extent, and is 550
to 600 feet above sea-level. In some parts of the ground which
are damp the plants have died, so that the plantation is patchy.
In the part inspected the trees are irregular in their growth, and
under the average height, the larch being from 16 to 18 feet, and
the Scots pine from ro to 14 feet, whereas in ordinary soil suited
to their requirements they should have been from 23 to 25 feet, and
from 17 to 20 feet respectively; but in other parts of the plantation
the growth is much better.
Binhill plantation was next visited. The first part inspected
is about 500 feet above sea-level, and has a western exposure.
The crop consists of healthy larch and Scots pine, planted in
1839, and now 50 to 55 feet high, with well-developed boles
containing from 12 to 15 cubic feet each. The crop, however, is
too thin, there being only from 50 to roo trees to the acre.
After refreshments, kindly provided by Mr Duff, Factor,
Huntly Lodge, Mr Rule and his assistant, Mr Wilson, took the
party to the Elfhouse Cave, an historic spot at an elevation of
850 feet. Here plenty of healthy trees, chiefly larch, from 40 to
50 feet high and from 8 to ro inches in diameter, were seen ; and
lower down the hill was a fine lot of larch containing from 15 to
18 cubic feet of timber each. Mr Rule gave the following inter-
esting particulars as to the cost of planting the Binhill wood,
which is 2? miles from east to west and 2} miles from north to
south, and contains 2258 acres :—
Fencing (Galloway dyke of angular stone, 34 feet high,
at 6d. per yard, including carriage), . 4464 4 3
Draining (open drains in wettest parts, I to 15 foot deep,
14 to 3 feet wide at top, and 12 inches wide at bottom), 225 15 7
Road, 15 feet wide, ‘ : A F : 180 0 Oo
: Grubbing of whins, etc., 54 0 9
Planting 2257 acs. 2 rds. I pole with "6,387,017 trees
(= 2830 per acre), as per contract, . = +: kG50) 1Orec
Expenses of survey, - - . : : {O) T2e0r
(=41, 6s. per acre) £2956 13 6
242 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
The planting was commenced in March and completed in
December 1839, and the contractor upheld the plantation for four
years. During this period 100,000 plants were required to fill up
blanks caused by ordinary failures; but as many of the plants
had been placed in situations unsuited to them, the blanks caused
by the failure of these were filled up at the expense of the pro-
prietor, for which an additional 260,000 larch, 340,000 Scots pine,
and 50,000 spruce were required. Mr Rule also stated that, owing
to there being little food for them in the vicinity, rabbits had
not been numerous or given much trouble.
Between Binhill Forest and Roadburn Farm lunch was served.
Mr Innes of Raemore proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the
Duke of Gordon for his kindness in allowing the party to visit
his property, and to Mr Duff for presiding at the luncheon.
The party next entered the part of Binhill plantation known as
Ord Fell. This has a north-easterly exposure, with an elevation
of from 450 to 816 feet. The crop is chiefly larch of medium
size, and apparently fully matured. A part of this has been sold
to Messrs A. & D. F. Lockhart, Timber Merchants, Huntly, and
Mr A. Lockhart kindly furnished the party with the following
particulars regarding the clearing operations :—
The area under clearance consists of 70 to 80 acres, carrying a crop of larch,
spruce, and Scots pine in the proportions of 70 per cent. larch, 20 per cent.
spruce, and Io per cent. Scots pine. The ground is sloping, and the saw-
mill is placed at the bottom of the slope, along which a light railway has been
laid to bring the timber to the mill. Steel rails 12 and 15 feet long, and
14 lbs. to the yard, are used, and these are laid on light sleepers placed 3 feet
or so apart. The bogies consist of a framework of two parallel beams, 9 feet
long and 3 feet apart, braced diagonally, and carried on two axles with wheels
about 20 inches in diameter on all four of which a brake is arranged to act
simultaneously. Cross beams on the top of this frame bear the load, and
about 3 tons can be carried by a bogie. The larch is peeled, the bark being
taken off in 3 feet lengths and spread out, usually over felled trees, to dry.
With two or three weeks of good weather it is generally ready for threshing,
for which purpose it is gathered into large heaps. It is broken into pieces
about 3 to 4 inches square by means of flails, and it is then filled into bags.
Prices for larch vary from Is. 3d. to 1s. 6d. per cubic foot. Larch pit-wood
in long lengths, 4 to 5 inches in diameter at the small end, last year brought
26s. to 31s. per 100 lineal feet, but this year it only brings from 24s. 6d. to 3os.
Scots pine staves and heading of good quality fetch from 65s. to 70s. per 1000
superficial feet. Scots pine sleepers 9 ft. by 10 ins. by § ins., with a slab of
not less than 8 ins., vary from 2s. 6d. to 2s. gd.
Refreshments were offered by Messrs Lockhart, and Mr Duff
read a telegram he had received from Mr Muirhead, Commis-
EXCURSION TO STRATHBOGIE. 243
sioner on the estates, expressing his regret at not being able
to be present, and he also gave extracts from a paper read
by Mr Cumming, late forester at Huntly, at a meeting of
the Northern Horticultural Association in 1888, in which he
claimed that the effect of planting the Bin and other woods
had been to make the season nine days earlier on the
average in spring, and to render the winter milder. On
behalf of the party, Mr Duff proposed a hearty vote of thanks
to the Messrs Lockhart for all the interesting information they
had supplied regarding the timber-clearing operations and for
their hospitality, to which Mr A. Lockhart briefly replied ;
and on leaving the Binhill plantation they proceeded towards
Huntly Lodge by way of the Crowwood, which consists of old
Scots pine with boles about 15 feet in length, many of which
measure from 7 to 8 feet in circumference at 5 feet from the
ground, and wide-spreading heads. At Huntly Lodge the party
were entertained to tea on the lawn by Colonel Cumberland and
Laura, Lady Grant, to whom, on the motion of Mr Irvine of
Drum, a vote of thanks was cordially given, and the party then
repaired to the station, where, on the motion of Mr Scott, the
Hon. Secretary, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Rule
for all he had done to promote the success of the excursion.
The party included Messrs Forbes Irvine, of Drum; Innes, of Raemore;
Duff, Huntly; Dawson, M.A., B.Sc., Aberdeen; A. and D, F. Lockhart,
Huntly; Crozier, Durris; Hutton, Glendye; Fyfe, Aden; France, Aberdeen ;
Cumming, Aberdeen; Sim, Cornhill; Smith, Drummuir; Bremner, Durris;
Gauld, Blairmore; Singer, Strathdon; Clark, Haddo; Lobban, Fyfe Keith;
Milne, Aberdeen; Cocker, Aberdeen; Harper, Aberdeen; Dunbar, Huntly ;
and Scott, Aberdeen, Hon. Secretary.
244 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
NOTES AND QUERIES:
THE ENGLISH ELM IN SCOTLAND.
The English elm (U/mus campestris) is not a favourite tree
with Scottish planters, and all the authorities pronounce it inferior
to the Wych elm (U. montana) for the Scottish climate.
Iam
unable to agree in this opinion, and, having had a discussion
upon it lately with a friend who is making observations on tree-
growth, I took the measurements of individuals of both species
growing together at Monreith, with the following result.
Age.
I. English Elm,
2. English Elm,
3. Wych Elm,
| 4. Wych Elm,
5. English Elm,
6. English Elm,
7. English Elm:
small - leafed
or ‘‘South-
ampton”
variety.
| 8. Do.
9g. Wych Elm,
J
About 100 years
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
About 56 years
Height.
Feet.
68
68
65
62
62
63
54
Ft.
Io
5
| 5
lus.
wo +
wm Oo
Feet.
25
24
15 |
Girth at | Clean
4 to 5 feet.| Bole.
REMARKS.
:
|
|
These four trees are the
largest of their species grow-
ing together within a radius
of 100 yards in woodland,
exposed to S.W., where
there is a lake half a mile
long admitting full force
of sea wind. Sea distant
about 14 mile to S.W.
Soil, hazel loam on boulder
clay.
These trees are in open
park much exposed. Wych
elms of same age near them
are not half the size. Soil,
same as last.
These trees are growing
together in woodland; ex-
posure, S.E. Soil same
as last, but stiffer. The
Southampton elm spreads
rapidly by suckers.
These results confirm me in my impression that the English
elm, which does fairly well on. this exposed seaboard, would
flourish finely if it got a chance in more sheltered districts in
It is far less troublesome in a wood than the Wych
Scotland.
EO
NOTES AND QUERIES. 245
elm. Of course the dimensions of these trees compare unfavour-
ably with those of either species in less exposed districts. We
lie open to the full force of S.W., W. and N.W. winds from the
sea. HERBERT MAXWELL.
NOTE ON THE BeErEcH FELT SCALE.
(With Plate.)
The Beech Felt Scale (Cryptococcus fagi), as pointed out in
a recently issued Leaflet (No. 140) by the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries, is probably one of the worst pests that foresters
are called upon to deal with.
In Scotland it has hitherto been most troublesome on the east
coast and in Perthshire, but it has by no means beén confined
to these areas, and it is now increasing rapidly in the western and
south-western counties. Until a year or two ago there was little
or no evidence of its presence here, but isolated trees have been
observed and treated during the last two years, and still odd
trees come under observation.
In the early stages of attack it is not easily seen, as the insect
is very minute, and generally scattered over a large area of the
trunk and larger limbs; and it is only when the attack becomes
chronic, probably in the second or third year, that it becomes so
prominent, through the increase of the colonies, and the
accumulation of the white felty secretion, as to be quite visible
to the casual observer.
The insect, small as it is, seems to have its likes and dislikes,
as it may attack one or more trees in a group, leaving others
quite as tasty, to all appearance, untouched. ‘The parts attacked
are generally those away from the direction of the prevailing
wind, while on horizontal limbs or branches it is almost invari-
ably the lower side. This would look as if they preferred the
position where the bark was thinnest and most succulent, as
well as the most sheltered positions. While this may be so,
colonies are found on exposed sides, and in fissures on the rough-
est bark, even near the ground. One remarkable feature is that of
all the stems attacked here, only one showing the canker-spots
of LVectria ditissima has been attacked, the insect seemingly
avoiding such as being too dry in the bark for their liking. As
to whether the fungus may follow in the wake of the insect, time
will tell.
246 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Entomologists are only acquainted with the female of this
family, which is closely allied to the Aphzde, but further
investigation may prove that both male and female exist at
certain seasons of the year, while the larve are yet actively
engaged looking for new spheres of action. Once the female
settles down in earnest to egg-laying, the felted appearance
becomes more and more marked.
A number of experiments have been tried here with a view to
finding out the most efficacious method of destroying the pest.
The three recipes given in the above-mentioned leaflet, being
more or less difficult to apply, and the caustic alkali wash requir-
ing repeated applications before being effective, a cheaper and
simpler wash is necessary where a large number of trees are
infested.
A weak wash of creosote (half a gallon of creosote to five
gallons of water) was tried on the lower limbs of one tree, with
perhaps the best results as far as the destruction of the insect
was concerned; but while no apparent damage to the health
of the tree followed, the stained appearance would disfigure
specimen trees.
A simple and effective wash is one composed of 1 Ib. of Life-
buoy soap to three gallons of water. The soap is first cut up
and then put into a strong galvanised pail, the necessary water
added, and the whole gently heated over a fire until the soap is
dissolved. It is then ready for use, and should be applied with
an ordinary scrubbing-brush, and well rubbed into the bark to
break up the colonies. It thickens more or less rapidly, accord-
ing to the temperature of the air, and should be reheated
occasionally to make it thin and easy of application. One
application of this wash has been found to be quite effective in
destroying both insects and eggs on the smooth bark; but where
not carefully applied to the fissured and rough bark, a few eggs
have been found to hatch out during the summer following, and
a second dressing has been necessary. For cheapness, efficiency,
and ease of application, this is the best wash that has been tried
here, and with it a couple of active men can soon get over a
large number of trees. It may be applied at any season of the
year, but as it works into a lather and dries on the tree, sticking
until washed off by rain, when the stems are left clean, dry
weather should be taken advantage of. GroRGE LEVEN,
Auchincruive.
a ee
[To face page 246.
Mh
NOTES AND QUERIES. 247
RESISTANCE OF YOUNG TREES TO DRouGur.!
At the last meeting of the German Forestry Association
(September 1905), Oberforstrat Thaler and Forstrat von Peckle-
sheim gave an account of observations on the effects of the
great drought of 1904 on trees planted in the previous season.
In the districts under observation (Saxony and Hesse), scarcely
any rain fell from the middle of April till the end of August.
Conifers, except the Scots pine, were found to suffer more than
hardwoods; the Weymouth pine, larch, and Norway spruce
were most affected, while Ad/anthus glandulosa and Scots pine
suffered least.
It was only below an altitude of some 1300 feet that damage
was done; at high elevations good growth was recorded. Some
interesting facts are available as to the influence of the season
of planting. Conifers planted late in autumn suffered more than
those got in early, while scarcely a tree survived that was put
in late in spring. The conifers which suffered least were those
planted early in the spring season, that is, about February.
Sowing was even less successful than planting. Keeping the
surface of the ground open and clear of weeds by the use of
the hoe was found to give good results. Side shelter from an
adjoining wood was always beneficial, and the same was true
with regard to considerable overhead canopy. Curiously
enough, the effect of standards scattered thinly over the ground
was distinctly bad.
- Drought and heat are, of course, most injurious on south
slopes, and to guard against their prejudicial effects the follow-
ing points should be observed :—(1) regenerate under consider-
able overhead canopy; (2) where clear-felling is practised, take
down the wood in narrow bands running from north-east to
south-west ; (3) preserve bushes naturally present: these will
shade the young plants to some extent; (4) avoid opening up
the wood by too early thinning; (5) in thinning, retain all
underwood capable of growth.—Zeit. fiir Forst- und Jagdwesen,
March 1906.
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for May 1906,
by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
248 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
DISEASED Scots PINES ON LAND FORMERLY ARABLE,!
It is not infrequently noticed that when a wood of Scots pines,
partly on land that has never been under the plough and partly
on old arable land, reaches the age of twenty to thirty years,
the trees under the latter conditions become unhealthy, and ©
subsequently begin to die off. In the early years of the life of
the wood, the trees growing on the land originally arable were
probably the more vigorous, but in the middle or latter half of
the rotation they are apt to develop unsatisfactory symptoms.
The kind of soil appears to make no difference, the evil being
found on dry sand as well as on good loam. ‘The disease seems
to start at certain points and to spread outwards. Scots pines
alone are affected, all other trees being apparently immune.
The direct cause of the trouble has been traced to the attack
of two root-fungi, Polyporus annosus and Agaricus melleus (or
Armillaria mellea), the latter appearing subsequently to the
former, and completing its work. Although these parasites
are not unknown on other trees, they are chiefly met with
on pines.
The subject is discussed by Forstmeister Frombling in the
March issue of the Zeit. fiir Forst- und Jagdwesen, who advances
the theory that trees growing on old tillage land, being more
“forced” in youth, have comparatively little power of resistance
to attack. The fungi, too, find very favourable conditions of
growth on old arable land, the residues of farmyard manure
and the open texture of the soil favouring their development.
Frombling suggests that where it is intended to afforest arable
land, the following points should be observed:—(1) avoid using
Scots pines; (2) avoid using farmyard manure for some years
before planting; (3) exhaust the soil by growing two or three
corn crops in succession.
DEGREE IN FORESTRY AT THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY.
The new Calendar announces that a Degree of Bachelor of
Science in Forestry is conferred by the University, and gives
details of the Preliminary Examination, the Courses of Instruc-
tion, and other matters connected therewith.
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for May 1906,
by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
NOTES AND QUERIES. 249
The Preliminary Examination will be in the following
subjects :—(1) English; (2) Mathematics up to, and including,
Plane Trigonometry ; (3) German; (4) Latin or French.
The subjects of subsequent study, during a period of not less
than three Academical years, will be as follows :—(1) Zoology ;
(2) Botany; (3) Natural Philosophy; (4) Chemistry, including
Elementary Organic Chemistry; (5) Forest Botany; (6)
Agricultural Chemistry, including the Chemistry of Soils;
(7) Geology; (8) Forest Entomology; (9) Forestry, theoretical
and practical, in all its branches; (10) Elementary Engineering ;
(11) Geometrical Drawing and Surveying. Some of these will
be “full courses” and others will be “half courses.” Five full
courses, or their equivalent (counting two half courses as one
full course) must be taken at the University of Edinburgh, and
must include the course in Forestry. The remainder of the
courses may be taken in other universities or other institutions
approved by the University Court, or under teachers recognised
by the Court for purposes of graduation in the: Science of
Forestry.
It is laid down that residence and practical work in forests
will be required of each candidate to such an extent and under
such regulations as the Senatus may from time to time appoint.
In the present regrettable absence of facilities for giving
adequate practical instruction in this country, it will be
necessary for candidates to undergo a practical course of from
nine to six months’ duration abroad. But it is hoped that the
early provision of a Forest Garden and a State Demonstration
Forest (in which, if it comprised a fair amount of growing woods
up to middle age, much instructive work could be done) will
render it possible to greatly reduce the period of study abroad.
F. B.
Tue Strupy OF CONTINENTAL FORESTS.
Writing in the Zzdian Forester for March 1907, on “ Forestry
Tuition at Oxford and Dehra Dun,” Mr A. J. Gibson says :—
“The Dehra Dun course gives a good grounding in forestry in all its
branches, illustrated by an excellent and thoroughly practical outdoor pro-
gramme of work; but the illustrations can only show Indian forests as they
VOL. XX. PART II. R
250 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY,
are, and not as they ought to be, and this is where the home course is superior, for
no high ideal of forestry is attainable from books, and it is the spectacle of a
German or French forest intensely worked, which leaves an ineradicable
impression on the forest probationer, and the probationer of to-day will be
helping to mould the forest policy of India twenty-five years hence, and his
model will still be the finished Continental one, modified by his Indian
experience.”
These words should be taken to heart by all who are interested
in British forestry, whether as landowners, factors, foresters,
teachers, or the authorities of institutions where forestry is
taught. The words, used with regard to India, apply with
equal or even greater force to our own country. In the pre-
ceding Note it has been said that practical training abroad is
at present necessary for degree students and for others who may
follow the higher courses; and it is hoped that our Society’s
Excursions abroad may be repeated from time to time, to enable
our younger foresters, who have not yet had the opportunity of
doing so, to see systematically-managed woods of middle to
mature age, and thus to realise the results which such manage-
ment leads to. But the urgent necessity for early provision
of practical training grounds in this country is obvious.
F. B.
EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS.
During the past year, the first of a series of annual excursions
was made to forests in Germany by a party of students from the
Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester. They visited several
State forests in the Oberforsterei of Darmstadt; also the well-known
oak and pine woods at Viernheim, the extensive coppice in the
Odenwald which is now undergoing conversion into High Forest,
and some of the woods near Heidelberg. In this country, Lord
Bathurst has generously placed his large woods, which almost
adjoin Cirencester, at the disposal of the college authorities for
instructional purposes. In addition to these woods, the students
will visit the water-catchment areas of the Birmingham and of
the Liverpool Corporations in Wales, which are now being planted
up;- also the Berkeley and Colesborne woods, the Forest of
Dean, and the Brocklesby woods in Lincolnshire.
: E,. B,
NOTES AND QUERIES. 251
SCHOOL OF FORESTRY IN THE FoREST OF DEAN.!
The work at the School of Forestry which has been
established by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in
the Forest of Dean is reported to have made satisfactory
progress. As the result of experience, the course of instruction
has been slightly modified and improved. Seven students
entered the school in January 1904, and completed the course
in October 1905. One has been appointed Assistant Crown
Woodman in Windsor Forest, while the others are still in the
Forest of Dean. A second class of seven students commenced
in November 1904, two of whom were from private estates,
and a third class of eight students began in November 1905,
three being from private estates.
During the year a museum has been built at Parkend,
and contains a number of specimens of various timbers, also
specimens illustrative of damage caused by animals, insects,
fungi, etc. These specimens are being arranged and labelled,
and when finished will be of general interest, as well as of value
to the forest student. The Abbotswood experimental plantation
has been made over to the school; about five acres were planted
this season, with mixtures of various species.—Report of Commis-
stoners of Woods, etc., 1905-1906.
THE YALE ForEstT SCHOOL.
The calendar of the Yale Forest School for 1906-7 contains
an interesting account of the endowment and equipment of
the school; it gives also the terms of admission, with the fees
exacted from, and expenses incurred by the students. A full
syllabus is added of the curriculum of study, which extends over
a period of two years. In 1903 the Endowment Fund was
increased by the gift of a sum of $50,ooo—a gift which affords a
further example of the liberality with which scientific institutions
“on the other side” are supported by private donors. FF. B.
1 Reproduced from the Journal of the Board of Agriculture for December
1906, by permission of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
252 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
TIMBER-SUPPLY FROM SWEDEN.
In the Zransactions (Vol. IX. p. 337) is published an article on
* Anticipated Curtailment of Timber-Supplies from Sweden,” and
as I find that the author has in some way over-estimated the
influence of the law referred to therein, I beg to give the
following contribution to the subject.
It is true that in the northern part of Sweden (Norrland) the
law of the 27th April 1906 forbids the taking up of ground
by saw-millers (or other industrial companies) to a_ greater
extent than is necessary for building sites, timber depots, etc.
This law became necessary as the great companies more and
more monopolised the ground, whereby our independent farmer-
class in Norrland threatened to diminish to an alarming extent.
Before the law was passed the companies purchased with ease
large farms and woodlands—generally very cheap—and the
farmers having spent the money they received in payment,
awoke to the fact that they were without either money or home.
Of course the farmer who sold his ground very often had the
chance of becoming a tenant of the purchaser, but he thereby
entered into a not very encouraging dependence on the com-
pany; and as the principal concern of the company was
naturally its timber-business, and, as a rule, it paid very little
or no regard to agricultural interests, the farmer sooner or later
got tired of it, gave up farming altogether, and either betook
himself to some other industry or, unfortunately, emigrated.
Since the passing of the law, the farmer can, as before, sell
his timber, but he has greater difficulty in selling his land and
home, and it is our hope that he will find it by and by more
profitable to keep his farm and try to improve his agriculture.
As our forestry laws have made the regeneration of our woods
pretty safe, the farms have to be well kept up in forestry as well
as in an agricultural way, and we shall preserve, I hope, for all
time, a proprietary, independent, and happy farmer-class even
in the northern parts of Sweden.
As for the influence of the law on the export of timber from
Sweden, I am sure it will not cause a decrease but rather an
increase. The exporting companies can even now, without any
restriction, supply their timber wants by purchase from the
farmers or from the government. The law in question will
not, therefore, bring about a curtailment of timber-supplies to
NOTES AND QUERIES. 253
Great Britain, but it will tend to reduce emigration to some
extent, and will thus help agricultural interests in North Sweden ;
while last, but not least, it will tend to be a good factor in our
efforts to build a firm base for a steady and enduring timber-
stock in Sweden. Eis NILSON,
Ljungbyhed, Sweden.
“FROM THE IcE AGE TO THE PRESENT.”
This extremely important and interesting article by Professor
James Geikie, F.R.S., appeared in the Scottish Geographical
Magazine for August 1906. Many years ago the Professor
pointed out that the variation in the vegetation of the country,
as indicated by certain deposits or layers of the peat-mosses,
was the outcome of climatic changes, the forest beds indicating
periods of relatively dry or continental conditions, while the
layers of peat are the evidence of colder and moister conditions,
Formerly, the views held by writers on the origin of Scottish
peat-bogs were at variance and of an incomplete and
unsatisfactory nature. The crux of the whole question was
that they did not take into consideration the influence of
climatic changes in bringing about the variation of the
vegetation as recorded in the different layers of our peat-
mosses. The soundness of the reasoning which led Professor
Geikie to the conclusion that the succession of these types of
vegetation were due to climatic influences has been recently
confirmed by the admirable researches of Mr Francis J. Lewis
of the University of Liverpool, who has shown beyond all doubt
that the various types of vegetation found in each layer of the
Scottish peat-bogs represent forms requiring special climatic
conditions for their growth. In the limited space at our disposal
it is impossible to give the various phenomena and their
interpretation which gave the Professor the key to the correct
solution of this interesting problem. It is of great interest to
foresters, in so far as it deals with the appearance and disappear-
ance of forests and the conditions attending these changes.
After all, it would seem that the distribution or the occurrence
or non-occurrence of forests in space and time are due to the
same fundamental conditions, viz., climatic conditions.
A. W. Bortuwick, D.Sc.
254 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
REFORESTATION IN SCOTLAND.
On the tr2th March 1907, in the House of Commons,
Mr Alden asked the Prime Minister whether there had been
under consideration a large scheme for reafforesting 30,000 acres
in Scotland; whether the House could be supplied with par-
ticulars of that scheme; and, if so, whether in the near future
he saw any prospect of carrying it into execution.
To this the Prime Minister replied as follows:—I am informed
that a scheme of reafforestation is under the consideration of
the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. The scheme has not
yet reached the stage at which it would be desirable for me to
enter into detail, but I shall be happy to give further informa-
tion on the subject if matters are, as I hope they may be,
satisfactorily concluded.
THE DENBIGHSHIRE EXPERIMENTAL STATION.!
A scheme for the treatment of the Chirk Forest Area, accom-
panied by a map, has been prepared by Mr Fraser Story. It
includes a statement of the estimated expenditure upon work
connected with the scheme. Seedling plants were purchased,
some of them in Germany, and were developed in a home
nursery at Iddon, while seeds were sown in another nursery at
Groggen Iddon. The work proceeds under favourable auspices,
and a satisfactory result may be confidently looked for. F. B.
THE IsLE oF MAN ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Committee of the Isle of Man Arboricultural Society
submitted the following Report at the General Meeting of the
Society held on November 1906 :—
The Committee have pleasure in submitting a report of the
operations of the Society for the past year, together with the
audited accounts for that period. These operations have been
of a more than usually important character, owing to the
1 See p. 108 of the present Volume.
NOTES AND QUERIES. 255
departure made in the matter of undertaking the planting of
a large tract of Slieuwhallin Mountain, which can be viewed
from the plain surrounding the Tynwald Hill, at St John’s.
In this work no fewer than 48,300 trees of various kinds have
been planted ; and your Committee had, on the occasion of a
recent inspection, the satisfaction of seeing that the plantation
promises to be a success.
In addition to the planting on Slieuwhallin, the operations
of the Society have resulted in the sale of 24,822 trees of
several kinds, and, in addition to these, free grants of 2580
trees were allowed to customers; making a total of 75,702 trees
planted during the year as the result of the operations of the
Society.
Encouraged by the result of the Slieuwhallin plantation, the
Committee are contemplating a similar work in the north of
the Island. They also contemplate, on the recommendation
of his Excellency the President of the Society, a limited experi-
ment in what may be described as “broadcast sowing.” If
this experiment is successful, the adoption of this plan will
conduce to economy in planting. The site selected for this
purpose is considered to be well suited, so far as soil and
aspect are concerned.
It may be noted that, in connection with the planting of
Slieuwhallin, the sum of nearly £80 has been expended in
labour, and the work of the Society has been of immediate
advantage in that respect.
By Order of the Committee.
T. W. CREER, Secretary.
The chairman, speaking in April, on the occasion of the
commencement by the Government of planting operations on a
new site, stated that the Society had spread throughout the
island much information regarding forestry, and had created a
deeper interest in the subject. It had made persistent and
successful efforts to obtain governmental support for its under-
takings, and had secured an annual grant of public money.
Land had been leased for afforestation purposes, and the leases
were held by Government officers. The areas selected had been
waste land, unfitted for agriculture, though well adapted to the
growing of trees. The plantations would serve not only as a
256 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
much-needed shelter against wind, but would enhance the
beauty of the island, and would also, in course of time, become
remunerative.
[We congratulate the Society on its successful efforts to secure
financial support from the Manx Legislature.—Hown. Ep.]
UseE OF CREOSOTE OIL IN THE UNITED STATES.
Within the last four or five years there has sprung up in the
United States a large demand for creosote oil on the part of
the railway companies, who have commenced to creosote the
sleepers and other timber used on their lines. In many parts
of the States, timber is now very scarce, and consequently
commands a high price, owing, no doubt, to its lavish and
wasteful use in the past, and also the almost total neglect to
plant trees.
Oil is sent from Canada, involving a journey by rail of 1500 to
2000 miles, and large quantities are also shipped from this
country.
This should encourage tree-planters at home; for all the
signs of the times point to a coming scarcity of timber, unless
tree-planting is vigorously taken in hand by all countries which
possess suitable soil and climate.
W. B. HAVELOCK,
Brocklesby Park,
Lincolnshire.
ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
These maps can be purchased—(1) from agents in most of the
chief towns; (2) directly, or through any bookseller, from the
Ordnance Survey Office, Southampton (or, in the case of Ireland,
from the Officer in Charge, Ordnance Survey, Dublin), by pre-
payment of the price of the map and the postage; (3) small
scale maps are also on sale at railway bookstalls.
OBITUARY NOTICES, 257
OBITUARY “NOTICES.
LiEeuT.-COLONEL FRANCIS NEWELL INNES.
The news of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Newell
Innes of Learney, which occurred very suddenly on rath of April
last, will be received with universal regret, and by none will his
loss be more felt than by the members of the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society.
The third, but at his death the only surviving, son of Colonel
Thomas Innes, who at the ripe age of ninety-three is still an
active member of more than one public Board in Aberdeen,
Colonel Francis Innes entered the army in 1866, and served
with distinction in the Royal Artillery in India, and in the
Egyptian War of 1882. Retiring in 1886 with the rank of
Lieutenant-Colonel, he returned to Aberdeen, and took over
the active management of the family estates of Learney and
Cullerlie, which were finally handed over to him by his father
in 1892.
In addition to his duties on the various public Boards of the
county, and of commercial undertakings in Aberdeen, in both
of which he took a prominent place, Colonel Francis Innes
personally attended to the management of his estates, and in no
branch of estate management was he more deeply interested or
more well versed than in that of forestry. He worked his
woodlands systematically and well, as is abundantly shown,
not only by the valuable contributions he has made to the local
records on the subject, but also by the thriving plantations
now to be seen on the estate. Though not previously a
member of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society, it was
only natural, when the local Branch was formed in Aberdeen,
that he should take a prominent share in its inception, and his
was one of the first names to be proposed for the office of
Vice-President.
VOL. XX. PART II. S
2 58 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY.
He had in the press, at the time of his death, a paper on
“Forestry on the Learney Estate from 1806 to 1906,” which
appears in the present number of the Zvransactions, and our
regret will be all the more keenly felt when we realise that this
is the last contribution that can come from his pen.
$46.
M. Lucien Bopps, C.I.E.
At the moment of going to press, we have received news of
the death of M. Lucien Boppe, C.I.E., well known as the
Professor of Sylviculture at the French National Forest School,
and as an author of books on Forestry. A fuller notice will
appear in January. Hon. Ep.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Societp.
Instituted 16th February 1854.
PATRON.
HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING.
PROCEEDINGS IN 1906—Continued.
THE GENERAL MEETING.
The General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural
Society was held in the General Meeting Room in the Highland
and Agricultural Society’s Showyard at Peebles, on Thursday,
19th July 1906, at 1.30 P.M. W. STEuART FoTHRINGHAM of
Murthly, President of the Society, occupied the Chair, and there
was a fair attendance of members.
MINUTES.
The Chairman mentioned that the Minutes of last Annual
Meeting had already been printed and circulated amongst the
Members, and he suggested that they should be held as read
and approved of, which was agreed to.
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS,
In opening his remarks, the CHarrMAN thanked the Directors
of the Highland and Agricultural Society for the use of the room
for the meeting, for the encouragement they had always given to
this Society, and for the handsome grant they had again made to
the Prize Fund in connection with the annual Forestry Exhibition.
He also thanked the Exhibition Committee for all the trouble
2
they had taken in connection with the arrangements for the
Exhibition, and especially Mr John F. Annand, the Convener of
the Committee, upon whom a very large share of the responsi-
bility had devolved. They had been fortunate this year in being
able to arrange for a lecture on each of the four days of the
Exhibition. Two of these lectures had already been given, one
by Mr Annand, on the opening day, on ‘The Exhibits,” and
the other by Mr Munro Ferguson, on the second day, on ‘“‘ The
Present Position as regards Instruction in Sylviculture.” They
were to have Sir John Stirling-Maxwell’s address on ‘ Hill Plant-
ing ” at the end of the business meeting, and Mr A. D. Richardson
would lecture on “‘ The Larch Disease Fungus” on the closing day.
He thought that the Society was much indebted to these
gentlemen for their services, and he begged to move a very
hearty vote of thanks to all of them.
The Chairman then referred with satisfaction to the new
arrangement by which the Zyansactions were to be issued half-
yearly, and congratulated the Editors and the Committee on the
punctuality with which the first half-yearly part had been issued.
ABERDEEN BRANCH.
The PRESIDENT reported that, in terms of the regulations
passed at last meeting, a requisition, signed by forty-five
Members residing in Aberdeen district, had been received and
approved by the Council, and that a meeting had been held in
Aberdeen on 18th May last, which he and the Secretary had
attended, when the Branch was duly constituted, and the
following Office-Bearers were elected :—/Prestdent—Mr ALEx.
M. Gorpon of Newton. Vice-Presidents—S1DNEY J. GAMMELL
of Drumtochty; Lieut.-Col. Innes of Learney; Professor TRAIL,
Aberdeen; and Mr Wi tiiam M‘Intosu, Fife Estates Office.
Committee—Mr JOHN Crozier, Durris; Mr JoHN CLarK, Haddo;
Mr R. B. Greic, Marischal College; Mr Joun Micuikr, Balmoral ;
Mr Atrx. Rogson, Aberdeen; Mr JoHN Rute, Huntly; Mr Joun
Hart, Mains of Cowie; Mr THomas Brain, Durris; Mr JAMEs
ALLAN, Bucksburn; Mr J. A. Duruir, Aberdeen; Mr ANDREW
BELL, Forglen; and Mr C. S. France, Aberdeen. Honorary
Secretary and Treasurer—Mr Roperv Scott, Solicitor, 75 Union
Street, Aberdeen.
FORESTRY EXHIBITION.
The Judges’ Awards in connection with the Forestry Exhibition
were then intimated in terms of their Report, as follows :—
Report by the Judges on the Forestry Exhibition held within
the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show-ground at Peebles
from 17th to 20th July 1906. We beg to submit our awards
as follows :—
Competition No. J.
For Boards of Scots Pine, Larch, and Norway Spruce.
1st Prize, £2, 10s., Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart. of Smith-
field and Haystoun.
2nd Prize, £1, 10s., The Earl of Mansfield.
grd Prize, £1, Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart.
Competition No. Ll.
Specimens of the Timber of any Three Coniferous Timber
Trees other than the above.
Ist Prize, £2, 10s., The Duke of Buccleuch.
2nd Prize, £1, ros., W. Steuart Fothringham of Murthly.
Competition No. L17.
For Boards of Ash, Oak, and Elm.
Ist Prize, £2, 10s., Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart.
2nd Prize, £1, 1os., The Earl of Mansfield.
ardernize, £1, Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart.
Competition No. IV.
Specimens of the Timber of any Three Broad-leaved Timber
Trees, other than the above.
1st Prize, £2, 10s., Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart.
2nd Prize, #1, 10s., The Marquis of Breadalbane.
4
Competition No. VI.
Gate for Estate or Farm Use, manufactured from Home-
grown Timber.
The Earl of Mansfield, . No.1 Silver Medal.
Competition No. VII.
Full-sized Section of Rustic Fence, made from Larch or other
Thinnings.
Alex. Pollock, Tarbolton, . No. 2 Silver Medal.
Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart., Bronze Medal.
Competition No. XII.
Examples showing the Best Methods of Utilising Small Wood.
The Earl of Mansfield, . No. 2 Silver Medal.
John Smith, Peebles, . No. 2 Silver Medal.
Alex. Pollock, Tarbolton, . Bronze Medal.
Competition No. X VI,
Any approved Article either wholly or mainly made of Wood.
Wm. Sinton & Sons, Jedburgh. Tree Plant Tub, and
Vase for shrub or flowers. No. 1 Silver Medal.
Jas. Gillespie, Blairmore, Braco. A Model Gate. No. 2
Silver Medal.
Alex. Pollock, Tarbolton. Fancy Rustic Seat. No. 2 Silver
Medal.
Articles for Exhibition only.
In compliance with the suggestion of the Committee, that in
the event of an Exhibit of special merit being brought forward,
the Judges might recommend one of the Society's Medals or
other Award, we beg to recommend that the following Awards
be made, viz.:—
To Jas. A. Weale, Timber Merchant, Liverpool, for his
exhibit of 800 Photo-micrographs of British and
Foreign Timbers (transverse sections), at a magnifica-
tion of 10 diameters—the Society’s Gold Medal.
To W. Steuart Fothringham of Murthly, for his exhibit of
a Model Water-Gate for crossing a stream, showing
the convenience of putting on or removing the gate
without going into the water—a No. 1 Silver Medal.
bo)
To Dr Borthwick, Hon. Cryptogamist to the Society, tor
Herbarium Specimens of Forest Trees, showing branch,
flower, and fruit of various species—a No. 1 Silver
Medal.
To A. T. Gillanders, F.E.S., Park Cottage, Alnwick, for his
collection of Insects Injurious to Forest Trees—a No. 1
Silver Medal.
To Sir Duncan E. Hay, Bart., for a large collection of
Coniferous Trees showing examples of Annual Growths
under various conditions, examples of Wood showing
Larch Canker and other Diseases, examples of Larch
damaged by Squirrels, and specimens of Matured Larch
Trees—a No. 1 Silver Medal.
We desire to bring before the notice of the Committee an
exhibit in Competition No. I., sent from Ireland by Mr Hodson,
agent for the trustees of the late Sir John Arnott, Bart., Bandon,
Co. Cork. Owing to the fact that the boards were taken from
trees of much less age than the other exhibits, we could not
include them in the ordinary prize list, but, considering the
excellence of the quality of the timber, and the skilful manner
in which the boards were manufactured, we are unanimous in
recommending a special award of a No. 2 Silver Medal.
We have pleasure in reporting that the exhibits on this
occasion compared favourably with those of former years. In
the sawing and handling of manufactured timber there was a
noticeable improvement compared with previous Exhibitions.
It was, however, disappointing to find that in such a well-
wooded district as Peeblesshire so few of the competitions were
taken part in by local landowners.
In one instance which occurred in Competition No. I. an
exhibit of first-class merit had to. be disqualified because of an
infringement of the rule directing that each set of three boards
must be sawn from a “single root cut.” Had this rule been
observed, the exhibit would have taken a place in the prize list.
Considering the importance of Competition No. VI.—for a
Gate for Estate or Farm Use—it was matter for regret that only
one competitor entered. We respectfully suggest that, supple-
mentary to this competition, a prize should be offered for
examples of various methods of fencing against farm stock ; the
cost of material and mode of erection, coupled with efficiency,
to be of primary importance. A competition on these lines
would, we think, be both attractive and useful for landowners,
foresters, and farmers.
Many of the articles sent, for Exhibition only, were of
exceptional merit, and, apart from those mentioned in the list
of awards, there were others that deserve a word of praise. A
most interesting exhibit was forwarded by Mr Allan from
6
Polkemmet, showing Larch Stobs which had been in use for
forty-two years, and which, from their appearance, might
be expected to last for a number of years longer. A rather
exceptional exhibit of Scots Fir Stobs was sent by the
Marquis of Tweeddale, Yester. They had been in the ground
for forty years, and were still quite fresh, the points showing no
sign of decay. They were cut from trees between thirty and
forty years old, peeled and dried, then steeped in tar. Lord
Mansfield exhibited some fine Specimen Boards of Home and
Exotic Timber, and a collection of Tools used on Scone Estates.
F. R. S. Balfour, Esq. of Dawick, and Mr Berry, forester to
Lord Minto, Hawick, had each a most interesting and instructive
exhibit, and they deserve credit for the trouble they must have
had in collecting and bringing together such a varied assortment.
In conclusion, we beg to express our entire satisfaction with
the arrangements made by Mr Annand and the other members
of the Exhibition Committee, which made the task of judging
both easy and pleasant. Gro. U. MacbonaLp.
ADAM SPIERS.
JOHN CROZIER.
The Secretary reported that the Council had unanimously
agreed to the Judges’ recommendations, and the Report was
approved of.
JupcrEs’ REporT on Essays.
The Secretary gave in the Report of the Judges on the
following Essays submitted to them, viz. :—
Crass I.
(1) “The Prospects of Growing Timber for Profit in the United
Kingdom.”
Award—No. 1 Silver Medal, to Davin Tait, Owston
Park, Doncaster.
(2) ‘The Prospects of Growing Timber for Profit in the United
Kingdom.” By “ En Avant.”
No Award.
(3) “ Fencing for Farm Stock.”
Award—Bronze Medal, to THomas Hai, Moore
Abbey, Monasterevan, Co. Kildare.
(4) “Thirty-eight Years’ Management of Woods.” By “ Quod
verum Tutum.”
No Award.
7
(5) “The Best Method of Preventing Damage by the Pine
Weevil (/Zylobius abietis).”
Award—No. 2 Silver Medal, to Ewan S. Grant,
Edensor, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
6) “ Agaricus Melleus—the Honey Agaric.”
(6) “ Ag y Ag
Award—No. 2 Silver Medal, to Ewan S. GRAnr.
Crass ih
(1) “The Propagation of Forest Trees and Shrubs based on
Personal Experience.”
Award—No, 2 Silver Medal, to Davin LumspEn,
Assistant Forester, Murthly.
(2) “Fencing in Connection with Forestry.”
g y
Award—Bronze Medal, to Wm. HENRY WHELLINS,
Assistant Forester, Raith. ‘
The Report was approved of.
ELECTION OF A TRUSTEE.
On the motion of the PRESIDENT, Sir JOHN STIRLING-MAXWELL,
Bart. of Pollok, was elected a Trustee in place of the late Lord
Mansfield.
EXCURSION 1906.
Mr BucHanan, Convener of the Committee, laid on the table
a printed programme of the ensuing Excursion to Northumber-
land and Durham, and mentioned that a smaller number of
Members than usual had intimated their intention of taking
part in it.
EXCURSION 1907.
The PRESIDENT reported that the Council had unanimously
agreed to recommend that next year’s Excursion should be held
in Speyside, Inverness-shire, and Ross-shire. The matter was
remitted to the Council with powers.
PROPOSED ScOTTISH NATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1908.
The SECRETARY said he had nothing further to report mean-
time regarding this Exhibition, and on his suggestion the niatter
was remitted to the Council with powers.
AHLBOTTN & Co.’s UNPAID ACCOUNT.
The SECRETARY mentioned that an account amounting to
£2, 1os., due by David Hunter, trading under the name of
Ahlbottn & Co., for advertising in the Zvansactions, issued in the
beginning of 1904, was still unpaid, although he had made
repeated demands for a settlement. He asked that the Society
should authorise him to take, in his own name, on behalf of
the Society, such legal proceedings as might be necessary to
recover payment of the account, and this was unanimously
agreed to.
This was all the business, and a vote of thanks to the
Chairman closed the proceedings.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
(INSTITUTED 16th FEBRUARY 1854.)
LIrsT OF MEMBERS &c,,
YEAR.
1854-56.
1857.
1858.
1859.
1860.
1861.
1862.
1863.
1864-71.
1872-73.
1874-75.
1876-78.
1879-81.
1882.
1883-85.
1886-87.
1888-89.
1890-93.
1894-97,
1898.
1899-92.
1903-
As at December 1906.
PATRON.
HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING.
PRESIDENT.
W. Srevart ForarincHam of Murthly, Perthshire.
FORMER PRESIDENTS.
Deputy-Surveyor of the Royal Forest of Dean.
Wood Commissioner to the Earl of Seafield.
The Right Hon. THE EArt or Duocrn.
The Right Hon. THE EARL oF STarr.
Sir Joun HAtt, Bart. of Dunglass.
His Grace THE DUKE of ATHOLL.
Joun I. CuAatmers of Aldbar.
The Right Hon. Tur EArt oF AIRLIE.
The Right Hon. T. F. Kennepy.
RozErt Hurcaison of Carlowrie, F.R.S.E.
Hucu Ciecuorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., of Stravithie.
JoHun Hutron BAtrour, M.D., M.A., F.R.SS. L. & E., Professor
of Botany in the University of Edinburgh.
The Right Hon. W. P. ApAm of Blairadam, M.P.
The Most Hon. THE MARQuEss oF LoruiaAn, K.T.
ALEXANDER Dickson, M.D., F.R.S.E., of Hartree, Regius
Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh.
Hucu CiecuHorn, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., of Stravithie.
The Right Hon. Sir Hersert Evstack MAxwett, Bart. of
Monreith.
The Right Hon. THE MArquEss oF LINLITHGOW, Hopetoun
House, South Queensferry.
Isaac BayLey Batrour, M.D., Se.D., F.R.S., Professor of
Botany in the University of Edinburgh.
Rk. C. Munro Frreuson, M.P.
Colonel F. Barry, R.E.
The Right Hon. THe EARL oF MANSFIELD,
W, STEvART FOTHRINGHAM of Murthly.
JAMES BROWN,
bo
Date of HONORARY MEMBEBS.
Election.
1886. AveBury, The Right Hon. Baron, D.C.L., High Elms, Down, Kent.
1904. Baitey, Colonel F., R.E., F.R.S.E., Lecturer on Forestry, Edinburgh
University, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh. (Also Life Member by
Subscription, 1887.)
1873. Branpis, Sir Dietrich, K.C.I.E., Ph.D., Hx-Inspector General of
Forests in India, Bonn, Germany.
1901. GamBLE, J. Sykes, C.I.E., F.R.S., M.A., ex-Director of the Indian
Forest School, Highfield, East Liss, Hants.
1905, Gaver, Regierungs-Rath Dr Karl, Emeritus Professor of Forestry,
University of Munich.
1905. Henry, Auguste Edmond, Professor of Natural Science, etc., National
Forest School, Nancy, France.
1886. Hooker, Sir Joseph D., M.D., K.C.S.1., The Camp, Sunningdale,
Berks.
1886. JoHorE, The Maharajah of, Johore, Malay Peninsula.
1904. Kay, James, Wood Manager, Bute Estate, Rothesay, Bute. (Elected
Ordinary Member in 1867.)
1894. LoGaN, Sir Charles B., W.S., 23 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
1904. Mackenziz, Donald F., F.S.1., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Edinburgh.
(Also Life Member by Subscription, 1872.)
1886. MicHAxEL, General, C.S.I., Bangor Lodge, Ascot, Berkshire.
1903. Nrtson, Jigmistare Elis, Forestiindare for Kolleberga skogsskola
Ljungbyhed, Sweden.
1889. SarcENnT, Professor C. S., Director of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard
College, Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
1889. ScuuicH, Dr William, Professor of Forestry, Oxford University.
1895. ScuHwappacH, Dr Adam, Professor of Forestry, Eberswalde, Prussia.
1904. SomERVILLE, Dr William, M.A., D.Sc., D.Cic., F.R.S.E., Professor
of Rural Economy, Oxford. (Also Life Member by Subscription,
1889.)
1886. Taker, Morimasa, 58 Mikumicho, Ushima, Tokio, Japan. .
1904. THomson, John Graut, Wood Manager, Grantown, Strathspey. (Also
Life Member by Subscription, 1855.)
Date of HONORARY ASSOCIATE MEMBERS,
Election.
1903. BarriscomBE, Edward, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Nigeri via
Naivasha, East Africa Protectorate.
1901. Bruce, William, College of Agriculture, 13 George Square, Edinburgh.
1901. Crompiz, T. Alexander, Forester, Estate Office, Longhirst, Morpeth.
1902. GiLBeRT, W. Matthews, The Scotsman Office, Edinburgh.
1902. Smiru, Fred., Highfield Mount, Brook Street, Macclesfield.
1901. Story, Fraser, Lectureron Forestry, University of North Wales, Bangor,
1901. UsHEer, Thomas, Courthill, Hawick,
LIFE AND ORDINARY MEMBERS.
* Indicates Life Member. Italics indicates that present Address is unknown.
Law V. Members in arrear shall not receive the Z’ransactions while their
Subscriptions remain unpaid. Any Member whose Annual Subscription to
the Society remains unpaid for three years shall cease to be a Member of the
Society, and no such Member shall be eligible for re-election till he shall
have paid up his arrears.
Date of
Election.
1895. Apsor, Thomas, Forester, Neidpath Castle, Peebles.
*1906. ABERCROMBY, Sir George William, Forglen, Turriff.
1904. ABERNETHY, Thomas, Assistant Forester, White Deer Lodge, Welbeck
Park, Worksop.
1902. ACLAND, Sir Charles Thomas Dyke, Bart., M.A., D.L., ete., Killerton,
Exeter.
*1900. ApArIR, David Rattray, S.S.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
*1883. ApAM, Sir Charles Elphinstone, Bart. of Blairadam, 5 New Square,
Lincoln’s Inn, London, W.C.
*1904. ApAms, Joseph Wm. Atkin, Resident Agent, Mill Hill, Middlesex.
1906. ADAmsoN, John, Assistant Forester, Chatsworth, Pilsley, Bakewell.
*1874. AppINGTON, The Right Hon. Lord, Addington Manor, Winslow,
Bucks.
*1904. Agnew, Sir Andrew, Bart., Lochnaw Castle, Stranraer.
1903. Ar~sa, The Marquess of, Culzean Castle, Maybole.
1906. ArnsuiIn, John, Factor, Stobo, Peeblesshire.
1902. AINSLIE, Thomas, Glenesk, Penicuik.
1902. ArrcHison, William, Assistant Forester, Weirburn Cottage, Grant’s
House.
1905. ALEXANDER, Henry, Head Forester, Grimstone Estate, Gilling East,
York.
*1883. ALEXANDER, John, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
1903. ALLAN, James, Wood Merchant, Bucksburn.
1905, ALLAN, James, Forester, Lyde Green, Rotherwick, Winchfield, Hants.
*1903. ALLAN, Robert, Factor, Halfway House, Polkemmet, Whitburn.
1898. ALLAWAY, William, 13 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
1905. Anderson, Duncan, Assistant Forester, Pierremont Nurseries,
Darlington.
1905. Anderson, George, Forester, Bawdsey Manor, Woodbridge, Suffolk.
*1901. ANDERSON, Robert, Bailiff, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
1906. ANDERSON, Robert, Assistant Forester, Fairnington, Roxburgh.
1887. ANNAND, John F., Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College,
Neweastle-on-Tyne.
1903. ANSTRUTHER, Sir Ralph, Bart. of Balcaskie, Pittenweem.
1903. ARcHIBALD, John Clark, Head Forester, Eden Hall, Langwathb
R.S.0O., Cumberland. ;
1903. Archibald, W. F. B., Forester, Whitehill, Bothwell.
Date of
Election,
*1906.
1898.
1904.
*1883.
1860.
*1887.
*1906.
*1896.
1903.
*1884.
*1900.
*1886.
1906.
*1877.
1892.
1898
*1904.
1897.
1900.
1903.
*1866.
*1895.
*1889.
* Bids
1874.
1904.
*1903.
1899.
1904.
*1897.
*1883.
1901.
1898.
1900,
1898.
1900.
*1871.
1895.
1905.
ARDWALL, The Hon. Lord, M.A., LL.D., 14 Moray Place, Edin-
burgh.
ArMsTRONG, Thos. J, A., Factor, Glenborrodale, Salen, Fort William.
ARNOTT, William, Foreman Forester, Old Scone, Perth.
ATHOLL, His Grace the Duke of, K.T., Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.
AuUsTIN & M‘AsLAN, Nurserymen, 89 Mitchell Street, Glasgow.
BaILey, Colonel F., R.E., F.R.S.E., Lecturer on Forestry, Edinburgh
University, 7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
Barrp, Henry Robert, D.L., J.P., Durris House, Drumoak, Aberdeen.
Barrp, J. G. A., of Adamton, 89 Eaton Square, London, S.W.
BarrpD, William Arthur. of Erskine, Glasgow.
BALFOUR OF BuRLEIGH, The Right Hon. Lord, K.T., Kennet House,
Alloa.
BALFour, Charles B., of Newton Don, Kelso.
Bat¥rour, Edward, of Balbirnie, Markinch, Fife.
BatFour, Frederick Robert Stephen, J.P., Dawyck, Stobo,
Peebleshire.
Ba.rour, Isaac Bayley, LL.D., Sc.D., M.D., F.L.S., Professor of
Botany, Edinburgh.
BALLINGALL, Niel, Sweet Bank, Markinch, Fife.
BANNAN, Andrew, Forester, Beautyfield, Abernethy.
Barsour, George Freeland, of Bonskeid, Pitlochry.
Barciay, Robert Leatham, Banker, 54 Lombard Street, London, E.C.
BARKER, Arthur, Forester, Shanbally Castle, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
BARNES, Nicholas F., Head Gardener, Eaton Hall, Chester.
BArRRIE, James, Forester, Stevenstone, Torrington, North Devon.
BARRIE, James Alexander, Forester, Harlestone, Northampton.
Barron, John, Elvaston Nurseries, Borrowash, Derby.
Barry, John W., of Fyling Hall, Fylingdales, Scarborough, Yorks.
Barton, James, Forester, Hatfield House, Herts.
Barton, James Robert, Factor, 61 Frederick Street, Edinburgb.
Baz.ey, Gardner Sebastian, Hatherof Castle, Fairford, Gloucestershire.
BEATSON, David J., 68 Southgrove Road, Sheffield.
BEAUMONT, Robert, Assistant Forester, c/o Mr Brown, Colliers End,
North Ware, Herts.
Bree, James, Rosslyne, Culter, by Aberdeen.
BELL, Andrew, Forester, Forglen, Turiff, Aberdeenshire.
BEL, Andrew, Forester, Caven Mill, Kilwinning.
Be.u, David, Seed Merchant, Coburg Street, Leith.
Beut, Robert, Land Steward, Baronscourt, Newtown-Stewart,
Ireland.
BELL, R. Fitzroy, of Temple Hall, Coldingham.
BELL, William, Forester, Balthayock, Perth.
BELL, William, of Gribdae, 181 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.
Bennett, J. B., C.E., A.M.I., 12 Hill Street, Edinburgh.
BENNETT, John, Forester and Acting Sub-Agent, Town’s End,
Wolverton, Basingstoke.
Date of
Election,
1903. Bentinck, Lord Henry, M.P., Underley Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale.
1904. Berry, Charles Walter, B.A., 11 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh.
1889. Berry, Francis, Forester, Minto, Hawick.
1903. BreveripGr, Erskine, LL.D., of Brucefield, St Leonard’s Hill, Dun-
fermline.
1903. Brnninc, The Lord, Mellerstain, Kelso.
1889. Bissett, Alexander, Forester, Tregothnan, Trwro.
*1897. Buack, Alexander, The Gardens, Carton, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
1904. Buack, John, Factor, Cortachy Castle, Kirriemuir.
1903. Buartr, Thomas, Farmer, Hoprig Mains, Gladsmuir.
1872. Boa, Andrew, Estate Agent, Great Thurlow, Suffolk.
*1877. BotcKkow, C. F. H., of Brackenhoe, Marton Hall, Marton R.S.O.,
Yorks.
1892. Bonp, Thomas, Forester, Lambton Park, Fence Houses, Durham.
*1895. Boorp, W. Bertram, Land Agent, Bewerley, Pateley Bridge, Yorks.
1876.
*1898.
1898.
1887.
1896.
1906.
1883.
1897.
*1899.
*1902.
1906.
*1900.
1905.
*1900.
1904.
1905.
1900.
1878.
1904.
1899.
1899.
1893.
*1896.
1895.
1900.
1905.
1901.
*1895.
Booru, John, 39 Mozartstrasse Gross-Lichterfelde, Berlin.
BorTuwick, Albert W., D.Se., Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
BortTuHwick, Francis J. G., W.S., 9 Hill Street, Edinburgh.
Bou.cGER, Professor, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill, London, S. W.
Bow ss, William A., The Gardens, Adare Manor, Adare, Co. Limerick.
Bowman, John, Assistant Forester, Kincluny, Durris, Aberdeen.
Boyp, John, Forester, Wood Cottage, Kennishead, Thornliebank.
Braip, J. B., Forester, Witley Court, Great Witley, Stourport.
Brarp, Thomas, Factor, Durris, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire.
Brarp, William Wilson, Tossville, 12 Milton Road, Craigmillar Park,
Edinburgh.
Bremner, John, Estate Clerk of Works, Durris, Aberdeen.
Broom, John, Wood Merchant, Bathgate.
Brown, Alexander Shannon, Assistant Forester, 17 Henrietta Street
Kilmarnock.
Brown, Charles, Factor, Kerse, Falkirk.
Brown, George, Timber Merchant, Buckhaven Saw-mills, Buckhaven.
Brown, George H., Assistant Forester, Ramsden Farm, Brimscall,
Chotley, Lancashire.
Brown, Gilbert, Assistant Forester, Beaufort Cottage, Kiltarlity. ©
Brown, J. A. Harvie-, of Quarter, Dunipace House, Larbert.
Brown, James, Forester, Burnside Cottage, Houston.
Brown, John, C.A., 10 Royal Exchange, Edinburgh.
Brown, John, Forester and Ground Officer, Craighall, Rattray,
Perthshire.
Brown, Robert, Forester, Boiden, Luss.
Brown, Rev. W. Wallace, Minister of Alness, Ross-shire.
Brown, Walter R., Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, near Winch-
field, Hants.
Brown, William, Forester, Lissadell, Sligo, Ireland.
Bruce, Alexander, Timber Merchant, 53 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.
Bruce, David, Forester, The Square, Dunnottar, Stonehaven.
Bruce, Peter, Manager, Achnacloich, Culnadalloch, by Connel.
’
Date of
Election.
*1867.
1904.
1897.
*1873.
*1879.
1873.
alsia:
1906.
1906.
1899.
1904,
1906.
1902.
1896.
1903.
1906.
1905.
1901.
1900.
1902.
1899.
1904,
1895.
1899.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1904,
1905.
1896.
*1897.
1900.
1906.
1902.
1901.
1906
1903.
Brucr, Thomas Rae, Old Garroch, New Galloway.
Brunton, John, Foreman Forester, Woodville Cottage, Birr.
Brypon, John, Seed Merchant and Nurseryman, Darlington, Co.
Durham.
Brypon, John, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
BuccLeucnH, His Grace the Duke of, K.T., Dalkeith Palace, Dalkeith.
BucHan, Alexander, A.M., F.R.S.E., LL.D., Secretary of the Scottish
Meteorological Society, 2 Dean Terrace, Edinburgh.
BucHANAN, Charles, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
BurnNeEt?T, John George, Landowner, Powis House, Aberdeen.
BuRNETT, Sir Thomas, Bart., Crathes Castle, Crathes, N.B.
Burn-Murpocu, John, of Gartincaber, Doune.
BurLer, Robert, Forester, Lealholm, Grosmont R.S.O., Yorks.
Butter, Walter James, Assistant Forester, Ladyrig, Roxburgh.
CapDELL, Henry Moubray, of Grange and Banton, B.Sc., F.R.S.E.,
F.A.S., J.P., etc., Grange, Bo'ness.
Catrns, Richard, Royal Nurseries, Craigmillar, Liberton.
Carrns, Thomas, Forester, Lissduff House, Errill, Ballybrophy,
Queen’s County. :
CALDERHEAD, William, Overseer, Eredine, Port Sonachan, Argyleshire.
CALLANDER, Gavin, Wood Merchant, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.
CAMERON, Alex., Land Steward, Caledon Demesne, Caledon, Tyrone.
CAMERON, Dr James, The Fountain, Loanhead.
CAMERON, Ewan, of Rutherford, West Linton.
CaMERON, John J., Clydesdale Iron Works, Possilpark, Glasgow.
CAMERON, Robert, Assistant Forester, Innerbuist Cottage, Stormont-
field, Perth.
CAMPBELL, Alexander, Land Steward, Rosemill Cottage, Strathmartin,
by Dundee.
CAMPBELL, Alexander, Hilton Cottage, Stanley, Perthshire.
CAMPBELL, Buchanan, W.S., 7 Lansdowne Crescent, Edinburgh. |
CAMPBELL, Colonel Sir Alexander, Bart., Kilbryde Castle, Dunblane.
CAMPBELL, David S., Assistant Forester, Knaresboro, Goldsboro,
Yorks.
CAMPBELL, Duncan, Assistant Forester, New Scone, Perth.
CAMPBELL, Hugh 4A., Forester, Fothringham, Forfar.
CAMPBELL, James Alex., M.P., of Stracathro, Brechin.
CAMPBELL, James Arthur, Arduaine, Lochgilphead, Argyleshire,
CAMPBELL, James S., Assistant Forester, Ginsboro Hall, Ginsboro,
Yorks,
CAMPBELL, John, Land Steward, Forss Estates, Westfield, Thurso.
CaMPBELL, Lieut.-Col. J. C. L., Royal Engineers, of Achaladar,
Blairgowrie.
CAMPBELL, Peter Purdie, Factor, Estate Office, Mertoun, St Boswells.
CAMPBELL, Simon, Overseer, Fyvie Castle, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire.
Cancu, Thomas Richard, B.Sc., P.A.S.I., 8 Cromwell Square,
Queen’s Park, Glasgow.
Date of
Election.
*1903
*1896.
1906.
1903.
*1898.
1904.
1904.
1900.
1904.
*1906.
1897.
1898.
1904.
1892.
1892.
1906.
1897.
*1882.
1884.
1906.
1906.
*1883.
1890.
1902.
1891.
1892,
1906.
1892.
1902.
*1872.
*1902
1906.
*1898.
1904.
1896.
1906.
*1904.
1906.
1906.
1900.
. CAPEL, James Carnegy, 34 Roland Gardens, London, S.W.
CARMICHAEL, Sir Thos. D. Gibson, Bart. of Castlecraig, Malleny
House, Balerno.
CARNEGIE, James, of Stronvar, Balquhidder.
CARRUTHERS, Major Francis John, of Dormont, Lockerbie.
Carson, David Simpson, C.A., 209 West George Street, Glasgow.
Catucart, Sir Reginald Gordon, Bart., Cluny Castle, Aberdeenshire.
Cavers, A. R. S., Estate Office, Benmore, Kilmun.
Cavers, Walter, Timber Merchant, 12 East Brighton Crescent,
Portobello.
CHADWICK, Robert, Findhorn House, Forres.
CHALCRAFT, George Barker, C.E., M.Inst.C.E., Cross Grove House,
Totley, near Sheffield.
CHALMERS, James, Overseer, Gask, Auchterarder, Perthshire.
CHALMERS, James, Forester, Ayton House, Abernethy.
CHALMERS, Robert W., Assistant Forester, The Mains, Dundas
Castle, South Queensferry.
CHAPMAN, Andrew, Factor, Dinwoodie Lodge, Lockerbie, Dumfries-
shire.
CHAPMAN, Mungo, Torbrix Nurseries, St Ninians, Stirling.
CuIsHoLM, Alexander M‘Kenzie, Clerk of Works, Dalkeith Park,
Dalkeith.
CHISHOLM, Colin, Forester, Lundin and Montrave Estates, Hattonlaw,
Lundin Links.
CHOWLER, Christopher, Gamekeeper, Dalkeith Park, Dalkeith.
CuristTiz, Alex. D., Marriage Hill Farm, Bidford, Warwickshire.
Curisti£, Charles, Factor, Estate Office, Strathdon.
Curisti£, Thomas, Nurseryman, Rosefield Nurseries, Forres.
CurisTI£, William, Nurseryman, Fochabers.
Cuark, Charles, Forester, Cawdor Castle, Nairn.
CuaARK, Francis Ion, Estate Office, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
CLARK, John, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
Clark, John, jun., Forester, Bawdsey, Woodbridge, Suffolk.
CLARK, John, Assistant Forester, Montrave, Hattonlaw, Lundin Links.
CLARK, William, 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
Cuark, William, Assistant Factor, Raith, Kirkcaldy.
CLERK, Sir George D., Bart. of Penicuik, Midlothian.
Curnton, The Right Hon. Lord, Fettercairn House, Fettercairn.
Ciynz, James, Engineer, Knappach, Banchory.
Coats, Sir Thomas Glen, Bart., Ferguslie Park, Paisley.
Cops, Herbert Mansfield, Land Agent, Higham, Rochester, Kent.
Cockburn, Alex. K., Assistant Forester, 51 High Street, Peebles.
Cockrr, Alexander Morrison, Nurseryman, Sunnypark Nursery,
Aberdeen.
Coxe, Hon. Richard, Holkham, Norfolk.
CoLtEBRooKE, Lord, Glengonnar, Abington, Lanarkshire.
Cotes, Walter G., Engineer, 122 George Street, Edinburgh.
Couiig, Alexander, Head Forester, Cholmondeley, Malpas, Cheshire.
Date of
Election
*1879.
1905.
1895.
*1887.
1906.
1906.
1904.
*1897.
1903.
*1876.
*1892.
1858.
1899.
*1901.
*1874.
*1904.
*1904.
1900.
1875.
1867.
1904.
*1901.
*1875.
1903.
*1898.
1899.
1898.
1903.
1898.
*1900.
*1865.
*1895.
1906.
1900.
1906.
*1901.
1898.
*1893.
*1884.
Colquhoun, Andrew, 75 Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
Comriz, William Lewis, Factor, Cally Estates Office, Gatehouse.
Connor, George A., Factor, Craigielaw, Longniddry.
Cook, James, Land Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge, Midlothian.
Coox, Melville Anderson, Assistant Forester, Glamis, Forfarshire.
Coorer, John, Forester, Straloch, Summerhill, Aberdeen.
Coupar, Charles, Assistant Forester, Innerbuist Cottage, Stormont-
field, Perth.
Covupar, Wm., Overseer, Balgowan, Perthshire.
Coutts, Albert, Assistant Forester, Royal Botanic Garden, Edin-
burgh.
Cowan, Charles W., of Logan House, Valleyfield, Penicuik.
Cowan, George, 1 Gillsland Road, Edinburgh.
Cowan, James, Forester, Bridgend, Islay, Argyleshire.
CowAn, Robert, Chisholm Estates Office, Erchless, Strathglass.
Cowan, Robert Craig, Craigiebield, Penicuik.
Cowrer, R. W., Gortanore, Sittingbourne, Kent.
Cox, Albert E., of Dungarthill, Dunkeld.
Cox, William Henry, of Snaigow, Murthly.
Crapse, Alfred, Forester, Craigo, Montrose (c/o Mrs Muirden, The
Gardens).
Crapse, David, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire.
CRABBE, James, Forester, Glamis Castle, Forfarshire.
Craic, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Glamis.
Craic, Sir James H. Gibson, Bart. of Riccarton, Currie.
Craic, Wm., M.D., C.M., F.R.S.E., 71 Bruntsfield Place, Edin-
burgh.
Cranstoun, Charles Joseph Edmondstoune, of Corehouse, Lanark.
CRAWFORD, Francis C., 19 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh.
Crerar, David, Land Steward, Methven Castle, Perth.
Cricuton, William, Manager, Castle Ward, Downpatrick.
Cro, John, of D. & W. Croll, Nurseryman, Dundee.
CromBiz, James, Forester, c/o Mrs Goulder, Fawley, near Henley-on-
Thames.
Crooks, James, Timber Merchant, Woodlands, Eccleston Park,
Prescot.
Cross, David G., Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh, Ireland.
Crozizr, John D., Forester, Durris, Drumoak, Aberdeen.
CuMMING, James, Manager, Glen Grant, Rothes.
Cumminc, John H., Overseer, Royal Dublin Society, Ball’s Bridge,
Dublin.
Cumminc, William, Nursery Foreman, Burnside Nurseries, Aberdeen.
CUNNINGHAM, Captain John, Leithen Lodge, Innerleithen.
CuNNINGHAM, George, Advocate, 30 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London,
S.W.
Curr, W. S., Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk.
Curriz, Sir Donald, K.C.M.G., M.P., of Garth Castle, Aberfeldy ;
4 Hyde Park Place, London, W.
Date of
Election
1904,
*1867.
*1876.
*1906.
*1900.
1901.
*1906.
1904.
1884.
1905.
1905.
1904.
1865.
1892.
*1892.
1901.
1904.
1906.
1904.
1906.
1906.
1902.
*1901.
1904.
1905.
1904.
*1898,
1904.
*1903.
1901.
~ 1893.
*1896.
1882.
1904.
1887.
1903.
1903.
1898.
1904.
Datne, Herbert Simpson, M.R.A.S.E., F.H.A.S., Woodfall Hall
Farm, Huyton, Liverpool.
DaALGLEIsH, John G., of Ardnamurchan, Brankston Grange, Stirling.
DaLeuLetsH, Laurence, of Dalbeath, Rutland Square, Edinburgh.
DateLeEisH, Sir William Ogilvie, Bart., Errol Park, Errol.
DatHousi£, The Right Hon. the Earl of, Brechin Castle, Forfarshire.
DaAtRyYMPLE, Hon. Hew H., Lochinch, Castle Kennedy, Wigtownshire.
Datryme er, Lord, M.P., Lochinch, Stranraer.
DALRYMPLE, The Right Hon. Sir Charles, Bart. of Newhailes,
Musselburgh. ;
DALZIEL, James, Forester, Culzean Castle, Maybole, Ayrshire.
Davin, Albert E., Assistant Forester, Bowood, Calne, Wilts.
Davip, William J., Assistant Forester, Heckfield, Winchfield, Hants.
Davipson, James, 12 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh.
Davipson, John, Agent, Greenwich Hospital Estates, Haydon Bridge-
on-Tyne.
Davipson, John, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
Davipson, William, Forester, Margam Park, Port Talbot, Wales.
DaviE, George, Overseer, Balruddery Gardens, near Dundee.
Davis, Thomas, Assistant Forester, c/o Mrs M‘Pherson, Fortingall,
Aberfeldy.
Dawson, Herbert Thompson, The Nurseries, Knowsley.
DENHOLM, John, Timber Merchant, Bo'ness.
Denton, Sydney, Assistant Forester, Bowood, near Calne, Wilts.
Dewar, Alex., Factor, Fasque Estates Office, Fettercairn.
Dewar, H. R., Forester, Beaufort Castle, Beauly.
Dewar, John A., M.P., Perth.
Dewar, Robert, Assistant Forester, Bowmont Forest, Roxburgh.
Dewar, William, Assistant Forester, Fauldsley, Halliburton, Coupar-
Angus.
Dick, William, Timber Merchant, Hamilton.
Dicsy, The Right Hon Baron, Minterne, Cerne, Dorsetshire.
Dopps, Thomas, Cashier, Pollok Estate Office, 216 West George
Street, Glasgow.
Don, Alex., Namitomba Estate, Zomba, British Central Africa.
DonaLp, James Alexander, Assistant Forester, Cluny Square, Car-
denden, Fife.
DonALpDSON, James, Timber Merchant, Tayport, Fife.
Dovetas, Alex., Abbey Gardens, Wykeham R.S.O., Yorks.
Dovetas, Captain Palmer, of Cavers, Hawick.
Dovuc.as, James A., Assistant Forester, Ardgowan, Inverkip.
Dove.as, Robert, 64 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
Dovetas, William G., Assistant Forester, Margam, Port Talbot,
Wales.
Dow, Alexander, Forester, Bretby Park, Burton-on-Trent.
Dow, Thomas, Forester, Wakefield Lawn, Stony Stratford, Bucks.
Drummi£, Alexander, Assistant Forester, c/o Mr I. Embleton,
Linolds Wood Cottage, Hexham, Northumberland.
10
Date of
Election.
1900
1904.
1862.
1903,
1904.
*1883.
*1872.
*1895.
1905.
*1902.
1873.
1900.
1898.
1885.
1906.
1898.
1904.
1899.
*1876.
1893.
1903.
« 1902.
1906.
*1899.
*1904.
1901.
1901.
1898.
1873.
1904.
1903.
1906.
1906
*1879
1905.
*1894
. Drummonpd, Dudley W., Commissioner, Cawdor Estate Office, Car-
marthen, South Wales.
DruMmmMonD, William, Forester, West Grange, East Grange Station,
Dunfermline.
DrumMonp & Sons, William, Nurserymen, Stirling.
Durr, Mrs M. M. Wharton-, of Orton, Morayshire.
Duncan, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Lynedoch, Almondbank,
Perth.
Dunpas, Sir Charles Henry, Bart. of Dunira, Crieff.
Dunpas, Sir Robert, Bart. of Arniston, Gorebridge, Midlothian.
Dunpas, Lieut.-Colonel Robert, Yr. of Arniston, Kirkhill, Gore-
bridge.
Dunstan, M. I. R., Principal of South-Eastern Agricultural College,
Wye, Kent.
DurHAM, Right Hon. the Earl of, Lambton Castle, Durham.
DurwakrD, Robert, Estate Manager, Blelack, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire.
Duruiz, James A., Manager, Ben. Reid & Co,., Ltd., Nurserymen,
Aberdeen.
Eapson, Thomas G., Assistant Forester, Whaley, Mansfield.
Eppinecron, Francis, Overseer, Monk Coniston Park, Lancashire.
Epe@ar, James, Factor, Poltalloch Estate Office, Lochgilphead.
Epminson, Wm. D., Tweed View, Berwick-on-Tweed.
EpMonpD, James, Assistant, Wemyss Castle Estate Office, East Wemyss,
Fife.
Epwarps, Alex. W. B., Forester, Wood Cottage, Newlands Park,
Chalfont St Giles, Bucks.
Epwakrps, William Peacock, S.S.C., 21 Hill Street, Edinburgh.
Exper, William, Forester, Thoresby, Ollerton, Newark, Notts.
Excar, Walter Robinson, Land Agent, Hill House, Sittingbourne.
ELLick, Captain Edward Charles, Invergarry.
Exot, George F. Scott, of Newton, Dumfries.
ELLISON, Francis B., Bragleenbeg, Kilninver, Oban.
ELPHINSTONE, The Lord, Carberry Tower, Musselburgh.
Etwes, Henry John, F.R.S., of Colesborne, Cheltenham.
ErskKINE, Richard Brittain, Oaklands, Trinity, Edinburgh.
Ewan, Peter, Assistant Forester, Brownshill, Colstoun, Haddington.
EwinG, David, Forester, Strichen House, Aberdeen.
Ewinec, Guy, Edenbridge, Kent.
Eyre, Alfred Hamilton, Forester, Pilsley, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
FaIcHNey, John, Assistant Forester, Blythswood, Renfrew.
. FArrRBArrN, John, Assistant Forester, Softlaw, Kelso.
. Fatconer, Dr John, St Ann’s, Lasswade, Midlothian.
Faraco, Adalbert, Forest Nurseries and Seed Establishment to His
Majesty the Emperor, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.
. FARQuHARSON, James, Forester, Ardgowan, Inverkip.
Date of
11
Election.
1898,
1899.
1900.
1904.
1903.
*1900.
1899.
*1888.
1880.
*1901.
1893.
1893.
1869.
1899.
*1902.
1899.
1906.
1890.
1898.
*1896.
*1878.
1904.
*1873.
1891.
1892.
*1869.
1889.
1904,
1898.
*1897.
*1866.
*1901.
1900.
*1892,
1898.
TIERBE
1895.
1905.
1901.
1904.
1904.
*1892.
FARQUHARSON, Dr Robert, of Finzean, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire ;
Migvie Lodge, Porchester Gardens, London, W.
Fawcert, Thos. Ge Land Agent, Yarm-on-Tees.
Freaks, Matthew, Forester, Benmore, Kilmun.
Fenwick, Andrew, Assistant Forester, Kinnaird Mill, Brechin.
Fenwick, William, Factor, Rockdale, Kinfauns, Perth.
Fereuson, James Alex., Ardnith, Partickhill, Glasgow.
Fercuson, J. E. Johnson, M.P., of Springkell, Eeclefechan.
Frereuson, R. C. Munro, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith, Fife.
FERGUSSON, Sir James Ranken, Bart., Spitalhaugh, West Linton.
FinpDLAy, John Ritchie, of Aberlour, Aberlour House, Aberlour.
FINLAYsON, Alexander, Hardengreen, Eskbank.
FINLAYSON, Malcolm, Solicitor, Crieff, Perthshire.
FisHEer, William, Estate Agent, Wentworth Castle, Barnsley, York-
shire.
FisuEer, W. R., Assistant Professor of Forestry, Oxford University.
Firzwituiam, Right Hon. the Earl of, Wentworth, Rotherham.
FLEMING, John, Timber Merchant, Albert Saw-mills, Aberdeen.
FLETCHER, J. Douglas, of Rosehaugh, Avoch, Ross-shire.
Forses, Arthur C., Department of Agriculture, Dublin.
Forbes, James, Factor, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.
Forsss, James, The Gardens, Overtoun, Dumbartonshire.
Fores, Robert, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
Forses, Robert Guthrie, jun., Forester, Cliff House, Gulworthy,
Tavistock, Devon.
Forses, William, Consulting Forester, 11 Dale Street, Liverpool.
Foreman, Frederick, Nurseryman, Eskbank, Dalkeith.
ForGAn, James, Sunnybraes, Largo, Fife.
ForGan, James, Forester, Bonskeid, Pitlochry, Perthshire.
Forster, William A., Forester, Belgrave Lodge, Pulford, Wrexham.
Foster, Henry, Assistant Forester, Glenalmond, Methven.
Foster, James, jun., Kennet Village, Alloa.
ForHrINGHAM, W. Steuart, of Murthly, Perthshire.
FRANCE, Charles S., 7 Belmont Place, Aberdeen.
Fraser, Alexander, Solicitor and Factor, 63 Church Street,
Inverness.
Fraser, Alexander, Factor, Lundin and Montrave Estates Office,
Leven.
Fraser, George, Factor, Dalzell, Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
Fraser, James, Assistant Forester, 10 Woodside Walk,
Hamilton.
Fraser, James, Home Steward, Tregothnan, Truro.
Fraser, J. C., Nurseryman, Comely Bank, Edinburgh.
Fraser, John, Forester, 121 Latimer Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.
Fraser, John M‘Laren, of Invermay, Forgandenny, Perthshire.
Fraser, Peter, Land Steward, Dalguise, Dunkeld.
Fraser, Robert A., Cab Proprietor, 3 Sunbury Street, Edinburgh.
FRASER, Simon, Land Agent, Hutton in the Forest, Penrith.
Date of
Election.
1896.
1902,
1906.
1899.
1904.
*1893.
1896.
*1899.
*1903.
1898.
1902.
1900.
1897.
1906.
1905.
1905.
*1881.
1897.
*1904.
1894,
1894.
*1900.
1906.
1880.
*1901.
1903.
1903.
1906.
1904.
1900.
*1868.
AUB
1897.
1897.
1905.
1902.
*1904
1906.
*1884.
1905.
1887.
1867.
FrateER, John, Foreman Forester, Ardross Mains, Alness, Ross-shire.
Frater, John, Head Forester, Ardross Castle, Alness, Ross-shire.
FyF8, Robert, Assistant Gardener, Durris, Drumoak.
FysHe, Peter, Newtonlees, Dunbar.
GALLOwAY, George, Quarrymaster, Roseangle, Wellbank, by Dundee.
GALLOWAY, Robert, 8.8.C., Secretary, 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
GAMMELL, Sydney James, of Drumtochty, Countesswells House,
Bieldside, Aberdeen.
Garriocn, John E., Factor, Lovat Estates, Beauly.
GASCOIGNE, Lieut.-Col. Richard French, D.S.O., Craignish Castle,
Ardfern, Argyleshire.
GAULD, William, Forester, Coombe Abbey, Binley, Coventry.
Gavin, George, Factor, Falkland Estate, Falkland.
GELLATLY, John, Forester, Newhall, by Penicuik.
GELLATLY, Thomas, Forester, Hallyburton, Coupar Angus.
Gipson, Harry, Assistant Forester, Chatsworth, Pilsley, Bakewell.
Greson, William, Assistant Forester, Carcary Hill, Farnell, Brechin.
GILBERT, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Dalgety House, Donibristle,
Aberdour,
Gilchrist, Wm., Kemback Saw-mills, Cupar.
GILLANDERS, A. T., F.E.S., Forester, Park Cottage, Alnwick,
Northumberland.
GILLESPIE, David, Advocate, of Mountquhanie, Cupar, Fife.
GILLESPIE, James, Forester, Blairmore, Braco.
Gitmour, Major Robert Gordon, of Craigmillar, The Inch, Midlothian.
GLADSTONE, Sir John R., Bart. of Fasyue, Laurencekirk.
Guass, James, Forester, Parkhead, Falkirk.
Glen, David A., Forester, Waterside, Kirkintilloch.
GopMAN, Hubert, Land Agent, Ginsborough, Yorkshire.
GoLp, William, Forester, Dellavaird, Auchinblae.
Goopatr, James Stewart, Assistant Forester, Drumtochty, Fordonu:
Gorpon, Alex. M., J.P., D.L., of Newton, by Insch.
Gordon, Frank, Assistant Forester, Dean Road, Kilmarnock.
Gorpon, Thomas, County Buildings, Edinburgh.
Gossip, James A., of Howden & Co., The Nurseries, Inverness.
GouaH, Reginald, Forester, Wykeham, York.
Gow, Peter, Land Steward, Laggan, Ballantrae, Ayrshire.
Gow, Peter Douglas, Farmer, Bonaly, Colinton, Midlothian.
Gow, Robert, Head Forester, Appin House, Argyleshire.
GRAHAM, Andrew, M.D., Currie.
GRAHAM, Anthony George Maxtone, of Cultoquhey, Crieff.
GRAHAM, David A., Teacher, 19 St Fillan’s Terrace, Edinburgh.
GRAHAM, Wm., 6 Royal Crescent, W., Glasgow.
GRAHAM, William, Assistant Forester, Forester’s Bothy, East
Wemyss.
GRANT, Alexander, Forester, Rothie-Norman, Aberdeenshire.
Grant, Donald, Forester, Drumin, Ballindalloch, Banffshire.
Date of
13
Election.
1904,
*1874.,
1893.
1893.
1880.
1906.
1906.
1903.
1901.
1902.
1902.
1902,
1906.
1904.
1898.
1903.
*1905.
1879.
1880.
*1900.
1905.
1906.
1904.
1897.
1901.
*1882.
*1899.
1899.
1897.
1904.
1892.
1903.
1905.
*1903.
1903.
Grant, Ewan S., Assistant Forester, c/o Mrs Barnes, Edensor,
Bakewell, Derbyshire.
GRANT, John, Overseer, Daldowie, Tolleross, Glasgow.
GRANT, John B., Forester, Downan House, Glenlivet.
GRANT, Peter, Land Steward, Kilmeade Farm, Athy, Co. Kildare.
GRANT, Sir George Macpherson, Bart., Ballindalloch Castle, Banff-
shire.
GrassicK, William Henderson, Land Steward, Daviot Branch
Asylum, Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire.
Gray, David, Wheelwright, 270 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.
Gray, Hon. Morton G. Stuart, of Kinfauns, Perth.
Gray, Major William Anstruther-, of Kilmany, Cupar, Fife.
Gray, Robert, Timber Merchant, Fraserburgh.
Gray, Walter Oliver, Foreman Woodman, North Lodge, Minto.
Greic, Hugh Gorrie, Coltness Estate Office, Wishaw.
GREIG, Robert Blyth, F.H.A.S., F.R.S.E., Marischal College,
Aberdeen.
GRENFELL, Arthur Pascoe, Cossington, Bridgwater.
Grey, The Right Hon. Sir Edward, Bart., M.P., of Falloden,
Chathill, Northumberland.
GRIFFITHS, Sir Richard Waldie, of Hendersyde Park, Kelso.
GURNEY, Eustace, Sprowston Hall, Norwich.
Happineron, The Right Hon. the Earl of, K.T., Tyninghame,
Prestonkirk.
Happon, Walter, Solicitor, Royal Bank, Hawick.
HALDANE, William S., of Foswell, W.S., 55 Melville Street, Edin-
burgh.
Hatt, Thomas, Forester, Moore Abbey, Monasterevan, Co. Kildare.
Hauu, William, Head Forester, Tockwith, near York.
HAttey, John Y. (of Garvie & Syme), Ironmonger, etc., Perth.
HAuuipay, Geo., Timber Merchant, Rothesay.
HA.uipay, John, Timber Merchant, Rothesay.
Hamitton, Donald C., Forester, Knowsley, Prescot.
Hamitton, The Right Hon. Baron, of Dalzell, Dalzell House,
Motherwell.
Hamilton, James, The Gardens, Manderston, Duns.
HaAmILron-OciLvy, H. T. M., of Beil, Prestonkirk, East Lothian.
Hancock, Charles, M.A., Barrister-at-Law, Firlands, Grayshott,
Hants; 125 Queen’s Gate, London, S. W.
HANNAH, George, Overseer, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk.
Hanna, Thomas, Forester, Rendelsham Park, Woodbridge, Suffolk.
Hanson, Clarence Oldham, Deputy Conservator, Indian Forest Depart-
ment, Latimer Lodge, Littledean Hil], Newnham, Gloucestershire.
Harpiz, David, Factor, Errol Park, Errol.
Hardy, Marcel Edgard, Assistant for Botany, University College,
Dundee,
14
Date of
Election.
*1880
*1896
1906.
1905.
1897.
1897.
*1880.
1897.
1905.
1892.
1904.
1906.
1905.
1896.
1889.
1869.
1902.
1904.
1906.
1901.
1893.
1893.
*1906.
1898.
“1901.
*1874,
*1884.
1895.
1904.
*1904.
*1903.
*1905.
*1902.
1906.
1895.
1903.
1866.
1905,
. Hare, Colonel, Blairlogie, Stirling.
. Harley, Andrew M., Forester, 37 Hemdean Road, Caversham,
Reading.
Harper, Peter, Superintendent, Duthie Park, Aberdeen.
Harrow, R. L., Head Gardener, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Harrower, William, Forester, Garth, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.
Hart, John, Factor, Mains of Cowie, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.
Havetock, W. B., The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire.
Hay, Alexander, of Ben. Reid & Co., Nurserymen, Aberdeen.
Hay, Henry Ferguson, Assistant Forester, c/o Mrs Slow, Pilsley,
Bakewell, Derbyshire.
Hay, John, Overseer, Dollars Estate Office, 8 Rennie Street,
Kilmarnock.
Hay, Sir Duncan Edwyn, Bart. of Haystoun, 42 Egerton Gardens,
London, S. W.
Hay, Thomas, Head Gardener, Hopetoun House, South Queensferry.
Hay, William Black, Assistant Forester, 8 Rennie Street, Kilmarnock.
Hay, Wm. P., Merchant, Rosebank, Loanhead, Midlothian.
Hayes, John, Overseer, Dormont, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.
Hayman, John, Glentarff, Ringford, Kirkcudbrightshire,
Haynes, Edwin, Editor Timber Trades Journal, 164 Aldersgate
Street, London.
Haywarp, Henry, Land Agent, St Margarets, Dover, Kent.
HENDERSON, Henry, Overseer, Bantaskine, Falkirk.
HENDERSON, Peter, Factor, Ballindalloch.
HENDERSON, R., 4 High Street, Penicuik, Midlothian. :
HENDERSON, William, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore, King’s
County.
HeENnpRICK, James, B.Sc., F.1I.C., Marischal College, Aberdeen.
Henpry, James, 5 Thistle Street, Edinburgh.
Heppurn, Sir Archibald Buchan-, Bart. of Smeaton-Hepburn,
Prestonkirk.
Herbert, H. A., of Muckross, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
Heywoop, Arthur, Glevering Hall, Wickham Market, Suffolk.
Huu, Claude, of Messrs John Hill & Sons, Spot Acre Nurseries, Stone,
Staffordshire.
HI, George, Assistant Forester, Fothringham, Forfar.
Hu, J. Smith, The Agricultural College, Aspatria.
Huu, Robert Wylie, of Balthayock, Perthshire.
Hiturer, Edwin L., F.R H.S., Nurseryman and Landscape Gardener,
Culross, Winchester.
Hincxes, Ralph Tichborne, J.P., D.L., Foxley, Hereford
Histor, Robert, Assistant Forester, Chatsworth, Pilsley, Bakewell.
Hoare, Sir Henry Hugh Arthur, Bart. of Stourhead, Bath.
Hopson, Richard Edmund, Land Agent, Coolfadda House, Bandon,
Co. Cork.
Hoaartu, James, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer, Wigtownshire.
Hoaa, Richard, Estate Overseer, Glenapp, Ballantrae, Ayrshire,
15
Date of
Election.
*1905. Hous, John A., Formaken, Erskine, Renfrewshire.
*1902. Hoop, Thomas, jun., Land Agent, Bogend, Duns.
*1871. Horn, H. W., of Luffness, Drem, Haddingtonshire.
*1876. Horne, John, Director, Forests and Gardens, Mauritius.
*1876. Horsspuren, John, Aberdour House, Aberdour, Fife.
1902. Howe, John Arnold, Assistant Forester, Kippendavie, Dunblane.
1905. Hupson, W. F, A., M.A., Lecturer on Forestry, Agricultural College,
Glasgow.
1876. Huwt, Frank, Forester, Lilleshall, Newport, Salop.
1905. Hurron, George Kerse, Assistant Forester, Castle Kennedy, Wigtown-
shire.
1906. Hurron, James, Head Forester, Glendye, Banchory.
1905. ImriE, Charles, Assistant Forester, Dean Road, Kilmarnock.
1901. Imriz, James, Assistant Forester, Knowsley, Prescot, Lancashire.
*1884, Inglis, Alex., Greenlaw Dean, Greenlaw, Berwickshire.
1904. Inexis, David, Accountant, National Bank, Allanmore, Abbotshall
Road, Kirkcaldy.
1897. INGLIs, George Erskine, Estate Agent, Campbeltown, Argyleshire,
1891. Inauis, William, Forester, Brodick, Isle of Arran.
1895. Innes, Alexander, Forester, Drummuir, Keith.
1904. InnEs, Alexander Berowald, of Raemoir and Dunnottar, Raemoir
House, Banchory.
. 1906. INNES, James, Wood Merchant, Sundayswells Saw-mills, Torphins.
1906. InNxEs, Lieut.-Colonel Francis Newell, Learney, Torphins, Aberdeen.
*1906. Invinr, Alexander Forbes, J.P., B.A. (Oxon.), Drum Castle,
Aberdeen.
1904. Irvine, Cosmo Gifford, Assistant Forester, Hollycombe Estate, c/o
Mrs Luckins, Wardley Marsh, Liphook, Hants.
1901. InvinE, John, Assistant Forester, Colesborne, Cheltenham, Glouces-
tershire.
1906. Irvine, James Rae Anderson, Assistant Forester, Mainhouse, Kelso.
1893. Jack, George, S.S.C., Dalkeith, Midlothian.
1902. Jack, Thomas, Farmer, Hermiston, Currie.
*1906. Jackson, George Erskine, B.A. (Oxon.), W.S., Kirkbuddo, Forfar.
1895. JAmigson, Andrew, Overseer, Carnbroe, Bellshill.
1898. JamiEsoNn, James, Forester, Ffairfach Nurseries, Golden Grove Estate,
Llandilo, South Wales.
1896. JARDINE, Sir R. W. B., Bart. of Castlemilk, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.
1904. JoANNIDES, Pericles, Student of Forestry, 46 Minto Street,
Edinburgh.
1901. Johnston, Andrew Reid, Assistant Forester, clo Mrs Vickers, Pilsley,
Bakewell.
1900. Johnston, David, Manager, Charlestown Limeworks, Fife,
1899. Jounston, Edward, Forester, Dalquharran, Dailly, Ayrshire.
*1901. Jounsron, James, F.S.I., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr.
*1883, JoHNsToN, Robert, Forester, Bon Ryl Estate, Duns, Berwickshire.
Date of
Election
1878.
1900.
*1882.
1902.
1903.
1888.
1893.
1867.
1904.
1904.
1896.
1906.
1904.
*1901.
*1890.
1906.
1899.
1906.
1901.
*1892.
1896.
1894.
1879.
1900.
*1906.
1901.
*1903.
1906.
1905.
*1898.
*1902.
1898.
1898.
*1896.
*1901.
*1894.
1899.
1899.
16
JOHNSTONE, Adam, Forester, Coollattin, Shillelagh, County Wicklow.
JOHNSTONE, William, Head Forester, Beil, Prestonkirk.
Jonas, Henry, Land Agent and Surveyor, 23 Pall Mall, London, 8. W.
Jonas, Robert Collier, Land Surveyor, 23 Pall Mall, London.
JonEs, Ireton Arthur, of Kennick & Co., Delgany Nurseries, Co.
Wicklow.
JONES, James, Wood Merchant, Larbert, Stirlingshire.
JonEs, Thomas Bruce, Wood Merchant, Larbert.
Kay, James, Wood Manager, Bute Estates, Rothesay.
Kay, William, Grain Merchant, Lasswade.
Kerr, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Seafield Cottage, St Davids,
Inverkeithing.
Kerr, David, Forester, Ladywell, Dunkeld.
Kerr, James, Forester, Raith, Kirkcaldy.
KENNEDY, Colonel Watson, Wiveton Hall, Cley, Norfolk.
Kennepy, Frederick D. C.-Shaw-, Dyroch, Maybole.
KENNEDY, James, Doonholm, Ayr.
KENNEDY, Stewart Winter, Assistant Forester, Glamis.
KENNEDY, Thomas, Assistant Forester, Lambton Park, Fence Houses,
Durham.
KENNEDY, William Gorman, Timber Merchant, 48 West Regent
Street, Glasgow.
Kent, William, Forester, Crossford, Dunfermline.
Kerr, John, Farmer, Barney Mains, Haddington.
Kerres, Robert, Assistant Forester, Craigend, Perth.
Kipp, Wm., Forester, Harewood, Leeds.
Kincatrney, The Hon. Lord, 6 Heriot Row, Edinburgh.
Kine, David, Nurseryman, Osborne Nurseries, Murrayfield.
Kinuocn, Charles Y., of Gourdie, by Murthly.
Kinxocu, Sir John G. S., of Kinloch, Meigle.
Kinnairp, The Hon. Douglas A., Master of Kinnaird, 10 St James
Square, London.
KtyngeAr, Alexander T., Wood Manager and Forester, Jeaniebank
House, Old Scone, Perth.
Krwnross, D. A., Farmer, Hillend, Clackmannan.
Kinross, John, Architect, 2 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh.
Krippen, William James, Advocate, B.A., LL.B., Westerton, Balloch,
Dumbartonshire.
Kyiiacuy, The Hon. Lord, of Kyllachy, 6 Randolph Crescent,
Edinburgh.
Larrp, James W., Nurseryman, Monifieth.
Larrp, Robert, Nurseryman, 17a South Frederick Street, Edinburgh.
Lamp, Alexander, Overseer, Freeland, Forgandenny.
Lamincton, The Hon. Lord, G.C.M.G., Lamington, Lanarkshire.
LamonD, Alexander, Forester, Freeland, Forgandenny.
Lamonb, William, Nurseryman, 8 High Street, Dumbarton,
17
Date of
Election.
*1905. Lamont, Norman, M.P., of Knockdow, Toward, Argyleshire.
*1906. LANGLANDS, James H., Cunmont House, by Dundee.
*1896. LANSDOWNE, The Most Hon. the Marquess of, K.G., 54 Berkeley
Square, London, S. W.
1906. LaupEr, Alexander, D.Sc., Edinburgh and East of Scotland College
of Agriculture, 13 George Square, Edinburgh.
1901. LavpER, William, Steward, Summerhill House, Enfield, Co. Meath.
1897. Lauriston, John, Assistant Forester, 13 Weekley, Kettering, North-
amptonshire.
1906. Lawson, William, Assistant Factor, Cromartie Estates, Kildary,
Ross-shire.
1902. Learmont, John, Nurseryman, Larchfield Nurseries, Dumfries.
1904. Lxxs, D., of Pitscottie, Cupar, Fife.
1905. Lexs, Ernest A. G., Assistant Factor, Durris Estate, by Aberdeen.
*1876. Leicester, The Right Hon. the Earl of, Holkham Hall, Wells,
Norfolk.
1874. Lercu, William, of Woodchester Park, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.
1880. LetsHmMAN, John, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick, Roxburghshire.
*1868. LesiE, Charles P., of Castle-Leslie, Glaslough, Ireland.
*1893. LEvEN, George, Forester, Auchincruive, Ayr.
*1881. LEYLAND, Christopher, Haggerston Castle, Beal, Northumberland.
1898. Leys, Wm. B., Forester, Colstoun Old Mill, Gifford, East Lothian.
1879. Linpsay, Robert, Kaimes Lodge, Murrayfield, Midlothian.
1880. LintirHcow, The Most Hon. the Marquis of, Hopetoun House,
South Queensferry.
1906. Lockuart, Archibald, Wood Merchant, Huntly.
1905. Logan, David, Factor, Saltoun, Pencaitland.
*1883. Lonry, Peter, Estate Agent, 6 Carlton Street, Edinburgh.
1906. Lonemurr, Alexander Law, Assistant Forester, Denhead, Fern, Brechin.
*1881. LoNSDALE, Claud, Rose Hill, Carlisle.
*1898. Lovat, The Right Hon. Lord, C.B., D.S.0., Beaufort Castle, Beauly,
Inverness.
*1880. Love, J. W., clo Mrs Boyce, Byron Street, St Kilda, Victoria, South
Australia.
*1875. Lovexaceg, The Right Hon. the Earl of, East Horsley Towers, Woking,
Surrey.
1898. Low, James, Forester, Innes Estate, Elgin.
*1900. Low, William, B.Sc., Tighnamuirn, Monifieth.
1906. LumspDEN, David, Assistant Forester, Kingswood, Murthly.
*1891. LumspEN, Hugh Gordon, of Clova, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire.
1900. LumspsEn, Robert, jun., 11 Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh.
*1875. Lurrrei, George F., of Dunster Castle, Taunton, Somersetshire.
*1900. LyxruL, Sir Leonard, Bart. of Kinnordy, Kirriemuir.
1906. Maca.pine-Leny, Major R. L., of Dalswinton, Dumfriesshire.
1902. MacArrTuour, William, Assistant Forester, Queen Street, Waddesdon,
Aylesbury, Buckingbamshire.
1892. MacBEan, Simon, Land Steward, Erskine, Bishopton,
,
Date of
18
Election.
1896.
1894.
1903.
1898.
*1901.
1904.
*1870.
1893.
1899.
1900.
1904,
1904.
1902.
1893.
*1900.
*1894,
1897.
1903.
1895.
1901.
1897.
1906.
1904.
1894.
1902.
*1895.
*1884.
1906.
1904,
1904.
1901.
1898.
*1904.
*1901.
1901.
*1901,
1904.
*1902.
1890.
1902.
1896,
M‘Bratu, David, Forester, Brimscoll, Chorley, Lancashire.
M‘Cautum, Edward, Overseer, Kerse Estate, Falkirk.
M‘Cautum, Hugh, Forester, Annandale Estates, Lockerbie.
M‘Cauutum, James, Forester, Canford, Wimborne, Dorset.
M‘Cautum, Thomas W., Retired Ground Officer, Dailly, Ayrshire.
M‘CLELLAN, Frank C., Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.
M‘Corquopatr, D. A., Bank of Scotland, Carnoustie, Forfarshire.
M‘Covsrigz, M. S., Land Steward, Tullamore, King’s County, Ireland.
M‘DriAarmip, Hugh, Assistant Forester, Courtworth Lane, Wentworth,
Rotherham.
Macprarmip, Hugh, Factor, Island House, Tiree, Oban.
MAcpona.p, Alexander, Factor, Meggernie, Aberfeldy.
M‘Donatp, Archibald M‘Intyre, M.A., Advocate in Aberdeen, 46 King
Street, Aberdeen.
Macponaxp, Donald M‘Intosh, Assistant Forester, Budby, Ollerton,
Newark, Notts.
Macponatp, George U., Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine
Cottage, Peebles.
Macponatp, Harry L., of Dunach, Oban.
MACDONALD, James, Forester, Kinnaird Castle, Brechin.
M‘Donatp, James, Farm Manager, Gluchen, Alberta, Canada.
MacponaLp, James Farquharson, 8.S.C. and N.P., Kilmuir,
Linlithgow.
MAcpona.p, John, Forester, Skibo, Dornoch.
Macponatp, Mrs Eleanor E., The Manse, Swinton.
M‘Donatp, William, Forester, Worsley, near Manchester.
MacponaLp, William Kid, Windmill House, Arbroath.
M‘Donatp, William Yeats, of Auquharney, Hatton, Aberdeenshire.
M‘DoveatL, Alex., Forester, Tuncombe Park, Helmsley R.8.0.,
Yorks.
MacpouGatt, John, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
MacDouGatu, Professor Robert Stewart, M.A., D.Sc., 138 Archibald
Place, Edinburgh.
Macpurr, Alex., of Bonhard, Perth.
M‘Ewan, James, Assistant Forester, Glamis.
M‘Ewan, James, Assistant Forester, Abercairney, Crieff.
M‘Ewan, Wm., Assistant Forester, Kingswood, Murthly.
MacEwen, Alexander, Overseer, Castle Lachlan, Strachur, Inveraray.
MAcrapyYeEN, Donald, Assistant Forester, Drumlanrig, Thornhill,
Macrik, John William, of Dreghorn, Rowton Hall, Chester.
M‘Garva, Gilbert Ramsay, Factor, Estate Office, Innes, Elgin.
M‘Gurn, John, Overseer, Kelburne Estate, Fairlie.
M‘Gispon, Donald, Forester, Rossie Estate, Inchture.
M‘GizpBon, R., Forester, Wentworth, Rotherham.
MacGreueor, Alasdair Ronald, Edinchip, Lochearnhead.
M‘Grecor, Alex., The Schoolhouse, Penicuik, Midlothian.
M‘Grecor, Alexander, Forester, Abbeyleix, Queen’s Co.
M‘Grecor, Angus, Forester, Craigton, Butterstone, Dunkeld,
Date of
ro
Election.
1899,
*1906.
1901.
1904,
1899.
1905.
1906.
1904.
1901.
1894.
1905.
*1895.
*1879.
1904,
*1885.
1901.
1905.
1898.
1892.
1865.
1899.
1887.
1900.
1891.
1867.
1901.
1901.
*1872.
*1893.
1899.
1897.
1904.
1904.
1900.
1896.
1905.
*1897.
M‘Grecor, Archibald, Forester, Airthrey Castle, Bridge of Allan.
MacGreecor, Evan Malcolm, Factor, Ard Choille, Perth.
M‘Gregor, Robert, Forester, Rossie Priory, Trottick, Inchture.
M‘Harrisz, John A., Saw-mill Manager, 19 Horace Street, St Helens,
Lancashire.
M‘Harpy, Alexander, The Castle, Inverness.
M‘Harpy, James, Assistant Forester, c/o Mrs M‘Donald, Bridgend,
Craigmillar.
M‘Harpy, Peter, Seedsman, 11 Howburn Place, Aberdeen.
M‘Harpy, William, Forester, Chancefield, Falkland, Fife.
MacHartrir, John W., City Gardener, City Chambers, Edinburgh.
M‘Itwrairnh, Wm., Forester, Egton, Grosmont R.S.0., Yorks.
M‘Intosu, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Benmore, Kilmun.
Macrntosu, D. L., The Gardens, Stronvar, Lochearnhead.
M‘Introsu, Dr W. C., Professor of Natural History, University of
St Andrews, 2 Abbotsford Crescent, St Andrews.
M‘IntTosu, Robert, Forester, Cullentragh Cottage, Rathdrum, Co.
Wicklow.
MacIntosn, William, Fife Estates Office, Banff.
Macintosu, William, Forester, New Chapel, Boncath R.S.O., South
Wales.
M‘Intyre, Archibald, Timber Merchant, Glenlee, Cardoss.
Mackay, Aineas J. G., LL.D., Advocate, 2 Albyn Place, Edin-
burgh.
M‘Kay, Allan, c/o Park & Co., Ltd., Timber Merchants, Fraser-
burgh.
Mackay, John, Lauderdale Estate Office, Wyndhead, Lauder.
M‘Kay, John, Assistant Forester, Golspie Saw-mills, Golspie.
MackKAy, Peter, Forester and Overseer, Bargany Mains, Dailly, Ayr-
shire.
M‘Krcuntig, Angus, Assistant Forester, Walkergate, Alnwick.
MACKENDRICK, James, Forester, Pallas, Loughrea, Co. Galway.
Mackenzik, Alex., Warriston Nursery, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.
Mackenzil, Charles, Assistant Factor, Mortonhall, Liberton.
M‘Kenzir, Daniel, Forester, Wynyard Estate, Stockton-on-Tees.
MAcKENzIg, Donald F., F.S.1,, Estate Office, Mortonhall, Edinburgh.
MACKENZIE, James, Forester, Cullen House, Cullen.
M‘Kenzir, James, Wood Merchant, Inverness.
MACKENZIE, John, Assistant Forester, Waukmill, Old Scone, Perth.
MackeEnzig, Major E. Walter Blunt, Castle Leod, Strathpeffer.
MAcKENZzIE£, Sir Alexander Muir, Bart. of Delvine, c/o Messrs Condie,
Mackenzie & Co., W.S., Perth.
Mackenzig£, Sir Kenneth John, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray Place,
Edinburgh.
MaAckeEnziz, Wm., Forester, Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire.
M‘Kercuar, John, Commercial Traveller and Seedsman, 35 Giesbach
Road, Upper Holloway, London, N.
M‘Kerrow, Robert, Manager, Carton, Maynooth, Co. Kildare,
20
Date of
Election.
*1898. MacKinnon, A., The Gardens, Scone Palace, Perth.
1883. MacKrnnon, George, The Gardens, Melville Castle, Lasswade.
1902. MacKinnon, John, Gardener, Terregles, Dumfries.
1878. MacxintosH, The, of Mackintosh, Moy Hall, Inverness.
*1905. Macxintosu, W. E., Yr. of Kyllachy, 28 Royal Circus, Edinburgh.
*1895. MACLACHLAN, John, of Maclachlan, 12 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh.
1904. MacLtaccaANn, George C. R., Forester, Munday Cottages, Aberdalgie.
1903. Mactaccan, John G., Overseer, Lethendy Cottage, Glenalmond,
Perthshire.
1901. M‘Larz=n, Donald, Overseer, Sundrum, by Ayr.
*1879. M‘LAREN, John, 12 Findhorn Place, Edinburgh.
*1898. MacLEAN, Archibald Douglas, J.P., Harmony, Balerno.
1906. M‘Lran, James Smith, Assistant Forester, Douglas, Lanarkshire.
1902. MactLEAn, Peter, Forester, Invergarry.
1898. M‘LENNAN, John, TheGardens, Castle Boro, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
1901. M‘LxEop, Peter, Nurseryman, Perth.
1903. M‘Mitian, Duncan H., Assistant Forester, Houston, Renfrewshire.
1895. MacmILLAN, John D., Steward, The Farm, Ganston Manor, Abbey-
leix, Queen’s Co.
*1904. M‘Nas, David Borrie, Solicitor, Clydesdale Bank, Bothwell.
1903. M‘Naucuron, George, Assistant Forester, Duncrub Park, Dunning,
Perth.
1903. M‘NaucutTon, John, Forester, Auchterarder House, Perth.
1906. MacNicou1, David Greenhill, Assistant Forester, Glamis.
1906. MacNicouu, Frank, Assistant Forester, Glamis.
1902. M‘Omisu, John, Nurseryman, Crieff.
1901. MacpHEerson, Duncan, Assistant Forester, Hawkhill Cottage, Alloa
Park, Alloa.
1890. M‘Raz, Alexander, Forester, Castlecomer, Ireland.
*1899. Macrak-GristraP, Major John, of Ballimore, Otter Ferry, Argyleshire.
1900. M‘Ras, Henry, Assistant Forester, Heckfield, Winchfield.
1906. Macraz, John, Forester, Highfield, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire.
*1879. MacRircuis, David, C.A., 4 Archibald Place, Edinburgh.
1895. M‘Tavisu, John, Assistant Forester, The Glen, Skelbo, Sutherland.
1905. M‘VinnIz, Samuel, Forester, Wallhouse, Torphichen, Bathgate.
1884. Main, Adam, Forester, Loftus R.S.O., Yorkshire.
*1905 MarriLanp, A. D. Steel, of Sauchie, etc., Sauchieburn, Stirling.
*1880. Maco, Lieut.-Col. E. D., R.E., Achnamara, Lochgilphead.
*1895. Mann, Charles, Merchant, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire.
*1898. MANSFIELD, The Right Hon. the Earl of, Scone Palace, Perth.
1896. Mar anv Ke.uie, The Right Hon. the Earl of, Alloa House, Alloa.
*1895. MARGERISON, Samuel, English Timber Merchant, Calverley, near
Leeds.
*1901. MarsHaut, Archd. M‘Lean, Bleaton Hallet, Blairgowrie.
1902. MarsHALL, George, Broadwater, Godalming, Surrey.
*1905. MArsHALL, Henry Brown, of Rachan, Broughton.
1899. MarsHALL, John, Timber Merchant, etc., Maybole.
1893. MARSHALL, J. Z., Timber Merchant, 2 Dean Terrace, Bo'ness,
Date of
Election.
*1876. MaArtTIN, James, Forester, Knipton, Grantham, Lincolnshire.
*1884. Massig, W. H., of Dicksons & Co., 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
1906. MAsTERTON, James, Wood Merchant, 4 Windsor Street, Edinburgh.
1893. Maruer, R. V., of Laing & Mather, Nurserymen, Kelso.
1901. MarrHEws, Robert, Land Steward, Duncrub Park, Dunning.
*1894. MAuGHAN, John, Estate Agent, Jervaulx Abbey, Middleham R.S.0.,
Yorks,
1896. MAxtTong, John, Forester, Duff House, Banff.
*1904. MAxweELL, Aymer, Yr. of Monreith, Wigtownshire, Lieutenant, Grena-
dier Guards.
1891. MAXWELL, James, Forester and Overseer, Ruglen, Maybole.
*1893. MAxweELL, Sir John Stirling-, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws.
1886. MAaxweELL, The Right Hon. Sir Herbert E., Bart. of Monreith,
Port William, Wigtownshire.
1905. MAxwE LL, William Jardine Herries, of Munches, Dalbeattie.
1904. Meanpg, Richard Y. E., B.A., Land Agent, Estate Office, Dunchurch,
Rugby.
*1879. MEIKLE, R. A., Woodbrae, Eskbank.
1896. MEIKLEJOHN, John J. R., Factor, Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire.
1906. MreLtprum, Thomas C., Nurseryman, Forfar.
1899. MrtviLir, David, The Gardens, Dunrobin Castle, Golspie.
1901. Mznzizs, James, Assistant Forester, The Mill, Castlecomer, Co. Kil-
kenny.
*1880. MrsHAm, Captain, Pontryffydd, Bodvari, Rhyl, Denbighshire.
1906. Mrsron, William, Assistant Forester, Tower Cottage, Durris, Aberdeen.
1877. Metuven, Henry, of Thomas Methven & Sons, 15 Princes Street,
Edinburgh.
1869. MrTHVEN, John, of Thomas Methven & Sons, Leith Walk Nurseries,
Edinburgh.
1892. Mrruven, John, The Gardens, Blythswood, Renfrewshire.
*1881. Micure, John, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater, Aberdeenshire.
1893. Micuie, William, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop, Notts.
1904. MicxeL, F. Ord, Wood Merchant, Upper Bonnington, Linlithgow.
*1893. Mippiemass, Archibald, Forester, Tulliallan, Kincardine-on-Forth.
1905. MIpDLETON, James, Factor, Braehead House, Kilmarnock.
1906. MrppLeTon, John, Wood Merchant, Aboyne.
*1905. Miuiar, John, Timber Merchant, Greenhaugh Saw-mills, Govan.
1905. MituER, Lewis, of Corriegour, Inverness-shire, and Timber Merchant,
Benochie, Crieff.
1882. MILNE, Alex., of James Dickson &Sons, 46 Hanover Street, Edinburgh.
1899. Miune, Alexander, Factor, Urie Estate Office, Stonehaven.
1902. Mine, Alexander, Forester, Charboro’ Park, Blandford, Dorset.
1903. Mitnz, Colonel George, of Logie, Aberdeenshire.
1906. MiLnz, David, Photographer, 158 King Street, Aberdeen.
1904. MiLnz, Frederick, Assistant Forester, Innerbuist Cottage, Stormont-
field, Perth.
1895. MILNE, James, Land Steward, Carstairs House, Carstairs.
1906. Minne, John, Assistant Forester, Woodlands, Durris, Aberdeen.
Date of
Election.
1899.
1898.
1891.
1890.
1902.
1906.
1901.
*1897.
1894,
1904.
1898.
*1882.
1904,
*1902.
1904.
1901.
1903.
1903.
1902.
1901.
*1895.
1897.
1906.
*1897.
*1899.
*1898.
*1895.
1895.
1903.
1902.
1905.
1896.
1905.
1904,
1906.
1906.
1890.
1901.
1904.
1903.
1895.
bo
bo
Mine, Ritchie, Assistant, Annandale Estate Office, Hillside, Lockerbie.
MILnzE, Robert P., Spittal Mains, Berwick-on-Tweed.
MILNE, R. W., Forester, 26 Etterby Street, Stanwix, Carlisle.
MILnz, William, Farmer, Foulden, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Mitne, William, Forester, Huntly Hill, Stracathro, Brechin.
Mine, William, Nurseryman (Wm. Fell & Co., Ltd.), Hexham.
MitnE-Home, David William, of Wedderburn, Caldra, Duns.
Mitne-Homg, J. Hepburn, Broomlands, Kelso.
Miusom, Isaac, Gardener and Steward, Claydon Park, Winslow,
Bucks.
MircHeELL, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Braidwood, Gorebridge.
MircHELL, David, Forester, Drumtochty, Fordoun,
MrrcHeE.., Francis, Forester, Woburn, Beds.
MiTcHELL, James, Organising Secretary for Technical Education to
Fife County Council, County Buildings, Cupar, Fife.
MircHE.L, John, jun., Timber Merchant, Leith Walk Saw-mills,
Leith.
MircHELL, John Irvine, M.A., Teacher, 1 Hope Park Square,
Edinburgh.
MitcHeE.L, William Geddes, Estate Agent, Doneraile, Co. Cork.
Mokran, Archibald E., Land Agent, etc., Palmerston House, Portumna,
Co. Galway.
Moffat, James, Land Steward, Muirfad, Pilnure, Galloway.
Morrat, John, Forester, Blackwood, Lesmahagow.
Moffat, William, Overseer, Possil, Maryhill, Glasgow.
MoncreIFFEe, Sir Robert D., Bart. of Moncreiffe, Perth.
Moon, Frederick, Forester, Bowmont Forest, Roxburgh.
Moon, John Laurence, Forest Ranger, Forestry Department,
Nairobi, British East Africa.
Morean, Alex., Timber Merchant, Crieff, Perthshire.
Morean, Andrew, Assistant Factor, Glamis.
Morean, Hugh, Timber Merchant, Crieff, Perthshire.
Morcan, Malcolm, Timber Merchant, Crieff, Perthshire.
Morrison, Hew, LL.D., Librarian, Edinburgh Public Library.
Morrison, William, Manufacturer, 80 Park Road, Glasgow.
Morton, Alexander, of Gowanbank, Darvel.
Morton, Andrew, Assistant Forester, 21 Talbot Street, Chester.
Mossman, Robert C., F.R.S.E., F.R.Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place,
Edinburgh.
MorTHERWELL, A. B., Writer, Airdrie.
Mowat, George, Forester, Cotgrave, Nottingham.
Mowat, John, Overseer, Hazelhead Estate, Aberdeen.
Muir, William, Estate Clerk, Broomlands, Kelso.
MurruHEAD, George, F.R.S.E., Commissioner, Speybank, Fochabers.,
Mu.tin, John, Forester, Eglinton Castle, Irvine.
Munzo, Alexander, Overseer, Invereshie, Kincraig.
Munro, Alexander J., 48 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
Munro, Donald, Assistant Forester, Holkham Hall, Norfolk.
23
Date of
Election.
1906. Munro, Donald, Wood Merchant’s Manager, Ravenswood, Banchory.
1902. Munro, George A., 8.S.0., 6 Rutland Square, Edinburgh.
*1902. Munro, Hugh Thomas, Lindertis, Kirriemuir.
1905. Munro, Sir Hector, Bart. of Foulis Castle, Evanton, Ross-shire.
1903. Murdoch, Robert, Overseer, Bertha, by Perth.
1892. Murray, Alexander, Forester, Murthly, Perthshire.
1902. Murray, Bailie John, J.P., 11 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.
1904. Murray, Charles A., of Taymount, Stanley.
1901. Murray, David, Gardener, Culzean Gardens, Maybole.
1906. Murray, David, Assistant Forester, Windsor Cottage, Fern, by Brechin.
1900. Murray, George J. B., Assistant Forester, The Glen, Innerleithen.
1965. Murray, James, Farmer, Outerston, Gorebridge.
1900. Murray, John C., F.S.I., Factor and Commissioner, Haggs Castle,
Glasgow.
1904. Murray, John M., Assistant Forester, 26 Colville Place, Edinburgh.
1900. Murray, William, of Murraythwaite, Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire.
*1896. Murray, William Hugh, W.S., 48 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
1904. Naren, Robert, Forester, Rowallan, Kilmarnock.
*1899. Narrn, Sir Michael B., Bart. of Rankeillour, Manufacturer, Kirkcaldy.
*1905. NasmyTu, Norman, of Glenfarg, Glenfarg Lodge, Abernethy.
1894. Nei, Archibald, Forester, Warkton, Kettering, Northamptonshire.
1893. NeLson, Robert, Assistant Forester, Hannahgate Cottage, Kinmount
Estate, Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire.
1895. NEwToN, George, 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
1893. Nicou, James, Forester, Aird’s Mill, Muirkirk, Ayrshire.
1895. Nico, James, Forester, Croxteth, Liverpool.
1906. Nicot, William, Forester, Cluny Castle, Ordhead, Aberdeenshire.
*1903. Nicox, William Edward, D.L., J.P., of Ballogie, Aboyne.
1901. NicouL, William Peter, Assistant Forester, Kippo, Kingsbarns, Fife.
*1901. Nicotson, Edward Badenach, Advocate, 4 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh.
*1893. Nispet, J., D.(ic., Royal Societies’ Club, 63 St James Street,
London, 8. W.
*1902. NisBet, Robert C., Farmer, Kingsknowe, Slateford.
1898. Nissert, J. L. More, of The Drum; New Club, Edinburgh.
*1899. Nogss, Eric Arthur, B.Sc., Department of Agriculture, Cape Town.
1899. NosixE, Charles, Forester, Donibristle, Aberdour.
1904. Nose, Hugh, Assistant Forester, Cothall, Altyre, Forres.
1906. Ocitviz, Thomas, D.L., J.P., Kepplestone, Aberdeen.
1900. OLIPHANT, Joseph, Assistant Forester, Quarterbank, Abercairney,
Crieff.
*1894, OrKNEY, William C., Surveyor’s Office, Montrose Royal Asylum,
*1899. Orr-Ewine, Archibald Ernest, Ballikinrain Castle, Balfron.
*1906. Orr, George W., Cowdenhall, Neilston.
1906. Orr, Harry D., Timber Merchant, 73 Saltergate, Chesterfield.
1902. OswaLpD, Richard Alexander, of Auchincruive, Ayr.
1906. Owen, Harry, Assistant Forester, Chatsworth, Pilsley, Bakewell.
Date of
Election.
1875.
1900.
*1879.
*1898.
*1902.
1898.
1904.
1897.
1899.
1869.
1897,
1897.
*1900.
1904.
*1897.
1906.
*1895.
1896.
1896.
1904.
1908.
1896.
1902.
1901.
1897.
1902.
1901.
1899.
1899.
*1856.
1896.
1899.
1898.
*1878.
1906.
*1876.
1901.
1898.
1899.
1902.
1897.
1904.
*1855.
Pacer, Andrew Duncan, Land Steward, Culzean, Maybole, Ayrshire.
PaTERSON, George, Timber Merchant, 64 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen.
Paton, Hugh, Nurseryman, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
Paton, Robert Johnston, Nurseryman, Kilmarnock.
Patron, Tom W., Nurseryman, Kilmarnock.
PATTERSON, Thomas L., Hardengreen, Dalkeith.
PAuL, John M., Gardener, Balcarres, Colinsburgh.
PEARSON, James, Forester, Sessay, Thirsk, Yorks.
PEARSON, James, Assistant Factor, Colinsburgh, Fife.
PEEBLES, Andrew, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford, Surrey.
PEEBLES, James, Kugene Street, Norwood, near Winnipeg, Canada.
PEEBLES, Philip, Shanghai Land Investment Company, 2 Jin Kil
Road, Shanghai, China.
Prrrins, C. W. Dyson, of Ardross, Ardross Castle, Alness.
PrereErs, William, Assistant Forester, Gateside, Markinch, Fifeshire.
Puiuip, Alexander, Solicitor, Brechin, Forfarshire.
Puitip, George, Superintendent, Stewart Park, Aberdeen.
Pure, William Watt, Factor, Estate Office, Gigha, Argyleshire.
Puiup, Henry, jun., Timber Merchant, Campbell Street, Dunfermline.
Pup, John, Timber Merchant, Campbell Street, Dunfermline.
Picor, James Louis, (late) Indian Forest Service, Somerley Road,
Greystone, Co. Wicklow.
PirRi£, John, Sawmaker, Giles Street, Leith.
Pitman, Archibald Robert Craufurd, W.S., 48 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
PiumMER, C. H. Scott, of Sunderland Hall, Selkirk.
Pouiock, Alexander, Rustic Builder, Tarbolton, Ayrshire.
Poo.E, Wm., Corn Exchange Buildings, Edinburgh.
Porrrt, E. P., Assistant Surveyor, Forest of Dean, Coleford, Glouces-
tershire.
Porta, Maurice, Sandhoe, Hexham.
Porrsovs, Colonel James, of Turfhills, Kinross.
Porrerous, George, Kinmore, Broomieknowe, Lasswade.
PortsmouTH, The Right Hon. the Earl of, Eggesford, North Devon. —
PRENTICE, George, Strathore, Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Prick, Aaron W., Forester, Bolstone, Ross-on-Wye.
Pricz, W. M., Factor, Minto, Hawick.
PuNCHARD, Frederick, Underley Estate Office, Kirkby Lonsdale, West-
moreland. ,
Pybus, Charles Joseph, Factor, Lanfine, Darvel.
Raz, William A., Factor, Murthly Castle, Perthshire.
RAFFAN, Alexander, Forester, Fairburn, Ross-shire.
RAFFAN, James, Estate Steward, ota Farm, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork.
RaFN, Johannes, Tree-Seed Merchant, Skovfrékontoret, Copenhagen, F.
RALPH, William, I.S8.0O., Forrester Road, Corstorphine.
Rauston, A. Agnew, Factor, Philipstoun House, West Lothian.
RALSTON, Gavin W., M.A., Advocate, 6 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh.
RAMSDEN, Sir John, Bart., Byram Hall, Ferrybridge, Normanton.
25
Date of
Election,
1870.
1905.
1905.
1901.
1894.
1900.
1906.
1905.
1903.
1901.
*1873.
1892.
*1876.
1898.
1906.
1906.
1900.
1904,
UBL
1897.
1899.
“1879.
1896.
1900.
1904.
1904,
*1866.
*1905.
1905.
*1905.
1896.
1902.
1902,
1906.
1895.
1883.
1902.
*1890.
1899.
1901.
RATTRAY, Thos. , Forester, Westonbirt House, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
Rerp, Alexander T., Assistant Forester, Royal Botanic Garden,
Edinburgh.
Reip, Andrew, The Gardens, Durris, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire.
Reip, Hugh, Forester, Ashton Court, Long Ashton, near Bristol.
REID, James S., Forester, Balbirnie, Markinch, Fife.
Reip, John, Estate Overseer, The Mains, Lochgelly.
Rerp, Richard, Assistant Forester, Sunlaws Hill, Roxburgh.
REID, Robert, Overseer, Kincairney, Dunkeld.
Reip, Robert Matelé, Thomanean, Milnathort.
RENNIE, Joseph, Overseer, Hillend, Possil, Maryhill.
RicHarpson, Adam D., 1 West Brighton Crescent, Portobello.
Ritcuig, Alexander, Overseer, Brucehill, Cardross Estate, Port of
Menteith.
Rircu1£, William, Hope Lodge, Moffat.
RitcHizE, Wm., Assistant Forester, Moss-side Cottage, Lynedoch,
Perth.
Rircui£, William Hamilton, of Dunnottar, Dunnottar House,
Stonehaven.
Ross, Archibald, Riverslea, Rothes.
Ross, John, Road Surveyor, County Buildings, Edinburgh.
RoseErtson, Alexander, Assistant Forester, Meikledams, Durris.
RopertTson, A. Barnett, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
Rosertson, Andrew N., Forester, Glenferness, Dunphail.
RoBERTSON, Charles, Forester, Colstoun Old Mill, Gifford.
Rosertson, Donald, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
RoBERTSON, George, Forester, Ponsbourne Park Estate, near Hertford.
ROBERTSON, James, Assistant Forester, Garth, Fortingall, Aberfeldy.
RoBERTSON, James, Assistant Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws.
Robertson, James, Forester, Ardmulchan, Navan, Co. Meath.
RoBeERTSON, Jas., Wood Manager, Panmure, Carnoustie, Forfarshire.
RoBERtTsON, James Morton, of Cowieslinn, Portmore House, Eddleston.
Ropertson, James W., Head Gardener, Letham Grange and Fern,
Arbroath.
RoBertson, John, Factor, Panmure Estates Office, Carnoustie.
RoBeErTson, John, Forester, Altyre, Forres.
Rosertson, John, 136 George Street, Edinburgh.
Rosertson, R. A., M.A., B.Se., Lecturer on Botany, University,
119 South Street, St Andrews.
RoBERTSON, Robert Mackenzie, Assistant Forester, Chatsworth,
Pilsley, Bakewell.
RoBErtson, Thomas, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn, Co. Galway.
RosertTson, William, Assistant Forester, Ringwood, Birnam, Perth.
Rosrnson, Stewart, Lynhales, Kington, Herefordshire.
Rosinson, William, Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex.
Rogson, Alex., of Smith & Son, 18 Market Street, Aberdeen.
Rosson, Alexander, Head Gamekeeper, The Kennels, Culzean,
Maybole.
Date of
Election.
1897. Rosson, Charles Durie, 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
1900. Rogson, John, Assistant Forester, Baronscourt, Co. Tyrone.
1893. RopcER, James, Forester, Leinster Street, Athy, Co. Kildare.
*1883. Roto, The Hon. Wm. Chas. Wordsworth, Master of Rollo, Duncrub
Park, Dunning, Perthshire.
1893. RoMANES, James, C.A., Fordel, Melrose.
*1872. RosrpEry, The Right Hon. the Earl of, K.G., K.T., Dalmeny Park,
Edinburgh.
1898. Ross, Charles D. M., Factor, Abercairney, Crieff.
1887. Ross, John, Forester, Hopetoun, South Queensferry, Linlithgowshire.
1905. Ross, John S., Factor’s Clerk, Monreith Estate Office, Wigtownshire.
1899. Roucu, Edward D., Manure Merchant, Broxburn.
*1906. RoxpurGHE, His Grace the Duke of, K.T., Floors Castle, Kelso.
1903. Ruz, John, Forester, Huntly.
1893. RurHERFORD, James A., Land Agent, Highclere Park, Newbury, Berks.
1870. RUTHERFORD, John, Forester, Linthaugh, Jedburgh, Roxburgh-
shire.
1904. RuTHERFURD, Henry, Barrister-at-Law, Fairnington, Roxburgh.
1901. Ryan, Thomas, The Gardens, Castlewellan, Co. Down.
1894, Samson, David T., Seafield Estates Office, Grantown, Strathspey.
*1894. SanpERSON, Wmm., Talbot House, Ferry Road, Leith.
1875. Sane, Edmund, of E. Sang & Sons, Nurserymen, Kirkcaldy.
*1906. Sana, J. H., LL.B., W.S., Westbrook, Balerno.
1904. SanesTER, Alexander, Student of Forestry and Agriculture, The Mall,
Montrose. ;
1903. Scuorr, Dr Peter Carl, Nursery and Seed Establishments, Knittels-
heim, Palatinate, Germany.
1870. Scorr, Adam, Forester, Southwick Park, Fareham, Hants.
*1867. Scorr, Daniel, Wood Manager, Darnaway, Vorres,
1892. Scorr, David, Overseer, Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire.
1901. Scorr, Frank, Forester, Camlongon Castle, Ruthwell,
1881. Scorr, James, Forester, Wollaton Hall, Nottingham.
1903. Scorr, John, Forester, Annfield, Hartrigge, Jedburgh.
1890. Scorr, John D., Land Steward, Estate Office, Brushford, Dulverton,
Somerset.
*1906. Scorr, John Henry Francis Kinnaird, of Gala, Gala House, Galashiels.
1902. Scorr, Malcolm William, Registrar, etc., Currie.
1906. Scorr, Robert, Solicitor, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Aberdeen
Branch, 75 Union Street, Aberdeen.
*1902. SckIMGEOUR, James, Gardener, Manor House, Donaghadee.
*1890. ScrimGEoUR, John, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
1897. SHARPE, Thomas, Forester, Monreith, Port William, Wigtownshire.
1893. SHaw, Andrew, Victoria Saw-mills, Perth.
1904. SuHaw, John, Overseer, The Glen Cottage, Cardross.
*1896. Spaw-SrEwaRt, Sir Hugh, Bart., M,P., of Ardgowan, Greenock.
*1904, SHELLEY, Sir John Courtown Edward, Bart., Avington, Alresford,
Hants.
Date of
27
Election.
*1898.
*1903.
1905.
1905.
1903.
1887.
1894.
1906.
1900.
1868.
1899.
1902.
1901.
*1893.
1906.
1904.
1904.
1873.
1901.
1906.
1895.
1901.
1901.
1901.
*1895.
1896.
1899.
*1896.
*1882,
1906.
*1889,
1906.
1906.
1904.
1904.
1898.
*1899.
SHEPPARD, Rev. H. A. Graham-, of Rednock, Port of Menteith,
Stirling.
SHIEL, James, Overseer, Abbey St Bathans, Grant’s House.
SHIELDS, James, Farmer, Longniddry.
Sim, John, Forester, Fernybrae, Cornhill, Banfishire.
Srmon, Thomas, jun., Assistant Forester, Montrave, Leven.
Simpson, Anthony, Dropmore, Maidenhead, Bucks.
Simpson, James, Nurseryman, Dundee. ’
SIncLAIR, Robert, Factor for North Harris, Harris, by Portree.
SincEr, John G., Forester, Newe Estates, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire.
SLATER, Andrew, Estate Office, Durrington, Salisbury, Wilts.
StericH, Charles W., M.A., Factor, Blackwood Estate Office, Lesma-
hagow.
Smart, John, Merchant, 18 Leith Street, Edinburgh.
SmirH, Allan, Land Steward, Dunira, Comrie.
SmiTH, Charles G., Factor, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
Situ, Douglas, P.A.S.I., Land Agent, Estate Office, Stanage Park,
Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire.
SmiruH, D. D., Nurseryman and Seed Merchant, St Catherine’s Street,
Cupar, Fife.
SmirH, F. H. Osmond, Surveyors’ Institution, Westminster, S. W.
Smita, G. B., Wire Fence Manufacturer, Craighall Ironworks, Glasgow.
Smiru, James, Forester, 1 Oxmantown Mall, Birr, King’s County.
SmirH, James Fraser, F.R.H.S., late Gardener, Barons Hotel,
Auchnagatt.
SmirH, John, Cabinetmaker, 1 Eastgate, Peebles.
SmiruH, Matthew, Manager for Dyer & Co., Peebles.
Smitu, Sydney, Factor, Drummuir Estates Office, Keith.
SmitH, Thomas, Factor, The Castle, Maybole.
SmirH, Thomas, Overseer, The Nursery, Tring Park, Wiggington,
Tring, Herts.
SmirH, William, Forester, Camperdown, Dundee.
SmiruH, William, Overseer, Fairnalee, Selkirk.
SmirH, William G., B.Sc., Ph.D., Lecturer on Botany, University of
Leeds.
SmytHE, David M., of Methven Castle, Perth.
Smytrue, George Henderson, late Gardener, Balcarres Hotel, Echt,
Aberdeenshire.
SoMERVILLE, Dr William, M.A., D.Se., D.(ic., F.R.S.E., Professor
of Rural Economy, Oxford.
SoMERVILLE, Hugh Christopher, Glencairn, Dalkeith.
SoMERVILLE, Robert Anderson, Eastwoodbrae, Dalkeith.
Sourar, William, Forester, The Farm, Titsey Place, Limpsfield,
Surrey.
SparkE, Norman Lush, Shanghai Land Investment Company, 2 Jin
Kil Road, Shanghai, China.
Spence, William, Forester, Strathenery, Leslie.
Spiers, Adam, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-mills, Edinburgh.
Date of
28
Election.
*1883.
19038.
1899.
1903.
1904.
1902.
1899.
1905.
1901.
1897.
*1899.
1901.
1903.
1901.
1876.
*1892.
1899.
1906.
*1904.
1904.
1897.
1906.
1902.
1893.
1906.
1906.
1902.
*1880.
*1883.
1892.
1903.
1906.
1901.
1869.
1892.
1900.
1898.
1895.
1903.
1902.
Sprot, Major Alexander, of Garnkirk, Chryston, Glasgow.
Sprunt, David, Assistant Forester, Muthill, Perthshire.
STALKER, Wm. J., Nurseryman, Nairn.
STEPHEN, Alfred, Assistant Forester, Drumtochty, Fordoun.
STEVEN, William, Builder, Muirpark, Dalkeith.
STEVENSON, Allan, Architect, 14 Cathcart Street, Ayr.
STEWART, Alex., Forester, Shadwell Court, Thetford.
Stewart, Alexander, Box 72, Holland, Manitoba, Canada.
Stewart, Alistair D,, Castlehill, Inchture.
STEWART, Charles, Forester, Castle Menzies, Aberfeldy.
STEWART, Duncan D., Factor, Rossie Estate, Inchture.
Stewart, James, Forester, Letham and Fern Estates, Fern, near
Brechin.
STEWART, John, Forester, Cavens, Kirkbean, Dumfries.
Srewart, John M., Forester, Grigorhill, Kinsteary, Nairn.
STEWART, Robert, Forester, Stonefield, Tarbert, Lochfyne, N.B.
Srewart, Sir Mark J. M‘Taggart, Bart. of Southwick, Kirkeud-
brightshire.
Stewart, William, Land Steward, Dalhousie Castle, Lasswade.
Stewart, William Maitland, Factor, 5 Inverleith Terrace, Edin-
burgh.
Stiriine, Archibald, of Keir, Dunblane.
Stobo, Robert W., Assistant Forester, Heckfield, Winchfield, Hants,
SroppDArRtT, James, Builder, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian.
Sroppart, James, jun., Joiner, Norwood, Bonnyrigg.
Sronz, Alfred William, Clerk of Works, Ashton Court Estate, Bower,
Ashton, Bristol.
Sroriz, W., Whitway House, Newbury, Berks.
SrracHAN, James, Gardener, Cruickshank Botanic Garden, Old
Aberdeen.
Sruart, Peter, Brewer, Glen Grant, Rothes.
Srunt, Walter Charles, Lorenden, Ospringe, Kent.
SUTHERLAND, Evan C., Highland Club, Inverness.
SUTHERLAND, His Grace the Duke of, K.G., Dunrobin Castle,
Golspie.
SUTHERLAND, John D., Solicitor and Estate Agent, Oban, Argyle.
Swan, Andrew R., Farmer, Craiglockhart Farm, Slateford.
SwANKIE, Frank Murray, Assistant Forester, Vayne, Fern, Brechin.
TarnsH, John, Estates Office, Ochtertyre, Crieff.
Tarr, David, Overseer, Owston Park, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Tait, James, Builder, Penicuik, Midlothian.
Tait, James, jun., Woodsbank, Penicuik.
Tair, William, Assistant Seedsman, 75 Shandwick Place, Edin-
burgh.
Tait, Wm. A., 13 Brandon Terrace, Edinburgh.
TayLor, James Pringle, W.S., Dunsmure, Corstorphine.
TayLor, John, Forester, Glentulchan, Glenalmond, Perthshire.
29
Date of
Election,
1904. Taytor, Robert, Assistant Forester, Chapelhill, Logiealmond,
Methven.
1905. Taytor, Robert, Forester, Broomhall Estate, Charlestown, Fife.
1897. Taytor, William, Forester, Sandside, Kirkcudbright.
1905. TreLrer, John, Assistant Forester, Heckfield, Winchfield, Hants.
*1891. TENNANT, Sir Edward P., Bart. of The Glen, 31 Lennox Gardens,
London, 8S. W.
*1877. Terris, James, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam, Kinross-shire.
1904. THompson, Dugald, Forester, Drimsynie, Lochgoilhead.
1893. THomson, David W., Nurseryman, 113 George Street, Edinburgh.
1903. THomson, John Burnside, Estate Manager, Calderwood Castle, High
Blantyre.
*1855. THomson, John Grant, Wood Manager, Grantown, Strathspey.
*1902. THomson, Peter Murray, 8.8.C., 5 York Place, Edinburgh.
1903. THomson, Robert, Foreman Forester, Park Hill, Ampthill, Bedford-
shire.
*1901. THomson, Spencer Campbell, of Eilean Shona, 10 Eglinton Crescent,
Edinburgh.
1904. THREIPLAND, Captain W. Murray, Fingask Castle, Perthshire.
1906. TrnDAL, Robert, Forester, Bellspool Cottages, Stobo.
1901. TrvENDALE, William D., Head Forester to Duke of Portland,
Burnhouse, Galston.
*1871. TomLinson, Wilson, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop, Notts.
1906. Tosu, Hendry, Assistant Forester, Bogie, Fern, Brechin.
1906. Toucu, George, F.E.I.S., Teacher, Kirkhill, Nigg, Aberdeen.
*1906. Trai, James William Helenus, A.M., M.D., F.R.S., Professor of
Botany in University of Aberdeen, 71 High Street, Old
Aberdeen.
*1902. Trotter, A. E. C., of Bush, Milton Bridge, Midlothian.
*1903. TULLIBARDINE, The Most Hon. the Marquis of, D.S.O., Blair Castle,
Blair Atholl.
1900. Tully, James B., Assistant Forester, Hope Vlei Estate, Bloemfontein,
O. R. Colony.
1900. TurNBULL, Andrew, Assistant Forester, Picktree, Chester-le-Street,
Co. Durham.
1903. TURNBULL, John, Assistant Forester, Dumfries House, Cumnock.
1901. Turner, Joseph Harling, Agent for Duke of Portland, Cessnock
Castle, Galston.
1898. TwreEpIE£, Alexander, Forester, Faskally, Pitlochry.
1883. UNpERWooD, Henry E., Fornham, St Martin, Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk.
1903. Unwin, Arthur Harold, D.@ic., Town House, Haslemere, Surrey.
*1872. Urquuart, B. C., of Meldrum, Aberdeenshire.
*1902. Urquuart, Farquhar, Nurseryman, Inverness.
1903. UsHER, Thomas, Factor, Courthill, Hawick.
1903, VerrcH, John, Factor, Fasnacloich,
Date of
Election.
1903.
*1878.
1894.
*1906.
*1906.
1870.
1903.
1893.
*1897.
1893.
*1905.
1899.
*1900.
1901.
1903.
1901.
1893.
*1893.
1872.
1893.
1889.
1904.
1906.
1902.
*1891.
*1871.
1904.
1902.
1905.
*1898.
1895.
1905.
1884.
*1899.
1901.
1895.
*1869.
1883.
1891.
1904.
30
WALKER, Captain George Lawrie, of Crawfordton, Thornhill.
WaLxer, Colonel I. Campbell, Newlands, Camberley, Surrey.
Waker, Henry H., Factor, Monreith, Port William, Wigtownshire.
WALKER, John Steven, Yard Foreman, Saw-mills, Hurlford, Ayrshire.
WALKER, Robert Williamson, C.E., Factor and Land Surveyor,
3 Golden Square, Aberdeen.
Watt, G. Y., Land Agent, Grange House, Darlington, Durham.
WatLuace, Andrew, Assistant Forester, Montrave, Leven.
Watiace, David P., Forester, The Saw-mills, Filleigh, Molton,
S. Devon.
WaLtace, Jobn A. A., of Lochryan, Cairnryan, Stranraer.
WaLiace, Robert B. P., Timber Merchant, 12 Danube Street,
Edinburgh.
WALLACE, Thomas Douglas, F.S.I., Callendar Estate Office, Callendar
Park, Falkirk.
WANDESFORDE, R. H. Prior, of Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
Warwick, Charles, Land Steward, Clandeboye, Co. Down.
Wason, Eugene, M.P., of Blair, Dailly, Ayrshire; 8 Sussex Gardens,
Hyde Park, London.
Watson, Hugh, Forester, Sunnyside Cottages, Maybole.
Watson, James, Manager, Moy Hall, Inverness-shire.
Watson, John, Timber Merchant, Annandale Street, Edinburgh.
Watson, John T., 6 Bruntsfield Gardens, Edinburgh.
Wart, James, J.P., of Little & Ballantyne, Nurserymen, Carlisle.
Watt, James W., Knowefield Nurseries, Carlisle.
Watters, Dennis, Forester, Wester Elchies, Carron, Strathspey.
WEALE, James A., Timber Merchant, Boundary Place, Liverpool.
Weerster, Charles, Gardener and Forester, The Gardens, Gordon
Castle, Fochabers.
WesrstTEer, Thomas, Overseer, Burdie House, Loanhead.
WeELsu, James, of Dicksons & Co., 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
Wemyss, Randolph Gordon Erskine, of Wemyss and Torrie, Fife.
WENTWORTH-FitTz WILLIAM, George Charles, of Milton, Peterborough.
WHELLENS, Henry, Assistant Forester, Raith, Kirkcaldy.
Wuirte, Andrew, Forester, Portmore, Eddleston.
Wuire, J. Martin, Balruddery, near Dundee.
Waite, William, Farmer, Gortonlee, Lasswade.
WHITTINGHAM, Edwin, Contractor, St Mary’s, Newport, Salop.
WHITTON, James, Superintendent of Parks, 249 George Street, Glasgow.
Wuyte, John D. B., Factor, Estate Office, Elveden, Suffolk.
Wauyrtock, James, The Palace Gardens, Dalkeith.
Wicut, Alexander, Overseer, Thurston, Innerwick.
Wip, Albert Edward (Conservator of Forests, Darjeeling, India),
c/o Henry 8S. King & Co., 65 Cornhill, London, E.C.
WILKIE, Charles, Forester, Lennoxlove, Haddington.
WiiklEz, G., Architect, Hayfield, Peebles.
Witxrnson, Henry Bevis, Assistant Factor, Holmhead, Corsock,
Dalbeattie.
31
Date of
Election.
1902. WiLkINsoN, John, Factor, The Grange, Kirkcudbright.
1903. WILL, George, Manager, Crichton Royal Institution Farm, Dumfries.
1895. WiILLIAMSON, John, Bank Agent, Loanhead, Midlothian.
*1898. Wixson, David, Timber Merchant, Troon, Ayrshire.
*1889. Wiuson, David, jun., of Carbeth, Killearn, Glasgow.
1896. Witson, James, M.A., B.Sc., Royal College of Science, Stephens
Green East, Dublin.
1900. Witson, James, jun., Nurseryman, St Andrews.
1904. Witson, James Watt, Seedsman and Nurseryman, Perth.
1902. Witson, John, Airdrie House, Airdrie.
1901. Witson, John Currie, Factor, Tulliallan Estate Offices Kincardine-
on-Forth.
1897. Witson, John H., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., Lecturer on Agriculture and
Rural Economy, The University, St Andrews.
1903. Wixson, Thomas, Head Gardener, Glamis Castle, Glamis.
1899. Witson, William, Timber Merchant, Auchenleck, Ayrshire.
*1904. Wink, John, Solicitor, High Street, Elgin.
1893. WiIsEMAN, Edward, Nurseryman, Elgin.
1895. WISEMAN, William, Nurseryman, Forres.
1906. Wo.rFs, George, sen., J.P., Shovel Manufacturer, Millburn, Bathgate.
1904. Woon, James, Forester, Marr Doncaster, Yorkshire.
1894. Woop, William, The Gardens, Newton Don, Kelso, Berwickshire.
1904. Worsrotp, Edward Mowll, Land Agent, Christ Church Villas, Priory
Road, Dover.
1904. WorHErspoon, George, Factor, Cromartie Estate Office, Kildary,
Ross-shire,
1904. Wricut, Robert Patrick, F.H.A.S., F.R.S.E., Principal of West of
Scotland Agricultural College, Blythswood Square, Glasgow.
1906. Wvy.am, Ralph J., Assistant Forester, Chester Lodge, Lambton Park,
via Chester-le-Street.
1868. Wy.uiz, George, Ballogie, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.
1906. Wyuiiz, William, Seedsman, 18 Market Street, Aberdeen.
1897. Yeats, Alexander, Kwatsi Bay Lumber Co., Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada.
1904. Yoou, Thomas, Factor, Menzies Estates Office, Aberfeldy.
1904. Yorke, Maurice Francis, Land Agent's Assistant, 35 New Walk,
Leicester.
1905. Youne, John, Hedger, West Lodge, Corehouse, Lanark.
1875. Youne, William, Forester, Morriston Cottage, Earlston, Berwickshire.
*1898. YouncrEr, Henry J., of Benmore and Kilmun, Greenock.
*1899. Yur, Miss Amy Frances, L.A., Tarradale House, Muir of Ord,
“a
~
hi BLY %
Dee)
0) Soa
i}
‘oP A ‘
UA)
Roval Scottish Arboricultural Society.
SYLLABUS OF COMPETITIONS—1907.
[The Judges are empowered to fix the value of the Prizes 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
15th May 1907. Hach such Essay, Report, Model, or Ariicle
must bear a Morro, and be accompanied by a sealed envelope
bearing outside the sAmME Morro, with the Class to which the
Competitor belongs, and containing a Carp with the NamE and
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.
Judges cannot compete during their term of office.
Successful Competitors may have ether the medals or their con-
verted values, which are as follows:—Gold, £5; No. 1 Silver, £3;
No. 2 Silver, £2; Bronze, 10s. ]
The following subjects are named for competition in 1907 :—
Crass [.—For Open Competition.
I. An account of the Broad-leaved and Coniferous Trees.
especially of the more recently introduced Species, which the
writer has found from experience to be most suitable as Forest
Crops on high and exposed situations. The method under which
such a Crop has been raised to be fully described. (live Guineas
offered by W. H. Massiz, Esq., of Messrs Dicksons & Co.,
Nurserymen, Edinburgh.)
IT. Suitability of any exotic Conifer for cultivation as a Forest
Crop, and nature of the locality found, in the experience of
the writer, to be most suitable for it. (Five Guineas offered
by Davin W. Tuomson, Esq., Nurseryman, Edinburgh.)
III. The relative powers to bear shade of some or all of the
following species:—Douglas Fir, Menzies Spruce (Picea sitchensis),
White American Spruce, Balsam Fir, Lawson’s Cypress, Abies
grandis, Hemlock Spruce (7'suga Mertensiana), Canadian Cedar
(Thuya gigantea); and the order in which the above Species
should be placed in a list of shade-bearing trees comprising
also Silver Fir, Beech, Spruce. The Report to be based on
personal experience only. (Zwo Guineas offered by JOHN
Metuven, Esq., of Messrs Thomas Methven & Sons, Nursery-
men, Edinburgh.)
IV. Successful raising, by the writer, or on the Estate with
which he is connected, of a Young Forest Crop by the method of
“Direct” Sowing. The conditions of Soil and Soil Covering to
be fully stated. (A Medal.)
V. Comparative results obtained by various methods of Planting,
with various Species and Sizes of Plants, up to the time at
which the Young Plantation has become thoroughly established.
(A Medal.)
The Report to be based on actual experience; soil and other local
conditions to be fully described.
VI. The use, on an Estate with which the writer is, or bas
been, connected, of Timber of any British-grown exotic Conifer
for House Carpentry and other Estate purposes. (A Medal.)
Besides giving information as to the specific uses to which the timber
has been put, the writer should give details, such as the age of the
trees from which it was taken, the soil on which they were grown,
and whether the trees were raised in the open or in woods of
ordinary density. Statistics to be given, as far as available, of the
comparative durability of this timber and the timber of British
coniferous trees.
VII. Details of Measures successfully adopted, on an Estate
with which the writer is, or has been, connected, to prevent or
mitigate the destructive effects of Gales. (A Medal.)
VIII. Successful raising, by the writer, or on the Estate with
which he is connected, of a Young Forest Crop in a frosty
locality, with details as to Soil Covering, Species, and Measures
of Protection adopted. (A Medal.)
3
IX. An approved Report on the Woods of which the competitor
is Forester. Reporter to state the extent of the woods, the species
of trees grown, soil, situation, age, management, etc. (A Medal.)
X. Method adopted by the writer, or on an Estate with which
he is, or has been, connected, for getting rid of Refuse Wood,
left after Felling, so as to free the ground for the raising of a
new crop and reduce risk of fire. (4 Medal.)
XI. Successful Under Planting of Larch or other Light-
crowned Species, on an Estate with which the writer is, or has
been, connected. (A Medal.)
The Report to be based on experience, the cases referred to being
cited.
XII. Details of Measures successfully practised by the writer
to exterminate any important Parasitic Fungus, or to mitigate the
Damage done by it. (A Medal.)
XIII. Details of Mechanical means employed by the writer, or
on the Estate with which he is connected, for moving Timber from
the interior of Woods to their margins, or to roads. (A Medal.)
XIV. The erection and maintenance of a Saw-mill, or any
Wood-working Machinery, used by the writer, or on the Estate
with which he is connected, for the Manufacture of Timber, with
details of outturn and cost. (A Medal.)
XV. The best collection of ten short Notes of sylvicultural
interest based on personal observation. (A Medal.)
XVI. An approved Essay or Report on any other subject
connected with Forestry. (A Medal.)
Ciass I].—For Assistant FORESTERS ONLY.
I. Successful raising, by the writer, or on the Estate with
which he is connected, of a Young Forest Crop on ground
encumbered by a heavy crop of Weeds. (A Medal.)
II. Details of the Measures successfully practised by the
writer to exterminate any important Insect Pest, or to mitigate
the Damage done by it. (A Medal.)
=
Ill. The best collection of five Notes of sylvicultural
interest_based on personal observation. (A Medal.)
IV. An approved Essay or Report, based on personal
experience, on any practical work connected with Forestry.
(4A Medal.)
ROBERT GALLOWAY,
Secretary.
5 St ANDREW SQUARE,
EDINBURGH,
November 1906.
Ropal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
Instituted 16th February 1854.
PATRON,
-HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY THE KING.
PROCEEDINGS IN 1907.
THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society was held in the Goold Hall, 5 St Andrew
Square, Edinburgh, on Friday, 8th February 1904, at 2.30 P.M.
Mr W. Srevart FoTHRiINncHAM of Murthly, President of the
Society, presided, and there was a good attendance of Members.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies for absence were intimated from Sir John Stirling-
Maxwell; Sir Charles Dundas of Dunira; Colonel Bailey;
Professor Stewart MacDougall; Mr John Scott of Gala;
Mr James Johnstone, Ayr; Mr John Black, Cortachy; and
others.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the General Meeting held at Peebles on
19th July last, which had previously been printed and circulated
amongst the Members, were held as read and approved.
a
iS)
ELECTION OF HONORARY MEMBERS.
On the motion of the PREsIDENT, the following were elected
Foreign Honorary Members of the Society, as recommended
by the Council, viz.:—Mr Kinya Kume, Director-General of
Forests, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Tokio,
Japan, and Professor HrmnricH Mayr, Dr. Philos. et D.Céc.,
Professor of Forestry, Munich.
REPORT BY THE COUNCIL.
The SEcrEeTaRyY then read the Report by the Council, as
follows :—
Membership.
There has been a considerable increase in the Membership of
the Society during the past year, but, as usual, large losses
have been sustained through deaths, resignations, and lapses.
Amongst those whose deaths have been recorded are—The Earl
of Mansfield, an Honorary Member and ex-President of the
Society; Mr William Mackinnon, one of the Vice-Presidents;
Mr T. Valentine Smith of Ardtornish; Mr Walter Elliot,
Manager, Ardtornish; and Dr Falconer, Lasswade.
At the date of the last Annual Meeting the Membership
amounted to 1082. During the year 143 new Members have
been elected, including 2 Honorary Members, but 66 names
have been removed from the list owing to the causes mentioned
above. The Membership at this date is therefore 1159, made up
as follows :—
Honorary Members, . : 21
Honorary Associate Members, , -)
Life Members, . : é 1 gen
Ordinary Members, : . aoe
1159
Syllabus and Prizes.
The Syllabus, which was issued along with the notice calling
the Annual Meeting in the beginning of last year, included 24
subjects for Essays. Eight Essays were received and submitted
to the Judges, and of these six obtained awards. The Medals
awarded were—One No. 1 Silver Medal, three No. 2 Silver
Medals, and two Bronze Medals.
3
The Syllabus for 1907 was thoroughly revised by the
Transactions Committee in the course of the year, and was
issued at the close of the year along with the last part of the
Transactions. Copies had previously been forwarded to those
Members who had sent their names to the Secretary for that
purpose,
Donors.
Messrs W. H. Massig, David W. THomson, and JoHN
METHVEN have been kind enough to renew their offers of prizes —
for subjects contained in the present year’s Syllabus, and the
Directors of the Highland and Agricultural Society have renewed
the grant of £20 for prizes for home-grown timber to be exhibited
in the Forestry Exhibition in their Showyard at Edinburgh. The
best thanks of the Society are due to these donors for their
generosity. :
Honorary Editor.
Immediately after the last Annual Meeting, Dr NisBer inti-
mated that, owing to his enforced residence in France, he was
unable to continue as Honorary Editor of the Zvansactions,
and asked to be relieved of the duties. He, however, said
that he would be glad to contribute as usual the Continental
and Indian Notes to the Zransactions, which have been so much
appreciated by Members. The Council accepted Dr Nisbet’s
resignation with much regret, and Colonel BaiLey, whose health
has fortunately been restored, has, on the invitation of the
Council, resumed the duties of Honorary Editor.
Transactions.
It was intimated at last meeting that the Council had decided
to issue the Zransactions half-yearly in future, on rst January and
1st July. Since last Annual Meeting, therefore, three parts of
the Transactions have been issued—one, applicable to 1905, in
March, the first of the half-yearly parts as on 1st July, and the
second of the half-yearly parts at the end of the year. It should
be kept in mind that the Zyansactions are only issued to those
Members who are not in arrear with their subscriptions. ‘The
Honorary Editor reports that he has already a large amount of
material on hand for the next half-yearly part, and that he antici-
pates no difficulty in finding sufficient material to carry on the
present arrangement successfully. On the suggestion of the
Honorary Editor, the Council has approved of the appointment
4
of a number of additional Members of the Transactions Com-
mittee, who would not be expected to attend any meetings, but
would submit suggestions and would render assistance from time
to time by writing articles or notes, reviewing books, reports,
or articles, and by endeavouring to induce others to send
contributions.
Proposed Journal of Forestry.
Immediately after last Annual Meeting further particulars
were received regarding the proposed journal of forestry referred
to in last Annual Report, but, after considering the matter care-
fully, the Council decided to follow up the suggestion submitted
at last Annual Meeting, viz., that instead of joining with the
other societies in promoting a journal of forestry, this Society
should issue its own Zransactions half-yearly, with the view of
ultimately developing the publication into a quarterly if
required.
Local Branches.
As was reported at the General Meeting held at Peebles, a
Branch of the Society was inaugurated at Aberdeen in May
last. The rules of the Branch have been submitted to and
approved by the Council, and have been signed by the President
and the Secretary. A report from the Aberdeen Branch has been
received, and will be submitted to the meeting. A requisition
has also been received from a number of Members residing in
the Inverness district, and the Council has decided to hold a
meeting in Inverness on an early date, when a Branch will be
formed there.
Deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It will be remembered that at last Annual Meeting a sugges-
tion was made by Mr Munro Ferguson that a deputation from
the Society should be sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and the matter was remitted to the President and Mr Ferguson
to carry out. They accordingly arranged a meeting with Mr
Asquith in London on Friday, 30th March. Sir Herbert
Maxwell introduced the deputation, and the speakers on behalf of
the Society were Mr Ferguson, Lord Lovat, and the President.
On this occasion the English Society took part in the deputation,
and was represented by the President (Professor Fisher), Mr
Elwes, and others. On his return the President reported to the
Council that although the Chancellor pleaded want of funds, he
5
was hopeful that a forest area would be provided for Scotland,
and that a Forestry Department within the Board of Agriculture
would be established. A detailed report of the interview was
prepared by the President, and was published on page 323 of
Volume XIX. of the Zransactions.
Forestry Exhibition,
The Annual Forestry Exhibition was last year held at Peebles.
The Judges’ Report was printed in the proceedings of the
General Meeting which was held at Peebles in the course of
the Exhibition week, and a report of the Exhibition, prepared
by Mr Annand, Convener of the Committee, will be found on
page 87 of the last issue of the Zvansactions (Vol. XX. Part I.).
From the Judges’ Report it will be seen that they awarded
only £18 out of the £20 offered by the Highland and
Agricultural Society, and that in addition they awarded
one Gold Medal, six No. 1 Silver Medals, six No. 2 Silver
Medals, and two Bronze Medals. Short lectures were de-
livered on each day of the Exhibition, as follows, viz.:—
By Mr Annand, on “The Exhibits”; by Mr Munro Ferguson, on
“The Present Position as regards Instruction in Sylviculture”;
by Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, on “ Hill-Planting” ; and by Mr
A. D. Richardson, on “The Larch Disease Fungus.” These
lectures have appeared or will appear in the Zransactions. Mr
Annand was kind enough to provide the necessary attendants,
and special thanks are due to him for the great trouble he took
in connection with the Exhibition.
A request was submitted to the Directors of the Highland
and Agricultural Society that they should allow the Members
of this Society special terms for admission to the Exhibition, but
they replied that they could not grant any special favours to the
Members of this Society without granting similar privileges to
others which they had always refused.
The Exhibition is to be held in Edinburgh this year, and the
Schedules have been revised and issued to the Members. The
Committee are—Messrs J. W. M‘Hattie (Convener), John Boyd,
A. T. Gillanders, F.E.S., G. U. Macdonald, D. F. Mackenzie,
F.S.I., and Adam Spiers.
The General Meeting.
The General Meeting was held last year in the Showyard of
the Highland and Agricultural Society at Peebles in the course
of the Exhibition week, and was well attended. The printed
Minutes, which were bound up with last 7ransactions, contain a
full report of the proceedings.
6
Excursion.
The Annual Excursion was held on 31st July and three
succeeding days The party assembled at the headquarters in
Newcastle on the evening of 3oth July. The principal places
visited were Alnwick, Lambton, Dilston, Healey, Minster Acres,
and Rothbury estates, in the counties of Northumberland and
Durham. The attendance was smaller than usual. A full report
of the Excursion was published in the last part of the
Transactions.
A photograph of the party was taken by Mr Richardson, the
Society’s photographer, at Lambton Castle, and a copy of it was
published in the Zransactions. With the view, however, of meet-
ing the wishes of Members, it was decided to prepare enlarged
copies. ‘The photographer reports that these are almost com-
pleted, and that he expects to send out about the middle of
this month all the copies that have been ordered.
The Council recommended to the General Meeting at Peebles
that this year the Excursion should be held in the district of
Speyside, Inverness-shire, and Ross-shire. This was approved by
the meeting, and the matter was remitted to the Council, with
powers. The programme has, however, not yet been sketched
out.
As mentioned in last Report, the Council repeated their applica-
tion to the Railway Companies to have the Society placed on the
permanent list of Societies whose Members are entitled to cheap
fares from any part of the country to the headquarters of the
Society wherever they may be at the time of the Excursion, and
the Council have pleasure in reporting that the Railway Com-
panies have now agreed to this request. The arrangement,
which permits Members to travel at the rate of a fare and a
quarter for the double journey from all stations in Scotland and
England, was given effect to at last Excursion.
St Louis Exhibition.
The Diploma and Medal (in bronze) awarded to the Society
have now been received. The latter is in the possession of the
Secretary, and the Diploma has been framed and hung up with
the photographs.
New Zealand National Exhibition.
A copy of the Society’s Report for 1905 was, by request, sent
to the Director of the British Government Exhibits in this
Exhibition,
7
Canadian Forestry Convention.
A copy of the Report of this Convention, which was held in
the beginning of last year, has now been received, and added to
the Library. .
Library.
A list of additions to the Library since last Annual Meeting is
appended to this Report. (See Appendix G.)
Register of Foresters.
A number of men have received appointments through the
Register in the course of the year, but greater use might be
made of the Register both by proprietors and estate men
Laws.
The Laws and By-Laws have now been revised, and a proof,
as approved by the Council, has been sent to all the Members of
the Society. Notice will be given at this meeting of a motion to
the effect that these Laws and By-Laws be adopted in place of
the existing Laws and By-Laws. This motion will come up for
discussion at next Annual Meeting, and, if adopted, the new
Laws and By-Laws will then come into operation.
Royal Institution, Edinburgh.
It will be in the recollection of Members that about eighteen
months ago representatives from this and various scientific
societies having headquarters in Edinburgh, waited upon the
Secretary for Scotland, and asked that the Royal Institution
here might be set apart for the housing of these societies.
The object desired was not then attained, as it was ultimately
decided by the Government that the Royal Institution should
be entirely given over to the purposes of art; but when the
National Galleries Bill was recently before the House of
Commons, a movement was again made by certain societies
in Edinburgh with the view of securing rooms, along with the
Royal Society, in any building the Government might purchase
for the use of that Society in lieu of the present accom-
modation in the Royal Institution. The Council authorised
Mr Munro Ferguson to act in the interests of this Society, and he
accordingly interviewed the Secretary for Scotland in the matter.
The reply he received was to the effect that it would not be
8
possible to consider the claims of other societies in connection
with that Bill. It may therefore be concluded that the proposal
that the various societies should be housed together in one
Government building should be abandoned.
In these circumstances, a proposal has been made to the
Council that a room—in which the Council could meet and the
Society’s books be kept—should be rented by the Society, and the
matter is being considered by the Council.
Resolution as to Sylviculture.
In conclusion, the Council begs to submit for the approval
of the meeting the following Resolution, which was unanimously
passed by the Council at their meeting to-day, viz. :—
“ That in- the event of the Government proposing any agrarian
legislation affecting Scotland, the question of Sylviculture should
be considered before such legislation is introduced.”
ACCOUNTS.
The Treasurer then submitted the Accounts, an Abstract of
which had been printed and circulated amongst the Members,
and read the Auditor’s Docquet. (See Appendix A.) Mr Joun
METHVEN, Convener of the Finance Committee, in moving the
adoption of the Society's Accounts, expressed gratification
at the continued prosperity of the Society. He pointed out
that the invested funds had been increased by £230, the invest-
ments now being valued at £1518, 1os., and that the annual
subscriptions had increased by £36 during the year. The
Accounts were approved.
DuNN MEMORIAL FUND ACCOUNT.
The Treasurer also submitted the Accounts of the Dunn
Memorial Fund, which showed a balance in hand of £12, 18s. 6d.
(See Appendix B.)
ExcuRSION FunD ACCOUNTS.
The Excursion Accounts, as audited, were then submitted by
the Treasurer. These showed a balance in hand of £30, gs. 5d.
to be carried forward to next year. (See Appendix C.)
2
REPORTS FROM ABERDEEN BRANCH.
The First Annual Report and Statement of Accounts received
from the local Branch in Aberdeen were then read by the
Secretary. (See Appendices D. and E.)
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS,
The CHarrMAN moved the adoption of the various accounts
and reports, and in doing so referred briefly to the gratifying
increase in the Membership, and to the satisfactory nature
of the reports generally. He said that the district where it
was proposed to hold the Annual Excursion during the
summer was one of exceptional interest, because natural
regeneration had there been carried out on a more exten-
sive scale than anywhere else in the country. The Council
proposed to hire a room in which its meetings could be held
and the Society’s books kept, and they hoped it would by and by
develop into a house to form their headquarters. With regard
to the Council’s Resolution as to sylviculture, it was proposed
that it should be submitted to the Secretary for Scotland, who
should be urged, while considering any agrarian legislation, not
to forget the claims of sylviculture, nor to bring into his Bill
anything that would tend to prevent the spread of sylviculture.
He returned thanks to the Society for his tenure of office, which
had now come to an end. He was somewhat disappointed that
the Government had not done more during his time to further
the interests of forestry, but he believed that considerable
progress had been made by the Society in spreading interest
throughout the country. While there had been no public
recognition of sylviculture in regard to forestry education, the
idea of forestry was gaining ground. The people were beginning
to take a certain interest in the question of forestry, and the
influence of the Society was being more and more widely felt
every day. He hoped that his successor, at the end of his
tenure of office, would be able to report considerable progress in
State forestry.
OFFICE-BEARERS.
Mr ForHRINGHAM then moved the election of Sir KENNETH J.
MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, as President.
IO
Sir KENNETH MACKENZIE, having taken the chair, thanked
the Meeting for the honour of electing him to the Presidentship,
which he very much appreciated. He then moved a very hearty
vote of thanks to Mr Fothringham for his services during
the past years, and concluded by proposing the election of
Mr Forurincuam and Sir THomas Gipson-CARMICHAEL as Vice-
Presidents. Mr Forurincuam having briefly returned thanks,
the election of other Office-Bearers was proceeded with. Messrs
Cook, MAcpDoNALD, and Spiers were re-elected Councillors, and
Messrs ALLAN, Forbes, MACBEAN, and MACKINNON were elected
new Members of Council. The following were re-elected :—
Mr Munro Fercuson, Honorary Secretary; Mr RoBert
GatLoway, S.S.C., Secretary- and Treasurer; Colonel Barney,
Honorary Editor; Mr A. D. RicHarpson, Assistant Editor and
Photographer ; and Mr Joun T. Watson, Auditor.
Mr R. Camppe.t, B.Sc., Edinburgh University, was elected
Honorary Consulting Geologist in succession to Dr Flett; and
the other Honorary Consulting Officials were re-elected.
The Local Secretaries were re-elected, with the addition of
Mr A. E. Moeran, Palmerston House, Portumna, Co. Galway.
The Judges and TZvransactions Committee were re-elected.
(For detailed list of Office-Bearers and others see Appendix F.)
ANNUAL EXCURSION.
Mr BucHaNaNn, Convener of the Excursion Committee, said
that a formal programme had not yet been drawn up, but he
suggested that the Excursion should be confined to Speyside, as
he thought a very interesting Excursion could be carried out in
that district. Sir ARCHIBALD BucHAN HeEpBurRN said that the
matter should be left entirely in the hands of the Council, to
prepare whatever programme they thought would be most
suitable, and this was agreed to,
FORESTRY EXHIBITION IN EDINBURGH.
The CHArRMAN reminded the Members that the Schedules in
connection with the Annual Forestry Exhibition had been put
into their hands, and expressed the hope that as the Exhibition
was to be held in Edinburgh, and was likely to be visited by the
II
Prince and Princess of Wales, Members would endeavour to
bring forward as good a display of Forestry as possible.
ScoTrisH NATIONAL EXHIBITION, EDINBURGH, 1908.
Mr W. H. Massie mentioned that this Exhibition was now to
go on. The minimum Guarantee Fund had been exceeded,
and if properly supported the Exhibition would be a success.
He suggested that the Society should have an adequate repre-
sentation of Forestry which would interest visitors to the
Exhibition, and that the Society might subscribe to the
Guarantee Fund. On the motion of the Chairman, the matter
was remitted to the Council, with powers.
MoTIONS TO BE DISPOSED OF.
Mr A. B. Ropertson, The Dean, Kilmarnock, submitted the
following motions, of which notice was given at last Meeting,
viz.:— That the seven members of Council who retire each year
be not eligible for re-election for one year from the date of
their retiral.” Mr R. B. Larrp seconded the motion. Mr
FOTHRINGHAM moved the previous question. He said it might
be very inconvenient if certain of the retiring Councillors were
not eligible for re-election, because it might be that the Society
would lose the services of some of the best men at a time when
they were best able to help. Mr G1iLLanpeErs seconded the amend-
ment, which, on being put to the Meeting, was carried by a large
majority. Mr Rosertson then submitted his second motion,
viz.:—That the Council again consider the advisability of
holding the Annual Meetings in different centres, namely,
Edinburgh, Perth, and Glasgow in rotation.” The motion was
not seconded, and therefore was not put to the Meeting.
Notice or MortIon.
The PRESIDENT, on behalf of the Council, gave notice of the
following motion for discussion at next Annual Meeting, viz.:—
“That the revised Laws and By-Laws, as sent in proof to all
members of the Society, be approved and adopted in place of
the existing Laws and By-Laws.”
12
REPRESENTATION OF LOCAL BRANCHES ON THE COUNCIL.
Mr GammkELL, Vice-President of the Aberdeen Branch, asked
whether the Local Branches should not have direct representa-
tion on the Council. ‘The President pointed out that that was
the intention, and that the Council would keep this in view in
making the recommendations to the Annual Meetings in future.
Mr Gammell said that his idea was rather that the Branch
should be represented by additional special members, and not
merely by those who might happen to be drawn from the
district.
The Secretary explained that the matter had been brought
under the notice of the Secretary of the Aberdeen Branch
previous to the meeting of Council when the recommendation
of Office-Bearers was made for the current year. It was
agreed to remit the whole matter to the Council for con-
sideration.
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.
Sir KENNETH MackKENZzIE then delivered his Presidential
address, a full report of which will be found in the 7ransactions.
THE ANNUAL DINNER.
The Annual Dinner of the Society was held in the Royal
British Hotel, Princes Street, on the same evening, at 6 o’clock.
Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, President, in the Chair. The guests of
the Society were—Mr John Gulland, M.P.; Councillor Forrest ;
Mr William Anderson, Treasurer of the Water Trust ; Mr Sydney
J. Gammell, Vice-President of the Aberdeen Branch; Mr
William Lindsay, President of the Merchants’ Association ;
Mr James Macdonald, Secretary of the Highland and Agri-
cultural Society; Mr P. Murray Thomson, S.S.C., Secretary
of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society; Mr Jas. Wylie,
Secretary of the Edinburgh Agricultural Association; Mr
W. Scott Stevenson, Secretary of Edinburgh and East of
Scotland College of Agriculture; and the Rev. Kenneth
Macleod, B.A.
13
Mr Methven proposed the toast of the Magistrates, etc., which
was replied to by Councillor Forrest. Mr Gulland proposed the
toast of the Society, to which Mr Fothringham replied on
behalf of the President, who had been obliged to leave the
meeting earlier in the evening. Mr Munro Ferguson proposed
the Aberdeen Branch, to which Mr Gammell replied. Other
toasts were Kindred Societies, proposed by Mr Massie and
replied to by Mr Macdonald; the Timber Trade, proposed by
Mr Rutherford and replied to by Mr Spiers; Our Guests,
proposed by Dr Borthwick and replied to by Mr Lindsay ; and
the Chairman, proposed by the Secretary, and replied to by
Mr Fothringham.
14
024 : “oqo ‘surpulg ‘s[vorpotseg A1yse10,q
OL Sl oz i * ‘Aieuore4g puv Suyurig [e1eues
9 8 &&€&
0 VF HEF
“HONHARA— II
2 EO : 5 ‘SUOLJIDSUDLT, IOJ ‘O49 ‘soyeTgq
DeM GG) ee ee
0 = TKO : ‘syuridoy si0oyyny
Oo ieeos ‘ ‘swo1}
-IDSUDLT, JO "TT Wed "XIX ‘TOA
iawn Glee sa
998 * ‘squtidey sitoyjny
& LT IIF : * ‘saqe[g jo
earsnpoxe *SU022IDSUDL], JO *T WV “XTX “[OA
G OL LOGF : : “oqo ‘Arou01yeyg ‘SuyUuNg ‘[
‘“SSYVHOSIC
& 61 S99lF
0 OL SISt#
0 0 9g¢ ‘68 7® ‘904g aInjUeqaq *yue0
ed g ADEA EAD AVMLEY YSIYWIG YON OOPF
0 0 46g - ‘ELL 4 “409g eanqueqaq *4yue0
Jad pees AVMTIVY WeluopeleD OOGF
0 OL Zoqy Se ERTL ASG
‘ON ‘Y003g AqIMuUW poequeieny *4U90
ted 7 Auedwop Avayrey uvimopeleg oocy
0 Ost = : ‘9061 toqmmeD9q 4STEe 4v spung
0 SL LP ‘9061 JoquIEDeq 4STE 4v S300}g AVATIVYT JO ONTVA UT osvato00q]
00 Ff g és Ses PAOQ’ YIM WOTJOATIMOD Ul sesuedxG
0 0 Soe — * FTG 9B ‘Yo0}g ernquoqad
‘yuso Jed ¢ ABMpIvy YS YWON OOFF JO eg
PZ LL ‘suoydisosqng poynmumog jo ft i a on =
Qe quae yys: ‘suorydqsosqng Ost TINT JO SE. e
€ BLoer ° ; on udaeyy |: paysnpyxouy
0} pediejsuviy suodisosqng s1oquey{ eI] JO uomsodoig
“ASUYVHOSIA
‘T
& 6L S99lF
9 8 688F
0 SIZ
9 GI 8&&
O IL &hF
L LL 806
8 GT L8ClF*
WYihid VOSS
‘9061 Aequieseq 4STE
‘V XIOGNAddV
. .
‘9061 UI peateder /OGT Joy suoyydysosqng
9 9LF * “GO6T UI peateoey ssa7
0 6 Sher ° ‘9061 10j suo1ydisosqng
0- Set ‘palaaodal doUIS ynq
YO Vez sivaliy ppy
“GO6T taqmeoeg YI0g 7¥ SIBILITY
‘suorjdiiosqng siequoyy AIvUIpIO °%
0 SI lhe
* Egg T cequieseq WI0g Fe PULY UT eoureg °
‘"JOUVHO
rei
* Haseyoind yo03g ABAIey
Jo oolad jo sour[eq JooU 0} oNNeAEY WoI) Poduojsuely wg *g
0 8 SI
0 8 SOTy
8 OL 98
0 ST &I9
0 OL LecF
: ‘uo1yeqnurmoo Aq siequieyy Areuip1o
: : . : ‘s1aquleyy MON
s ‘ Q0GT Ul SMHOI|dIuOSqng sIEquey IT °%
: ‘yueg ut yeyided jo ouxleg
: Foal ye ‘009s aanqguaeqeq “4ueo
ied F AUEURD. ABMIIEY URIMOpI[VO (OOSF
: : P ‘ELIL
‘ON aene Aymuuy peazuriensy “yWe0
Jed # Auvedwmo0g Avapiey uemopelep O0SF
re
‘cOBL toquiaseq WINS 3B Spun °
‘ASYVHO
Suipue ive X IO} SLNAOODY AO LOvVALsay
15
8 SI SEsF
‘woppny ‘NOSLYM ‘“L NHOL
‘aU 0} pozIqIyxXe Taq osye eAvy ‘Qa0qe sv spung s,44o100g 944 Sutjuesoidas ‘sarqluMoeg eu,
T & FIG
I
=
LI 806
891
1%
‘suovonsun.y Arenuee jo ‘oye ‘4s00 Jo yUeUI
-Aed 03 qoalqns “(peqyimiy ‘puryjoog jo yurg [euoleN
ur ums Suyeq) rvok 4xeu 04 polaeo onueasy jo sour[eg *
jo Sati jo
Ul Z SolF
6 4 Lg
6
0 SIP
FixG eG
OL ST 69
0 0
OP Sag
0 6L 2F
. .
G6 8té
DOr:
€ &Ll 6F
yeanqNow3sy
0 0 8I
9 8 6&F
G OL LOeF
G 61 68
‘peseyoind yooyg ABATIEY
aouR[eq Joo 0} [vyIdey 04 paddojsueIy UNG *
91 §& * * —— ‘shv14nO
A4yj0q pur ‘sonbeyD uo suois
-sIUIWIO) ‘sesRysog ye1eues
IL &3F ‘suorpomsum4y JO “XIX mea
jO ‘[[ pue "[ sjaeg Jo saseysog
$°Z1A ‘shepnQ Snoouelpeost yy Pus saseqsog
: * Jauulg pur
Surj00 jenuuy YIM wWorpeuNOd UI sfeTINO
* ‘done jo puog s A1eyo109g
uo wNTMeIg pur ‘gouvimsuy ‘SuIstoapy
: * ‘Jamster, pur A.1e49108G
: ; ‘ JOPPA JWeysIssy
: ‘JOUIPNY
; : ‘ue
‘uomaseuvyy Jo sasuedxy *¢
* ‘qouvig Weepieqy jo spun, 0} UoIyNGIIyU0D *F
. . .
‘shv[Jno 10430
; : : ' Suisytaapy
: : : : ‘Sulyullg
—sa[qeag 4® MOYsg s,AyaI00g
pue purlysiyy ey3 ye UorzIqryxy Asyso10q “¢
. . . . ‘saqqaa id
48 peqIqtyxe IeqwWIy, UMOIS-aUIOF] 105
PepseAM® saztIg 10j ‘AjoIo0g [vANy[NOIsY
pag paelqsiH ayy woz Uoysmog S87
* “(pg "88 ‘StF
‘syoog pue slepey ‘icy ‘Aouoy_) sazug °z
‘SUOLJIDSUDLT,
Ul S}UeMIesIZIOEAPY 10} sydreoay ssa7z
8 QL Sé8F
0 0
0 €&
II ¢
§ FL
"4001109 Wey} PUNOJ 9AvY PUB “yoRIISqYV Uv SI SuloZar0J 044
YOIYA JO “OBI cequma0eq] ISTE 0} avek ay} IOJ AOINSveIT, oy} JO SJUNODOW oy} poulMiexXe avy | 4ey} AJIYA00 Aqorey [—"LOG Auwnuve piez ‘HOUNANIAGT
: ‘palaaodey XBy, aUIODUT
; ‘pjos ‘040 ‘swoupppsUnLy
: ‘qselequy pus spueprlAlq.
: : * *peyidep
WOJJ Pellejsuv1} suoIydiosqng s1equieyy eI'T Jo uonsodo1g
9 8 SeEF
0 OL 99
0 9 8&
0 F SIF
; : “9061 10q
-m900q ISTE Je sivoldy
2 ‘906T 19quIe00g
ISTE JB 91QVIDAODOIII SB
YO Uoz4IM 10 peTjeouvp
€
16
APPENDIX B.
ABSTRACT OF ACCOUNTS
IN CONNECTION WITH
THe Matcotm Dunn MemoriAL FUND, 1906.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Bank at close of last Account, . « £10 4. 6
Dividend on £100 3 per cent. Redeemable Stock
of Edinburgh Corporation, payable at Whit-
sunday and Martinmas 1906, £3, /ess Tax 3s., 2317" to
412 18 6
PAYMENTS.
Nil.
Balance carried forward, being sum in
National Bank of Scotland on Account
Current, : : : : : . £12 18 6
NVote.—The Capital belonging to the Fund con-
sists of £100 3 per cent. Redeemable
Stock of Edinburgh Corporation.
EDINBURGH, 26th January 1907.—Examined and found correct. The
Certificate by the Bank of above balance, and Edinburgh Corporation Stock
Certificate, have been exhibited.
Joun T. WATson,
Auditor.
17
APPENDIX C.
EXCURSION FUND.
Abstract of Accounts for Year 1906.
Balance brought from last Account, . ; . 4ap ret
Received further for Photographs, . , : O12. 0
Deduct— 4,48 Tt ie
Payment to Mr Richardson, being
balance for Swedish Albums, . £3 3 0
Payments to Mr Richardson. for
Benmore Photographs, . ik oO
Payment to Printers for Printing
Names on Mounts, . ; Det nie Lo. 5-6
Auditor’s Fee for 1905, , ee tae
200 TA, 10
427 16 9
Excursion to Northumberland and Durham.
RECEIPTS.
Contributions to Common Purse, /ess
repayments, . i Berry! 4-9
PAYMENTS.
Station Hotel, ; . £6017 6
Railways— Local Journeys, 20 11 3
Lunches—
(1) Lambton, 47 9 9
(2) Dipton, 7 10 26
(3) Rothbury, 5 14 9
—- 20 14 6
Driving—
(1) Alnwick, 45 8 o
(2) Lambton, 4 7 6
(3) Hexham, 6 10 6
(4) Rothbury, 5 14 9
goo °''G
Teas and Refreshments, . 7 14 6
Gratuities and Sundry Out-
lays, «4. ; ‘ ae an
ie he a
—-— 2 7208
Balance carried forward to next year, being -——
sum in National Bank of Scotland, Ltd.,
on Account Current, ‘ ‘ ». 430.8008
EDINBURGH, 26¢h January 1907.—Examined with Vouchers and Memor-
andum Book and found correct. Bank Certificate of above balance of
430, 9s. 5d. also exhibited. Joun T. Watson,
Auditor.
b
APPENDIX D.
RoyaL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY (ABERDEEN BRANCH).
Report by the Committee of the Proceedings of the Branch to
the First Annual General Meeting.
The Branch was inaugurated on the 18th May 1906, at a
meeting of the Society held in the Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen,
presided over by the President, Mr W. Steuart Fothringham
of Murthly.
Since its inauguration the Branch has held two Excursions—
one to Drumtochty on gth June, and the other to Huntly on
1st September—and a General Meeting on 13th October.
Both the Excursions were well attended by the Members.
Reports on these Excursions have been drawn up by Mr C. S.
France and Mr John Clark respectively, and they will be sub-
mitted to this meeting.
At the General Meeting held in the Botanical Class-room,
Marischal College, on 13th October, a paper was read by
Mr C. S. France on “The Larch and its Diseases.” Owing to
the inclemency of the weather, the meeting was not so well
attended as it otherwise would have been.
The Committee had been fortunate in securing the use of the
Botanical Class-room, Marischal College, for the meetings of the
Branch, and the thanks of the Branch is due to the Senatus of
Aberdeen University for this privilege. The thanks of the
Branch is also due to Professor Traill for the trouble taken by
him in securing the use of the Class-room, and for giving the
Branch the use of his diagrams, appliances, etc. In the district
comprising the Branch—the counties of Aberdeen, Kincardine,
and Banff—there are some 100 Members of the parent
Society, but only 57 of these have, as yet, affiliated them-
selves to the Branch. This number does not include assistant-
foresters and assistant-gardeners, of which there are eight. The
Committee hopes that all Members of the parent body resident
in the district will become Members of the Branch before the
next Annual Meeting.
19
The financial statement shows the income of the Branch to be
47; 178., which sum includes the grant of £5 from the parent
Society, and the expenditure to be £4, 16s. 1od., leaving a
credit balance of £3, os. 2d., which, with a balance of £1, 4s.
at the credit of the Excursion Fund, brings out a total sum of
44, 48. 2d. at the credit of the Branch, and this sum has been
placed with the Aberdeen Savings Bank.
20
11 S1 2¥ 11 SI 27
7 <6 ; + wy sng pur [rey s,Arvjos90g pred yseg **
o ZrT , , * ‘usapsaqy fayeg ssordurgy pred yseg *
9 10 ‘ 2 * Qerquiyony ‘[aIOPFT opstyy pred yseg ** ‘
o 1 oF : : : ; ‘ - gurquiyony In? © * Yovaysqy 0} parvo juNO.SW sty} UO anp souLegq “
woy pue 0} orey sng s,ajioday pred yseg oy o bef ‘yowa "pg ‘SI JB youn’yT 10F sraqmayy Of wor yseo Aq
“AUYNLIGNAd XA] “AWOONI
‘9061 aun ys6 uo ApyI0JUNACT 0} UOLSANING
‘SEBNONOODV NOTSYNOXH
Ged L¥ GO i: l¥
Z 10° € : ‘ : ' * — Qovaysqy 0}
pewavo JUNODSDY Sty} JO Wpaso ye aouryeg **
Ol OI I x * ‘yead ay} 10y sodvysod pred yseg ‘!
Oar gt : * ‘JoquIg ‘yon ‘wWAA pred ysey “f “€ ‘oaq
oF I ‘ * YouuLg ‘yonyy "A, pred ysey “* “gz ydag 6-0! : ‘ : : ‘youwag Jo spun 0} uwd
9 1 0 “HOog Stoquiay 10 YsUS Smo] pred yseD “* 07 ; —ysinquipsy ‘Apog jusreg ey} Jo Arvjos99g Wor ysey ‘*
OF as. 20 ‘yoog-aynuryl AOJ YIWIG stmar] pred ysvey “* “hr oun ;
o 4+ oF |: - Goyuug ‘urpng “q pred yseg oy “zr Auyy oO 27-2e* = : * *yova ‘st JB saaquiayy ZS wor ysey Aq
‘9061
“AYNLIGNAd XA
“AWOONI
‘906T ‘SEZNOOOOV FO LBNANALVLS
“HONVUG NWA YY —ALAIOOS TWHuOLTnomoday HSILLOOS IVAOY
‘da XIGQNS3ddV
‘“onpuy ‘LAVH NHOL
‘suondiiosqng aay) pied jaf jou savy oyM AjaID0g ay} Jo siaquayy ouTU-AyUAM) OIE aweyL ‘yurg sdurarg
uaapraqy ei Ul padpoy useq sey ums yoryM ‘souedomy pue sSuiys amoy spunod mog Sureq svak ay} jo pua oy 3
AaIIOG ay} JO Wpasd ay} yw aouvyeq ayy ‘payonoa A]jny pue pazeys A[Oar109 owes ayy puNoy savy pur ‘AyaIOOG [eanjpNowoqry
ysio9g jekoy ay} JO YoUVIg Uaeprlaqy ey} JO sjuNooDW Sulosar0y ay} paurutexa savy [—‘9061 «agiaaq yg ‘NaIauaAy
(‘sho 4 ON “Yoog sseg yueg ssutavg usapseqy sad sv)
oy ae : : y ‘youvig JO }Ipaio je oouRleg
Oo =i Se
Tie Olas s * ‘uorsnoxay APYOPWNIG, UO doULTRq JIGaq—sse7
rreG oe 2 : OD : ‘uoisinoxgy ATUNFT JO Wtposo ye douvyeg
Coe ey : : ; : : ; ‘quUNODDYW [v1IUIy JO JIpaso ye ooULTL
‘“LOVaLSaV
CF ° 9 SK
I 3 : * oviysqy 0} pales jIpaso ye souryegq ‘‘ O- Serz : . . : : . * ‘yove “po ‘sZ
Oo ; ‘ ‘ * ‘Apunyy ye AymyvrH pred yseD ‘ ye [ley pue youny soy suaquiay g woy yses “
fe) : : : * ‘gre [rey sArejas9ag pred ysep ‘*
Laz : : : : * any uyof apy pred yseg ‘ Gre SF ‘ : ‘ - ; " “yova "pg ‘sé
ayes " ‘yova ‘pl ‘sh jv sarvy [rey 9 pred yseg o7 je Sula pue youn’yT 10; siaquiayy gi wor yseg Aq
“AYNLIGNAdXS “AWOONI
"9061 42gumaggas gsi uo AyUNzET 04 Uuolsinmx”T
22
APPENDIX F.
Ottice-Bearers for 1907 :—
PRESIDENT.
Sir KennetuH J. MACKENZIE, Bart. of Gairloch, 10 Moray Place, Edinburgh.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Sir JoHn STrrtinc-MAXwWELL, Bart. of Pollok, Pollokshaws.
JoHN W. M‘Harrtiz, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers,
Edinburgh.
D. F. Mackenzi®, F.S.1., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Midlothian.
Sir THomMAs Gipson CARMICHAEL, Bart. of Castle Craig, Malleny House,
Balerno.
W. STEUART FoTHRINGHAM of Murthly, Perthshire.
COUNCIL.
JoHN ANNAND, Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Dr A. W. Borruwick, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
JAMES JOHNSTONE, F.S.1., Factor, Alloway Cottage, Ayr.
GEORGE LEVEN, Forester, Auchincruive, St Quivox, Ayr.
JOHN METHVEN, Nurseryman, 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh.
JOHN SCRIMGEOUR, Overseer, Doune Lodge, Doune.
Davip W. THomson, Nurseryman, 113 George Street, Edinburgh.
JOHN Boyp, Forester, Pollok Estate, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.
A. T. GILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.
W. H. Massie, Nurseryman, 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh,
CHARLES BUCHANAN, Overseer, Penicuik Estate, Penicuik.
JOHN D. Crozizr, Forester, Durris Estate, Drumoak, Aberdeenshire.
W. A. Raz, Factor, Murthly, Perthshire.
JAMES WHITTON, Superintendent of City Parks, City Chambers, Glasgow.
RoBERT ALLAN, Factor, Polkemmet, Whitburn.
JAMES Cook, Land Steward, Arniston, Gorebridge.
RopeErt Forses, Overseer, Kennet Estate Office, Alloa.
Simon MacseAn, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
G. U. Macpona.p, Overseer, Haystoun Estate, Woodbine Cottage, Peebles.
GEORGE MACKINNON, Overseer, Melville, Lasswade.
ApDAM Spiers, Timber Merchant, Warriston Saw-Mills, Edinburgh.
HON. SECRETARY.
R. C. Munro Fercuson, M.P., of Raith and Novar, Raith House, Kirkcaldy.
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
Rosert GALLoway, 8.8.C., 19 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
23
HON. EDITOR.
Colonel F, Bartey, R.E., University Lecturer on Forestry,
7 Drummond Place, Edinburgh.
ASSISTANT EDITOR.
A. D. RicHarpson, 6 Dalkeith Street, Joppa.
AUDITOR.
Joun T. Watson, 16 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
TRUSTEES.
R. C. Munro Fercuson, M.P., W. StevArT ForurincHam of Murthly,
and Sir JoHN SriRLinc-MAXwWELL, Bart. of Pollok.
HONORARY CONSULTING OFFICIALS.
Consulting Botanist.—Isaac BAYLEY BALFour, LL.D., M.D., Se.D.,
Professor of Botany, University of Edinburgh, and Regius Keeper,
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Chemist.—ALEXANDER LaupER, D.Sc., F.C.S., 13 George
Square, Edinburgh.
Consulting Cryptogamist.—A. W. Bortuwick, D.Se., Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh.
Consulting Entomologist.—ROBERT STEWART MacDovecat., M.A.,
D.Sc., Professor of Entomology, etc., 13 Archibald Place,
Edinburgh.
Consulting Geologist.—R. CAMPBELL, M.A., B.Sc., Geological Labora-
tory, University of Edinburgh.
Consulting Meteorologist. —RoBert CockBurN Mossman, F.R.S.E.,
F.R.Met.Soc., 10 Blacket Place, Edinburgh.
JUDGES AND TRANSACTIONS COMMITTEE.
Colonel F. BarLey, Lecturer on Forestry, University of Edinburgh
(Convener).
D. F. MackeEnzt£, F.S.I., Estate Office, Mortonhall, Midlothian.
JoHN ANNAND, Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College, Newcastle-
on-Tyne.
A. T. GILLANDERS, F.E.S., Forester, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.
Dr A. W. BortHwick, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh ; and
The SECRETARY, ¢x officio.
PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST.
A. D. RicHarpson, 6 Dalkeith Street, Joppa.
Counties.
Aberdeen,
Argyle, .
Ayr,
Berwick,
Bute,
Clackmannan,.
Dumbarton,
Dumfries,
East Lothian, .
Fife,
Forfar, .
Inverness,
Kincardine,
Kinross,
Lanark, .
Moray, .
Perth,
Renfrew,
Ross,
Roxburgh,
Sutherland,
Wigtown,
LOCAL SECRETARIES.
Scotland.
JOHN CLARK, Forester, Haddo House, Aberdeen.
JOHN Micure, M.V.O., Factor, Balmoral, Ballater.
JouHN D. SUTHERLAND, Estate Agent, Oban.
ANDREW D. Pace, Overseer, Culzean, Maybole.
A. B. Ropertson, Forester, The Dean, Kilmarnock.
Wm. Mitnez, Foulden Newton, Berwick-on-Tweed.
Wm. Iveuts, Forester, Cladoch, Brodick.
James Kay, Forester, Bute Estate, Rothesay.
RoBEekRtT Forges, Estate Office, Kennet, Alloa.
Rozert Brown, Forester, Boiden, Luss.
D. CraBeez, Forester, Byreburnfoot, Canonbie.
JoHN Hayes, Dormont Grange, Lockerbie.
W. S. Curr, Factor, Ninewar, Prestonkirk.
Ww. Gitcurist, Forester, Nursery Cottage, Mount Melville,
St Andrews.
Epauunp Sane, Nurseryman, Kirkcaldy.
JAMES CRABBE, Forester, Glamis.
JAMEs Ropertson, Forester, Panmure, Carnoustie.
James A. Gossip, Nurseryman, Inverness.
JoHN Haxzt, Estates Office, Cowie, Stonehaven.
James Terris, Factor, Dullomuir, Blairadam.
JoHN Davipson, Forester, Dalzell, Motherwell.
James WHITTON, Superintendent of Parks, City Chambers,
Glasgow.
JouHN Brrpon, Forester, Rothes, Elgin.
D. Scort, Forester, Darnaway Castle, Forres.
W. Harrower, Forester, Tomnacroich, Garth, Aberfeldy.
JoHN Scrimerour, Doune Lodge, Doune.
S. MacBzan, Overseer, Erskine, Glasgow.
JouNn J. R. Merkies0uHN, Factor, Novar, Evanton.
Miss Amy Frances Yue, Tarradale House, Muir of Ord.
JouN LeIsHMAN, Manager, Cavers Estate, Hawick.
R. V. Marner, Nurseryman, Kelso.
DowaLp Rogerrson, Forester, Dunrobin, Golspie.
James Hocarru, Forester, Culhorn, Stranraer.
H. H. WALKER, Monreith Estate Office, Whauphill.
Counties.
Beds,
Berks,
Cheshire,
Devon,
Durham,
Hants,
Herts,
Kent,
Lancashire,
Leicester,
Lincoln,
Middlesex,
England.
JoHN ALEXANDER, 46 Clarendon Road, Bedford.
FRANCIS MITCHELL, Forester, Woburn.
W. Stroriz, Whitway House, Newbury.
Wm. A. Forster, Belgrave Lodge, Pulford, Wrexham.
JAMES BARRIE, Forester, Stevenstone Estate, Torrington.
JOHN F, ANNAND, Lecturer on Forestry, Armstrong College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
W. R. Brown, Forester, Park Cottage, Heckfield, Winchfield.
JAMES Barton, Forester, Hatfield.
THomas SMITH, Overseer, Tring Park, Wigginton, Tring.
R. W. Cowrsr, Gortanore, Sittingbourne.
D. C. Hamitton, Forester, Knowsley, Prescot.
JAMES MARTIN, The Reservoir, Knipton, Grantham.
W. B. Have tock, The Nurseries, Brocklesby Park.
Professor BovunteER, 11 Onslow Road, Richmond Hill,
London, 8. W.
Northumberland,JoHN Davipson, Secretary, Royal English Arboricultural
Notts,
Salop,
Suffolk, .
Surrey, .
Warwick,
York,
Dublin, .
Galway, .
Kilkenny,
King’s County,
Tipperary,
Society, Haydon-Bridge-on-Tyne.
Wm. Exper, Thoresby, Allerton, Newark.
W. MicuiE, Forester, Welbeck, Worksop.
WILson ToMLINSON, Forester, Clumber Park, Worksop.
FRANK HULL, Forester, Lillieshall, Newport.
ANDREW Boa, Agent, Skates Hill, Glemsford.
Grorce Hannan, The Folly, Ampton Park, Bury St
Edmunds.
ANDREW PEEBLES, Estate Office, Albury, Guildford.
A. D. CuristTI£, Marriage Hill Farm, Bidford.
D. Tait, Estate Bailiff, Owston Park, Doncaster.
Treland.
A. C. Foxses, Department of Forestry, Board of Agriculture.
JAMES WILSON, B.Sc., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
ArcH. E. MoERAN, Palmerston House, Portumna.
THOMAS RoBERTSON, Forester and Bailiff, Woodlawn.
ALEX. M‘Rag, Forester, Castlecomer.
Wm. HENDERSON, Forester, Clonad Cottage, Tullamore.
Davin G. Cross, Forester, Kylisk, Nenagh.
26
APPENDIX G.
Presentations to the Society’s Library since the publication
of last List in Volume XIX. Part 2.
bet
ie
90 Nm gr
Books.
Schlich’s Manual of Forestry. Vol. i. of 3rd Edition. -
a - Vol. iv. of 2nd Edition—Forest Pro-
tection. By Prof. W. R. Fisher.
. Forest Mensuration. By H. S. Graves, M.A., Director of the Forest
School, Yale University.
. Fremlandische Wald-und Parkbaume fir Europa. By Professor
Heinrich Mayr, 1906.
The Country Gentlemen’s Estate Book, 1906.
The New Zealand Oficial Year-Book, 1905.
. Report of the Canadian Forestry Convention, 1906.
Kew Gardens. Bulletins for Years 1900 to 1906.
Socretizs’ Reports, Transactions, Etc.
Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society, 5th Series,
vol. xviii.
. Transactions of the Royal English Arboricultural Society, vol. vi.,
part 2.
. Transactions and Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh,
vol. xxiii., part 2.
Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. ix. (Series 2),
Nos. 2 and 3.
. Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. xi., Nos. 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
. Economic Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. i., parts
7 and 8. °
. Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 1905, part 2;
1906, part 1.
. The 84th Report of the Commissioners of Woods, Forests, and Land
Revenues, 28th June 1906.
. Annual Report of Forest Department, Madras, 1904-05, and 1905-06.
. Annual Report of Secretary for Agriculture, Nova Scotia, 1905.
. Annual Report of State Forest Administration, South Australia,
1904-05, and 1905-06.
. Report of the Superintendent of Forestry of Canada, part x., 1905.
. Report of the Department of Lands and Survey, New Zealand, 1904-05.
46,
47.
48.
49.
50.
27
. First Annual Report of the Land Board, Natal, 1906.
. Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. Ixvi., 1905.
. Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, April 1906 and
December 1906.
. Calendar for 1906-07—Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of
Agriculture.
. Calendar 1905-06—University College of North Wales.
. Ohio State University Catalogue and Announcements, etc.
. Prospectus of Yale Forest School, 1906-07.
29.
. Index to Mycological Writings of C. G. Lloyd, vol. i., 1898 to 1905.
. The Tylostomee. By C. G. Lloyd.
. Several Volumes (in parts) of the Society's Transactions. From
Mycological Notes, Nos. 19 to 23. By C. G. Lloyd.
James Robertson, Wood Manager, Panmure.
Reprints, Erc.
. Working-Plan of Castle Hill Woodlands. By Professor W. R.
Fisher, President, Royal English Arboricultural Society.
. Report by the British Juror on Horticulture and Forestry, St Louis
International Exhibition, 1904.
. Forest Bulletin No. 7. Note on the Chilyoze Forests of Zhole and
the Takht-I-Suliman. By E. P. Stebbing, F.L.S.
. Forest Bulletin No. 9. Notes on the Influence of Forests on the
Storage and Regulations of the Water Supply. By 8S. Eardley-
Wilmot, Indian Forest Service.
. Review of Forest Administration in British India, Year 1904-05. By
S. Eardley- Wilmot, Inspector-General of Forests.
. Note on the Life-History of Hoplocerambyx spinicornis. By E. P.
Stebbing, F.L.S.
. Notes sur la Truffe par M. Em. Boulanger, 1904-1906.
. Les Foréts et les Pluies. By Professor Henry, Nancy.
. La Forét Accumulatrice D’ Azote. By Professor Henry, Nancy.
. Congres des Forestiers Suwisses sur les Rives du Léman En, 1906.
Reprint by P. Bertholet.
. Species of Crateegus found within 20 miles of Albany. By C. S.
Sargent and C. H. Peck, 1906.
. The Pinetum at Wellesley, Mass. By C. S. Sargent.
. Catalogue of the Aburi Gardens, From University Institute of Com-
mercial Research in the Tropics, Liverpool.
Quarterly Journal of the Institute of Commercial Research in the
Tropics, Liverpool University, vol. i., No. 2, April 1906; No. 3,
September 1906.
Year-Book of Agriculture, Victoria, 1905.
Journal of the Board of Agriculture, Victoria.
Evidence of Various Experts before Select Standing Committee on
Agriculture and Colonisation, Canada, 1905.
Bulletin 53. Results from Trial Plots of Grain, Roots, ete., 1905.
From Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.
28
. Notes on Agriculture in Natal, 1905.
. Leaflets from Board of Agriculture.
. Quarterly Journal of Forestry. London, Nos. 1 and 2, vol. i.,
January and April 1907.
. Forestry Quarterly. New York.
. Forestry and Irrigation. Washington.
. Journal of the Board of Agriculture of Ireland. Vol. vii., No. 2,
January 1907.
. Journal of the Board of Agriculture. London.
. Skogsvardsféreningens Tidskrift. Stockholm.
. Tidskrift for Skogbrug. . Beginning January.
. Timber Trades Journal. London.
. Journal da Commerce des Bois. Paris.
. Timber News. London.
. Estate Magazine.
. Tropical Life. Monthly.
. Agricultural Economist. London.
. The Indian Forester. Allahabad.
. Revue des Eaux et Foréts. Paris. (By purchase. )
. Allgemeine Forst- und Jagd-Zeitung. ( a3 )
. Leitschrift fiir Forst-und Jagdwesen. ( Ae )
Vi aN aioe Fane SUCK? a] eins, ae,
bselaD tee eek Rhea) ARNEL
FL MU Laan es PA Wi 1
dacs WAL IRI
NYC A een el ad Ky me 1 Oem,
Fila WAIWA TI aed Te elt tate
dsl us eal ASE RS ae hh
j aanan ate : i.
ot sty f Ra
vay EAT yy TP ek eit pi ae
DA a? gan 7? is al? ~ pape Te 4 rE Lbs ss v:
‘eet r Piss } ng Wout
hie Wwinatiacree ‘viii SANA ©) AARP
i bagi
ty ,
, Vd, FIN Hai a fae
‘, Leh 1
ei :
a an a ‘ veh ae
as y ml ey hee a's
: .
ee
LAE
3 5185 00280 4225
> + P94 ¥ oe Zz
‘524.
4 - if £ r Al i
S ; FEAL . ’ Oe le eet
se : A Y J WS Be a wrest
pasty s
-
1s *
the » :
i a badd Ba de ere ie eh