400 REPORT ON LARCH FORESTS. 



parts of the tree ; and just so in proportion to the healthy and 

 proper condition of the roots is the whole structure of the tree 

 supplied with wood-forming materials. 



The crop of this immense forest may average 200 trees per 

 acre, and the average market value may be 6s. per tree, thus 

 making the value L.60 per acre. Doubtless, many acres are worth 

 more than the above, but others are worth less; so that L.60 per 

 acre may be considersd a fair average of the whole. The fencing, 

 planting, &c, of these forests are stated to have cost something 

 less than 30s. per acre, detailed thus : — 



2000,1-year transplanted larch, at 7s. 6d. per 1000, L.O 15 



One man 2 days, at 2s. 3d. per day, . . 4 6 



One boy carrying plants, at 6d. per day, . 10 



Enclosing at the rate of 5s. per acre, . . 5 



Clearing Juniper, Draining, &c, . . . 4 



L.1 9 6 



The success of the above forests will bear a favourable com- 

 parison with any in Scotland ; and yet it is very evident that 

 much is to be learned from points of failure as well as success ; 

 and with the additional experience of half a century, it is only 

 strange that so very little advancement has been made in the 

 growth and culture of larch. The undulating nature of the 

 ground favours the growth of larch in the Athole forests. It is 

 well understood how readily water runs off a hill face, and how 

 soon not only its herbage, but its soil, becomes dry after rain or 

 melted snow, compared with level ground. Much of the soil in 

 the Athole forests is too clayey and wet for the proper growth of 

 larch, and but for the sloping nature of the ground, would fail 

 to grow it at all, or at least to valuable dimensions. The soil, 

 therefore, though too stiff and wet to grow larch on flat ground, 

 will nevertheless grow it comparatively well upon an inclining 

 surface. 



Again, the Athole forests are far inland, and beyond the in- 

 fluence of the sea, an advantage which many districts otherwise 

 suitable do not possess. 



On elevated grounds, the effects of frost are little felt compared 

 with low and damp situations, and in this respect the Athole 

 larch (with few exceptions) enjoys an advantage. 



The great extent of forest, too, contributes its beneficial in- 

 fluence by modifying and softening hard blighting winds, which 

 greatly damage the foliage in early summer ; the irregular sur- 

 face of the ground (hill and vale) also acts in a similar way. 



An immense advantage given to the Athole larch forests was 

 the distance apart at which the trees were planted. Six feet was 

 the distance specified, and where that was adhered to, the great 



