402 REPORT ON LARCH FORESTS. 



and of richer quality, produced while grazing under the larch. 

 It is here worthy of notice, that a considerable portion of the 

 forest is in a state too wet to he judiciously grazed with cattle, 

 their footprints are such as to form basins for the water to stand 

 in, to the injury of the roots of the trees. Dry ground does not 

 so suffer. 



The forest operations are conducted under one general manager, 

 with a staff of subordinates to carry out details. 



The wood is generally disposed of to wood-merchants in the 

 growing state, who cut and manufacture it themselves. The 

 prices (abating bark) are from Is. to Is. 4d. per cubic foot, Is. 2d. 

 being the general selling price. Much of the wood, in form of 

 thinnings, being too small to admit of being sold by measurement, 

 instead of being sold by the foot, is sold by the tree or number of 

 trees. 



Having briefly described the soil, condition of the crop, its 

 value, &c, we shall next proceed to indicate certain conceived 

 defects, feeling justified only in doing so by the loud and earnest 

 demands of rural progress and enlightenment of the age : — 



First, Much of the soil is too stiff and cold, and surcharged 

 with water, hence the results of slow growth, &c. Second, The 

 commencement of thinning had been too protracted, and evi- 

 dently, in some cases, continued till overdone. Third, Consider- 

 able portions of ground are under larch which should have been 

 under oak, silver fir, Norway spruce, and Scots pine, thus giving 

 rise to the unjust complaint, " Failure of the larch." 



His Grace John Duke of Athole, who was perfectly aware 

 that larch would not grow on every description of soil, says, " It 

 is an error to suppose that the larch will thrive on all soils and 

 in all situations. There are many kinds of soil in which it will 

 not thrive, and ought not to be planted. It has been found that 

 larch cankers in wet situations, and contracts heart-rot in wet 

 subsoils. In cold and damp situations it becomes fogged and 

 covered with lichens." The duke's observation and experience 

 in these matters entirely agree with our own, and are forcibly 

 confirmed by what is to be seen throughout the forests in which 

 he took such high delight and deep interest, and in which he 

 won unprecedented fame, thereby endearing himself to all true 

 lovers of sylvan grandeur and magnificence. 



Under all circumstances, the Athole larch forests have suc- 

 ceeded to admiration ; and, considering that the planting was in 

 a manner experimental, the result may justly be regarded a 

 success. 



The Athole forests are very extensive, the largest in Britain 

 (of a private kind). The entire area under larch is stated to be 

 about 10,324 imperial acres, and the treeg originally planted 

 upon it 14,096,719. The earliest operations of planting were 



