1884.J ENGLISH ABBOBICULTDRAL SOCIETY. 211 



and south might be planted with advantage to the agriculturist if the 

 proper kinds of trees were used. There seemed also a great want of 

 Willow planting on the banlcs of rivers in tlie north, as it was a great 

 protection to them from sliding and falling iu. In conclusion, Mr. 

 Bates remarked that now that the 'Agricultural Holdings Act of 

 1883 ' had been passed, proprietors would be doubtless concluding 

 that there was nothing now left to them over wliich they could exer- 

 cise their oversight and have their own way ; but he was glad to say 

 they still had their w^oods and plantations left to be cared for, and 

 trusted they would now receive that amount of attention which they 

 deserved, and that through the incoming year their society would help 

 in developing that interest and make great progress as a society witli 

 such an important end iu view. 



After the Chairman's address, other business affecting the society 

 was proceeded with, resolutions being passed that all local secretaries 

 be members of council ; and that the secretary have powder to make 

 arrangements for the publication of the transactions in some journal 

 of forestry. 



A paper was then read by Mr. J. W. Eobson, of Bank Foot Nur- 

 series, Hexham, entitled ' The Experimental Planting of Trees not 

 generally known, or as yet not fairly tested in the North of England.' 

 He said : — 



Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, — At a previous meeting of this 

 society I gave my promise to read a paper before you at this 

 general meeting to-day. I am exceedingly sorry that, through press 

 of business, I have not been able to get up sufficient evidence to 

 justify me in bringing before you the subject I intended, viz., the 

 necescity of securing seeds from healthy trees, and in the case of 

 Larch and Scotch Firs more especially (of native growth). But, although 

 I am not prepared to bring this subject before you to-day, I will, with 

 your kind permission, do so at some future meeting. The paper I 

 purpose reading is upon ' The Experimental Planting of Trees not 

 generally known, or as yet not fairly tested in the North of England.' 

 There are several varieties that have come under my notice during 

 the last few years which I feel confident would, if judiciously planted 

 in suitable situations, prove valuable timber trees. One variety of 

 which I have taken particular notice is the AHes Douglassii, or 

 Douglass pine ; this tree was discovered in 1797 in Noodka Sound, by 

 Menzies, who accompanied Captain Vancouver on his voyage round 

 the world, and afterwards by Douglass, in 1825, who found it growing in 

 immense forests in North-west America, between 43 degs. and 52 degs. 

 nortli latitude. Within these limits trees of 10 ft. diameter, and from 

 100 to 180 ft. in height, were observed, and he mentions the stump 

 of one upon the river Columbia, which, exclusive of the bark, at 



