2 74 1^^^ yotirnal of Forestry. 



BLACK GAME. 



Sir, — Will yon kindly permit me, through the medium of your valuable 

 Journal, to draw the attention of your experienced correspondents to the 

 destruction of young Scots fir plants by " Black game" with the hope of 

 eliciting some information regarding this subject from those who are 

 situated in districts where this sort of game is plentiful ; feeling con- 

 fident that tho'se who are able to give the desired information will be only 

 too happy to do so. 



The first question I would put is ; "Whether the destruction by black 

 game of young Scots fir has been hitherto much experienced ? 



Second, whether anything is known to exist, or might be suggested, to 

 effectually stop its ravages, other than the annihilation of the birds 1 



On first discovering that the young shoots of the plants were being 

 destroyed, just as they were about an inch long, I very naturally felt some 

 uneasiness regarding the matter, and set a vigilant watch until I found out 

 jhat they were being destroyed by black game. I therefore immedi- 

 ately put myself in communication with those whom T thought to be in the 

 best position to give the necessary information, but hitherto I have been 

 unable to gather anything of much importance ; and hence my application 

 to the columns of the Journal of Forestry, where it occured to me I 

 should have a better chance of obtaining the information I so much desire. 



If this has been a thing known to exist for any length of time, I wonder 

 very much that it has not been brought before the "Arboricultural Society" 

 for a full discussion of the subject (and I am not aware of its having been 

 brought up at any of the meetings of that Society). As this is a subject 

 which must obviously interest all foresters alike, as I consider black game 

 to be a greater enemy to young Scots firs than either hares or ral)bits, 

 seeing the amount of plants they will destroy in an almost incredibly short 

 space of time where they are plentiful and in close proximity to young 

 plantations. 



Not having seen anything of this matter before, I am of opinion that 

 the late season here in Argyleshire is the cause to some extent of these 

 ravages by black game, which I am informed feed largely on " sprouts " 

 on the hills, and these being late they were forced to the low ground in 

 search of what food could be gathered. 



I hope that I have not occupied too much of your valuable space, and 

 that some of your correspondents may be able to give the much-desired 

 information and suggest some remedy, 



Egbert More, Forester. 



Hafton, Kiru, Argyleshire. 



THE BITTEE WILLOW. 



Sir, — Would any of your correspondents kindly say whether they are 

 able to recommend the bitter willow as a hedge plant ? I am told its 

 shoots are never eaten by stock, and that they are readily saleable for 



