S20 The yonrnal of Forestry. 



spirit tlie suggestions aud recommendations contained in the report, 

 their forests mav, in the course of a generation or so, regain some of 

 their pristine luxuriance and vast richness in the production of the finest 

 pine timher, which have been so wantonly sacrificed in past years. 



Judging from the first three weeks of last month it appeared likely 

 that we should he favoured with an unusually early spring, but at the 

 time of writing winter has returned amongst us in full vigour, and 

 severe frosts and snow-storms have been the rule in most parts of the 

 country, from which it is to be feared that the rapid progress which 

 vegetation was making will receive a severe check. The dry and mild 

 weather of the early part of the month enabled all forestry operations 

 to be carried on with despatch, and foresters should now be well prepared 

 for the bark- stripping season, which may still be expected to commence 

 earlier than the usual average of seasons. The sap is already showing 

 signs of activity in many of our oak plantations and coppices, and as 

 soon as the bark will " run," not a day should be lost in commencing 

 operations, and continuing them with the utmost expedition till the fall- 

 ing is completed or the season ends. 



It has been proved that early stripped bark contains a much larger 

 per-centage of tannin than that stripped towards the end of tlie season. 

 Therefore a strong effort should be made to secure as large a quantity 

 of bark as it is possible to do, during the earliest part of the season, 

 when it is so much more valuable. A forester who does so is likely to 

 realize the top price in the market for his bark — a matter highly^ 

 creditable to himself, and most satisfactory to his employer. We hope 

 to hear of an improvement in prices this season, but it is yet too soon to 

 speculate mucli on this subject. However, by trying to improve the 

 quality of home-grown bark, by early stripping and careful curing, 

 foresters will be taking a sure method of increasing its value, aud adding, 

 to the returns derived from the plantations under their care. 



GIGANTIC SILVEE FIR. 



The following are the dimensions of a gigantic specimen of the Silver 

 Fir which is growing within 400 yards of Kiunaird Castle, Forfarshire^ 

 the seat of the Earl of Southesk. It is about 80 feet in height, and mea- 

 sures 22 feet 6 inches in circumference of stem at one foot from the 

 ground; measuring 14 feet 11 inches ia girth at 3 feet from the ground. 

 At five feet from the base a large limb springs from the stem, measuring 

 9 feet 3 inches in girth at a foot from the point of junction. Excepting 

 this large limb, the tree has a clear stem of about 18 feet in height ta 

 where it divides into several limbs, forming a large branching top. The 

 spread of the branches averages about 5G feet in diameter, having 

 an entire circumference of 176 feet, and forming a fine shapely head. 

 Klnnaird Casile. Egbert Coupar. 



