Plantations and Home Nurseries Competition, 1911. 201 



not been that in most cases they were crushed out by the more 

 forward growth of the conifers wlien young. The first prize 

 was given to Colonel Petre, as his plantation was much m jre 

 regular than Lord Cadogan's, and because the proportion of 

 hardwoods to conifers was greater. The trees in the Westwick 

 wood showed promise of better growth, the planting had been 

 well done and cheapl}^ carried out, both as regards soil culti- 

 vation and expenditure on seedlings. Still, as suggested above, 

 none of the competitors can be congratulated on their hardwood 

 plantations. 



Class II. — " Plantation mainly of hardwoods 5 to 30 years 



old, not less than 3 acres in extent, restricted to landowners 



with less than 300 acres of woodland." 



The first prize was given to Sir Hugh Beevor, Hargham, for 



an interesting wood, consisting of various hardwoods (beech, oak, 



ash, sycamore, and Spanish chestnut) in mixture with larch. 



As the last named species has taken the lead, vigorous thinning 



will be required if the hardwoods are to be saved, as we think 



they should be. This wood was superior to the others in the 



same class as having been more economically established and 



more regularly planted upon a definite scheme, full details of 



which were furnished. The land had been twice cultivated 



with a steam plough, at a cost of 20.9. per acre, and the trees 



planted 4 ft. apart. 



Second place was taken by Mr. W. A. Macfarlane-Grieve for 

 a mixed hardwood plantation in the form of a belt, which could 

 only have value for shelter, game preservation, and ornament. 

 The trees were, however, perfectly healthy, presented a good 

 appearance, and showed vigorous growth, although now in need 

 of thinning. 



Class III. — " Plantation mainly of conifers 5 to 30 years old, 

 for landowners with more than 300 acres of woodland." 

 The best competition took place in this class, there being 

 eight entries, most of which had points which commended 

 themselves. Colonel Petre's plantation was considered better 

 than the others because of its composition, splendid growth, 

 admiralile choice of species according to the soil and situation, 

 the small expenditure on formation, and the low cost in mainten- 

 ance. It consists of fairly large contiguous groups of Douglas 

 fir, Japanese larch, and European larch, each species being 

 kept by itself. The trees were planted seven years ago, being 

 then four years old, in the case of the Douglas fir and European 

 larch, and three years of age in the case of the Japanese larch. 

 The first-named were bought cheaply as two-year-old seedlings 

 at 3s. 6rf. per thousand, and the Japanese larch as one-year-old 

 seedlings. The soil is poor, light, and sandy, but of considerable 



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