294 Plantations and Home Nurseries Competition, 1911. 



substitution of a better young crop. Of these the Weasenham 

 plantation of the Dowager Countess of Leicester is clearly 

 the best. It consists of a piece of woodland, really the rem- 

 nants left after the severe gale of 1895 : the semi-isolated trees 

 have sown the ground where cleared, giving rise to large 

 numbers of seedlings. The species now appearing naturally 

 in this way are Douglas fir, Abies nohilis, Norway spruce, 

 Scots pine, oak, and birch. As the parent trees fulfil their 

 double function of production and protection they are gradually 

 removed, thus allowing the young plants to get the light which 

 they require for their further development. 



The second prize in this class was given to Lord Cadogan 

 for a larch wood in process of conversion into a plantation 

 of a different kind. In the opinion of the Judges mistakes 

 had been made in the selection of the species for the young 

 crop. Elm predominates, although this would not seem to be 

 the proper tree for the poor, dry, sandy soil. The mixture is 

 about two-thirds hardwoods and one-third conifers : the greater 

 part of the area is, however, more suitable for Corsican or 

 other pines. Esthetic considerations have no doubt weighed 

 in the choice of trees, and the rising wood is well adapted for 

 shooting. 



Sir T. Fowell Buxton showed plantations under this class. 

 They are mature woods, which are being restocked by means 

 of groups wherever gaps have occurred. The fault to be found 

 in this case is not so much one of principle liut rather of 

 practice, the openings in the old wood being insufficient, and 

 the groups of young plants much too limited in area. 



Class VI. — " For the best managed Woodland Estate." 



There were seven entries, and the first prize was gained by 

 Colonel Petre, Westwick. Several points of excellence brought 

 about this result. First of all, the large proportion of woodland 

 — not less than 4.5 per cent, of the total area being afforested ; 

 secondly, the plantations have a markedly thriving appearance ; 

 further, the species for the younger plantations have been 

 chosen wdth exceptional skill as regards soil, situation, and 

 aspect. The trees have also been planted economically and 

 upon the most approved methods. Expense in fencing has 

 been practically obviated by exterminating rabbits on the 

 estate. Elsewhere one heard of measures adopted against this 

 pest, but no estate was found where the effect had been so good 

 as on the Westwick property. The main object of the owner 

 has evidently been timber production, while on many estates 

 this consideration has been subordinated to sport, shelter; aiid 

 ornament. Even considered on aesthetic grounds, Westwick 

 must take a high place among estates. - - 



