Plantations and Home Nurseries Competition, 1914. 189 



Owing probably to the heavy soil and high elevation, the 

 Scots pine are not satisfactory for the age, and are never likely 

 to form large trees. The small section of ash looks fairly 

 well, although there is a certain amount of canker present. 



It may be noted that few satisfactory Scots pine woods 

 were inspected in the whole district. A large proportion of the 

 woodlands are situated from 1,000 to 1,500 ft., the rainfall all 

 over is fairly high, ranging from about 35 to nearly 50 in., and 

 the soil is generally heavy. These conditions, acting together, 

 do not favour the growth of Scots pine, and it was interesting 

 to observe that in many cases, where this species had almost 

 failed, Corsican pine, where found, were doing exceedingly 

 well and giving promise of forming very fine stems. 



Class IX. For a Woodland Area, showing systematic 

 management, including the renovation and conversion of an 

 unprofitable wood into a profitable condition. Two excellent 

 entries were selected for the awards out of several competing. 



The first prize was gained by Sir H. W. A. Ripley for a 

 well-managed area of woodland on the Bedstone House Estates, 

 Shropshire. 



The woods under treatment extend to nearly 500 acres, 

 the elevation varies from 400 to 1,100 ft., and the soil over 

 all is a light loam. A well-thought-out working plan has 

 been drawn up by the owner and his agent, and the work, 

 which has been in progress for some years, is being very 

 carefully and well carried out. The scheme provides for 

 cutting and replanting being carried out from thi*ee centres, 

 all the work proceeding against the direction of the prevailing 

 wind. As the mature crop consists to some extent of Scots 

 pine, three or four years are allowed to elapse between the 

 clearing and restocking of the ground. The reason for allowing 

 this period to elapse is, that it was found there was great 

 danger of attacks by the Pine Weevil. These insects are still 

 to be found, though not numerous, and to guard against 

 increase, traps, consisting of pieces of newly felled pine bark, 

 are laid in places in the young sections. These are visited in 

 the early morning, and the insects, which are attracted by the 

 newly felled bark, are easily collected and destroyed. 



The trees used for restocking the areas are mainly conifers, 

 but for some years a percentage of beech and sweet chestnut 

 have been included. These are promising well, and it is 

 certain that the woods will benefit greatly by the addition. 

 Japanese larch are being planted at 5 ft. intervals, which, by 

 the rate of growth shown, seems to be a suitable distance. 



Several excellent young compartments were seen, though it 

 was noticed that the honey fungus {Agaricus melleus) was 



