245 
These consist chiefly of A. nobilis, Douglas fir, A. grandis, and 
silver fir (A. pectinata). 
“* Method of planting —Notch system and at an average of 34 feet 
to 4 feet apart, using chiefly 2-year l-year (i.e, plants 2 years in 
the seed bed and 1 year transplanted) for the Scots pine, larch from 
12 to 16 inches and spruce from 9 to 12 inches. 
Source of planting.—A. number of plants have been reared from 
seed in the estate nursery, but the greater portion was raised by 
buying l-year 1-year (z.e., | year in the seed bed and 1 year in the 
nursery) and 2-year seedlings, and laying them in the nursery for a 
year before planting out; a quantity of plants was also bought in 
and planted direct on the ground. 
“ Draining.—About 400 miles of drains have been made 
throughout the plantations, or an average of about 3 chains to the 
acre. The drains are cast about 18 inches by 12 inches by 18 inches 
deep, and cost from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. a chain. 
“ Roads and paths.—The extent of carriage roads made since 
Sir John purchased the property is about 40 miles—they are 
generally from 8 to 10 feet wide—and cost 3s. to 5s. a yard to 
construct. About 45 miles of walks at a cost of 9d.to 1s. 6d. 
per lineal yard have been made. The walks in the. plantations 
are generally from 4 to 5 feet wide, and the pony tracks through 
the forest 3 feet wide between the borders. 
“ Number of men employed.—There is now an average of 40 men 
employed, but between 1872 and 1890 the namber would be quite 
double this. 
“« Length of fencing.—There are 40 miles of fences with 6 and 7 
lines of wire, and about 35 miles of deer fence with 9 and 10 lines of 
wire. The ring fences consist principally of heavy iron standards 
placed at 6 feet apart, and 9 and 10 lines of No. 6 wire. 
“The fences enclosing the smaller plantations are principally of 
wooden posts (larch and tarred); the posts are placed at 6 feet 
apart. The cost of the lower fences is from ls. to 1s. 6d. a yard, 
and the high fences from 1s, 6d. to 2s. 6d. a yard.” 
According to Mr. Fraser, at an altitude varying from 900 to 
1,300 feet the quality of the soil generally is of a rich alluvial 
character peculiarly suitable for Adres nobilis, A. grandis, Douglas 
fir, silver fir, spruce, &c. From 1,300 to 1,800 feet the soil varies 
much. Peat occurs frequently and where it lies wet young trees 
have a great difficulty in becoming established. If this kind of 
ground were treated similarly to that at Courrour better results 
would probably be obtained. When the trees are once able to 
penetrate the peat they commence to grow more kindly. 
Mr. Fraser submitted the average rate of height growth for a 
period of 30 years as follows :— : 
Scots pine up to an altitude of 1,500 feet ... 8 to 10 inches. 
Lare Re * ae “ a» 12 inches. 
Spruce to 1,300 feet altitude... os ceases 
Abies nobilis to 1,200 feet altitude ... ia AS y 
» grandis to 1,200 feet altitude ... ex 36 
5, Nordmanniana to 1,200 feet altitude... 9 5 
Douglas fir to 1,200 feet altitude... a - 
Silver fir to 1,400 feet altitude ost »» 6 to 9 inches, 
17122 Cc 
