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are inclined to develop too large heads. Several younger woods 
were visited in which Scots pine formed the dominant feature. 
Some of these were on poor, heather-covered land but the trees 
were vigorous and the past season’s growths were from 12 to 18 
inches in length. In the neighbourhood some very fine spruce may 
be seen. 
ALNWICK CASTLE EstTaTE.—Nov. 27. 
The Alnwick Castle estate of the Duke of Northumberland 
forms the business centre of His Grace’s Northumbrian property. 
I there met Mr. Gillanders, the head forester, who gave me an idea 
of the forestry carried on in different parts of the county. Between 
5,000 and 6,000 acres are given over to woodland, and upwards 
of a quarter-of-a-million young trees are planted annually. Eight 
nurseries have been established in different parts of the county, two 
of the principal ones being at Alnwick. These were stocked with 
young trees, from seedling size to those ready for permanent 
planting. Seedlings of many kinds are raised on the place, and 
good seed-beds of various kinds of seedlings were noted. EHxperi- 
ments are being carried on with Pinus montana, P. montana uncinata, 
and Picea alba, as shelter trees and bushes in exposed situations ; it 
is as yet too early, however, to determine their value as compared 
with other species. 
In the neighbourhood of Alnwick trees generally thrive well, and 
very fine examples were noted in the park and dairy ground of 
beech, Douglas fir, silver fir, elm, oak and other trees. The 
altitude in that particular district does not exceed 200 feet, but in 
other parts of the county, plantations have been formed up to 
1,200 feet, with, I was told, satisfactory results. At the higher 
stations, and in the more out-of-the-way places, Scots pine is the 
principal tree grown, and as much as possible of the timber is cut up 
on the spot by means of a portable saw mill, whilst on the lower 
lands and in more accessible places, trees which produce better 
quality timber are planted so that they may be removed bodily b 
road, rail, or water, to the nearest market. 
8 
and first thinnings from plantations, into serviceable fencing. The 
pieces of wood are connected by two or more rows of strong wire, 
