82 
Tur Nosie Fir or Orrcon Larca (Abies nobilis, Lindl.).— 
The noble proportions assumed by this tree in its native country, 
together with its decorative qualities, have led to its being planted 
very widely in British gardens. Unfortunately, in many parts of 
the country, more particularly in the south of England, it is attacked 
by an aphis, Chermes abietis, which causes ugly warty excrescences 
to appear on the branches. This pest prevents proper development an 
ultimately kills the tree. Another disease is also prevalent, especially 
amongst small plants. In this case the irritation set up by a minute 
insect causes thick gouty swellings on the branches which check 
growth, and though an affected tree may live many years, it is 
always an unsightly object, and eventually dies. In Scotland these 
diseases do not appear to be so common, and on many estates they 
have not been found; the trees are making rapid progress and 
promise to provide a good bulk of timber in a comparatively short 
time. 
The species is found from North Washington to a position south 
of the McKenzie. River in Oregon, its largest proportions being 
attained on the mountains of north-western Oregon at an altitude of 
from 2000 to 5000 feet. The finest examples are from 250 to 
275 feet high, with a diameter of from six to eight feet. Hough, 
* American Woods,” ix. No. 225, pp. 52-54, describes the wood as 
light, strong, rather hard, close-grained, of a light yellowish-brown 
colour, with lighter sap-wood. It is used for the interior finish of 
houses, boxes, &c. The following description of the tree from 
which Hough’s wood sections were taken is given in the work men- 
tioned above. “ Height 254 feet, lowest branch 176 feet from the 
ground ; diameter of trunk four féet from the ground, 63 inches. 
The trunk was as clear and shapely as a mast, and from it eight 
logs, 16 feet long, and one 32 feet long were cut. The upper end 
of the topmost log (160 feet from the ground) was 35 inches in 
diameter, and just above this the material for the wood sections was 
cut.” He further adds, that “the nine logs were eventually cut 
into 18,142 feet of magnificent clear lumber.” 
On the Ardverikie estate of Sir John Ramsden, in Inverness- 
shire, Abies nobilis is the most vigorous of the several kinds of 
conifers grown. It is quite free from disease, and is looked on as 
ikely to become one of the most useful forest trees for the neigh- 
bourhood. A large number of trees have been planted, the 
majority at an altitude of 800 to 1200 feet. Many trees are from 
20 to 40 feet in height. The average rate of growth of trees 
growing at an elevation of 1200 feet for a period of 30 years is 
said to have been 15 inches. (See account of Ardverikie estate, 
Kew Bull. 1910, pp. 243-246). 
Tur Great Sinver Fir (Abies grandis, Lindl). There 
appears to be a disposition to plant this tree under forest conditions 
in various parts of Scotland, and if freedom of growth were the 
only object in view, there would appear to be good cause for its 
selection. Unfortunately its timber finds less favour with American 
consumers than that of several other Conifers from Western N. 
America, hence the undesirability of forming plantations in places 
where more profitable kinds might be grown. It is, however, worth 
including in an experimental area, and the chances are that it may 
