112 
The trees Pisniet are those whose timber value in their native 
homes is known to be great, the general idea being to test their 
aa for the climate of "frelacd The behaviour of man y of 
e commoner timber trees is, of course, known, but the Station is 
ts eae to demonstrate the value of rarer and lesser known 
trees under forest conditions. At present about 100 plots have 
been cree in this way. 
s might be anticipated, a varying success has attended the 
different plantations, but the initial stages of growth do not always 
correspond in vigour to later ones. A bad starter may ultimately 
overtake and out-distance a good one. Among the most promising 
exotic growths at the present time are Japanese larch (Larix 
leptolepis), whose handsome brown shoots make beautiful breadths 
_ of colour ; Abies grandis, whose growth much exceeded that of the 
common silver firs associated with it ; Corsican pine looked wel 
planted partly in association with larch, partly with spruce, and 
partly pure. Cupressus _macrocarpa and Juniperus virginiana are 
growing rapidly, and Tsuga Albertiana is full of promise. The 
green-leaved Douglas fir planted on the low, sheltered flat near the 
river is in vigorous growth—much superior to the glaucous-leaved 
Colorado form. 
In the vicinity of the house has been established an arboretum 
where the object is to show the value of trees in the garden and 
park, some being given sufficient space to enable them to develop 
as specimen trees, whilst others are associated in groups for 
landscape effect. Between 250 and 300 species ote been planted 
here, over 100 of them being conifers 
Parnell’s old house, interesting for its fine doors, ceilings and 
Sespienss, ot for its balconied hall, is used as a museum and to 
provide class and lecture rooms for the students. The walled-in 
kitchen giidagitn is given up to the raising of forest trees = seed, 
and now contains many thousands of trees, more especially of 
those kinds difficult to obtain through ordinary trade channels. A 
collection of Irish-grown timbers is being got together. 
The course of training given at Avondale is strictly practical, 
that is to say, the young men have to use the spade, axe, and saw, 
and although the theoretical and scientific side of forestry is an 
important pat of the training, the apprentices are workers first and 
foremost. A competitive examination is held in Dublin every 
September of those who present themselves as candidates for 
employment. The selected men are then sent to Dundrum, 
o. Tipperary, for one year’s manual training, after which they are 
further examined and reported on by the Forester in charge, and, 
if satisfactory, are passed on to Avondale for a further two years’ 
course. Here they perform the ordinary work of the station 
during the day, and in the evening receive classroom instruction im 
forestry, elemeuta a science, surveying, &c. They have free 
tuition, board and lodging, and are “paid five lliags per week. 
co but also that go are one of ce ‘about and es A 
0 it, 
