70 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



No. 7. — Claisdruim. 

 Young Conifers, 70 "9 3 7 Acres. 



Conditions of Locality.— Elevation, 600 to 700 feet ; formed by 

 the gently sloping sides of a valley running X.E. and S.W. Soil, 

 shallow on higher ground, but of good depth lower down: though, 

 generally speaking, somewhat hard and stony. Drainage defec- 

 tive. Exposed to N.E. winds. W. portion outside the line of 

 wire netting. 



Crop. — About 20 acres of the W. portion carries a thin stock of 

 natural Scots fir, averaging 25 years of age; the trees are in a 

 very poor condition, having grown in a free position, and having 

 suffered much from squirrels. Part of this thin crop was under- 

 planted with Scots fir in 1888, the plants being now incommoded 

 by the trees standing over them. The rest of the area carries a 

 planted crop of Scots fir, 11 years old, intermixed along the S.E. 

 margin, next to Moultavie Belt, with self-sown Scots fir and 

 larch, about 16 years of age. The larch, which form a practically 

 pure and very dense crop in places, are, generally speaking, 

 remarkably healthy. The young crop, as a whole, is going on 

 very well, but in a few places, where the ground is covered with 

 grey moss, it does not succeed. Roe-deer, rabbits and Pine 

 Beetle have done some damage. 



Treatment. — The older and inferior trees should be removed 

 where they interfere with the young crop, and blanks should be 

 filled up with Scots fir and shade-bearers. The drainage should 

 be looked to. A permanent shelter-belt is required on the N.E. 

 margin. 



Mo. 8. — Moultavie Belt. 



Old Conifers, ..... 3-000 Acres. 



Unstocked, ..... 22-786 ,, 



Total, . . . 25-786 „ 



Conditions of Locality. — Elevation, 630 to 680 feet ; gentle 

 slope to S. and S.W., but steep down to the burn. Soil, shallow, 

 hard and mossy above, but deep near foot of skqoe. Much 

 exposed to N.E. winds. Open to grazing. 



Crop. — The three acres of standing crop lie chiefly on the 

 sheltered S. slope, and consist of Scots fir, larch and spruce, 

 65 years of age. The stock is estimated at 75 trees, of 9 to 10 

 cubic feet each, to the acre. This is the only portion of the old 

 crop left standing after the gales of 1893-94. The larch are 

 " ro3 7 ed. ; ' The Scots fir formerly standing on the unstocked area 

 was stunted owing to damage by squirrels. On the unstocked 

 area, which is thickly covered with the debris of the old crop, 

 a good many natural seedlings of larch are springing up, in spite 

 of the sheep, those which escape being protected by the debris. 

 There are a few patches of dense brackens. 



Treatment. — Cut down the remainder of the old wood, and 

 restock with Scots fir on the higher part and spruce near the burn. 

 Plant up the bare ground with Scots fir mixed with a few larch. 

 A permanent shelter-belt is required on the E. side. 



