324 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



other hand, the cause is bad planting, by turning the tap-root 

 when planting and so checking its downward course, then some 

 other method than the present " notch " system of stocking our 

 ground is necessary. 



I know from my colonial experience, that some plants which 

 have naturally a strong and decided tap-root will not send down 

 that tap-root as they should, if the subsoil is cold or if the tap- 

 root is turned when the tree is planted. I cannot, therefore, 

 help thinking that possibly it is the same with the larch. 



The only methods that suggest themselves to me of encouraging 

 the downward growth of the tap-root, are as follows : — 



(a) To plant in deep narrow holes, taking care, when planting, 



that the tap-root is absolutely perpendicular. 



(b) Sowing seed in situ. 



The latter system would not succeed, I fear, in the western 

 districts of this country, as the growth of grass and weeds is so 

 rank that the young seedlings would be choked and smothered. 

 The system of deep holing is, therefore, as far as I can see, the 

 only alternative. I seek information and advice as to whether 

 there is any other practical method. 



The initial cost of planting by deep holing is the difficulty, as, 

 in order to make forest-tree planting a commercial success, the 

 initial cost must be kept as low as possible. Interest and com- 

 pound interest has to be calculated on the initial outlay from the 

 day planting commences till the outlay is repaid by the sale of 

 thinnings and crop. 



To cut holes 20 inches deep, and as narrow as a man could 

 work, say 9 inches at the surface, would probably cost about 

 £3, 10s. to £4 per acre, planting 4 feet x 4 feet. That would 

 be a heavy outlay, though possibly it might pay in the long run, 

 if thereby the trees were enabled to stand our winter gales, and 

 so come to maturity. The plants, also drawing nourishment from 

 a greater depth of soil, might yield a greater crop in a given 

 time. However, this is too heavy an outlay to incur over large 

 areas until the advantage has been proved by actual experiments. 



It has occurred to me that an intermediate course might be 

 adopted at a reasonable expense, viz., " dibbling." I intend ex- 

 perimenting with the system this year, and shall gladly, if alive, 

 give you the benefit of that experience some years hence, when 

 I am able to judge by results. Meanwhile, I shall be glad to 

 hear if any of your readers have tested this system already, and 



