THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 523 



arrive at some conclusion as to whether the mixing of larch with 

 other trees, such as the beech and Douglas fir, served in any 

 marked degree to prevent the ravages of larch disease. He 

 thought he had seen sufficient to warrant him in believing that 

 the mixing of the larch with these other trees served to protect 

 the larch against disease, and they certainly made very pretty 

 woods in that way. With respect to game, he noted with great 

 pleasure a general tendency, not so much to wire in the woods, 

 as to wire the rabbits within warrens and such-like places, and 

 leave the foresters and the farmers to pursue their occupations 

 undisturbed. As to State aid, there was great need for an 

 experimental area, and there was great need also for more 

 adequate provision for forestry education ; and they all hoped 

 that something might yet be done by the State to give foresters 

 a chance of a proper training. It was a source of great pleasure 

 to them all to see so many proprietors now joining their ranks, 

 and coming with them to their annual excursions in order to 

 pick up at first hand the knowledge required for the proper 

 management of their woods. Since he himself had gone with 

 them on their annual excursions, he had acquired a great deal 

 of practical and useful knowledge as to the profitable growing of 

 timber crops. 



The proceedings then terminated with a vote of thanks to the 

 Chairman for presiding. 



