EXCURSION TO SWEDEN. 61 



In this foi'est was also seen a very interesting plantation of forty 

 years' growth. It consisted of three species planted in rows in the 

 following order : Ten rows of Norway spruce, ten rows of silver 

 tir, and five rows of Scotch fir. It received a slight thinning when 

 the crop was thirty years of age ; and its density at the present 

 time is almost perfect, the ground being absolutely free from herb- 

 age. The trees stand about 35 feet in height, and are cleaning 

 their stems in a very satisfactory manner. Of the three species, 

 the silver fir, being the quickest grower, is holding the lead. 

 Although this method of planting two or more species in the same 

 plantation is not much practised even in Sweden, it seems to the 

 writer to be infinitely preferable to the commoner method of mix- 

 ing the different species, particularly in the case of Scotch fir and 

 spruce. It must be admitted, however, that in Sweden the annual 

 growth of the Scotch fir and spruce is much more equal than is the 

 case with the same species of trees in Scotland. Consequently the 

 Swedes have a greater excuse for continuing to mix these species 

 than we have in this country. Besides, the demand for spruce for 

 pulping purposes in Sweden is so great, that most of the spruce 

 will be removed in the first and second thinnings, leaving the bulk 

 of the Scotch fir to form the final crop. 



With the exception of this particular wood, the young plantations 

 at Omberg reminded us only too clearly of those we left behind us 

 in the home country. There is a tendency to over-thin at an early 

 age, this being due to the fact that a fair price can be got for all 

 thinnings, these being used either for making pulp for the manu- 

 facture of paper, or for conversion to charcoal, for which there is a 

 very large demand. 



Plantations in course of formation were also seen here. The 

 plants used are generally two years seedlings two years trans- 

 planted ; but in many cases, and especially where the surface of the 

 ground is in suitable condition, two years seedlings one year trans- 

 planted are used. The number of plants used per imperial acre is 

 about 2720, making the distance between each about 4 feet. On 

 inquiring their reason for not planting closer, we were told that 

 practically every plant which is put in lives and comes away 

 quickly; and there being no rabbits or other ground game, extra 

 plants are not required to take the place of those eaten or 

 destroyed, and consequently the number quoted is found to 

 be quite sufficient. But the saving effected by the small number 

 of plants required per acre, as compared with the number 



