174 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in great part the trees of the future. Where there is shelter from 

 wind, the Douglas fir can be planted- in ex^Dosed parts, Picea 

 sitchensis ; upon low-lying ground, TJnija gigantea; Avhile several 

 of the Abies genus will also succeed well. Upon the shallow, 

 calcareous soils of the south of England, the black or Austrian 

 pine is now being more largely planted. 



In Bi'itain, thinnings, especially in the younger woods, are 

 conducted with rash severity. This is done partly to encourage 

 the remaining trees to increased growth, but chiefly out of regard 

 to the interests of game. 



The planting material used, and the methods of planting 

 adopted, quite shock a German forester. Apart from the few 

 cases where, as already mentioned, natural regeneration is made 

 use of, the establishment of woods is by planting, not by sowing. 

 Artificial sowing is not possible, owing to the universally strong 

 growth of grass or heather, and the damage done by rabbits. In 

 planting, very large transplants (often four to six years old) are 

 used, and all that Continental foresters demand in regard to root- 

 form is held in high disdain. The transplanting of seedlings is 

 effected in this way: a shallow trench, about a couple of inches 

 deep, is formed; into this the plants are laid closely together 

 (about 2—2^ inches apart) in such a manner that their roots are 

 bent quite to one side. The little trench is filled in with soil, 

 firmed with the foot, and the operation is finished. The conse- 

 quence of such treatment is, that instead of the roots taking a 

 vertical direction, they grow at right angles to the stem, and the 

 root-collar is Imried too deeply. In schooling transplants, the 

 same operation is repeated. 



These unnaturally crippled jjlants are admirably suited to 

 "notching" — the method by which conifers are customarily 

 planted in Britain. With a spade two incisions are made into 

 the soil, either in the form of an L or a T. The corners of the 

 sod are raised somewhat with the spade; the plant, with its hori- 

 zontally-lying roots, is slid into the opening, and the flap of sod is 

 allowed to fall back. With a tread of the foot the young tree is 

 considered as planted ! Certainly an easy and expeditious system ! 



The results, of course, soon show themselves. In spite of other- 

 wise favourable circumstances, — productive soils, absence of spring 

 drought, and frequent rainfall, — a very considerable number of the 

 plants miscarry. I saw an area in Peeblesshire, for instance, where 

 60 per cent, of the plants were dead, and a further number had 

 not developed their buds; many more will obviously die in the 



