134 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



give more light to the young crop, and to bring it gradually into 

 the open. 



Thinnings of all kinds are marked by cutting during the 

 month of June, whilst the foliage is on the tree, and felling 

 commences in the following October. The marking of hard- 

 wood trees whilst in foliage cannot be too strongly recommended, 

 and should be practised more frequently in this country. It is 

 while the tree is in leaf that one can best judge of its health. 



The beech in this forest was, both in height and in density, 

 generally admitted to be the finest seen throughout the whole 

 tour, and was universally admired. 



The official account given of the revenue and expenditure of 

 this forest for the year 1900 was as follows: — 



Revenue — 



Sales of wood, ...... ;^24,487 



Lease of hunting and shooting, . . . 3,103 

 Sales of grass, ferns, stones, etc., . . 851 



Total, 4^28,441 



■[ Expenditure — 



New roads, repairs to old roads, plan- 

 tations, cultivation of felling areas for 

 natural regeneration, etc., .... ;^4743 



! It should be noted that the cheap working of these forests is 

 partly due to the fact that thinnings and fellings are invariably 

 executed by the wood merchants, who purchase the timber 

 standing. 



The next day, the 2nd of August, was devoted to the Forest of 

 Compiegne, as well as to a few of the more interesting sights in 

 the neighbourhood. On arrival at Compibgne from Paris with 

 the 7.15 A.M. train, members were met by the mayor of the town, 

 who extended to them a hearty welcome. 



i Before entering the forest, a hurried inspection was made of 

 the fine old palace of Compiegne, with its valuable furnishings 

 and decorations, which was the favourite residence of the two 

 Napoleons. The forest has an area of 36,072 acres, and a mean 

 altitude of over 300 feet. The soil is generally poor, thin, and 

 shallow, and moderate fertility can only be secured by maintain- 

 ing a dense crop of trees under high forest treatment. Of the 



