PLAN FOR THE PIT-WOOD WORKING CIRCLE, RAITH ESTATE, 239 
it is proposed to fell them during the second half (20 years) of 
the rotation, the average annual felling-area during that period 
will be about 284 acres, or 84 acres above the general average of 
20 acres, which will ultimately be adopted for the entire rotation. 
But, in view of the fact that five-sevenths of the area of these 
younger woods are in the classes up to 10 years of age, it will 
probably be desirable to fix an average felling-area below 284 
acres for the early years of the second half-rotation, and to 
increase it subsequently to a figure proportionally higher than 
28} acres. As it is not considered advisable at the present time 
to make detailed arrangements for a longer period than 20 years, 
no table of fellings for the younger woods, corresponding to that 
drawn up for the older woods, has been included in this report. 
Such a table must, however, be made before the expiry of the 
first 20 years of the rotation, due regard being had to the 
condition of development in which the various woods are then 
found, and to the necessity of avoiding too frequent fluctuations 
in the yield, as well as of separating the fellings on contiguous 
areas by an interval of years, as a precaution against attack by 
beetles. 
It is thus seen that during the first rotation of 40 years 
the yield of the working circle will be a progressive one, 
beginning with the crop on a small average felling-area of 
poorly stocked woods, rising in the 21st year to that on a 
much larger and better stocked area, and attaining its maximum 
a few years later. That is due to the irregular nature of the 
present crop, and it cannot be avoided. The yield will of 
course come down more nearly to the general average of the 
crop on 20 acres after the end of the first rotation. 
PLANTING AND SOWING. 
As before stated, the ground will ultimately be stocked with 
crops of spruce, where the conditions are favourable to that 
species, while elsewhere Scots fir will be grown; but in order 
to give additional value to the stock, a few larches will be added 
to the spruce or to the Scots fir, wherever the local conditions 
are suitable. When choosing between Scots fir and spruce, 
preference will be given to the latter species, because heavier 
crops of it can be grown than of Scots fir, while the mine-owners 
are at least equally willing to take it, if grown with narrow 
