324 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
as the seed will get quickly covered by the natural process of dis- 
integration. 
As there are large areas in the Highlands highly suitable for the 
profitable growth of exotic conifers, these trees should be largely 
planted, giving Pinus monticola and other Pines light, deep, 
moderately dry soils; the Silver Firs, moist soils, with clayey 
subsoil ; and the Spruce Fir tribe, the cool damp soils, includ- 
ing moss. But these exotics should only be planted where the 
situation is naturally well sheltered. In such situations, too, in well 
chosen soils, the Wellingtonia gigantea and Sequoia sempervirens 
should find a place. Where the forester, from practical experience, 
can satisfy himself on the points above cited, success is almost a 
certainty. 
Planting.—There are various methods of successful planting. 
As a general rule the [Ta notch will be found suitable for two- 
year seedlings, twice transplanted, placing the plant in the slit a, 
which should be perpendicular to the prevailing wind. The same 
notch and the L notch are suitable for one-year seedlings, twice 
transplanted, and two-year seedlings, one year transplanted ; while 
the ordinary Hand-iron is the proper implement to be used for all 
pine seedlings, except in extremely rocky situations, in which case 
the pick ought to be used. As the after success of a plantation 
largely depends on the manner in which the planting operations are 
carried out, the greatest care should be taken to have the roots of 
the plants properly placed under the surface. Larger plants than 
those above named should be pitted. This latter method is very 
expensive, and the after results are not any better, but often 
worse, than what are got by seedlings and small transplants, 
Where afforestation can be done by cuttings of such as elder, 
poplar, and willow, their propagation is so easy and certain that 
the cuttings should be placed in their permanent position at once. 
The cost per acre of planting depends upon size, age, and variety 
of plants, together with the number of plants per acre, composition 
of the land, and the rate of wages in the district, and will be noticed 
further on. 
While discussing the question of planting, it will not be out of 
place to consider the distribution of the plants. It has been found 
that the grouping system is the most natural and also the most 
profitable arrangement. This is to be observed all over Scotland, 
both in natural woods and in those planted by man. Whether in 
natural woods it is due to the survival of the fittest I am unable to 
