5S TRANSACTIONS OF ROVAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



CouNTV AND Parish Rates per £, for 19 15-16. 



Land tax on whole, 15s. ; ministers' stipends on whole, 

 ^7, 2s. 6d. ; heritors' assessment, say (on average of five 

 years), £2. 



'Small Holdings and Afforestation. — The land has been 

 inspected by the land and forestry staff of the Board of 

 Agriculture for Scotland, and it is reported to be suitable for 

 the creation of small holdings in conjunction with afforestation. 



Scheme of Settlement. — The farm is to be conveyed to the Board 

 of Agriculture for Scotland, and it will be held by the Board for 

 the State in terms of the deed of gift by the Duke of Sutherland. 

 It is to be used primarily for the settlement of sailors and 

 soldiers who have enlisted voluntarily and have a good record 

 of service. Not less than half of the holdings will be available 

 for men who have served in the navy. The selection of the 

 tenants will be in the hands of the Secretary for Scotland. The 

 holdings will be equipped with suitable dwellings and steadings. 

 Work will be available for the tenants in the plantations and 

 woods. 



Afforestation. — The area which it is proposed to set apart for 

 afforestation is sheltered from the prevailing and most dangerous 

 northerly winds, and although it is surrounded on the west and 

 south by the high mountains of Ben Hope and Ben Loyal, only 

 a very small area of the farm exceeds the 1200 feet contour line. 

 The plantable land begins at an elevation of about 200 feet 

 above sea-level and the greater part of it stands under 

 900 feet. 



The general physiography of the area is favourable to 

 afforestation. There are no steep, abrupt faces to be planted ; 

 on the contrary, the planting ground rises in gentle uniform 

 slopes from the main and side valleys. The valleys are broad 



