lOO TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



"So much for the argument then, if such is necessary, in 

 favour of home seed collection. Our home trees are of a 

 race and type second to none in all the desirable silvicultural 

 and timber producing qualities of their species. Why, then, 

 should we allow so much of the seed of these trees to run to 

 waste, while we buy and pay for seed less likely to give 

 satisfactory results in our climate? This, gentlemen, is, I think, 

 a subject worth discussing. 



"While on a subject connected with the nursery, and in 

 reference to our future pit-wood supplies, and harking back to 

 a discussion which took place last year, namely, the planting 

 of rapid-growing species with the object of securing an adequate 

 home supply of pit-wood in the least possible time, I think 

 some of the members might give us their views as to the 

 nursery treatment which these species should receive — such as 

 the best age of plant to use and the number of times trans- 

 planted, if transplanted at all. 



" Next, as regards the areas which should be first taken in 

 hand for replanting, I suggest, for the sake of discussion, that 

 those areas most accessible to the industrial or consuming centre 

 should be planted first, then those areas conveniently situated 

 for timber transport by rail, leaving the more remote areas to 

 be developed later. No doubt as those last areas develop, 

 road and rail transport will improve. 



" To pass rapidly on to another topic for discussion, we 

 might consider the future silvicultural practice best suited to 

 yield the kind of material which experience has shown us is 

 most essential, especially for the needs of the country during a 

 crisis like the present. If, and I think the 'if is unnecessary, 

 the future market for home pit-wood remains good, then a 

 question for consideration will be the density of planting. 

 Hitherto early thinnings have not been of much account, and 

 consequently the planting has been kept as wide as possible to 

 save initial expense in plants and labour, and to avoid extra 

 labour and expense in early thinnings ; but with the prospect of 

 a better market in future for such material, possibly somewhat 

 closer planting might be justified. 



" I need not refer to the importance of planting in large 

 blocks, as this subject has already been fully discussed and 

 decided. 



"I have suggested subjects for discussion by the forester, 



