76 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Lt.-Col. Balfour also mentions the extensive use of poplar timber 

 throughout Champagne for wine cases and cart bottoms. 



M. Marion enumerates the following uses to which poplar is 

 put — joinery, carpentry, paper pulp, matches, packing-cases, 

 sawn timber generally, and plywood, for the last-named purpose 

 its value seems likely to develop. 



It must be borne in mind that for the majority of uses poplar 

 will have to compete in Scotland with other species, the growing 

 of which is general, and the commercial position of which is 

 established. This handicap affects all newly introduced varieties, 

 and often results in unremunerative prices having to be accepted 

 until the position of the new variety has become recognised in 

 the market. 



An indirect advantage claimed for poplars is that they not 

 only do no harm to pasture land, but actually improve it by 

 giving shelter from early frosts, and improving the soil by their 

 root action. 



It would appear advisable not to embark on the planting of 

 poplars as a regular crop, except — 



,(i) Where the land to be planted is incapable of growing 

 profitable crops of well-established species, e.g. Scots 

 pine, larch, spruce, Douglas fir, or even ash. 



(2) Where poplar timber shows a tendency to acquire a higher 



value for special purposes (such as matches, plywood, etc.) 

 than the better established varieties of timber. 



(3) Where the land to be planted is of value for pasture. 



(4) Where other proprietors are also planting sufficiently exten- 



sively to create a presumption that a free market will 

 come into existence at a future date. 

 If this condition is absent it may be profitable to grow 

 poplars if they are planted on a large enough scale to 

 command a special market at maturity. 



8. Information regarding existing sources from which poplar 

 cuttings and rooted plants can be supplied, may be obtained 

 from the trade. 



9. In view of the differences of opinion expressed above as to 

 the respective merits of different varieties and the best methods 

 of cultivation, it is not proposed to plant poplars extensively at 

 Kininvie until after an experimental trial. 



For this purpose an area of 5 or 6 acres of suitable ground 



