142 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



specimens, will ultimately contain only second- or third-class 

 trees, and seed collected from such trees cannot be called the 

 best. Larch woods in Scotland have, in some instances, 

 received somewhat harsh treatment in this respect. If seed 

 from inferior trees is being constantly used, it is quite possible 

 that a strain will be brought into existence which, in volume 

 and perhaps quality of timber produced, and in vitality, shows 

 unmistakable signs of deterioration. 



We now come to point 2. The hardiness, rate of growth, 

 period of growth, and general suitability of trees for any 

 particular district, as well as the quality of the mature timber, 

 may be greatly affected by the place of growth of the parent 

 trees which produce the seed, or perhaps I should say, the 

 climate of the place of growth. The characteristic weather of 

 any locality or region depends on its distance from the sea, 

 latitude, elevation, geographical conformation, soil, vegetation, 

 etc. Now the most important climatic elements are temperature, 

 moisture, in its various forms — such as rainfall, cloudiness, 

 humidity — and wind, all of which influence the constitutional 

 characteristics and habits of trees. There is no doubt that the 

 raising of timber crops would be more successfully and 

 profitably accomplished if this matter were thoroughly under- 

 stood, and always followed out on scientific lines. Much 

 could be done by our Government. It could provide the 

 money necessary for research and for the collection of reliable 

 data. Also it could approach the Governments of seed- 

 producing countries, with a view to co-operating with them in 

 the matter of seed selection, investigation, and research. 

 Probably the danger of damage by late spring frosts could 

 to a considerable extent be avoided by a more scientific 

 selection of the seed. Some species of exotic conifers, although 

 quite suitable for our soils, are very liable to be damaged by 

 frost late in the spring time. They do not seem to have patience 

 enough to wait till all danger of frost is past. Can this be 

 remedied? I do not think it is impossible. It is well known 

 that there is often a considerable disparity in the time of 

 flowering and sprouting of trees belonging to the same variety 

 or species. Trees growing in cold climates or situations may 

 be later in flowering or sprouting than trees of the same kind 

 or variety growing in warmer climates or situations. When 

 the seed of a species which is very liable to be frosted is 



