134 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



coniferous plantations, and a bronze medal for Sitka 

 spruce. 



In the audit room at the home farm Mrs Naylor kindly 

 entertained the party to tea, after which the return journey 

 to Shrewsbury was made. 



The first day of the excursion demonstrated in a convincing 

 manner the great possibilities that exist in Wales for the rapid 

 and successful production of a large variety of high-class 

 timbers. 



On Wednesday, the 23rd, an early start was again made, 

 the venue this time being Lake Vyrnwy. the Liverpool 

 Corporation reservoir and catchment area. The catchment 

 area lies in the county of Montgomery, and the total area of 

 the Vyrnwy watershed is about 18,000 acres, the lake being 

 825 feet above sea-level. The rainfall varies locally from 

 50 inches to 150 inches. The climate is mild and humid, and 

 free from extremes of temperature. The geological formation 

 is Silurian sandstone and shales, which on weathering produce 

 a yellow loam of good depth. Deposits of glacial clay on flat 

 slopes are frequently associated with peat. The prevailing 

 winds are westerly, and these to some extent limit growth, but 

 in the more sheltered slopes the silvicultural conditions are 

 excellent. 



The planting scheme, as drawn up in 19 13, contemplated the 

 planting of a total area of 4000 acres in 20 years, and it is 

 anticipated that the planting will be completed by the year 

 1932-33. The principal species to be grown are — Douglas fir, 

 European larch, Japanese larch, Thuja plicata, Norway spruce, 

 Sitka spruce, and Corsican pine. The common silver fir is 

 being tried in favourable situations. Among the hardwoods 

 beech and ash are to be included where silvicultural conditions 

 are suitable. The Douglas fir is the most rapid grower, with 

 the possible exception of the Sitka spruce and Japanese larch. 

 Where shelter is sufficient it thrives well up to an elevation of 

 1300 feet. The European larch thrives well on the lower and 

 middle slopes. The Japanese larch, though at first rivalling 

 the Douglas fir in rate of growth, will not be used too extensively, 

 in view of the fact that the well known and thoroughly tested 

 European species shows such excellent growth. The Corsican 

 pine gives every promise of satisfactory results on the drier 

 exposed slopes. The Scots pine does not seem to be suitable 



