REPORT OF ANNUAL EXCURSION. 135 



for the locality. The Norway spruce is doing well, especially 

 in the moister places, and Sitka spruce will give equally good 

 if not better results, especially on the upper peaty slopes. 

 Beech grows well everywhere on the area except where the soil 

 is too wet, and it will be used in appropriate mixture and 

 placing as a protection against wind and fire as well as a soil 

 improver. The ash is confined to the more sheltered spots and 

 such small areas as are suitable for its requirements. 



Generally the best sheltered slopes are reserved for Douglas 

 fir in pure blocks, planted at 5 feet, but where the soil is 

 moister 50 per cent. Thuja plicata will be added. On very 

 wet or peaty sites Norway and Sitka spruce are used, planted 

 at \\ feet spacing. On moderately sheltered middle slopes 

 larch and beech, in the proportion of 75 per cent, and 25 per 

 cent., are planted at a distance apart of 5 feet. 



The upper slopes and exposed dry ridges are reserved for 

 the Corsican pine, either pure or in mixture, with 15 per cent, of 

 beech. The remaining high ground is reserved for spruce 

 or silver fir with beech according to soil conditions. Mattock 

 planting is the method adopted. This method has already been 

 described in the Transactions} 



In order that the members of the excursion party should 

 get, in the time at their disposal, a comprehensive idea 

 of the silvicultural conditions of the catchment area around 

 the lake and a clear understanding of the general scheme of 

 operations, certain sections were visited during a circular tour 

 round the reservoir. 



The party, on arrival, was met at Pont Cynon by Alder- 

 man Charles Rutherford, chairman of the Liverpool Water 

 Committee; Colonel Davidson, water engineer; Lieut.-Colonel 

 J. Forester Addie, agent; Mr Carsley, forester; Viscount 

 Lewisham ; General Sandbach (Bryngwyn) ; and Colonel 

 Sandbach (Llanwryst). 



The first area inspected was Bridge Covert, 3^ acres, planted 

 in 1889 with Douglas fir and larch. The latter species has almost 

 entirely disappeared in the thinnings, leaving a nearly pure crop 

 of Douglas fir, with an average content of 9^ cubic feet. 



The Tyuchaf area, 375 acres, on the north side of the lake, 

 planted 1913-14, 1917, 1918, 1920, and section 1 of Lechwedd, 

 130 acres, planted 191 3-14, with the various coniferous species, 

 1 See vol. xxvi. p. 38. 



