EXCURSION OF ABERDEEN BRANCH TO GLENDYE WOODS. I91 



lines are well stocked with Scots pine, larch, spruce, and with 

 several species of American conifers, including Douglas fir, 

 Sitka spruce, and smaller quantities of Abies grandis and Larix 

 occidentalis. On leaving the nursery the party walked to the 

 Bridge wood, composed of old larch and Scots pine. Throughout 

 the wood there are clumps of younger growth, chiefly Douglas 

 fir, in places where the old timber had been partially cleared, 

 and the Scots pine is underplanted with the same species. Sir 

 John Gladstone, in describing the history of the wood, said that 

 in 1898 the Scots pine and larch were showing signs of falling 

 off in growth, and his father decided to have the timber cut. 

 On his representation, however, it was decided to postpone the 

 cutting of the wood, and it was underplanted instead, and filled 

 up with Douglas fir. The result was that the old trees recovered 

 their vigour of growth in a remarkable fashion. They had now 

 attained to large dimensions, and the increment was still good. 

 Measurements had been made by the forester of the rate of 

 growth of the Douglas fir planted in the more open areas. These 

 measurements showed that the increment for the past 5 years 

 had been at the rate of 230 cubic feet per annum, while the 

 mean annual increment from 1898, when the trees were planted, 

 was at the rate of 113 cubic feet per annum. 



After inspecting this wood the cornpany were entertained to 

 luncheon by Sir John Gladstone, the annual business meeting 

 being held afterwards. The Chairman — Mr A. F. Irvine of 

 Drum — presided and offered on behalf of the Branch their 

 sincere thanks to Sir John for his hospitality. Sir John said 

 that there was nothing extraordinary to show the members on 

 the estate of Glendye, but he was very glad to do what he could 

 to make the visit interesting. There was one curious document 

 he wanted to show them — an account of the planting of the 

 Sawmill wood which had just been inspected. Reading from 

 the account book he said the planting commenced in 1857 and 

 finished in 1858, 342 acres being planted with larch and Scots 

 pine at 5-foot intervals, and the planting and fencing of the 

 whole cost ^361. 



In the afternoon the party first visited the arboretum, which 

 is situated in a hollow by the banks of the river Dye near 

 Glendye Lodge. The different species, which are chiefly 

 coniferous, have been skilfully planted out in groups, and the 

 effect is very imposing. The large number of fine silver firs, 



