AFFORESTATION OF CATCHMENT AREAS, 27 



tract, and since the plantations have been taken over from 

 the contractors practically no trees have died. Larch and 

 Scots pine have been chiefly used, with some spruce. The 

 average cost per acre for planting was ;£4, 2S. 8d.; for clearing, 

 fencing, and incidental expenses, ^3, 8s. 3d,; or ^7, los. iid. 

 in all. No trouble has been experienced with insect pests, 

 except in one case where 2 acres were destroyed by pine 

 beetles. There are nine separate plantations at elevations 

 varying from 900 to 1500 feet, and they are reported to be 

 doing extremely well in every case. No further planting is 

 proposed in the near future. 



Oldham. — An area of 8 acres was planted by the Corporation 

 of Oldham in the winter of 1904-5 in the urban district of 

 Saddleworth, Yorks, West Riding. This area is peaty in 

 character, and the land was partly ploughed and partly turned 

 over by hand. The average elevation of the land is 950 feet 

 above sea-level, with a south-westerly aspect. The trees were 

 40,000 in number, and consisted of mountain and common ash, 

 Austrian pine, scarlet willow, beech, oak, poplar, alder, Pyms 

 aria, birch, wych elm, sycamore, and chestnut. They were 

 planted in December and January by the Corporation's own 

 staff. The cost per tree planted is stated to have been as 

 follows : — Preparation of land, •6d.; fencing off, •2d.; cost of 

 tree, -yd.; and cost of planting, i"4d.; making a total of 2-9d. 

 per tree planted. ^ The plantations are said to be progressing 

 very slowly, but no indication of damage by insect pests has 

 been observed. 



Llandudno. — A few trees have been planted on the catch- 

 ment area, and the question of carrying out further work is 

 now under consideration. 



Bolton. — In 1905 the Corporation commenced to plant a 

 small portion of the catchment area of one of their reservoirs, 

 and have planted about 18 acres. Several "unemployed" 

 have been taken on, and a further 20 acres of rough land is 

 being prepared for planting next autumn. 



Darwen. — -The Darwen Local Authority have not planted 

 much of their catchment area, as the part which is suitable 

 for planting is let off for pasturage. In view, however, of 

 the desirability of providing employment, and of testing the 



[ 1 If the plants were put out at 5 feet apart, the planting of an acre of ground 

 must have cost no less than £\1. — Hon. Ed. Transactions.^ 



