78 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



failure owing to its suffering so severely from snow-break. 

 It may be suggested that the tendency for planters at the 

 present day is to depend rather too much on exotics, to the 

 exclusion of better known native trees. It seems fairly certain, 

 however, that at Corrour, success can be obtained only by the 

 use of exotics. The trees giving most promise are the Sitka, 

 the Norway and white American spruces in the peaty soils, and 

 the upright mountain pine on the ' knobbies.' Larch and 

 Abies nobilis have also been successfully used in some instances. 

 If a suggestion might be made, the Cembran pine seems 

 worthy of an extended trial, as a shelter tree, on the ' knobbies.' 

 It is a tree of slow growth, but it seems to grow quite as 

 rapidly at high altitudes in its native regions as in more 

 favoured localities. It is easily raised from seed. 



"Credit is due to Sir John Stirling-Maxwell for forcing on 

 the notice of planters in the most practical manner possible, 

 by means of his extensive experiments, this comparatively 

 cheap ^ and highly superior method of planting ground where 

 soil and climatic conditions are unfavourable. 



II. 



The second days excursion, 29th June, was made by train and 

 carriage to Ardverikieon Loch Laggan. Sir John Ramsden was, 

 to his great regret, unable to come north to receive the members. 

 He deputed that duty to Mr Grant Thomson, who has for many 

 years been his silvicultural adviser. Mr Grant Thomson, with 

 Mr Fraser, factor, and Mr Alexander Fraser, forester, met the 

 members at the gate and gave them a hearty welcome. 



Mr Grant Thomson has kindly contributed the following 

 notes on the visit : — 



" Sir John obtained possession of Ardverikie, by purchase, in 

 1871. At that time the whole estate contained only a few 

 hundred planted trees in addition to some natural birch. Sir 

 John at once began to take steps to improve and beautify the 

 property by planting. From 1873 onwards, operations have 

 continued; and up to the present time 34,000,000 plants have 

 been used, and over 10,000 acres covered with a thriving crop. 



' Cost 0/ planting on turf at Corrour. — Planting at 3 feet apart this spring, 

 the cost worked out at 25s. per acre for draining and turning the turfs, and 

 16s. 8d. for planting, making in all ;^3, is. 8d. per acre, excluding the cost 

 of the plants. 



