THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 51 



crop of trees, which would not only gratify the landowner and 

 the passing visitor by adding beauty, variety, and interest to the 

 landscape, but would also be a source of revenue to the country 

 in the future, when the long-threatened ' timber famine ' makes 

 its appearance." 



Sir John Ramsden had kindly supplied the members with the 

 following Memorandum on his planting at Ardverikie. 



"At Whitsunday 1871 I entered into possession of the 

 Ardverikie Estate. The erection of the deer fence of galvanised 

 iron and wire, 6 feet high, was begun forthwith. This fence, 

 running along the top of Druim na Beiste, and of Craig Hur, by 

 the west end of East Loch Earba and down to Loch Laggan 

 between the two Binions, encloses about 3670 acres, including 

 Kinloch Wood, East Loch Earba, the East Binion, the north face 

 of Craig Hur, and about 5 miles in length of the southern shore 

 of Loch Laggan. The completion of this fence, and the shooting 

 of 800 hinds bred on and always belonging to this great extent 

 of ground, occupied the whole of the year 1872, and it was not 

 till 1873 that a beginning was made in planting the ground thus 

 enclosed. 



" The ground first planted was that between Ardverikie and 

 the Laurick Burn, and on both sides of the old road leading up 

 to Loch Earba. Some of this ground beside the road is peat 

 moss ; is the very worst piece of ground I have ever planted, 

 and it will be seen that to this day the firs have made no 

 progress whatever. Fortunately the area of this bad land is not 

 extensive, and as you approach Loch Earba the improvement is 

 very marked. For several years after this enclosure was 

 completed nearly all our energies were devoted to planting it up, 

 and for some years in succession we planted out an average 

 number of two million trees, chiefly Scots firs, in every season. 

 The plantation which extends for 5 miles along Loch Ericht 

 side was also planted during these early years. Of all the trees 

 I have planted, the Abies nobilis has proved by far the most 

 satisfactory. Its growth and vigour are magnificent. It seems 

 to enjoy immunity from disease, and from insect and animal 

 pests. Neither squirrels, nor black game, nor caterpillars touch 

 it, and along Loch Laggan side you may see disease spreading 

 from nordmanniana to silver fir, while a jiobilis standing between 

 them remains perfectly healthy. The Douglas fir is just as 

 hardy and just as vigorous, but it cannot stand the wind. At 



VOL. XXIV. PART I. F 



