THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 87 



by Captain Ellice. After lunch they walked up the glen through 

 the natural birch woods, and the plantations of larch, Scots pine 

 and spruce which border the river. Some notably tall larches 

 growing on a steep bank — the " Dark Brae "—behind the factor's 

 house, excited great interest. Their height, not easy to 

 measure, was calculated by a variety of instruments, and was 

 brought out at anything from 120 to 140 feet. Unfortunately 

 time did not permit of a visit to the natural forest of Scots pine 

 on the south side of Loch Garry, but Captain Ellice was so good 

 as to present each member of the party with a photograph and 

 the measurements of the remarkable Scots pine which grows 

 near the Laddie Burn. This tree measures 70 to 80 feet in 

 height, and 16 ft. 3 ins. in girth at 5 feet from the ground. 

 It has been rather thin in the crown for the last few years, 

 but is still in a fairly healthy condition. 



After visiting the Falls of Garry, the party returned by the 

 other bank of the river. On the way to the steamer they passed 

 a section of natural wood cleared in 1907 and replanted with 

 various conifers. It is to be regretted that time did not admit 

 of a more minute examination of this plantation, which has been 

 extremely well designed and very carefully and successfully 

 carried out. A few of the best hardwoods have been left, and 

 advantage has been taken of the slight shelter they afford to 

 start some conifers, such as Douglas fir and Menzies spruce, 

 which might otherwise have suffered from frost. Each species 

 is planted in the soil best suited to it and all are thriving 

 admirably. 



IV. 



On the fourth day, the members visited Achnacarry, where 

 they were received by Lochiel, his factor Mr Charles Mackenzie, 

 and Mr Charles Coupar, forester. Mr Mackenzie kindly 

 provided the members with the following notes on the woods 

 to be visited : — 



Notes on Lochiel Estate Woods. 



"The woods on Lochiel estate extend to about 7000 acres, 

 and are mostly natural Scots pine, oak and birch, the remainder 

 being plantations, which are chiefly of larch with a few groups 

 of Scots fir throughout. The larch thrives exceedingly well on 

 soil which is at all suited to it, but the Scots fir does not grow 



