146 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



admit that I have not much experience in its manufacture, but 

 I beheve it will be found to be very useful, and, in many 

 instances, I think, will take the place of Scots fir for the manu- 

 facture of boxwood, fencing, sleepers, etc. Many people seem 

 to be under the impression that it will ultimately take the 

 place of larch, but such is not my opinion, as the principal 

 use to which larch is put, namely, pole and pitwood, renders 

 Douglas fir unsuitable owing to its shape. That trees can 

 be grown with success in many districts up to an altitude 

 of 1400 feet above sea-level has been amply demonstrated. 

 I may here mention that I exammed lately some Scots 

 firs, larch and spruce at Auchernach, Strathdon, measur- 

 ing from 6 feet to 9 feet in circumference at 5 feet from 

 the root. I know that great trouble is being experienced with 

 disease in the larch plants. The reason why some larch planta- 

 tions have not been a success, I think, arises from the fact that 

 not enough care is exercised in the selection of the seed, which, 

 in many cases, is taken indiscriminately by the cone gatherers. 

 If further proof is necessary that we can grow the trees, I would 

 just briefly refer you to the fine specimens of grand old trees 

 still existent at Monymusk, Breadalbane, Ballochbuie, Gordon 

 Castle, Finzean, etc., etc., etc. Those of us who visited Mony- 

 musk in the summer, through the courtesy of Sir Arthur Grant, 

 had ample opportunity of seeing the far-famed larches m 

 Paradise, giants ranging from 175 to 416 cub. feet, averaging for 

 twelve trees 268 cub. feet. 



In the Episcopal church there the seating showed us the 

 capabilities of Scots fir for architectural and decorative 

 purposes. Other very fine examples of larch can be seen at 

 Breadalbane. One cut the other day had a diameter ot 

 14 inches at a height of 75 feet. The first 25 feet cut measured 

 30 inches on the side at centre. Others cut on the estate recently, 

 I am informed, measured from 60 to 70 feet long, and 12 to 

 13 inches diameter at top ; and, at 90 feet long, 7 inches diameter 

 at top. When at Ballogie recently, my attention was directed to 

 a fine old fir 103 feet high. At 5 feet high, the circumference 

 measured 1 1 ft. 6 ins. ; 40 feet, to the first branch, gave a circum- 

 ference of 7 ft. 6 ins., and the cubic contents were over 200 feet. 



Our German friends, who can give us points in forestry, have 

 made a concession in favour of our soil, and frankly admit that 

 for timber cultivation it is second to none. That our soil has 



