LARCH SEED. I 79 



wet parts the progress is not so marked, though the plants 

 appear healthy. Wherever the straight line of fencing had 

 to be deviated from owing to water-courses and inequalities of 

 ground, the sections were laid off with the view of affording 

 the stock as many cosy corners as possible. 



To the outlay for fencing and planting there must be added 

 the cost of cutting surface drains where necessary, also the 

 cost of rabbit wire-netting laid along the fences and along the 

 top of the moor dyke. This already existing stone dyke gives 

 useful protection to the young plants. 



Apart from the ultimate value of tlie timber, these little 

 plantations will, undoubtedly, add to the value of the farm- 

 lands by the shelter they will afford, and they should ultimately 

 more than repay the cost of fencing and planting. 



21. Larch Seed. 



By G. ¥. Scott-Elliot, F.R.G.S. 



Although there may be possible rivals to the supremacy of 

 larch as our best forestry "essence," it seems almost indisputable 

 that larch should be the main crop in Scottish forestry. 



Unfortunately, during the last twenty years, the larch disease, 

 sometimes called "blister," has prevailed in many districts to 

 such an extent that many proprietors have given up further 

 efforts to grow larch, and have contented themselves with planting 

 Scots fir or spruce. This is a very serious matter for the future 

 of Scottish forestry, for the value of larch timber is nearly double 

 that of spruce, and planters in this country cannot afford to 

 lose the slightest economic advantage. 



I have to thank many practical foresters for kindly information 

 as to their experience, and I have also consulted such of the 

 best foreign sources as were obtainable, and can only hope that 

 the following notes on this important subject may prove useful. 



The larch disease is not, according to good botanical authority, 

 the chief enemy of larch, but is rather a sign that the trees are 

 unhealthy and wanting in natural vigour. 



Larch disease may be brought about by all sorts of conditions 

 or accidents. Trees peeled by deer or rabbits, or whose branches 

 have been broken by snow, may eventually be killed by "blister." 



