190 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



produced by cuttings or by grafting ; and considerable difficulty 

 may be anticipated in adapting on a large scale these modes of 

 reproduction to forest trees. But our resources are not exhausted, 

 as there is no telling but that amongst the crowd of different 

 combinations that appear in the F2 generation there may exist 

 one which will display great vigour and yet breed true. This is 

 the next step to explore. 



" In countries like our own, the only hope of salvation for 

 forestry is in growing timber rapidly : and we have been helped 

 in that by the introduction of fast-growing trees like the larch, 

 the Corsican pine, and the Douglas fir. But it is essential to 

 grow the more valuable classes of non-coniferous timber; and, I 

 see no reason why an attempt should not now be made to essay 

 experiments on the lines laid down in this paper. We are our- 

 selves making some experiments in cross-fertilisation this year ; 

 but more workers are required in this field. Hitherto nothing 

 whatever has been done to improve the breeds of forest trees ; 

 and foresters have never even thought of the possibilities in this 

 direction, though gardeners and farmers have shown the way 

 for centuries." 



[Should not investigations of this kind, which must extend 

 over a series of years, be conducted in Botanic Gardens by men 

 trained in such work? The value of the results depends on the 

 work being carried out with great accuracy under the closest 

 control. The best foresters, and even botanists, have rarely the 

 training or the facilities necessary to carry out such experiments. 

 When a large number of crosses are raised, the interpretation of 

 results requires much experience, otherwise confusion will result 

 and the work be valueless. But foresters will readily avail them- 

 selves of any practical conclusions at which the experimental 

 hybridist may arrive. — Hon. Ed.] 



