REPORT OF THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 1 27 



The route lay through Harewood, Harrogate, Ripon, and 

 Masham, crossing the valleys of the Wharfe and Nidd and 

 entering the valley of the Yore, which from Jervaulx upwards 

 is known as Wensleydale. During the drive the weather 

 fortunately cleared. 



On arrival at Ellingstring at 10.30 a.m. the party were 

 welcomed on behalf of Mr Christie by Mr John Maughan, 

 P.A.S.I., the resident agent, who proved an excellent guide. 

 He shared this duty with Mr James M'Laren and Mr J. W. 

 Mackay, both of whom had been successively in charge of the 

 woods while acting as Mr Maughan's assistant. 



Owing to the shortness of the time available it was only 

 possible to visit some of the woods on the southern part of the 

 estate, most of which form part of a regeneration scheme for 

 old woodland. This area, which extends to about 380 acres, 

 lies along the northern slope of a ridge of hills which forms the 

 southern boundary of Wensleydale. The altitude varies from 

 675 feet to over 11 50 feet above sea-level, and although portions 

 of the area are much exposed it is on the whole fairly well 

 protected by the slope from the prevailing south-west winds. 

 The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches. The soil varies 

 from a more or less thin sand with peat on the high ground, to 

 clays and sandy loams on the slopes with light loams on the 

 lower ground. The whole rests principally on the millstone 

 grit, which outcrops to the north, but the lower ground contains 

 bands of shales and limestone of lower carboniferous age. 

 Planting originally commenced in 1815, the species used being 

 Scots pine, larch, spruce, oak, ash, beech, and elm. In 1896 

 a plan was drawn up for the systematic clearing and replanting 

 of the whole of the area, when the three conifers mentioned were 

 used. In more recent years the species employed have included 

 Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Japanese larch, and Corsican pine, and 

 it is noticeable how well the latter species have established 

 themselves. A new scheme for the systematic management 

 of this area was entered in the Royal Show competitions 

 in 1920, and secured a silver medal. During the war 

 123 acres of mature timber were cleared, the greater part of 

 which will be replanted, while 40 acres of new ground will 

 be added. 



The first woods seen were those known as the East and West 

 Belts, lying at an altitude of about 1000 feet, on a shallow 



