REPORT OF THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 209 



the Douglas had been completely suppressed. But perhaps a 

 more impressive demonstration of its possibilities is afforded by 

 another plantation seen, where only seven years ago the larch 

 was planted pure at 6 feet, and has already reached pit-wood size. 

 It is still too soon to come to any certain conclusions as to the 

 ultimate value of the hybrid, but it is hoped that, as at present 

 seems indicated, the Duke's experiments on this big scale 

 will fully reward his enterprise and patience, and result in a 

 revolution of our system of pit-wood production. 



After leaving the nursery, the estate sawmill at Inver was 

 visited. This is well equipped with machinery, including two 

 firewood-splitters which were seen in operation. 



From Inver the party climbed to the lower slopes of Craig 

 Vinean, through a wood of old Scots pine and spruce, to see the 

 plantations of European larch which had been specially treated 

 for canker. Scots pine and a few Douglas are mixed with the 

 larch, and they were planted about i8 years ago; but the 

 Scots have for the most part disappeared. Some years ago 

 the infections of canker and aphis had become so heavy that 

 clear-felling had been contemplated, but it was decided to try 

 by way of experiment the effect of aeration. In a small part of 

 the area the larch was pruned clean up to about 7 feet, and all 

 dead and suppressed stems removed. The effect was so satis- 

 factory that the remainder has been dealt with in subsequent 

 years, and the plantations now show a great diminution in the 

 amount of disease, and promise to develop into useful stands 

 yet. This policy is now adopted as the general one for the 

 treatment of cankerous larch woods, and by extension larch 

 woods are now always allowed free aeration as a preventive 

 measure. On the way down, a small patch of 25-year-old 

 Japanese larch was passed which shows great promise ; and a 

 good view was obtained of the extensive plantations of hybrid 

 larch and of Douglas fir that have been made in recent years 

 on the north-east side of Craig Vinean. 



Entering the motors again, the party drove to Dunkeld 

 House, where, in the vicinity of the Cathedral, the remaining 

 "Parent Larch" was seen which had been planted in 1738. 

 There were also good specimen trees of several other conifers, 

 including a Douglas fir which, though younger, is said to be 

 taller and of greater bulk than the Lynedoch Douglas, due no 

 doubt to the rich alluvial soil and sheltered situation. In the 



