ROOT DISEASE IN SCOTS PINE ON FARM LANDS. 1 47 



that the greater equality of the cUmate does not encourage the 

 actual outbreak of the disease to the same extent. 



The early cessation of growth, and the gradual dying-out ot 

 both Scots pine and red pine, in the very extensive State 

 afforestations of heather tracts in the north-western parts of 

 Germany (Luneburger Heide), had for a long time been ascribed 

 to the inherent poverty of the soil, but laboratory analysis proved 

 that this conclusion was not quite tenable. A commission 

 of inquiry was then appointed, of which Dr Albert became a 

 member in 1906. When he examined the soil of the afforesta- 

 tion area in question, he found that exactly the same condi- 

 tions prevailed here on heather lands as he had observed on 

 farm lands ; the same vigorous growth for some years, and 

 the same attack by a primary root disease, ending in death, 

 occurred if Polyporus took the field. This of course does away 

 with the animal manure theory of the causation of the disease. 



It is then at present believed that Scots pine and red pine are 

 invariably subject to root disease, if cultivated on any other but 

 forest land. This would naturally apply to the larch as well, for 

 it also is not a soil-improver. The trees, as explained above, do 

 not all die if not infested by the fungus pest, but, under the 

 most favourable circumstances, they lose years of growth whilst 

 readjusting their root-systems by sending down vertical branches 

 from their surface-striking side roots ; and all this time they are 

 doing nothing for the next crop. 



These facts are very serious for this country as well, for bona 

 fide forest soil is not too plentiful in Great Britain, and, if our 

 pine and larch crops on other types of soil should fail, and 

 prove liable to fungoid attacks, the present undoubtedly growing 

 enthusiasm for afforestation with pines and larch would die out. 



We may be certain that further researches will be made in 

 Germany in the direction pointed out by Dr Albert, especially 

 by the Heather Afforestation Commission ; but we should not 

 stand aside, but should institute investigations of our own 

 (always to be made on the spot) as regards the comparative 

 physical condition of soils on forest lands and on farm, heather 

 and waste lands, and should study the root-systems of our pines 

 under the various soil conditions, and examine them for disease 

 spots or scars. I consider it quite possible that, owing to the 

 climatic conditions, the results of researches in this country will 

 prove more favourable in every respect than on the Continent. 



