366 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
foresters who can speak with great authority on such matters, 
and it may be added that the verdict of the best informed is all 
in favour of this artificial supply of food material for trees. The 
author gives evidence to show that artificial manures can be 
used with the greatest advantage in the nursery, both in the 
seed-beds and in the nursery lines. The advantages gained are 
a more vigorous and healthy development of the young trees 
from the first, in addition to their more rapid growth and greater 
certainty of success when planted out in the open. 
Records of carefully collected statistics show that the extra 
initial expense involved is more than counterbalanced by what 
is saved in subsequent beating up or after-planting. Secondly, 
the author has shown that, under unfavourable local conditions, 
hitherto unused waste areas, as well as impoverished and 
exhausted land in general, may be more successfully and 
profitably utilised for afforestation when artificial manures are 
used. In proof of this statement, he cites results obtained 
especially in the sandy districts of Luxemburg, Holland and 
Belgium, A third question which the author has answered in a 
most satisfactory manner is that artificial manures can be used 
with the greatest advantage in the restocking of areas from. 
which the mature trees have been removed. 
Lastly, the fourth question which he has set himself to answer 
deals with the amelioration and improvement of meadow and 
other land; but the improved grazing and the increased head 
of deer is probably of more importance in Continental forests 
than in British woodlands. 
In conclusion it may be added that Dr Giersberg has obtained 
from all over the Continent photographic records of experiments 
which show the great benefits of the treatment he advocates. 
A. W. B. 
