102 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
trees look remarkably fine and healthy. On one plant I 
measured last year’s leader, and found it 2 feet 6 inches long. 
In fact, the whole plot is remarkably satisfactory. 
Larix leptolepis (Japanese larch).—This plot is situated at 
the extreme west of the experimental plots ; it is divided into two 
parts by a narrow ride, and has been planted six years. The 
trees are a good height, and seem very strong and well. There 
have been very few deaths, and the whole plantation looks 
flourishing. It is claimed for the Japanese larch that it is very 
strong, and better able to resist the attacks of the deadly larch 
disease than the native larch. This may be so, but the larch 
disease is present in the plot even at this early age, though in 
a very slight degree, and time alone will show the disease- 
resisting qualities of this tree. 
{Mr Marriott has sent specimens of diseased Japanese larch. 
A further report on the progress of the disease in this plot will 
be welcome.—Hown. Ep. | 
EsraTE-CONDUCTED EXPERIMENTS IN SYLVICULTURE AND OTHER 
BRANCHES OF FORESTRY. 
The writer strongly advocates an extended and more systematic 
testing by local experiment of various methods of sylvicultural 
treatment, of various measures of protection against hostile 
influences, and of other acts involved in the successful raising 
and utilisation of crops of trees. Such experiments, if carefully 
conducted, the results being intelligently observed and accurately 
recorded, would not only add to the knowledge and professional 
efficiency of those who conduct them, but, if made widely known 
through the medium of our Zvansactions, would also prove of 
great value to others who are engaged in similar work. 
Many most useful and instructive experiments or investigations 
may be satisfactorily carried out on quite a small scale. For 
example :—The comparative efficacy, in a certain locality, of 
the planting in pits, notches or dibbled holes of plants of different 
species and of various ages or sizes, may be tested by means of 
a few short and adjacent rows of plants, from the progress of 
which the results may be seen. and compared at a glance. An 
experiment in direct sowing, on ground where the.digging of 
