NOTES AND QUERIES. 103 
pits or other holes presents difficulties, owing to the shallowness 
of the soil, the water conditions, or other cause, may be made 
on a very small area. So also may the planting of weed- 
encumbered ground with shade-bearing and quick-growing 
species (such as Douglas fir), or other means of stocking such 
ground, be put to a practical test; while various methods and 
degrees of pruning hardwoods may be practised on groups of 
trees very limited in extent. 
Again, the degree of shade which, under local conditions, each 
of the more important exotic conifers is able to bear, and the 
place which each of them should occupy in a graded list 
of shade-bearing capacity which included our British forest 
trees, could be determined by experiments on a very modest 
scale. The knowledge thus acquired might be applied to 
determine the relative suitability of all these species for the under- 
planting of light-crowned crops, and the age and degree of 
density of the latter found to be most suitable under the circum- 
stances of the locality ; while the suggested investigation could 
easily be extended so as to include the treatment of larch 
disease. A commencement might be made to test the 
suitability of each of these species for cultivation as a forest 
crop in this country. 
Other experiments which could be conducted equally easily 
might be:—The testing of the capacity of certain exotic species 
to grow in high, wind-swept situations, to act as wind-breaks, or 
to flourish by the seaside when exposed to gales accompanied 
by salt spray; the protection of young plants of tender species 
from injury by frost (see an article by Geo. U. Macdonald at 
p. 287 of Volume XIX. of the Zvansactions) ; the combating of 
attack under various conditions by insect or fungoid pests, or by 
game or vermin; and the promotion of natural regeneration by 
exposing the mineral soil in patches or strips, or by other means. 
The above and many other investigations and experiments 
could be carried out on a small but sufficient scale in the ordinary 
course of work, either without additional outlay, or at a trifling 
cost; but the results could not fail to be of great value to all 
engaged in forestry, and they would certainly well repay the 
trouble expended on them. 
It is, however, very desirable that, on every considerable 
forest estate, a conveniently situated area should be devoted to 
experiments and investigations on a somewhat larger scale than 
