EXCURSION TO DRUMTOCHTY, 239 
An extensive young plantation of larch raised from Tyrolese 
seed was next inspected. This covered a large expanse of hill- 
side, from which a crop of larch had been cleared some years 
ago, the plants having been put in at 3 feet apart. Mr Gammell 
also showed another young plantation of larch raised from home- 
grown seed, and some discussion arose as to the comparative 
merits of the two kinds; but in both cases the plants were so 
small that it was very difficult to form a definite opinion on the 
matter. 
A visit was paid to the nursery, where many young trees, 
including larch, spruce, mountain pine, Douglas fir and broad- 
leaved trees, especially oaks of both the sessile and pedunculate 
varieties, were being reared. The party next proceeded to 
inspect a fine nine-year-old larch plantation. This showed much 
better growth, and had an altogether healthier appearance than 
the Finella plantation, the improvement being explained by the 
fact that the trees had been planted in soil which had _ previously 
carried a crop of timber, and which had a considerable depth of 
humus; and Mr Gammell expressed the opinion that, in cases 
where this could be done, it would pay proprietors to plant trees 
on bare parts of their estates, if only to prepare the ground for 
the reception of a second crop. 
The party were now conducted to an older plantation which 
had been severely thinned and underplanted with Douglas fir, 
spruce, and silver fir, all of which were very healthy, and 
promised to form a fine second crop. Some little damage 
was noticeable here, presumably from roe-deer. On the way 
to the saw-mill a very fine specimen of Picea  sitchensis 
(Menziesit) was seen. It had a height of about 87 feet, a 
girth at 5 feet from the ground of 11 feet 3 inches, and a spread 
of branches of 61 feet. Several other good specimens of the 
newer Coniferze were also observed here, notably a very fine 
Cupressus macrocarpa, about 4o feet high, and growing 
vigorously. 
The estate saw-mill and workshops are admirably arranged. 
The saw-mill is driven by a water-turbine, the water for which 
is taken from the Luther, and conveyed by a lade built of 
concrete. The turbine develops about 13 horse-power, and 
it also drives all the machinery in the estate carpenter’s 
shop. ; 
Luncheon was served in one of the offices, and thereafter 
