242 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
The planting was commenced in March and completed in 
December 1839, and the contractor upheld the plantation for four 
years. During this period 100,000 plants were required to fill up 
blanks caused by ordinary failures; but as many of the plants 
had been placed in situations unsuited to them, the blanks caused 
by the failure of these were filled up at the expense of the pro- 
prietor, for which an additional 260,000 larch, 340,000 Scots pine, 
and 50,000 spruce were required. Mr Rule also stated that, owing 
to there being little food for them in the vicinity, rabbits had 
not been numerous or given much trouble. 
Between Binhill Forest and Roadburn Farm lunch was served. 
Mr Innes of Raemore proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the 
Duke of Gordon for his kindness in allowing the party to visit 
his property, and to Mr Duff for presiding at the luncheon. 
The party next entered the part of Binhill plantation known as 
Ord Fell. This has a north-easterly exposure, with an elevation 
of from 450 to 816 feet. The crop is chiefly larch of medium 
size, and apparently fully matured. A part of this has been sold 
to Messrs A. & D. F. Lockhart, Timber Merchants, Huntly, and 
Mr A. Lockhart kindly furnished the party with the following 
particulars regarding the clearing operations :— 
The area under clearance consists of 70 to 80 acres, carrying a crop of larch, 
spruce, and Scots pine in the proportions of 70 per cent. larch, 20 per cent. 
spruce, and Io per cent. Scots pine. The ground is sloping, and the saw- 
mill is placed at the bottom of the slope, along which a light railway has been 
laid to bring the timber to the mill. Steel rails 12 and 15 feet long, and 
14 lbs. to the yard, are used, and these are laid on light sleepers placed 3 feet 
or so apart. The bogies consist of a framework of two parallel beams, 9 feet 
long and 3 feet apart, braced diagonally, and carried on two axles with wheels 
about 20 inches in diameter on all four of which a brake is arranged to act 
simultaneously. Cross beams on the top of this frame bear the load, and 
about 3 tons can be carried by a bogie. The larch is peeled, the bark being 
taken off in 3 feet lengths and spread out, usually over felled trees, to dry. 
With two or three weeks of good weather it is generally ready for threshing, 
for which purpose it is gathered into large heaps. It is broken into pieces 
about 3 to 4 inches square by means of flails, and it is then filled into bags. 
Prices for larch vary from Is. 3d. to 1s. 6d. per cubic foot. Larch pit-wood 
in long lengths, 4 to 5 inches in diameter at the small end, last year brought 
26s. to 31s. per 100 lineal feet, but this year it only brings from 24s. 6d. to 3os. 
Scots pine staves and heading of good quality fetch from 65s. to 70s. per 1000 
superficial feet. Scots pine sleepers 9 ft. by 10 ins. by § ins., with a slab of 
not less than 8 ins., vary from 2s. 6d. to 2s. gd. 
Refreshments were offered by Messrs Lockhart, and Mr Duff 
read a telegram he had received from Mr Muirhead, Commis- 
