1888-89.] Annual Increase in Girth of Trees. 



391 



the decennial period, while no other surpassed an inch. It is 

 a comparatively young tree indeed, and there is already some 

 indication, both from measurement and visible thinning in 

 the ramification, that this rate may not be maintained in 

 future ; but the rate to its present age has been confirmed 

 by two other examples, somewhat younger, which have been 

 under observation for eight years, and which both have 

 averaged about Ih inch. 



A group of three trees follows, comprising a beech and 

 Spanish chestnut in the Botanic Garden, and a Turkish oak 

 at Craigiehall, all about 6 feet in girth, which have main- 

 tained the annual rate of about an inch. A beech at 

 Craigiehall, as much as 12 feet in girth, has reached the 

 rate of f of an inch, and an oak 10 feet in girth, in the 

 same locality, f of an inch. It is somewhat unexpected 

 that the latter should have surpassed a flourishing sycamore 



* In this, as in the previous Part, trees marked with an asterisk are at 

 Craigiehall. 



