REPORT OF THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 67 



realised £^c^ per acre for the poles, but at present the larch 

 seemed in poor condition, though the hardwoods, especially 

 ash, were thriving well. Johnby Park was seen next, part of 

 which, planted in 1789, was sold in 1920 at an average of 

 IS. 6d. per cub. ft. o.b. standing, the total measurement 

 being 12,579 cub. ft. for 229 trees — 206 hardwood, 16 larch, 

 and 7 spruce — the sycamore averaged 160 cub. ft., and the 

 larch from 112 to "the King of Johnby" with 313 cub. ft. 

 A fine plantation of Japanese larch, planted in 1903 along 

 with some spruce, Corsican, sycamore, and birch at 3J ft. 

 interval, showed excellent growth, the larch measuring up to 

 8^ ins. in q.g. Old Hardiron wood was next visited. Planted 

 in 1784, part was felled in 1920, producing 350 trees — ash, 

 sycamore, and beech — realising 2s. ijd. per cub. ft, which 

 compares favourably with prices in former years, e.g. lod. per 

 cub. ft. for ash felled in 1858, bobbin wood delivered in Penrith 

 at 8d. per cub. ft. in 1858, and ash sold in 1862 for hoops 

 at IS. 2d. per ft. delivered in Penrith. The remaining part of 

 the wood, planted in 1792, stands on the top of a hill 900 ft. 

 high, and contains oak up to 25 ins. q.g. at 5 ft. 



The next wood visited was Jefferson wood of 23 acres, 

 planted in 1777 in honour of Thomas Jefferson, who drafted 

 the American Declaration of Independence and was the third 

 President of the U.S.A. — some of the oak here measured 

 25j 25I, and 27J ins. q.g. at 5 ft. A very flourishing young 

 plantation of larch, Sitka spruce, and Weymouth pine, planted 

 in 191 1 and 1916, was observed next, and a great silver fir 

 of 17 ft. girth at 5 ft. was measured as the party walked 

 through the grounds of the Castle. Here Lady Howard 

 hospitably entertained the company to tea, and on being 

 thanked by Mr Whitton on behalf of the Society for her 

 kindness, her Ladyship expressed the great pleasure the visit 

 had given her, and reminded the party that the Scots had 

 not always crossed the border on such a peaceable foray. 



Thursday, the 28th, was spent in the Windermere district, 

 and the party was again favoured with an ideal day for the 

 journey down through the centre of Lakeland to Bowness-on- 

 Windermere. The way lay down St John's Vale past Thirlemere, 

 Grasmere, Rydal Water, and many other famous haunts of 

 Lakeland, and in the wonderful weather all the well-known 

 views were seen at their best. 



