REPORT OF THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 73 



be doing better here when well separated from each other, 

 though some sprayed two years ago were again badly infested 

 with aphis. 



A very dense plantation of Japanese larch was next visited ; 

 planted in 1913-14 at 4 ft. 6 ins., it showed splendid growth 

 but was so dense as to be considered in great danger from snow. 

 Opinions being called for as to the treatment required, Mr 

 Wilson thought it should be thinned at once. Mr Gammell 

 suggested that to save expense the trees to be removed might 

 be ringed and left to die, but Mr Leven agreed with the first 

 speaker that it should be thinned at once, and cleaned up 

 thoroughly to avoid disease, especially Fhomopsis, which is now 

 found on the Japanese larch as well as on Douglas. The last 

 plantation, Amboth Low Banks, 75 acres at an elevation of 

 600 to 1300 ft., was now entered after the party had seen at the 

 edge of the wood a huge silver fir measuring 120 ft. high, 

 16 ft. g.b.h., and estimated to contain 500 cub. ft. of timber. 

 The young wood planted in 1907-8 was Mr Edwards' first 

 plantation, and gained the Gold Medal of the Royal English 

 Arboricultural Society, and the Silver Medal of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society in connection with the show at Darlington 

 in 1920. The main species is European larch with 12 per cent, 

 beech, with Scots pine on rocky outcrops, and Norway spruce in 

 wet parts, all at 4 ft. intervals, and showing excellent growth ; 

 but the best of all was the well-sheltered 5-acre plot of pure 

 Douglas in the lowest part of the wood, many of the trees 

 having reached a height of 35 ft. In going through this wood 

 a special tray for winter feeding of birds was noticed, it being 

 the policy of the management to encourage birds to the locality 

 in order to help to keep down the various insect pests. A visit 

 was then paid to the overflow from the lake, the great embank- 

 ment, and finally the power-house for the sawmill, which brought 

 to an end one of the most interesting and instructive days of the 

 whole tour. 



To conclude, it was a wonderful Excursion, carried out in 

 wonderful weather, and the thanks of the members are specially 

 due to Mr Buchanan, Convener of the Excursion Committee, 

 Mr Galloway, the Secretary, and his aide-de-camp, Mr R. Angus 

 Galloway, for the excellence of the arrangements. 



VOL. XXXVn. PART IL 



