EXCURSION TO DAWYCK. 14I 



about the grounds, others of the party spent some time in 

 inspecting a few of the commercial plantations. Led by 

 Mr Simpson, the estate forester, a young plantation of con- 

 siderable extent was soon reached. Planting operations were 

 begun in 1902, and the various species were grouped in fairly 

 large compartments. These consist of Sitka spruce, Douglas 

 fir, Cupressus Lawsoniafia, Pinus monticola, and Japanese and 

 European larch. So far only the larches have been thinned. 

 The young trees are responding splendidly to the increased 

 light and air space thus available. The trees are wonderfully 

 free from disease, and the future prospect of the crop is most 

 promising. The Douglas fir and Sitka spruce are making a 

 most satisfactory growth, the trees averaging from 35 to 40 feet 

 in height. The crop is so dense that thinning operations will 

 be conducted with difficulty. 



Of particular interest was the compartment containing Pi?ius 

 monticola. The trees are growing at an altitude of iioo feet. 

 The growth at such an elevation and exposure is remarkable, 

 for at present the trees will average 30 feet in height. Mr 

 Balfour says, " This immense pine, which grows from sea-level 

 in Vancouver Island to 6000 feet in the Selkirks, usually 

 mixed with Pinus sitchensis on the coast, and Douglas fir 

 inland, gives promise of being the best five-leaved pine for 

 our climate." Its further development at Dawyck will be 

 watched with more than ordinary interest. A hurried visit was 

 afterwards paid to the forest nursery at Wester Dawyck, after 

 which the party returned to join the larger body, now at the 

 mansion-house. Before leaving members were entertained to 

 tea by Mr and Mrs Balfour. 



^Ir Buchanan, Convener of the Excursion Committee, 

 conveyed the thanks of all present for the splendid reception 

 given them, and for the privilege they enjoyed of visiting what 

 is undoubtedly one of the most interesting estates in Scotland. 

 The return journey was made by Broughton, the charabanc 

 arriving in Edinburgh at 7.45 p.m., bringing to a close a 

 most enjoyable and profitable day. 



