STOCKINC; OF THE GROUND. 59 



Auchendaul. 



This area, between Spean Bridge and Banavie, rises in a 

 gentle slope from the east and from the west to an altitude of 

 about 750 feet. A large part of the flat ground at this level is 

 quite unfit for planting, being peaty or sterile, and even with 

 a great amount of labour and expense it could not be profitably 

 utilised. On the flat ground at lower levels similar soil is 

 found, and there is little hope of bringing it into a proper state 

 for forest trees. The best of the land is on the slopes facing 

 east or west, that with a western exposure being of excellent 

 quality for silvicultural purposes. Draining is absolutely neces- 

 sary, to a greater or less extent according to the character of 

 the soil. 



A small plot of about 60 acres at the extreme south of this 

 area is planted with larch, Scots pine and spruce, and is on 

 what may be termed a fair sample of the various soils through- 

 out the whole area; the trees thereon may be said to fairly 

 represent the results that may be expected from planting 

 in this district. The larches have been planted on the best soil 

 and have grown well, while Scots pines and spruces, planted on 

 peaty soil, have been quite a failure; spruce planted on wet 

 but good soil have, however, made good progress. The whole 

 demonstrates clearly that, with fair soil, suitable for planting, 

 profitable results will be attained. 



Note — Throughout this Survey various areas occur within 

 the boundary line that have been marked out as unsuitable 

 for timber-growing, having either very wet or very shallow soil. 

 There is also a large area of ground under a Scots pine crop 

 about 300 years old ; some of the trees being very fine specimens, 

 containing a large amount of valuable timber. The soil on 

 which these fine trees have developed has obviously deteriorated 

 in later times, and it is doubtful whether it is now in condition 

 to again produce a good crop of trees. A considerable amount 

 of the soil has been washed down the slope to the lower valleys 

 by water running along the pan ; and with no improvement in 

 the crop of trees, the soil having been open to the effects of 

 the weather for so long a period, this part of the area is fast 

 passing into the conditions prevailing in the remains of the old 

 primeval forests in our Highlands : and under such adverse 

 conditions it is impossible, in the meantime, to include it in 

 an afforestation scheme. 



