74 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



growth in the case of the Japanese larch, which was quite free 

 from disease ; while the European species was struggling on in 

 height-growth, and there was no stem of it free from disease, 

 very many of them being badly affected. A number of stems 

 of Japanese larch had been measured, and gave an average 

 height of 27 ft. 4I ins., and a girth of 20 inches at breast-height. 

 An area planted six years ago with pure Japanese larch showed 

 a height of from 10 feet to 12 feet, while European larch, planted 

 at the same time on an adjoining area, when not killed back by 

 disease, were scarcely half that height. An area of Banks' pine, 

 planted last autumn, was growing remarkably fast, some 

 individual plants having made a growth of 17 inches in the 

 last growing season. This species is perfectly frost-hardy, and 

 is believed to be practically immune to fungoid diseases, but 

 this season it was observed that it did not escape the attentions 

 of the pine weevil. 



The forest nursery, extending to about 4J, acres, was next 

 visited, and the method of working it was explained. The 

 whole of the plants required on the estate are raised here, and 

 being wholly conifers, are kept two years in the seed-beds and 

 two years in the nursery lines. The ground is divided into three 

 equal plots, and on the plot not under plants a crop of lupins 

 is grown, and dug in as green manure, — with very satisfactory 

 results. Each seed-bed is covered by wire-netting frames to 

 protect the seeds from birds, and the whole bed is surrounded 

 by corrugated iron sunk into the ground, to protect it from mice. 

 Mats formed of straw and wire-netting are used in winter to 

 protect the i-year seedlings from frost. The altitude of the 

 nursery is 500 feet. The visit to Bowmont forest concluded 

 with an inspection of the sawmills, woodyard and creosoting 

 plant. 



A short drive brought the members to Marlefield, where 

 Mr Hay received them and conducted them over his property. 

 A number of very fine old elm, sycamore and lime trees were 

 seen in the grounds, one elm girthing 18 ft. 2 ins. at 4 feet from 

 the ground. Much interest was shown in an example of the 

 English system of laying hedges, the result of which is an 

 excellent stock-proof fence, provided immediately after it has 

 been laid down. The Black Wood, a Scots pine plantation on 

 the rising ground to the west of the property, was next visited. 

 Mr Hay had kindly allowed a number of trees to be felled. 



