SECTIONS OF LARCH TIMBER. 219 



surface. The soil to all appearance lacks porosity, and as 

 there is no natural drainage it is of a cold, unfavourable nature 

 with little or no aeration. 



No. 3. (Unsound). This section was taken from a tree about 

 eighty years of age. South exposure, 700 feet altitude. It had 

 been grown on a soil of fair depth but of a very light nature. 

 Fungi have undoubtedly played a part in the process of 

 destruction here, and have caused the decay of some of the 

 roots, whence the decay has spread to the heartwood. 



No. 4. (Sound). This section was taken from a tree about 

 thirty-five years of age, grown on soil that had been drained in 

 order to tap the spring water on slightly rising ground. South- 

 west exposure, 700 feet above sea-level. The soil has plenty of 

 depth and friability, so that the roots have enjoyed unrestricted 

 growth. 



No. 5. (Sound). This section was taken from a tree about 

 fifty-five years of age, grown on a slope with plenty of natural 

 drainage. South-west exposure, 800 feet altitude. The soil 

 is of a deep, loamy nature, on a porous subsoil of gravel with 

 a slight mixture of grit or exceptionally rough sand inter- 

 sected with layers of very fine particles of rock. During 

 snow the soil is inclined to be wet owing to the melting snow 

 coming down from the slope, but the subsoil being porous 

 it is dry throughout the summer. 



No. 6. (Sound). This section was taken from a tree about 

 eighty years of age, grown on deep soil of rather light quality. 

 The soil is naturally more or less dry, but it is generally well 

 saturated by the melting of the heavy winter snow, so that the 

 trees get a good start in the spring, and a few showers during 

 the growing season is all that they require. 



