118 ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, NOVEMBER 7, 1S73. 



magnificent stems, with dark red heart-wood, which fetches a 

 higher price than oak. A different sort of management may 

 he studied in the sandy alluvial plains of Hesse-Darmstadt. The 

 forest crop (Scotch fir, and sometimes oak) is made to alternate 

 with cereal crops. This remarkable system should he studied in 

 the grand ducal forest district of Viernheim, where it is in force on 

 an area of 5000 acres. The forest crop is cleared and rooted up, 

 and the ground is then planted in Lines with Scotch fir, on better 

 soil, mixed with oak (the Scotch firs acting as nurses to the oak), 

 and potatoes are planted between the lines. The second year a 

 crop of rye, and then two more crops of potatoes and rye are 

 taken. In this manner the young plants are sheltered during the 

 first four years of their existence, and the ground is kept clear of 

 grass. Under the peculiar circumstances of the locality, deep but moist 

 sand, much exposed to late frosts in spring, this system answers 

 admirably, the growth of the trees is better than where no crops are 

 taken off the ground (in the vicinity), and in addition there is a 

 surplus from the agricultural part of the operations. Forest officers 

 from Burmah will be glad to see this system, which is analogous to 

 what was introduced in 1864 in the teak plantations near Toungoo." 



On the 24th of March 1873, a paper was read by Mr William 

 Brown, at the Institution of Surveyors, London, on " Beech 

 Woods and Larch Plantations," which was followed by an interest- 

 ing discussion recorded in the Transactions of that Society, vol. v. 

 pt. ix. The remarks of the various speakers (Messrs William 

 Menzies, John Glutton, &c. ) contain the testimony of practical men 

 as to what they have seen and practised themselves, but very con- 

 tradictory statements are recorded. For instance, Mr Glutton, a 

 high authority, averred that " his experience of late years in Eng- 

 land and Scotland led him to believe that the larch is a doomed 

 tree •" while Mr Brown and Mr Sedgewick think that the plant- 

 ing of larch in suitable soils should be encouraged, and that it will 

 pay remarkably well. When persons of long experience, entitled 

 to every consideration, enunciate opinions so opposite, surely it 

 shoidd be our endeavour to test the matter and to expiscate the 

 truth, dealing with the question on scientific principles and in a 

 scientific manner. 



With regard to the influence of the denudation of trees on 

 the rainfall of Xorth Britain, which has been repeatedly alluded 

 to at our meetings, I may mention that a brief preliminary re- 

 port of the Committee's proceedings was read at the British 



