20 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and a shelter-belt (to the west and south). Paths 9 feet in 

 width intersect the plots, and a ride 21 feet in breadth extends 

 from the top to the bottom of the hill, dividing the area into 

 two fairly equal parts. These dividing lines make inspection of 

 the ground easy, prevent confusion as to the boundaries of the 

 various plots, and will facilitate the removal of felled trees. 



As to the expenditure upon planting, it will be readily under- 

 stood that operations carried out on many small plots of different 

 species are more costly than in cases where no subdivision is 

 necessary. Among other things, the distance between the plants, 

 regulating the number of trees per acre, had to be carefully 

 measured, and occasional labourers had to be employed, as, of 

 course, no regular staff could be maintained. For the planting 

 of the 50 acres, including the cost of the plants and fencing, a 

 sum of ^386 has been expended. 



Tests are being made with a view to finding out which 

 species are most suitable for the class of ground experimented 

 on, the rates of growth of each, the relative efficacy of various 

 methods of planting, and the advantage of certain mixtures; while 

 investigation is also being made into the effects of insect pests, 

 fungus diseases, frost, wind, and so forth. Later on, thinning 

 experiments will be made, and the volume of timber produced 

 will be recorded. As the Chirk area is typical of a class of 

 land very commonly found in Wales, it is hoped that some 

 valuable lessons will be obtained, directly applicable to the 

 surrounding country, while, with the growth of the movement 

 elsewhere, comparative results will be available. 



The general arrangement of the species in the larger plots 

 will be seen from the following list : — 



Plot I. Sycamore, beech and oak. Plot 2. Ash and beech. 

 Plot 3. European larch and beech. Plot 4. Douglas fir. Plot 5. 

 Sitka spruce and Norway spruce. Plot 6. European larch. 

 Plot 7. European larch and sycamore. Plot 8. European larch 

 and Douglas fir. Plot 9. Japanese larch and Douglas fir. Plot 

 10. Corsican pine, Japanese larch and Sitka spruce. Plot 11. 

 Scots pine, Japanese larch and Norway spruce. Plot 12. 

 Norway spruce and silver fir. Plot -13. Scots pine and European 

 larch. Plot 14. Norway spruce and European larch. Plot 15. 

 Japanese larch. Plots 16 to 20. Scots pine, spruce and European 

 larch — variously treated. Plot 21. Arborvitse, Douglas fir, 

 Norway spruce and European larch. Plot 22. European larch. 



