2 2 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



underplanted with shade-bearing species. On the other plots 

 larch is mixed respectively with beech, sycamore, Douglas fir, 

 Scots pine, Norway spruce and silver fir. In this way we hope 

 to be able to judge of the behaviour of the tree under a variety 

 of conditions. 



The growth of the Japanese larch thus far compares favour- 

 ably with that of the common species. One plot, consisting 

 only of Japanese larch, stands at an elevation of iioo feet. The 

 plants were bought as i -year-old seedlings, at a cost of 3s. 6d. 

 per 1000. They were then 4 inches high; after standing two 

 years in the home nursery they averaged 3 feet in height, when 

 they were transferred to the hill ground. They now average 

 7 ft. 6 ins. and have a strong, healthy appearance, although 

 no side shelter is afforded them. 



On one of the most exposed plots on the area, the Japanese 

 larch shows the following progression of growth : — 



One of the most promising species experimented with is the 

 Sitka spruce. As with other spruces, some time elapses before 

 the Sitka commences to make much in the way of height 

 increase, so that measurements do not quite represent the 

 development of the little trees. Their appearance, however, is 

 most healthy, and they are evidently just commencing a period 

 of robust growth. In one case, they are i ft. 6 ins. taller 

 than the Norway spruce, with which they have been planted 

 (3 ft. 6 ins. as against 2 feet). 



A number of tests are being made with the Norway spruce. 

 Rather better results have been obtained from spring than from 

 autumn planting, and the keeping of the plants three years in 

 the seed-bed before lining out has had a prejudicial effect. An 

 attempt to use 2-year-old seedling spruces for hill planting, 

 combining this with vertical notching, was not successful, owing 

 to the failure of the small plants to struggle against the weeds. 

 The best results have been obtained from 4-year-old transplants 

 (2 years-2 years). 



