8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



from the practical growers' point of view, whether you can profit- 

 ably grow hardwoods on any large tracts in Scotland." 



Mr Wm. Davidson said : — " I would say that on the lower 

 land the hardwoods, especially ash and elm, could be grown with 

 profit. For oak we do not generally get such a big price, but 

 on the lower ground ash is very profitable, and also sycamore. 

 We can get now for the very best quality of ash 2S. 6d. a foot." 



Mr M'Kinnon Wood said : — " Would you consider it a satis- 

 factory demonstration area which was practically given up to 

 the cultivation of coniferous wood ? Would it be satisfactory 

 from the point of view of a place of education in forestry and 

 a demonstration area ? 



Mr Davidson. — '* I would say not. There should be high 

 ground for conifers and low ground for hardwoods." 



Mr M'Kinnon Wood. — "Captain Stirling laid stress on the 

 purchase of a demonstration area." 



Captain Stirling. — " It seems to me that purchase would be 

 infinitely more satisfactory than anything else, because I believe 

 this demonstration area is intended to form a permanent home 

 for a forest school." 



Mr M'Kinnon Wood. — "That has been the view of the 

 Advisory Committee. I may tell you they want to purchase 

 an estate. They are afraid of a short lease." 



Captain Stirling. — "My view is in favour of purchase." 

 Mr Gordon said : — " The contrast between one of our 

 Highland glens and a glen in the Highlands of Europe is 

 very marked indeed. We have in our typical Highland glen 

 a stretch generally of indifferent pasture, with perhaps a dozen 

 shepherds' cottages scattered along it. A similar continental 

 glen supports a vigorous population of small holders. We 

 find that it is the forest which maintains this population. It is 

 thus not due to any greater advantage, either of soil or climate. 

 I make that statement with detailed agricultural knowledge of 

 the conditions in both countries — Germany and Scotland. The 

 forest effects this by the employment which it affords. The 

 nature of forest employment is specially well adapted to keep 

 people on the land. First of all, it is permanent both in time 

 and in place. The people, then, within its sphere of influence 

 have security of employment and do not require to migrate. 

 Secondly, the nature of the employment is very varied. You 

 have people employed as wood-cutters, as saw-millers, as road- 



