88 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



saturated the soil there and started a gigantic earth slide. 

 Drains were therefore cut at this point and the water was led 

 into a central reservoir ; from this it was taken through cement 

 pipes to the edge of the next natural step, at the foot of which 

 similar works were established. In the lower reaches of the 

 valley the waters of the Trachtbach are in two channels, and just 

 before they meet there is a last barrier. This is in the form of 

 a natural weir, which retains any large debris that may have 

 reached this point. The river-bed has in several places been 

 specially protected to prevent washing-out taking place (Plate V. 

 fig. 4). From the point where the waters join, the river-bed 

 takes the form of a large open aqueduct which extends right 

 into the lake. 



The extensive and varied nature of this protection work is 

 perhaps best seen from Plate VI. fig. 5. In addition, the 

 effectiveness of the work is also very striking and an excellent 

 opportunity was afforded of testing this. Prior to the first visit to 

 the Trachtbach no rain had fallen. During the next night, 

 however, a heavy thunderstorm occurred, and on visiting the 

 Trachtbach in the morning it was found that the volume of 

 water in the stream was practically the same. 



The work is maintained by a staff of ten men who start 

 operations in April and work until September. Planting is 

 commenced at the lower elevations, as the land there is earlier 

 clear of snow. The forests on the area are managed on the 

 Selection system. The timber is used for fuel, for paper pulp 

 manufacture, and the small material for props. 



After the descent from the Rothorn a visit was made to a 

 "wood-carving factory in the town of Brienz. This establish- 

 ment furnishes an excellent example of an important forest 

 industry. On inquiry it was found that all the employees were 

 small-holders, thirty of whom were employed permanently while 

 120 were employed on piece-work in their homes. 



In the evening at dinner Mr Pulver officially welcomed the 

 party to the Canton Berne, and expressed regret that the visit 

 was of such short duration. Captain Stirling in replying 

 •expressed our high appreciation of the kindness we had 

 received since entering the Canton, especially at the hands of 

 Dr Fankhauser and Mr Pulver. Later in the evening a 

 small local orchestra entertained us with folk-songs, yodles, 

 and with selections upon the alpine horn. A reel, a sword 



