INSPECTION OF WOODS AND AFFORESTABLE LANDS. I 55 



and mixed trial plots, of 12-13 years old. The plots 

 inspected were as follows : — i. Abies twbilis ; 2. Lawson's 

 Cypress ; 3. Sycamore ; 4. Sycamore with Japanese larch ; 

 5. Norway spruce; 6. European larch; 7. Japanese larch. 

 Much interest was aroused by this interesting demonstration, 

 where, among many other points of interest, it was noticed 

 that the growth of the sycamore in this place was on the 

 whole unsatisfactory, except in the plot where it was mixed 

 with Japanese larch. 



The Drumveigh Plantation, aged 15-16 years, which 

 consists of Scots pine with Japanese larch, and Norway 

 spruce with Japanese larch, was next seen, after which 

 Longhill -Woods and portable sawmill were visited. The 

 wood consists of Scots pine, spruce and larch, varying in age 

 from 60 to 115 years. Much damage was done to this wood 

 by the gales of 1911 and 191 2. At the portable sawmill 

 large Scots pine were being converted into railway sleepers 

 and boards ; smaller Scots pine into pit crowns, small sleepers 

 and pillar-wood ; spruce into boards and rickers ; and larch 

 into planks, hutch boards, fencing materials, etc. 



The motor cars were re-entered and headed for the picturesque 

 village of Stanley, where, on the invitation of the Earl of 

 Mansfield, the party were entertained to lunch. Thereafter 

 the Taymount Douglas fir plantation was inspected. This 

 plantation, which has an area of 9'69 acres in all, was planted 

 in t86o with Douglas fir and larch at the rate of 12 10 plants 

 per acre, 303 being Douglas fir and 907 European larch. The 

 whole of the larch was cut out by 1880, as it had become very 

 much diseased. In 1887, 600 to 700 stems were removed. In 

 1888, the stems were pruned to a height of 15 to 20 feet. In 

 1896, the pruning was continued to a height of 30 feet. In 1897, 

 damage was done by wind at the north end. In 19 12-13, blown 

 and dead trees amounting to 106 stems were removed. The 

 average number of stems per acre is 143, with a volume of 

 stems per acre of 6276 feet. The delegates were much 

 impressed with this plantation. 



From the Taymount Plantation the party proceeded to Murthly, 

 where the nursery at Kingswood was shown, and here methods 

 of improved nursery management in regard to sowing and 

 transplanting were demonstrated. The sawmill was passed 

 on the way to the Byres Wood, and sawn examples of 



