1 62 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Upper Tomvaich Plantatioti. — This area is divided into two 

 compartments — (i) containing 267 acres, and (2) 36 acres, (i) 

 The crop consists of Scots pine of about 90 years of age, with a 

 few larch trees, standing to the number of about 40 trees to 

 50 trees to the acre. A number have been marked for sale, 

 but about 1 5 trees have been left to the acre as seeding trees. 

 (2) This area consists of Scots pine standards with an under- 

 crop of natural plants. This part was fenced against sheep 

 a number of years ago, only cattle and horses being allowed 

 access. Young plants have come up well and show what 

 might be expected from the larger area. 



Lower Tomvaich Platttation. — This wood has an area of 208 

 acres, divided as follows: — (i) 200 acres of Scots pine and 

 larch standards, (2) 8 acres of old Scots pine with an undercrop 

 of natural Scots pine and larch. The large area is to be thinned 

 out and left to fill up naturally, farm stock being excluded. 

 Until a few years ago, these 8 acres formed part of the same 

 area. When fenced off against farm stock natural plants came 

 up freely, which shows pretty conclusively what might be 

 expected from the adjoining area. The standards have been 

 left too long, but are to be removed next year. Meantime the 

 area is a pretty picture, and shows well the result of the system 

 adopted. 



Policies of Castle Grant. — On the right is Drumdunan Wood 

 — 250 acres — consisting of a pure crop of Scots pine reared 

 naturally. A number of old standards are left on the drive 

 side to form a wind-screen and shelter to the young crop. These 

 trees show the nature of the previous crop. 



Milton and Old Grantown Woods also form part of the policies, 

 and carry a crop of Scots pine about 140 years of age. The trees 

 have long clean boles and a limited branch area. The woods in 

 their younger stages were very carefully thinned, and records 

 show that for a long number of years only dead trees were 

 taken out, which no doubt accounts for the clean nature of the 

 stems. The highest of the trees measuring from the top of the 

 leader is 109 feet, and many have clean boles up to 70 feet and 

 80 feet. From old records it appears that the plants for this 

 wood were carried from Abernethy Nursery, a distance of 

 6 miles, on panniers strapped on the backs of ponies, and that 

 they were of a larger size than is now generally employed in 

 planting, consequently they were all pitted. 



