104 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYA[, SCOTTISH ARIiORICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



I take advantage of his invitation. Generally speaking, except 

 in high situations and those situations near the sea which are too 

 much exposed to the wind, the climate of Scotland, judging from 

 its beautiful vegetation and the very satisfactory growth of the 

 conifers, seems to be very suitable for the culture of the resinous 

 species. Except the parts of ground which are too rocky or too 

 shallow and peaty, in which experiments have still to be made, 

 the soil in Scotland, generally speaking, appears to be suitable 

 for silviculture, provided that you put the various kinds of 

 trees in the places where they will find suitable conditions. An 

 estimate should be made out of the parts of ground to be 

 planted, and a scheme for the planting of these lands should be 

 made, taking into consideration the various local conditions, 

 such as sport and pasturage (that could be permitted under 

 certain regulations, such as under old larch trees), questions 

 connected with labour, etc. A centre should be created for 

 forestry instruction and forestry research ; the estate of 

 Ballogie seems to be well suited for this. The State should 

 purchase lands which would be replanted to serve as an example, 

 and also, of course, a Forest Administration should be 

 established, the officers of which should be at the disposal of 

 the private landowners to give them advice and assistance. En- 

 couragement should be given to the private landowners by 

 example, advice, and especially by delivering to them gratuit- 

 ously plants, the use of which would be easier to supervise than 

 grants of money. Plans should be made for the management of 

 the forests, and especially of plantable lands. As far as possible, 

 mixed woods should be made by groups, and Scots pine and 

 broad-leaved trees should be included in these mixtures. Plant- 

 ing should be less close, thus diminishing the cost of planting, 

 and especially that of thinning, which, in Scotland, is difficult 

 and costly. Thinning should be done, where seen to be necessary 

 for the improvement of the woods, even though it be costly. 

 Those are the opinions I can give, but very timidly, because I 

 cannot pretend to know your beautiful country well after having 

 made an excursion through it for some days only." 



M. J. H. Jager Gerlings said :— " I have to thank the Society 

 for electing me an Honorary Member. The days I have spent 

 in Scotland have been of great interest to me, and I assure you 

 I shall never forget them, or the great hospitality which your 

 Society has extended. Regarding the suitability of Scotland 



