250 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARIiORICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



pruning, as at Taymount, and probably other places if an 

 attempt has been made to get timber results. 



I can only give my own experience, which is that a distance 

 of 4^ to 5 feet is the most economical distance at which to plant 

 Douglas, and I arrive at this conclusion because I have found 

 that when planted at 6 feet mixed with spruce the trees have 

 grown too branchy, and when planted pure at 3^- feet they have 

 been too much drawn up. 



From my own experience I think the following results may be 

 expected: — Douglas planted on a proper woodland soil, not a 

 garden soil, at 4^ to 5 feet apart will cover the ground and kill 

 off the lower branches before they have grown too strong, and at 

 the same time develop sufficient crowns to keep them in vigorous 

 health. Such a plantation might be left to take care of itself 

 for about twenty years, when the thinnings would be of some 

 value for pit props, being 4 inches or possibly 6 inches in diameter 

 at 12 feet. Probably half the trees would have to be taken out 

 at that time and the plantation left to take care of itself for ten 

 or fifteen years, when half the remainder would probably have to 

 be removed leaving the rest for the final timber crop. The 

 second thinning might be expected to be of a size that would 

 be suitable for fencing posts, pit sleepers, box making, and so 

 forth. The final crop might be expected at about seventy to 

 eighty years of age, and would be useful for railway sleepers, 

 boarding, and all constructional purposes. 



