VALUE AS A CROP. 1/5 



— a very prevalent error in modern planting, and one 

 which should be very carefully avoided. 



Xo importance seems worthy of being attached to 

 the rock formation ; the trees grow equally well upon 

 all the different rocks, provided only there be open 

 fissures and crevices for the roots, and the ground dry 

 — all which advantages the Athole larch possesses in 

 an eminent deorree. 



o 



The practice of keeping down rank and luxuriant 

 weeds, including juniper, whins, brackens, and grasses, 

 for several years subsequent to planting, tended greatly 

 to promote the prosperity of the young plantations, 

 and is a practice worthy of imitation. 



Another circumstance — regarded by some as the 

 most potent of all — in rendering the Athole larch 

 so pre-eminently successful, was the seed, most of it 

 having been imported direct from its native mountains 

 in Italy or Switzerland. Whether this be of vital im- 

 portance or not has not yet been fully established ; 

 but one thing is certain, that the first plants intro- 

 duced have not been surpassed in growth by those raised 

 from seeds from trees acclimatised in this country or 

 from Tyrol. Again, the fact of the oldest larches at 

 Dunkeld and Blair having been grown in the London 

 nurseries, and even grown and treated as exotics, was 

 in no way prejudicial to their future success. 



The forest operations are conducted under one gene- 

 ral manager, with a staff of subordinates to carry out 

 details. 



The wood is generally disposed of to wood mer- 



