2o6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



were carried out on the two species of larch were identical 

 with the tests to which all timber used by the mine is subjected, 

 and I can vouch for the accuracy of the figures, which may, 

 I think, be looked on as conclusive as to the inadvisability of 

 planting Japanese larch on a big scale commercially. As an 

 ornamental tree I have not a word to say against the species, 

 in fact it will out-grow the common larch by inches in a year. 

 Please note that I do not wish to put forward my views as to 

 the Japanese larch, but simply to state facts. I myself have 

 been a planter for some years in this country and in the East, 

 and my father and grandfather and many of my relations 

 have been planters in this country on fairly extensive lines for 

 a great many years. 



" Report on the comparative strength and durability of 13- 

 year-old Japanese and European larch carried out by the 

 timber tester at Hodbarrow mine, Cumberland, at the pit 

 head, 24M May 1915. 



"The pieces of larch were each placed on supports 4 ft. 6 ins. 

 apart, and subjected to gradual pressure at the centre by means 

 of a screw, having a pitch of half an inch, turned by four men 

 at the end of a lever — 



Test No. 1. — Japanese larch, 6x5 ins. 



Broke at 2\ turns = i deflection. 

 Test No. 2. — English larch, 6x5 ins. 



Broke at 4^ turns = 2} deflections. 

 Test No. 3. — Japanese larch, 7-^ ins. diameter over bark. 



Cracked at 6 turns = 3 deflections. 



Broke at 8 turns =4 ,, 

 Test No. 4. — English larch, ']\ ins. diameter over bark. 



Cracked at 14 turns = 7 deflections. 



Broke at 15^ turns =7f ,, 

 Test No 5. — Japanese larch, 8| ins. diameter over bark. 



Cracked at 6 turns = 3 deflections. 



Broke at 7 turns = 3^ „ 



Test No. 6. — English larch, 8^ ins. diameter over bark. 



Cracked at 1 2 turns = 6 deflections. 



Broke at 16 turns =8 „ 



" In all the above tests the nature of the fracture was greatly 

 in favour of the European larch, the Japanese larch broke 



