NOTES AND QUERIES. I3I 



Professor Trail, President of the branch, and some thirty 

 members and others interested in forestry took part in the 

 excursion. 



Mr P. Leslie, M.A., B.Sc, Lecturer in Forestry, Marischal 

 College, acted as guide. During the walk from the lodge to the 

 mansion-house, many good trees of several varieties, principally 

 broad-leaved, were noticed, some of which, being of considerable 

 size, seemed good subjects for arboricultural experiment. The 

 general rally was at the mansion, from which point the whole 

 company proceeded to make an inspection of the woodlands to 

 the west, where they are principally situated. 



The general plan proposed to be carried out by the Forestry 

 Committee of the Governors was explained by Mr Leslie, but 

 he further explained that while they had decided to convert 

 the whole into a forest garden, the Development Commissioners 

 had refused to sanction funds for an experimental area larger 

 than 30 acres. Under these circumstances, it was proposed to 

 proceed with the formation of a garden of this extent, and to 

 manage the woodlands, as far as possible, on commercial lines, 

 but it seemed a pity that it was not possible to take full 

 advantage of the facilities afforded by the full possession of 

 this property. 



In this forest garden of 30 acres it is intended, in so far as 

 the very limited area will permit, to test all indigenous and 

 exotic forest trees as to their hardiness for this climate, and 

 their general arboricultural and silvicultural suitability for the 

 North of Scotland, regard being had in all cases, as far as 

 possible, to soil, altitude and other local conditions. 



Certain progress has already been made in this direction 

 by the removal of the timber from the proposed area. 



This is, shortly, a general outline of the scheme which, under 

 the circumstances, commended itself generally to the practical 

 foresters present. However, the whole scheme being as yet 

 in an initial stage, it would be obviously unfair to express any 

 definite opinion on it. The great difficulty seems to be the 

 limited funds which the Development Commissioners are 

 willing to grant even in ordinary circumstances, and especially 

 at the present time when economy, owing to the war, is 

 being practised in all public works. Until this state of things 

 changes, we are afraid much further progress in such schemes 

 must be stayed for the present. 



