HYBRID TREES 137 



in Scotland, woodlands showing all the inferior 

 characteristics of the southern "variety" are now 

 to be found alongside of the superior variety 

 native to "the soil. Thus, in the absence of dis- 

 tinct data as to the origin of the various planted 

 woods, the question is complicated, but there 

 is all the greater demand for thorough scientific 

 investigation. What is true of Scots Pine is 

 undoubtedly true of other species. While the 

 selection of seed in agriculture has been proved to 

 be of the greatest importance, it is clear that it is 

 more so in forestry; for the agriculturist has the 

 opportunity of* putting things right in a single 

 year, but the silviculturist is committed to a 

 century. The forester is helpless in the matter, 

 and the skilled botanical investigator must solve 

 the problem. 



The work which has been done in producing 

 new varieties of agricultural plants suggests the 

 possibility of producing new varieties of trees. 

 Hybrids carry with them certain advantages; 

 they are generally more rapid and vigorous in 

 growth. Some steps have already been taken in 

 the direction of producing hybrid trees, and the 

 results have been startling. It is possible to 

 produce much greater bulk of timber in a given 

 time, or to produce the desired bulk of timber in 

 a very much shorter time. Anything which can 

 shorten the rotation is of the utmost value in 

 commercial forestry, for it must be borne in mind 



