SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— K*. 417 



heath, both of which plant communities comprise several types. A nietliod of inter- 

 preting these types of grassland and heath in terms of tree growth is presented and 

 illustrated from the vegetation of the South Downs and of Aberdeenshire. 



Conflicting conclusions based on observations of the practice of heather burning, 

 methods of sowing and of planting cannot be satisfactorily interpreted until we first 

 know that we are dealing with the same type of plant community. 



The study of a series of related habitat complexes affords a method of correlating 

 the growth of trees and their accompanying vegetation with the progressively changing 

 habitat factors. This method discovers for us the behaviour of different species of 

 trees not only towards the master habitat factors but also towards each other and 

 the animals and plants which may prove injurious. In this last case the varying 

 relationships may suggest a method of attack on problems of pathology and artificial 

 and natural means of control. 



Saturday, August 7. 



Excursion to Lord Parmoor's Beech Woods in the Chilteru Hills^ 



Sunday, August 8. 



Joint excursion with Section K to Bagley Wood. 



Monday, August 9. 



13. Mr. W. R. Day. — The Parasitism of Armillaria Mellea in relation to 



Conifers. 



14. Dr. M. Wilson. — Control of Meria Laricis in the Nursery by Spraying. 



15. Mr. J. S. L. Waldie. — Brunchorstia, Disease of Conifers. 



16. Mr. Thos. Thomson. — Chirk Experimental Area. 



The objects of the area and its inception. Soil and situation. Lay-out and cost 

 of establishment. Methods of planting, their cost and results. Height growth 

 measurements of different species. Notes on some of the more advanced and more 

 interesting plots. Insect pests and fungoid diseases. Value of the area for demon- 

 strations, practical work for students and experiments in different silvicultural 

 operations. 



17. Mr. W. Dallimore. — The Aesthetic Value of Trees. 



This paper will direct attention to the decorative value of trees as apart from 

 any scientific or commercial interest they may possess. Special attention will be 

 paid to trees for suburban and other small gardens, for it is felt that a great deal 

 may be done towards beautifying villages and the outskirts of towns if residents are 

 encouraged to plant suitable trees in their gardens. In this connection suggestions 

 are put forward that municipal bodies might pay greater attention to the cultivation 

 of collections of trees in the parks and gardens under their control, in order that 

 residents may be able to study them and be able to select the most suitable kind.'j 

 for their requirements. Street trees will receive attention, also trees for country 

 roads, large gardens, parks and ornamental plantations. 



Tuesday, August 10. 



18. Mr. C. J. Chaplin. — The Application of Timber Testing. 



An outline was given of the development of the modern methods of timber testing 

 which deal with strength with relation to the natural characteristics and the condition 

 of seasoning of the timber. Former methods of testing ignored the basic factors of 



1926 E E 



