SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—K*. 561 
Amongst projects tackled experimentally were the following : 
(1) Method of inserting plants into a shallow turf and comparison of 
single shallow turf-method with other systems of turf planting. 
(2) Manuring and top dressing, chiefly with phosphates ; inoculating 
with active peat. 
(3) Effects of shelter. 
(4) Effects of preparation in advance and of turf decomposition ; season 
of cutting peat. 
(5) Use of peat from different depths. 
(6) Intensity of drainage. 
(7) Age and type of plants. 
(8) Trials of different species and races. 
Several of the experiments embraced costing trials. 
Experimental lay-out of various kinds has been used. 
Preliminary results show amongst other things : 
(a) The successful start made by surface planted trees. 
(b) Beneficial effects from phosphatic manuring. 
(c) Preparation in advance is, apparently, unnecessary. 
(d) Shelter is of secondary importance. 
(e) Surprisingly good growth of various exotic conifers compared with 
species previously considered more hopeful. 
While results obtained are only of a preliminary nature everything 
points to the urgent need for— 
(1) Cheap draining and turfing by mechanical means. 
(2) Cheap supply of suitable phosphatic manure. 
Mr. W. A. Rosertson.—Public opinion in the Empire upon forestry (11.0). 
Forestry is an unpopular subject or, at best, of indifferent interest to the 
public in the Empire and in the English-speaking part of the world. Why 
is it so? 
In the Dominions and probably most of England, forestry stands for 
plantation work and little or nothing else, and plantation ‘is associated 
mostly with conifers, and exotic conifers at that. Apart from this, forests 
are only associated with collections of decaying veteran trees esteemed for 
picturesque or sentimental reasons. 
The reliance on imported supplies of timber is of very old standing, 
while home woodlands are associated with sport only. Does this account 
for public indifference to forestry ? 
To get forestry properly appreciated in England and the Dominions 
ought not the supporters of forestry to try to give emphasis to the position 
of forests as part of the general land economy of the country and demonstrate 
the continuity of forests: the employment they give, the tending, pro- 
tection and management that they require ; and get away from the idea that 
forestry means the planting of an area and its neglect until the owner wants 
some cash? Some suggestions as to how this may be tried for, if not 
definitely achieved. 
Wednesday, September 13. 
Excursion (with Section K) to the works of the Timber Fireproofing 
Co., Ltd., Market Bosworth, near Nuneaton. 
