THE GIRTH-INCREASE OF DECIDUOUS TREES. 63 
QUERCUS CONFERTA. No. 40. 
Situated to the east of the Rockery in the Botanic Garden. 
Girthed 234 inches in 1878, and for six years increased at the 
rate of 44 mil. In two quinquennial periods—from 1884 to 1893 
—it was 39 and 37. After pruning in 1894 the increase in that 
year fell to 22, and the quinquennial rate to 1898 was 17, and to 
1903, 14; while it fell off still further —to 114—for the period 1904- 
1906. This progressive falling off through the whole period of 
29 years was, probably, mainly the natural result of increasing 
age, but accelerated by the pruning in 1894. 
QUERCUS CONFERTA. No. 54. 
Girthed 16} inches in 1880. Unlike No. 40, the progress in 
this younger oak was upwards at first in three periods of from 
four to six years, the rates being 41, 43, and 47 mil. Pruning 
in 1894 reduced the amount in that year to 27, and the rate for 
eight years was only 18. An alarming and unaccountable pro- 
gressive decline to 74, 64, and 4 followed in‘ 1903-4-5, when the 
tree was transplanted. 
QUERCUS CONFERTA. No. 55. 
Girthed 134 inches in 1880, and the rates for the three periods 
corresponding to those of No. 54 were 40, 38, and 43 mil. After 
pruning in 1894 the increase fell to 19, and the rate for five 
years to 163. In one of these—1897—the increase was only 1} 
in the next three years—1899-1901—the rate revived to 24; but 
' relapsed again to 14 for four years to 1905. The increase of 27 
in 1906, however, is encouraging. Like Nos. 40 and 54, this tree 
has always looked well, but in none of them has the pruning 
produced a vigorous upward growth as yet. 
QUERCUS PEDUNCULATA. No. 2. 
Situated near the ruined walnut, Arboretum entrance. Girthed 
8 inches in 1888, and for three years its rate of increases was 9 mil. 
Infancy seemed then to be passed, as the rate for the next three 
years was 22, but it fell back to 12 in 1894~95. The tree was 
then pruned and the increases for the next three years were only 
14, 24, and 33. A revival to 12¢ took place in the following 
