66 GROWTH OF WOOD IN DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN TREES. 



be of importance in unexpected ways. I must also repeat the surprise which 

 Sir Robert often expressed, that little or nothing seems to have been done to 

 ascertain the effects of manuring on tree growth. " Mulches " have indeed 

 been applied to favourite trees when in a sickly state, and often with the best 

 results, but the farther step of trying the effect of manures in stimulating the 

 growth of healthy trees has not, so far as I am aware, been taken. Perhaps 

 the want of any reliable method of ascertaining the rate of growth of wood has 

 hitherto stood in the way of such experiments ; but surely there is the greatest 

 encouragement to undertake them, now that Sir Robert has shown the ease 

 and accuracy with which minute measurements of the girth of trees can be 

 made, and their rate of growth thus ascertained in comparatively short periods 

 of time. If such application of manures proved useful, but at the same time 

 too expensive to be employed on the great scale, it should at least be welcomed 

 by the .landed proprietor to secure a more rapid growth of young ornamental 

 wood. 



Note. — In Table III. the average growth of the Evergreen trees for May and June 1881 

 should be 065 instead of 0'48, and the monthly percentages 59, 15, 26, instead of 51, 18, 31. 

 The latter errors occur also in Table VII. The conclusions in the text are not materially 

 affected by these errors, except that the claim of August to the highest average monthly growth 

 in 1881, mentioned on page 57, becomes very doubtful. 



