1909.] Afforestation of Catchment Areas. 



271 



of Saddleworth, Yorks, West Riding. This area is peaty in 

 character, and the land was partly ploughed and partly turned 

 over by hand. The average elevation of the land is 950 ft. 

 above sea-level, with a south-westerly aspect. The trees were 

 40,000 in number, and consisted of Mountain and Common 

 Ash, Austrian Pine, Scarlet Willow, Beech, Oak, Poplar, 

 Alder, Pyrus Aria, Birch, Wych Elm, Sycamore, and Chest- 

 nut. They were planted in December and January by the 

 Corporation's own staff. The cost per tree planted is stated 

 to have been as follows : — Preparation of land, '6d.; fencing 

 off, '2d.; cost of tree, 'yd.; and cost of planting, I'qd.; 

 making a total of 2'gd. per tree planted. The plantations 

 are said to be progressing very slowly, but no indication of 

 damage by insect pests has been observed. 



Llandudno . — A few trees have been planted on the catch- 

 ment area, and the question of carrying out further work is 

 now under consideration. 



Bolton. — In 1905 the Corporation commenced to plant a 

 small portion of the catchment area of one of their reservoirs, 

 and have planted about 18 acres. Several "unemployed" 

 have been taken on, and a further 20 acres of rough land is 

 being prepared for planting next autumn. 



Darwen. — The Darwen Local Authority have not planted 

 much of their catchment area, as the part which is suitable 

 for planting is let off for pasturage. In view, however, of 

 the desirability of providing emplo)^ment, and of testing the 

 suitability of the watershed for afforestation, the Water Com- 

 mittee recently decided to plant an experimental area of two 

 acres of land, having a northerly aspect, situated 900 ft. above 

 sea-level. This was done in January last by men from the 

 Distress Committee's Register. In all, 800 trees of various 

 kinds were planted at a total cost of £26 lys. 8d., made up 

 as follows: — Cost of trees, £1 16s.; preparing ground and 

 planting, £6 4s.; making fence, £$ 2s. 6d. ; and fencing 

 materials, ^14 15s. 2d. 



The cost of trees and of planting amounted to £^ per 

 acre ; the fencing was necessary to keep out cattle and sheep 

 from the adjoining pasture land. 



Bury. — The Bury and District Joint Water Board are 

 planting a small area annually. Up to the present three 



