Ex-jjenences of a Scotsman on the Essex Cknjs. 311 
gradually spreading over the exposed surface. To encourage 
this it would be well to dress the exposed portion with some 
substance fitted to protect it. 
The frasfments of diseased bark which are cut off should not 
be left on the ground, but should be carefully put in a bag and 
afterwards destroyed by burning. 
The conditions which are essential to the successful growth of 
other timber trees are all equally important in the case of the 
larch. The crowding of healthy trees, while not advantageous 
to their growth, is very dangerous when a tree is attacked, as 
the infection of its neighbours by the spores is greatly facilitated. 
Though every effort be made to combat the disease in districts 
where plantations are extensively attacked, and the trees have 
been greatly reduced in value, it may deserve consideration 
whether it would not be better to replace the larch by other 
trees suitable to our climate, and fitted for the purposes for 
which the larch has been so long employed. 
•J. B. Carruthers. 
EXPERIENCES OF A SCOTSMAN ON 
THE ESSEX CLAYS. 
The occupation of land in Essex by Scotsmen has become so 
frequent that the settlers are often termed the '"Scotch Colony," 
although they are scattered up and down the county, and oc- 
cupy different kiuds of soil. Ongar, Brentwood, and Chelms- 
ford, however, represent the sort of centres where the greatest 
number are to be found. A very large proportion, in fact the 
majority, are from the district in Ayrshire of which Kilmarnock 
is the centre ; and as this is a famous dairying locality, it 
follows that the immigrants brought their dairying propensities 
with them, and largely converted their farms into milk manu- 
factories. It is doubtful if, of recent years, dairying pays better 
than other forms of farming ; but when people have been accus- 
tomed to it, like it, and have the necessary technical skill, they 
do well to adopt it, even in a new and untried country. 
The question has been asked, Why so many Scottish farmers 
come to this and other parts of England ? The question may be 
answered in a very few words — excessive rents at home. There is 
not the least doubt that " the depression" has been very badly 
felt in some parts of Scotland, especially the eastern agricultural 
