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YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT THORNTON DALE. 
W. H. PEARSALL, D.SC., AND F. A. MASON, F.R.M.S. 
The Whitsuntide Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was held 
from June 3rd to 5th, headquarters being located at Thornton Dale (near 
Pickering), a charming old-world village which thoroughly deserves 
its reputation as one of the most beautiful in England. The general 
object of the meeting was the investigation of the southern valleys of 
the Cleveland hills. With the country side at its best, and favoured 
by perfect weather, the muster of members was so large that the avail- 
able accommodation was severely taxed. In addition, the occasion had 
a certain historic interest, since it was the 300th meeting of the Union. 
For most of the time the party worked in two groups, the zoologists 
under the able guidance of the head -keeper, Mr. J. Green, departing'to 
photograph and observe some of the less common birds. The main body 
devoted June 3rd and 5th to examining the southern end of the Ellerburn 
Valley, led by Mr. A. I. Burnley, whose local knowledge proved of the 
greatest service. On these days members had an opportunity of ex- 
amining the Saxon remains incorporated in the Ellerburn Church. On 
June 4th a visit was paid to the estate of the Forestry Commission. 
Afforestation (T. W. Woodhead). — This excursion afforded the 
members an excellent opportunity of inspecting one of the sites selected 
by the Forestry Commission for planting, and by the courtesy of Mr. 
J. A. K. Meldrum, the Commissioner for this area, and under his able 
guidance, the work in progress was seen to advantage. In the neigh- 
bourhood of Allerston, High Dalby, and Low Dalby, the Commissioners 
are planting an area of about 10 square miles, and it was interesting to 
compare the methods here adopted with the attempts previously made 
on the Pennine slopes, by landowners and municipal authorities, where so 
much planting has been done in the past on exposed wind-swept areas. 
On the Cleveland site experience has shown that young trees purchased 
and introducted from other districts are not so successful as those raised 
on the site, and a nursery several acres in extent has been established, 
and here seeds are tested, treated and sown in preparation for trans- 
planting, some of the seeds being obtained from trees growing on the 
estate. The seedlings were making good progress and active trans- 
p 1 anting was going on. Commencing in the valleys and lower levels, the 
slopes are being steadily invaded, chiefly by conifers, and along the rides 
are screens of deciduous trees. Mr. Meldrum pointed out that foresters 
frequently introduced the beech, not only as a.protection to the conifers, 
but also to enrich the soil. Transplanting is done by aid of an ingenious 
frame which not only economises time, but ensures more regular and 
effective planting. A gang of five men being able to plant about 20,000 
seedlings a day, and on piece work earn 10/- to it/-. Careful attention 
has been paid to the financial side, and as a result, working costs have 
been greatly reduced. It is hoped that under the skilful management 
of Mr. Meldrum, the effort will meet with complete success. 
Botanical Survey (W. H. Pearsall). — Although the moorlands of 
N.E. Yorkshire have been fully described by Elgee, very little is known 
about the woodlands in this area. Considerable attention was therefore 
given to the woods in the Ellerburn Valley. Speaking generally, the 
vegetation of the district falls into three groups, (1) on the flat tops of 
the plateaux the soil is thoroughly leached, and bears calluna heath, 
with plantations' or sub -spontaneous woods of Scotch pine, (2) on the 
steep valley slopes a varied series of woodlands represent the native 
vegetation, (3) in the bottom of the valleys are alluvial pastures, with 
remains of the primitive alder swamps, and flushes whose waters are 
charged with lime removed from the soil and strata of the higher levels. 
1922 Aug.-Sept. 
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