290 Plantations and Home Nurseries Competition , 1913. 
allocate the work in such a manner as would embrace the 
enthusiasm or predilection of the individual exhibitor, and 
prevent, as far as possible, overlapping or repetition, but at the 
same time focus on the aggregate result. 
A. T. Gillanders. 
Park Cottage, 
Alnwick. 
REPORT OF JUDGES ON PLANTATIONS 
AND HOME NURSERIES COMPETITION, 
I 9 I 3- 
The counties of Monmouthshire, Somerset, Devon and 
Cornwall were those included in the annual Plantation 
Competition in connection with the Royal Agricultural 
Show at Bristol. 
Although these four counties are particularly rich in well- 
timbered estates, and although the production of coniferous 
and other timber is of more importance to them than possibly 
any other four counties in England, the entries were somewhat 
disappointing. They included : Monmouthshire eleven, 
Somerset fourteen, Devon two, Cornwall' none. Any deficiency 
in quantity, however, was made up in quality, and in several 
of the classes it would be difficult to find more interesting 
examples of forestry. 
Since a full detailed report of the entries appeared in the 
October issue of The Journal of Forestry, it is intended here to 
speak more in general terms and to refer to several points that 
apply to all competitions, and also emphasise certain errors 
which are so general in this country. 
We might first place on record the great good which these 
competitions are doing to create interest in forestry and the 
improvement of woods, and a healthy rivalry between the 
different estates. They also lead to discussions on important 
points and help the solution of pressing problems relating to 
forestry in this country. 
The same rule applies to these as to all other competitions 
that the best men take the lead and enter their woods, and, 
though they may have suffered from special handicaps, or even 
made mistakes, they are not ashamed of risking criticism or 
adverse awards. The motto applicable to these competitions is 
that it is better to ha^ve competed and lost than not to have 
competed at all ; and it is a pity that others, who have often 
quite good things to enter, should betray so much hesitation in 
doing so. As in other crops, the best crop of trees does not 
