292 Plantations and Home Nurseries Competition , 1913. 
itself to wider planting than Scots pine, oak or beech. All 
trees require different treatment, and their respective require- 
ments should be studied, whereas the want of proper attention 
to this point is responsible for such incorrect mixtures as larch, 
Scots, and oak. This latter is quite a common mixture and the 
result is to produce inferior timber of all three, and, since 
there is no shade-bearer present to preserve the fertility of the 
soil, both the crop and the land must necessarily suffer. 
It seems advisable to emphasise the importance of a proper 
and definite policy when planting, and to give careful con- 
sideration to all the necessary points. After deciding on the 
trees most Suitable to the soil, aspect, and general conditions, 
and how far these should be planted pure or mixed, the most 
important point for careful consideration is the local or other 
markets which can be cultivated, so as to ensure a proper 
demand either for the thinnings or for the mature timber. 
Other points for consideration are questions of an early return, 
the requirements of game, shelter, &c., and taking precautions 
as to damage by insects, fungi, voles, rabbits, &c. If possible, 
it is an advantage to be able to realise the crop at any reasonable 
age. 
It might appear superfluous to refer to the individual 
requirements of the trees and to the important difference 
between the light-demanders and shade-bearers. When, how- 
ever, one sees the mixtures advocated by nurserymen and 
others, no apology is needed for emphasising this point, and it 
cannot be too often impressed on planters that mixtures should 
be simple and limited to as few species as possible. 
A common mistake, illustrated in some of the entries, was 
that of leaving a few single standards of oak, &c., after the 
wood had been practically clear-felled preparatory to replanting 
with conifers. Although it might appear a pity to fell promising- 
looking saplings, the result, when these were isolated and 
exposed to the sun and gales (from which they had received 
protection in their early years), is invariably the production of 
epicormic branches, with consequent stagheadedness and a 
generally forlorn appearance. However promising these trees 
may have appeared, it is usually far better entirely to clear-fell 
and replant. 
The majority of the entries were far more free from these 
mistakes than is usual and several were of especial merit. 
There were instances of original and creditable experiments 
showing considerable forethought and consideration, and we 
noticed with pleasure that, in place of relying on the few 
varieties which had been planted on the estate in the past, 
small groups of other trees had been inserted as an experi- 
mental planting for future guidance. When we remember the 
