Plantations and Home Nurseries Competition , 1913. 293 
specimens of such trees as Douglas fir and others, which now 
serve as a guide of great value to the estate for future planting, 
such experiments are to be commended for their originality 
and forethought. 
Another point which we were glad to note was the planting 
of pure species in certain cases where they were likely to 
succeed, rather than the promiscuous mixture of trees which is 
often planted, on the excuse that if one does not thrive the 
other may, and which usually results in the production , of 
inferior timber of each variety. 
We were also glad to note that in many instances special 
attention had been given to the markets for which the timber 
was to be produced, and alternatives had been considered should 
the rotation be altered. 
We were struck with the general healthiness of the majority 
of the entries, and especially the absence of any serious damage 
by insect pests or fungi. Even the common larch disease, with 
one or two exceptions, was not at all conspicuous, and insect 
pests were also refreshingly absent. Wherever insect pests 
required to be dealt with, proper attention had been given to 
the subject. 
The worst pest in the hardwoods was the Ash Bud Moth 
( Prays curtisella ) and on one estate this was doing considerable 
damage. A. ryyrestTita Iceviyatella was common on the Laich, 
and in one case, in the hope of checking it, the side-shoots were 
being removed, but it was doubtful if this w^as justified. 
It would be difficult, in any competition, to find a more 
interesting estate than Dunster Castle, with the plantations 
planted by the late G. F. Luttrell, Esq. It is doubtful whether 
there is any estate in England which reflects more credit on the 
€ person who planted the timber, and shows more careful thought, 
consideration and study, than this Somerset estate. AVfith 
scarcely any guide as to which trees would be most suitable to 
plant in face of the special and exceptional difficulties from 
poverty of soil, animals and other pests, gales, &c., several of 
these plantations are now of considerable age ; and, in spite of 
the increased knowledge and experience which have since been 
acquired, it would be a bold man who would suggest that he 
could have done better, or could even now point to many mis- 
takes 
Ashton Court, Lady Smyth’s estate near Bristol, and the 
Trelleck Grange estate of Mr. Crompton Roberts, Monmouth- 
shire, were also worthy of note. 
Since there are so many good estates in South Devon, and 
in Cornwall, where forestry is important and where it has been 
developed to a considerable pitch of perfection, it was 
disappointing that entries had not been more general from 
