53

C—IB

Preparation of Working Plans. Several somewhat complicated schemes were exhibited to me, but in each case the contrasting conditions necessitated the formation of almost entirely different plans. Elaborate descriptions and statistics of what might be expected were also perused and noted. On discussing various points with the compilers it was noticed that they were unanimous in the belief that to prepare working plans before the sylvicultural possibilities of the tree-planting district were known is not practicable, for a certain working scheme applied to one plantation may not be adaptable to another young forest, where perhaps climatic and other conditions differ. The revision of working plans periodically is also unavoidable, and an original outlined has frequently to be abandoned and superseded by another into which the actual results has supplied a reliable working basis. No attempt will be made here to outline in detail form the recording practices seen, believing that at a later date full information in a more lengthly article will be acceptable. Such important points, however, as the following are invariably resorted to in connection with the initial plantation formation-work :— (1.) Survey of acquired areas and laying off of roads and fire-lines before planting commences : (2.) Preparing plans for subsequent recording of progress : (3.) Printing of special recording-bonks and tickets. For quite a number of years after the initiation of the Forestry Branch in New Zealand no attempt was made to keep accurate records of trees planted in compartments or plans showing the planting schemes adopted, and accordingly in endeavouring to effect a remedy in the earlier planted forests we are confronted with an insurmountable difficulty through the close growth prohibiting the necessary freedom for survey-work. It is apparent that, unless the blocks, loads, fire-lines, and boundaries of a newly acquired area are defined by a surveyor there is little hope of subsequent incontestible recording or satisfactory management. With each succeeding year the increasing extent of our affovestation-work exacts the application of more intricate labour, and I would strongly recommend that the Superintending Nurseryman of the North and South Islands respectively be asked to co-operate and discuss the question of working plans and other important matters at a convenient date. I have, &c, R. G. Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman for South Island. James Mackenzie, Esq., Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington. ROYAL SCOTTISH ABORICULTURAL SOCIETY. ITINERARY OF TOUR OF INSPECTION OP WOODS AND APPORESTABLE LANDS IN SCOTLAND MADE BY THE SOCIETY'S GUESTS, 29th JUNE to lOth JULY, 1914, AND REPERRED TO IN MR. R. G. ROBINSONS REPORT. (PROM THE SOCIETY'S TRANSACTIONS, VOL. XXVIII, PART 2.) Monday, 29th June. The representatives of India, Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand were entertained for three days at Dupplin Castle, Perth, after which the partj' assembled at the Station Hotel, Perth, at 9.30 a.m., where the motor-cars were in waiting. Scone. The following are particulars of the trees and plantations visited on this estate :— Lynedoch OM Pleasure-grounds. —Two Douglas firs, the first to be brought into this country. As plants they were sent with others by David Douglas, and were planted in 1834. The larger tree now contains 573 qr. girth cubic feet over bark. ' The total height is 115 ft. Most of the young Douglas trees on the estate were raised from seed obtained from these trees. Drumcairn Plantation. —Conifers and broad-leaved species—pure and mixed trial plots. Age, twelve to thirteen years. (1) Abies nobilis; (2) Lawson's cypress; (3) sycamore; (4) cycamore with Japanese larch; (5) Norway spruce; (6) European larch; (7) Japanese larch. Drumveigh Plantation. —Age, fifteen to sixteen years. (1) Scots pine and Japanese larch; (2) Norway spruce and Japanese larch. Longhill Woods and, Portable Sawmill. —Scots pine, spruce, and larch. Ages, sixty and 115 years. Damaged by gales of 1911 and 1912. Large Scots pines are being converted into railway-sleepers and boards; smaller Scots pine into pit-crowns, small sleepers, and pillar-woods; spruce into boards and rickers; and larch into planks, hutch-boards, fencing-materials, &c. Taymount Douglas Fir Plantation. —Planted in 1860 with Douglas fir and larch at the rate of 1,210 plants per acre, 303 being Douglas fir and 907 European larch. The whole of the larch were cut out by 1880, having become very much diseased. In 1887, 600 to 700 stems were removed. In 1888 the stems were pruned to a height of 15 ft. to 20 ft. In 1896 the pruning was continued to a height of 30 ft. In 1897 damage was done by wind to the north end. In 1912-13 blown and dead trees amounting to 106 stems were removed. Average number of stems per acre, 143; average volume of stems per acre, 6,276 ft.