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or nearly so, and 25 of the 150 Sitka are dead or nearly so. The average height of the common spruce and Sitka is equal at 62 in., and the greatest growth last year in any single plant of each species is 3 in. In plot No. 2 the deaths are 140 and 30 respectively. The average height of spruce is 6"2 in. and of Sitka 7 - 5 in., and the greatest growth 3 in. The plants showed evidence of suffering very badly from wind; and it is very doubtful if ground of the quality, at the altitude and with such exposure, is worth treatment of any kind. The above experiment is to be followed up shortly by a more elaborate series on peaty soil. The party then passed down through ground planted in 1912-13, and during the latter part of the walk some of the best planting-ground was passed. Some effects of the wind-storm of 1911 were observed in the mixed coniferous wood to the right of the road after passing Acrihamish Farmhouse. On reaching Ford a halt was made to walk through the nursery. Unfortunately, the seedlings and young plants were very badly damaged by frost on the morning of the 24th May last. Poltalloch. Leaving the nursery at Ford at 1.20 p.m., the party proceeded to Poltalloch. Upper Largie plantation, extending to 18 acres, was first noticed. It was clean cut and replanted in 1907 with European larch and spruce rides. Behind this plantation lies one of the estate nurseries, formerly the mansion-house garden previous to the present mansion house being built. A little further on was seen an attempt at cheap cottage-building, the constructive timbers of which are entirely native spruce and larch, creosoted by the immersion process. Auchavaan Wood was next noticed. It extends to about 87 acres, and was planted in 1838, mostly with European larch. Three sections of this wood were badly damaged by the Tay Bridge gale, and afterwards replanted. Poltalloch was reached about 2 o'clock, when luncheon was served, and thereafter an hour was devoted to the gardens and policies. At 4 o'clock the party left Poltalloch and went direct to Duntroon nursery, part of which is still used as a garden for Duntroon Castle. Leaving Duntroon at 4.45 p.m., a halt was made at Kilchoan Banks plantation, extending to about 120 acres, clean cut down in 1905 and replanted in 1907-8-9 chiefly with larch, with the exception of the high tops and valleys, which are planted with Scots pine, spruce, and Douglas respectively. The next stop was made at the estate sawmill and workshops, where specimens of round and converted timber were seen, also a Douglas fir felled in 1909, which attained a height of 96 ft., and yielded 253 cubic feet squared at 27 in. The average circumference of this tree was 9 ft. Leaving the sawmill at 6 o'clock, the party proceeded past the head of Loch Craignish through the pass of Melfort to Oban. Wednesday, Bth July. Leaving Oban about 8 a.m., Poltalloch property was reached about 10 o'clock. Ballymeanoch plantation was first looked at. It was cut down in 1903 and replanted in 1905-6. The great Crinan Moss, extending to about 5,000 acres, will next be crossed. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to utilize the peat. At Bellanoch Bay timber is extensively shipped from the estate. Between Bellanoch and Achnamara there is an extensive plantation of about 268 acres, planted between 1869 and 1876 in groups of European larch, Scots pine, silver-fir, alder, and poplar. In common with other woods on the estate, this one has been much damaged by the 1911-12 gales. At Achnamara, Loch Sweene, woods planted in 1856 and extending to about 120 acres were examined. Returning from Achnamara via Bellanoch, mixed plantations extending to about 73 acres, planted in 1860, were seen at Barknakill. At Cairnbaan, Craiglass Wood (22 acres, planted 1876) was visited, and a clump of Douglas fir in it showing abnormal growth compared with other species planted noticed. The party then proceeded via Lochgilphead to lnverary, where lunch was served, -and afterwards resumed the journey via the head of Loch Fyne, Strachur, and Loch Eck to Dunoon. Thursday, 9th July. Glenfinart. A start from Dunoon was made about 9 a.m. for Glenfinart. The wooded part of this estate occupies a position surrounding Glenfinart Bay, on the eastern shore of Loch Long. The dominant species of tree is larch, ranging in age from a few years up to ninety years. In addition, there is a certain proportion of fine old Scots pine and occasional specimens of exotic conifers. The hardwoods consist mainly of beech, sycamore, oak, and birch scrub. Portindornaig Wood. —This consists of the pure larch plantation of about 100 acres, containing two age-classes, the younger of which is about sixty years and the older ninety years of age. Until November, 1911, the younger age-class was well stocked; as a result of the gales, however, about 40 per cent, of the timber was blown. The trees have a good height-growth, are well shaped, and contain on the average about 25 cubic feet. The older age-class contains a certain admixture of Scots pine and spruce, and the individual trees are of the same high quality as the younger age-class. The soil is shallow, in parts being only a few inches in depth, but seems to be well suited to the growth of larch. The value of the material is greatly enhanced through the facilities for its transport. The timber is hauled down to a natural loading-bank at the water's edge, where it is loaded with the ship's crane. Scots-pine Woods. —On the hillsides overlooking Glenfinart House the remains of extensive Scots-pine plantations are to be found. These contain fine specimens of Scots pine, some of which have a cubical content of over 80 ft.
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