C—IB

54

Murthly. Arrived at Kingswood about 1.30 p.m. The nursery, sawmill, creosoting-tank, and examples of well-grown sawn Douglas were seen. In the Byres Wood the substitution of coniferous timber crops for old oak coppice is being carried out, the species used being Douglas, hemlock, Thuja ■plicata, and Cupressus Nootkatensis, and the ages varying from one to eight years. From the Byres Wood the party went to the Ring-wood, and were shown a plantation of pure Douglas, fourteen years old, and already lightly thinned. The forestry museum, containing specimens of timber, fungoid and insect pests found on the estate, was visited. Tuesday, 30th June. Murthly. Arrived at Bee Cottage, on the Perth-Dunkeld Road, three miles from Dunkeld, at 9 a.m. The first plantation inspected was a pure Douglas plantation, eight years old, also mixtures of European and Japanese larch, and Douglas and experimental plots of hemlock, Thuja plicata, and a supposed hybrid between the European and Japanese larch. Passing by Rohallion Lodge the party was shown a plantation of larch planted at wide intervals and filled up after a lapse of five years with Douglas and other species. Dunkeld. The party left the Birnam Hotel at 2.30 p.m., and proceeded by motor through the Dunkeld woods, viewing good old larch and spruce, planted 1820-30. The greater part of this wood is not worketl commercially, but kept for aesthetic purposes. On the upper road to Loch Ordie a large area of good larch (altitude, 1,000 ft. to 1,500 ft.) was passed. Some of this wood is now being cut and manufactured at a sawmill in the locality. After leaving Loch Ordie the party proceeded to Dunkeld House via Dowally Sawmill, inspecting on the way plantations of European and Japanese larch, and a (supposed) hybrid larch between these two. After passing Dunkeld House a plantation of fine larch mixed with beech was seen, large silver-firs and parent larch. Motors were then taken to convey the party to Ladywell Nurseries en route to the Birnam Hotel, which was reached about 6.30 p.m. Wednesday, Ist July. A start was made from Birnam at 8 a.m., the route being taken via Blairgowrie and the Devil's Elbow (altitude, 2,200 ft.) to Braemar, which was reached about 10.30 a.m. Mar. Mar is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, deer forest in Scotland. The woods on the estate, apart from the natural forest, vary in age from about thirty to a hundred and twenty years. They were planted solely for shelter to the deer, which is necessary in a rigorous climate, and have been managed since with that object in view. Commercially, timber is of little value at Mar, as the cost of haulage would in many cases be more than the value of the timber. The planted woods are solely composed of pine and larch, and what remains of the natural forest is, of course, pine. The party motored along past the Linn of Dee and a few miles beyond it into Glendee. Good examples of larch growing at high elevations were seen on the way. Returning from Glendee we went in the direction of the Derry, where one or two younger plantations were observed, and thereafter proceeded past Mar Lodge, on the north bank of the Dee, to the Fife Arms, where lunch was obtained. Balmoral. Leaving Braemar at 2 p.m., the afternoon was devoted to an inspection of parts of the old Ballochbuie Forest, Garmaddie Wood, Craig-gowan and Balmoral grounds. Thursday, 2nd July. Ballogie. The party met at the lodge at 10 a.m., drove through the main avenue and out by the east gate, past Marywell as far as Sawmiller's Croft. We walked through Craigmore Wood (about fifty-five to sixty years old), the top of cleared ground and Slithery Brae, and then drove round to Hunter's Lodge, down to Carlogie, and back to Pot-arch for lunch, taking Balnacraig on the way. Finzean. Met at Corsedardar Stone at 2.30 p.m. Left cars and walked through Shannel Wood to clearing and back, rejoining cars and driving to Finzean by east avenue. Drove down main avenue, past " Laird's Walking-sticks," out at lodge, and on to Durris via Strachan. Durris. Met at Knappach Bridge at 5 p.m. Inspected plantations at Balbridie and North Brae (oak and young larch). Drove on to Balladrum; left cars and walked through Douglas fir plantation. Drove to Strathgyle to see Menzies plantation, and then straight to Aberdeen via Smithy and Marycultur Bridge, arriving at the Grand Hotel about 7.30 p.m.