C—lb

56

The soil in this wood is of exceptionally poor quality—viz., a thin, rough, and poor soil, gravelly, with a little peat or rough humus. That the soil is poor in this case is evident from the appearance of the old crop and from that of the smallest of the natural plants. It appears, however, that once the young crop has attained the age of about seven years the growths are much stronger, and the plants assume a much more vigorous appearance. Judging from, the specimens of the old crop left, it is very doubtful if it would pay to spend money in planting here; but as restocking is done naturally and therefore without expense, the chances of profit are more favourable than they otherwise would have been. Abernethy Forest. As this area forms part of the deer-forest, everything is left to work out naturally, nothingwhatever being done to assist a new crop. So far this has been secured in a somewhat more or less complete form, and thus the wood represents trees of all ages coming up together. The branch area of the young trees here, when grown openly, is not of the same rough nature as in the case of those grown on the lower levels of the country, so that trees of different ages grow together without causing each other any serious damage. All that is done by way of management is to remove the old trees when they have fostered a new crop. A number of the trees that formed part of this forest are still to be seen, but those left are somewhat rough and branchy. The timber of these trees is of the best quality, of exceptional durability, and stands well extreme weather exposure. Proceeding to Aviemore Railway-station, train was taken for Inverness, which was reached about 4.30 p.m. No var. In the afternoon and evening a short visit was made to the Novar Woods. Motors conveyed the members to Inchcholtair, where larch under-planted with Abies grandis were seen. Afterwards Crosshill was visited, where larch underplanted with various conifers were inspected, and on the way back to the station experimental plots and beech of natural regeneration under oak were noticed in passing. Dingwall was reached at 8.35 p.m., and Inverness at 9.30 p.m., where the party stayed for the week-end. Monday, 6th July. Glen Mor. The party assembled at Muirtown Pier, on the Caledonian Canal, at 7.45 a.m., and left by steamer at 8 a.m. for Oban. In the course of the sail down the canal members had an opportunity of seeing the area of 60,300 acres dealt with by Lord Loyal and Captain Stirling in their forest survejr of Glen Mor, which was published by the society in 1911. In the preface to this report the Council of the society says that the report establishes the following propositions : — " (1.) That it is possible to create forests in the Highlands, even in districts where the economic conditions appear most adverse, without seriously impairing existing sources of weath. " (2.) That afforested areas will, even in the early stages of the movement, gain greatly in employment and population. " (3.) That the actual work of planting can and ought to be cautiously begun as soon as the progress of the survey justifies the selection of definite areas." Several members of the party were able to give explanations regarding this area and the problems dealt with in the report. Oban was reached at 7.5 p.m., where the party was accommodated in the Great Western Hotel. Annual Excursion. Members (about seventy) taking part in the annual excursion assembled at Oban on Monday evening, 6th July, where they were joined by the society's Diamond Jubilee guests. Tuesday, 7th July. The combined party left Oban by train at 7.30 a.m. via Taynuilt and pass of Brander for Loch Awe Station, and were conveyed by steamer " Loch Awe " down the loch to New York pier. In the course of the sail a good view of the country on both sides of the loch was obtained, and some patches of good woodland and much land covered by natural scrub, birch, oak, alder, and ash were noticed, which gave a general idea of the possibilities of-the country from a forestry point of view. It should be noted, however, that some parts which look most promising from the loch are rather disappointing when walked over, and it is not wise to conclude that land which has the appearance of being covered by scrub is actually so, as the scrub is often on dry ridges with fiat bogs between, yet they appear as continuous masses of scrub woodland. Interliever Estate. (Area, 12,628 acres.) The estate was purchased by the Commissioners of Woods in 1907 for the purpose of conducting an afforestation scheme on a large scale. The first cost of the estate was £25,115; the redemption of-fixed charges has since amounted to £2,417, and payments for acclimatization values of sheep stock to £4,024, making a total of £31,556. A further payment of small amount for acclimatization value will have to be made on the determination of the existing tenancies. General Description. —The estate is situated at the west end of Loch Awe, on which it has a frontage of about eight miles and a half. The loch lies at an elevation of about 120 ft. above