The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1885-09-15 00:00:00

FIELD CLUB EXCURSION,

The NVeyinwith Tow. at:wiety Field Club made an
excursion to Langt‘m Herring on Yre.lay in respenee
to an invitation generously given by Mr. Sparks to
inspect his extensive plantation by the sea. Starting
from the Victoria Hotel at half.past two, after • meet
interesting six miles' drive, Langton Herring was
reached at about four o'clock. The company
proceeded at canoe to Mr. Sparks house, where
a short policy was read by Mimi Samson, of Elwell
Lea, Dewey, "The culture of trees and shrubs in
the neighbourhood of Weymouth."
Subsequently, Mr. Sraites explained he commenced
planting many of his trees more than 40 years scp,.
At that time the pinus awatrisce was not known in
this country. The late Lord Ilchester told him at
Abbrusleiry Castle that he had collected the swds
whilrd he was at Vienna, and sent them to the Hoe.
ticultural Society at London; hence I Inginated that
valuable fir the pinus ausfriaca—the hardiest and best
fir they had. Ile had planted them in large numbers
in his plentations, which appeared to be excellent
nurseries for them. In going round they would see •
c intrast between that and colOrt of the other firs. The
Scotch firs del not thrive well against the north-west
wind, bit the others sismaerl to meat the action of the
sea, and were most valuable. awl he strongly recom-
mended that they be planted along the coast. He
was told Lord Ilcheiter lOW going to plant one of the
shores, awl by-and-bye they wwild P.. a plantation
about a quarter of a mile in length on the shore"( this
manor. Another valuable plant was the ilex, or evergrae.n
oak, alei the micro earl*, and the pious insignias, a
very valuable fir, a XII.VIIIIOII .4 which was growing on
the lawn, lie for one would rejoice if planting could
be intruditeed along the western shore of the Rack'
water at Weymouth, and • carriage drive mete there.
In going round the plantations they would see the
trees, be able to judge al to their respective merita,
and then, if they liked, do what they could towards
the adoption of the snsprestiim made. Mew, howl
Mr. G. E. ELIOT stated that in regard to the
beautifying .4 the town, one of the next things they
hoped to do MU to attend to the Swan Island. This
would have been attended •to before had it not been
that certain dredging operations had to be carried out.
When they had sea.resisting trees planted upon them
it would be a step in the right direction. They were
all very much obliged to Miss &mama for the very
useful information she had afforded them that day.
He hoped all who could would fey to do something in
the direction which she had pointed out.
Dr. CHILI* recommended that Minx SllllllOll submit
her paper to the society again during the coming
winter mention, also that efforts be made for at once
carrying out some of the suggestions it contained.
(Applause.) He proposed "That a committee, con.
outing of Messes. Spark.., G. Eliot, Barrett, and T.
B. Groves, be formed, with power to add to their
numbers, to draw up a report in connection with the
paper, and that as many of its recommendations as
passible be carried out without delay."
The proposition was seconded by Mr. A. A. 811;

•
Mr. Hammer hoped there would be no practical
objection from the trusteed of the turnpikes respecting
the Ruggestiona.
Iliad Sage's MAW that a great many of the Viiwey
people petitioned the 114hway Board to know
whether they might plant trees by the roadside M
I.lteirey, but the reply wad that it would be forbidden
within a certain ilimance id the road.

Mr. SPAnlii : Such a stvgg.."-stio—n "I•night, perhaps,
be curia.: out in reipist ao the side of the Nothe.
The insl.'clricti of the plantations then took place.
l'hey Cr,' situated in various parts swelled Mr.
spark.' house, :mil cover a total area of from SO to 90
acres. .tn enslwyo plantation containing 3 numiter
of saplings from Aberdeen ; species if the ala•A
;tilts-air), the latter growing on the hewn: ti,, Isom-
hardy poplar, which thrives very well indeed; also
the sycamore and Cornish elms, which two stand the
wind best, were meted with very great interest.
Tile pines maritime% the latirestina, which leoks a.
beautiful in tlie spring .1 the year, anti the conittion
juniiver, which was seen gn wing spinstatesteslY, not
having been plantssl, were also carefully inspected,
lAit a plastation chiefly consisting .if the pines
.ttistriaca, roceivetl the greatest attention, AA the
trees wen. in a newt nourishing c.inilition iii spite of
a (till weith•west aspect- The effect .1 planting along
the 003 shore Was pc,ui at the Riot !louse I'lantation,
where there WaA • cliarnting grove isf pint,/ ,111.4fiarfil.
Time, however, only allowed it to Ite VieWelli at a ills.
tone..'. At abed set it'clisck the cotittwity rotireil to
Mr. Sparks' residence, where they were nowt hiss•
pitalily entertained at tea. The hoot having been
cordially thanked by Mr. Eliot on behalf .if the com-
pany generally for his great kindness, the strocredings
terminalisl with the drive back to Weymouth. All
wen- .4 opinion the outing Was one of the most ,m•
joyable the society has ever hail, and it in to be
hoped that good practical results may arise from it.