Capt. S. E. Cook on the Genus Pinus and Abies. 177 



perties in the west and south of England. The larch cannot 

 be grown to much profit as timber on cold wet lands, what- 

 ever be the climate. The pines of the middle class, P. Laricio 

 and P. hispanica, we have not the smallest doubt might be 

 grown to advantage on Dartmoor or Exmoor, South Wales, 

 &c, and it is to be regretted that proprietors should have 

 planted so bad and useless a tree as the Pinaster, which has 

 been done in some of those counties, where these better spe- 

 cies would thrive equally well or better. 



The cedar of Lebanon might be grown for profit by care at 

 first in any part of the south of England. They may be easily 

 raised from cuttings, the modes of which as well as the grafting 

 pines may be found in that excellent work Loudon's c Arbo- 

 retum 5 , the vast quantity, and condensation of information in 

 which makes it invaluable to the tree cultivator. The pre- 

 judice against trees raised in this manner is quite unfounded : 

 we might with quite as much reason declaim against propaga- 

 ting by layers, which, in many species, is our only resource 

 when the tree does not ripen seeds in this climate. 



We have one more observation to make respecting the 

 larch, which is more particularly addressed to those who pos- 

 sess estates in the adjacent counties, and especially in the 

 higher and colder parts. It is to call their attention to the 

 planting larch as an improver of soil. There is no doubt 

 whatever, by draining our cold clays, and planting larch 

 alone, that after fifteen to twenty years thinning them to open 

 order, sheep could be admitted with perfect safety. After 

 that, by regularly opening them out, the land would be prodi^ 

 giously increased in value as pasture, and the last trees could 

 remain until they were wanted, or that the tops should supply 

 the unerring information that they had done their best and 

 must be cut down. It is necessary to observe that belts or 

 strips will not answer the purpose, but that planting with this 

 view should be in solid masses, or squares or oblongs, from east 

 to west, and also that in this system we do not recommend, 

 but on the contrary deprecate, the mixture of other trees, 

 especially oaks, to the vain and useless hope of growing which 

 so much capital is uselessly expended. In short, according 

 to our calculation, the larch is to be used merely as a fructifier 



Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.2. No. 9. Nov. 1838. n 



