82 On the Native Forests of Aberdeenshire. 



linishing sales, with the exception of the two to which I have 

 referred.* The plantation was about eleven acres extent, on good 

 dry favourable soil. 



There is, within a quarter of a mile of the manse of Alford, a 

 plantation of Scotch firs of 40 acres, of about 47 years standing, 

 the condition and progress of which I have had the fullest op- 

 portunity for observing during twenty-eight years ; and as there 

 are many circumstances attending them entirely confirmatory of 

 the views above given, some of these will be now detailed. 



Within the limits of this plantation, there are some patches of 

 marshy ground, too wet for the habits of the Scotch fir, and which 

 remain therefore clear of trees ; but the larger part of the ground 

 is quite dry, and of tolerably good soil. In 1800, when I first 

 knew it, the young trees were all healthy, and occupied all the 

 dry ground. The whole southern part of it had been planted of 

 the usual thickness, and towards the middle, where the best soil 

 occurs, formed an almost impenetrable thicket. In some places at 

 the north side they were much thinner, and had evidently been so 

 from the beginning, either from design, or, what is more probable, 

 from accident, — as for instance the failure of some of the plants 

 from being planted too late in the season, a case which may be 

 often observed in the plantations now making. The divisions of 

 the thick and thin planted trees passed into each other by insen- 

 sible degrees. About the year 1807, a few of the trees of the thick- 

 est part of the plantation died, and were carried out for firewood, 

 and the destruction of this part has gone on since, from year to 

 year, to such an extent, that there are now two or three acres quite 

 deared of trees in the place which affords the best soil, and which, 

 in 1800, formed the closest plantation ; and, as the proprietor was 

 desirous of saving this plantation, few trees have been cut here, 

 but those that were already dead, or evidently dying. In addition 

 to the complete destruction of this part, the mischief has penetrat- 

 ed into, and is now fatally making progress in, every place where 

 the trees are much crowded together ; and it has been very easy to 

 observe, that it has been hastened or delayed in exact proportion to 

 their thickness or thinness. It has not occurred to any extent in 

 tlie thin parts of the north side, and there is in particular one part, 

 at the north-east corner, where the trees had originally more room 

 than elsewhere, in which few or no trees have died naturally ; but 

 where, on the contrary, they have now assumed the dense foliage 

 and clear bark of the tops and branches, which mark a tree fairly 

 established for a long and healthy growth like a native tree. It is 

 farther to be observed, regarding this plantation, that in addition 

 to the outside rows of trees continuing healthy, — ^those which have 

 margined the patches of swampy ground, — have generally conti- 

 nued so likewise ; and many of them have the appearance of liv- 

 ing, if permitted by the axe, to a great age. 



There are many other plantations in this neighbourhood, which 

 furnish ample ground for remarks of a nature entirely similar to 



