82 ON THE SOILS AND SUBSOILS 



the i^orway spruce can be grown profitably on this kind of 

 peat, especially on the former and in sheltered places. In such 

 situations spruce is one of the most profitable crops that this soil 

 will produce. The Ahics Douglasii, also grows in similar situa- 

 tions, at least to a certain age, but of course it is of too recent 

 introduction to form a positive opinion as to the soils on which 

 it will succeed; but in a young state, it promises w-ell. 



If the altitude is high and the situation exposed, this sort of 

 soil and subsoil is best suited for growing Scots fir, and they 

 will be found to be as safe and as profitable a crop as the soil 

 can produce. The quality and durability of the Scots fir is 

 much unproved by a proportion of sand amongst the peat, 

 especially if the subsoil be granitic. If on a limestone forma- 

 tion, the Scots fir is of a branchy habit, and the timber rougher 

 than when on gi^anite. They grow rapidly up to a certain stage, 

 when they generally branch off into numerous leaders and get 

 flat-headed. The stage at which this appearance occurs depends 

 on the depth of the subsoil, as it is generally allowed to be 

 caused by the roots coming into contact with some substance 

 antagonistic to their development. Under the same circum- 

 stances, larch, besides losing their leaders, are affected with 

 blisters and ulcers, and when such is their state, it is consider- 

 ably reduced in value, and as a profitable crop is a failure. The 

 hardwood stated as suitable for growing on a granite formation 

 is more suitable for growing on a limestone formation under 

 similar circumstances ; thus showing that on the granite forma- 

 tions the fir tribes are the most suitable, while on the limestone 

 formation the planter can have a wider choice. 



Zd, Peat of various depths, but generally shallow-, with a 

 moorband pan and hard subsoil, is very common in some parts 

 of Scotland, especially on fiat moorland. The soil is invariably 

 wet on the surface, and in its natural state is quite unsuitable 

 for the grow-th of trees. If thoroughly drained and the pan 

 broken, Scots fir and spruce will grow on it to be a fair average 

 crop. Unless thoroughly drained, the trees either die off young 

 or get twisted into all conceivable shapeS; and^ never attain to 

 anything like timber proportions. The spruce is only suited 

 for growing on low and medium altitudes, but the Scots fir wall 

 grow on either. Birch will do the same; but as mentioned 

 before, it is not so profitable, and should only be grow^n where 

 variety is wanted. 



^th, Deep black peat, sucli as is generally used for fuel, 

 is not suitable for the growth of trees under any circumstances; 

 still, if it can be got thoroughly drained and a portion of the 

 subsoil spread over the surface, a fair crop of spruce may be got 

 to cover the ground ; but unless the roots can get through the 

 peat and into the subsoil, this sort of peat will not grow^ a pro- 



