56 THE PIXUS INSIGXIS, AXD ITS VALUE 



introduction with a view to future profit of any species introduced 

 from beyond the limits of Europe. Finns piivdrovj, po/iderosa, 

 sctbiniana, jeffreyii, and others, are all more or less to be looked 

 upon merely as specimens for the lawn or policy, and not as 

 timber trees, the exceptions in this respect being confined to 

 those of European origin, such as the Finics laricio or Corsican 

 pine, Finns jjcdlasiana, F. austriaca, and F. maritiina, cenibra^ 

 and a few others. And we consider that, from the experience 

 already gathered regarding Finns insignis, it is no exception 

 to this rule in regard to its order; and herein lies its weak 

 point, which is to be regretted, as it is a decided bar to its 

 farther introduction with a view to profitable planting in Scot- 

 land. It must remain a mere ornament in the park or pleasure 

 ground, for the reasons stated, and for others to be given. But 

 while v/e thus assign to this, doubtless, beautiful pine, so isolated 

 a position amongst our newer introductions, we must in fairness 

 record some notable examples of what it will become in suitable 

 sites and stations ; for in manv parts of Enoiand, and also in 

 Ireland (to the mild moist climate of which it is peculiarly 

 well adapted), as well as in favourably sheltered sites in Scot- 

 land, it is thriving very well, although it appears to be more 

 fastidious as to soil, and exposure, and altitude, than many 

 others of our " newer Coniferce'/ as they are now so generally 

 termed. Hitherto these have generally proved quite satisfactory 

 in any ordinary soil, and few have evinced any peculiarity in the 

 way of a predilection for or aversion to any particular soil ; but 

 as they advance in height and growth, the suitability of their 

 nature for given altitudes, soils, and exposures is more apparent ; 

 and we find many, as they advance in stature, quite altering 

 their habit and growth, but whether this be from their having 

 percolated into the subsoil, or become altered, by the site, and 

 altitude, or exposure, in their general characteristics, it is per- 

 haps still premature to decide from the examples already before 

 us. Of one thing in regard to F. insignis, we may be well assured 

 from the results of the grow^th of many specimens in this country 

 — that it is frequently most wayward in its habit, declining to 

 observe or adhere to any allotted place, and frequently in conse- 

 quence assuming somewhat of an amount of irregularity in its 

 general contour, quite irreconcilable with its earlier progress and 

 development. 



But while we have thus indicated from the results of observa- 

 tion in many districts, that the F. insignis evinces little special 

 partiality for any particular soil, there can be no doubt that 

 with regard to altitude of site it is much more markedly fas- 

 tidious. Its most important qualification appears to be, from 

 the experience of its growth in this country, that it seems 

 to succeed much better in low altitudes near the sea — if 



