62 THE PINUS INSIGXIS, AND ITS VALUE 



from 480 to 700 feet above sea-level ; at Eastnor (Hereford), 

 at 520 feet elevation ; and at Watcombe (Devon), at 450 feet. 

 And such examples show that the tree is not injuriously affected 

 by the nature of the geological formation, for these places vary 

 in that particular considerably ; and as regards soil, it is by such 

 evidence ascertained that a sandy light soil suits it better than 

 a low lying damp heavy loam ; but from the insignis being so 

 sparsely grown, few materials are at hand to show the compara- 

 tive rate of progress of the growth of trees of the same age, in 

 various soils, in the same district. In the district of Cornwall, 

 it succeeds splendidly, and better than either the Austrian or 

 Pinaster pine which are very often, in that locality, associated 

 with it as nurses. At Porthguedden, near Truro, in Cornwall, 

 there is a fine specimen over 70 feet high, growing within 100 

 yards of the sea ; and quite uninjured by the sea-breeze. In 

 situations which suit it, the rapidity of its growth is marvellous, 

 after being fairly started. Thus we find that at Osborne (Isle 

 of Wight), in 1851, it actually made shoots of 6 J feet in 

 length ; and at Nettlecombe (in Somersetshire), it made shoots 

 7 feet long during the growing season of 1861 ; and after the 

 previously very severe winter ; which had not affected it there. 

 It was then 48 feet in height. Some observers have fancied 

 that it makes young wood all the year round, but this is a 

 mistake probably caused by the early period in spring at which 

 it puts forth its young buds, which are in very favourable 

 spots sometimes seen in the month of January, 8 inches in 

 length at that precarious season ! To this tendency is its 

 failure to be ascribed in many places, and especially in low- 

 lying and damp heav}^ soils, exposed to the south. 



Turning now to Ireland, we find that the climate there is in 

 some districts peculiarly favourable to the growth and develop- 

 ment of P. insignis. Indeed, if this pine is to be grown for 

 timber purposes at all in Britain, it is to the southern and 

 south-western counties of Ireland that we must look for its 

 most probable success, both physiologically and pecuniarily. 

 Near Arctrum, Inniscarra, co. Cork, growing on the estate of 

 Fota, and, in the vicinity of Queenstown, we find a handsome 

 tree, 50 feet high, with a girth of 11 feet 8 inches at 3 feet 

 from the ground, and under thirty years planted. It grows on a 

 dry marly subsoil, with a western exposure, and not more than 

 20 feet above sea-level. In anv instance where the timber has 

 been sawn, in this district, it has a blotched appearance, with 

 resin-like spots through the grain of the wood, and is found 

 superior to Scots fir, spruce, or silver fir of the same age. It 

 grows rapidly, and has a very majestic appearance, and is quite 

 hardy in this district. From Limerick, Waterford, Queen's 

 County, and Tipperary, similar reports are received as well as 



