FOR PLAXTIXG IX SCOTLAND. 57 



not actually exposed to its salt-charged breezes — and in sandy 

 soil in such situations, than at higher altitudes where the true 

 pine (or PiJius) family generally prefers to luxuriate. In this 

 respect it seems to be an outcast from its race, and to follow in 

 this wayward fancy the nature of Pinus maritima, which in 

 many respects, as regards habit of growth, it considerably re- 

 sembles. Eecfardin^ its immunity from the effects of wind in 

 this country, we have hardly data sufficient upon which to found 

 a definite opinion ; but that heavy blasts do not severely interfere 

 with its progress and vitality, may be gathered from the fact that 

 its first discoverers tell us that at Point Pinos, near Monterey, on 

 the shores of California, and swept by continuous gales, it there 

 becomes one-sided, from the prevalence of the northerly winds, 

 which beat upon the trees during the greater jiart of the year. 

 Indeed, we find it in this country, in such similarly situated 

 positions, thriving better than in more sheltered sites at higher 

 altitudes and with milder exposures, as, for example, in many 

 parts of Ireland, into which country it has been more extensively 

 introduced than into England or Scotland, owing doubtless to its 

 greater suitability for the moist and (^enial Irish climate, and 

 where it is to be found standing up well against the prevailing 

 strong south-westerly winds, wdiich, so frequently wafted by the 

 wide Atlantic, sweep for days and weeks togetlier over the 

 Emerald Isle.- 



From these statements, and from experience of the progress of 

 Pinus insignis in many other localities in this country, there can 

 be no doubt that it is best suited to a light sandy loamy soil, 

 upon a cool subsoil, in a reasonably near proximity to the 

 sea, and in a moist atmosphere. For instance, in such a situa- 

 tion as the Isle of Wight, it is admirably suited for successful 

 cultivation, and has, in fact, been grown there from its first 

 introduction to this country. At Osborne House the late 

 lamented Prince Consort introduced it with marked success. 

 Planted there in 1847, when 4 feet high, it is now fully 80 feet 

 in height, and girths 10 feet 6 inches at 3 feet from the ground. 

 In 1849 this tree actually made ?> feet 9 inches of annual growth, 

 v/hile in 1850 it made no less than 5 feet 9 inches, and in 1851 

 6 feet inches of annual growth ! This rapidity of growth in a 

 congenial soil and site is a remarkable characteristic of this 

 pine ; for wliereas in ordinary cases we see it progressing 

 fairly, and kee[)ing j)ace witli other species and varieties, if 

 it actually gets the soil, and especially the site, peculiarly 

 its own, the rajiidity of its growth is truly astonishing. It 

 is not true, as has been sometimes asserted, that the Pinus 

 insigniti is uncondilionaUg liardg in the climate of Pritain. AVe 

 find that in numerous instances it has failed in many ]>laoes to 

 resist even moderately severe winters when young, although after 



