382 REPORT ON LARCH FORESTS. 



dykes were all equally covered, presenting quite a hoary ap- 

 pearance. 



Before proceeding with a statement of those plantations formed 

 within the present century, we may take a retrospective glance 

 at those trees and plantations planted previous to that time. 



The old trees at Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, planted in 1740, 

 still healthy and growing ; the number and spread of their branches 

 show what ample space they have uniformly occupied. The soil 

 in which they grow is a dry sandy loam, with an open clayey 

 subsoil, abounding with stones. They are exposed to the north, 

 and situated at an altitude of 400 feet. 



At Arniston, in Mid- Lothian, there are several fine larches, 

 planted about 1726, all in good health. Their situation is moder- 

 ately sheltered, but most open to the north. Soil, sandy and 

 gravelly loam ; subsoil, porous yellow sand and clay. Some of 

 the larches are growing amongst hard-woods, and have enjoyed 

 similar advantages of room for their branches to spread. Height, 

 70 feet and upwards ; contents, from 100 to 200 cubic feet. 



One fine larch is growing at Novar, in Boss-shire, 96 feet 

 high, with a clean stem of 36 feet. Top moderately clothed with 

 "branches ; age supposed 100 years ; contents of trunk, 205 cubic 

 feet ; exposure towards the north ; soil, dry sandy loam ; subsoil, 

 pure water-gravel and sand. 



Several fine larches are growing in a glen at Cullen House, 

 Banffshire, planted about 1767. They contain from 100 to 160 

 cubic feet of timber, are in excellent health, and now increasing 

 at the rate of from 2 to 4 cubic feet annually. They are inland 

 from the Moray Firth from one to three miles, and are sheltered 

 from the sea and other exposures by rising grounds. The soil is 

 a light, dry, gravelly loam, resting in some cases upon clay, and 

 in others upon sandy gravel and water-worn stones. The trees 

 are well clothed with branches, having always had ample room. 



An excellent tree is growing at Kippenross, Perthshire, 108 

 feet in height, and contains 515 cubic feet. Its age is 123 

 years ; exposure north and east. This tree is growing upon dry 

 sandy loam, with a loose gravelly subsoil. 



The old larches at Dunkeld, the finest specimens of larch the 

 writer has seen, were planted in 1738, the only two out of the 

 five originally planted at that date. They are situated upon the 

 lawn, and are growing upon a dry sandy loam, mixed with stones 

 and gravel. The trees are well sheltered all round, but most 

 open to the north. The branches of the largest measure, from 

 top to top, 85 feet, and are situated upon the trunk to within 

 thirteen feet of the ground. The estimated present contents of 

 the two trees are 870 cubic feet. 



Another very fine specimen of larch at Dunkeld is a tree 

 planted in 1780, about a mile above the abbey, situated within 



