32 MORE TREE-PLANTING IN EDINBURGH. [Nov. 



MORE TREE-PLANTING IN EDINBURGH. 



rr^HIS topic has recently occupied the correspondence columns of 

 JL the Scotsman, and we recur to it the more readily, as the 

 subject was originally started in these pages some years ago. Some 

 progress has been made. In one or two thoroughfares young seed- 

 lings carefully guarded are struggling into life despite the smoke 

 and mists of the grey metropolis of the north. But in other streets, 

 such as Melville Street, as has been pointed out, nothing has yet 

 been attempted to give diversity to the weary platitudes of plate- 

 glass and freestone ashlar work. The ornamental shrubbery strips 

 in the Meadows (thanks to the taste of Mr. M'Leod, City Garden 

 Superintendent) now show some of the arboreal amenities we have 

 already Ijequeathed to our grandchildren. But what is to be said 

 of the new demand, that H.M. Commissioners of "Woods and Forests 

 cover witli tliick tree growth the unique lion's haunch of xVrthur 

 Seat, and in whole or in part the escarpments of Salisljury Crags ? 



A moderate amount of planting in the area of the Queen's Park 

 would increase its amenity. It might renew an aspect of scenery 

 already to be found in old pictures of this and the neighbouring 

 hills. Important scientific truths regarding the adaptation of soils 

 to different trees might l)e gained were the hill an experimental 

 station in connection with the new Forestry School. The decomposing 

 basalts, dolerites, and the diversified rocks forming the area of the 

 hill, render it an infinitely preferable site either to tlie Arboretum 

 or the Royal Botanic Gardens, which, situated on the newer formations 

 of recent sands and gravels, have ever and anon iron bands running 

 through them, very inimical to the maturing of shrubs into trees. 



The extension of private tree-planting, notably in villa residences, 

 has also been proposed. This subject is the more apposite, as already 

 one of the sides of Arthur Seat is being encroached on by streets. 

 The city is now possessor of Blackford Hill, and its adornment in 

 the fasliion of the landscape gardener may irretrievably mar the 

 surrounding historic landscape, or display it in more scenic beauty. 

 Why should not the Cockburn Association call for competitive 

 plans, showing how planting and building might be simultaneously 

 carried out, especially in that wide area, probably so soon to be 

 taken from the agriculturist by the opening of the new Suburban 

 Eailway ? Such plans would embrace not only villa residences and 

 public gardens, but working-class streets, cottage allotments, and 

 children's playgrounds. The marvellous outgrowth of the city 

 during the last thirty years, towards the south and west, shows such 

 dreams of further growth may be other than Utopian. 



