The Timber Ti^ees of the FiUure. 54 1 



24 inches high, and with larch of the same height to 5 feet over all, 

 £7 10s., or thereby, including labour, &c. Ahks Mcnzicsli would cost 

 about the same figure; a large sum, no doubt, but then the returns 

 would much exceed the ordinary returns from an average acre of timber. 



To thin out the crop of lardi to one-fourth of the whole at 15 to 

 20 years old, allowing for casualties under ordinary circumstances, 

 would give, after paying for felling, &c., £30 to £40. The remainder, 

 cut oat at 35 years old, would give about the same sum of clear 

 revenue. At 75 years old the principal crop would be valued for £500 

 to £600 under ordinary conditions. The returns of an acre of Ahies 

 Menziesii would be considerably less, at least £100, as the timber, 

 although of the same bulk, would not be so valuable. On comparing 

 the above figures with the ordinary run of timber sold in Scotland, 

 there will be found a considerable balance in favour of the planting of 

 the newer varieties. My data are taken from a careful measurement 

 of the different trees — which I give below — compared with common 

 trees- growing within a few yards of tliose mentioned. 



Abers Douglasii : 27 to 33 years old, 45 to 60 feet high ; circum- 

 ference at 2 feet from the ground, 6^ to 8^ feet ; spread of branches, 20 

 to 70 feet ; soil, light sandy loam of an average quality, resting on deep 

 gravel, and in some places a damp marshy soil. In many places the 

 soil is remarkably dry, yet the growth of the tree is vigorous, and the 

 foliage of a dark green, resembling, at a short distance from the tree, 

 the common yew. The situation is moderately exposed, in some 

 instances freely, and the trees have a slight lean or lurch to the east, 

 resembling the larch in this particular. Height above sea level, 200 

 to 300 feet. 



Ahies Menziesii : grown on the same description of soil, and under 

 similar circumstances ; 25 to 30 years old, 45 to bb feet high, 5 to 8^ 

 I'eet circumference at 2 feet from the ground ; spread of branches, 24 

 feet. Tn dry soil it grows vigorously, but is in some instances 

 affected with red spider : this only occurs on very poor soils, and in ex- 

 posed situations. 



Compare now the growth of larch, Scots fir, and Norway spruce 

 growing alongside of those just mentioned. 



Larch: 25 to 30 years old, 30 to 40 feet high ; circumference 2 feet 

 from ground, 2 feet 4 inches. 



Scots Jir: same age, 20 to 30 feet high, 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches in 

 girth at 2 feet from the ground. 



A^orway spruce: 30 to 35 years old, 30 to 40 feet high ; 3^ to 4 feet cir- 

 cumference at 2 feet from the ground. 



There is undoubtedly a great difference here in the bulk of the 

 timber produced, much more than would repay the difference of 

 price in planting an acre. 



