262 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
branchlets are shown off to perfection. Pinus austriaca has in a 
few instances where strong plants were used done remarkably 
well, the foliage being of the usual dark yew-green, and the trees 
well clothed with branches down to the ground. 
Between the groups of trees were planted clumps of ornamental 
shrubs, and the best of these is the double-flowered gorse (Ulex 
europea flore pleno). On pure clay it has grown and increased 
as freely as it will on a dry chalky bank, which is usually con- 
sidered as its natural element. 
These may be considered as the trees that have done best in 
the clayey soil under notice; a few others still exist, but their 
present appearance causes me to exclude them from this list. 
Few of the Pine tribe did well, and this may also be said of the 
spruces, cypresses, yews, junipers, arbutus, dogwood, cotoneasters, 
hollies, and others planted. It is far from advisable to plant 
trees or shrubs in such unkindly soil without first adding other 
of better quality; but it is of great value to know that there area 
few plants that will thrive almost in defiance of the stubborn and 
unkindly nature of a stiff clay soil. 
Ironstone Soils.—The district to which I mainly refer, and 
where a few trees seem to be quite at home, is on the coal and 
ironstone formation, where the top soil is shallow, and the subsoil 
consists of a loose yellowish rag that is largely impregnated with 
iron. In most places but a very small quantity of soil exists, and 
this is of the poorest description, and varying in depth according 
to the lie of the measure. For all this, several of our largest forest 
trees seem to do well, but it is principally such kinds as root deeply 
that succeed in the most satisfactory way, and are able to eke out 
an existence in such a poor and shingly soil. The Spanish Chestnut 
is one of the very best trees for this soil, growing with freedom, 
and producing a fair amount of good timber, while its appearance 
indicates perfect health. Birch and Beech do well, although neither 
of them attain to a large size. The latter reproduces itself freely 
from seed, and soon spreads wherever a footing can be got. 
Sycamore grows freely, particularly where the pan is broken up, 
and produces good timber. Another tree that seems perfectly at 
home on the coal and ironstone is the Wild Cherry, for there it 
grows to a fair size, flowers freely, and produces excellent timber. 
Larch cannot be recommended for this soil, but, in places where a 
small quantity of loam overlies the coal and ironstone, it grows 
with great freedom for a number of years, and the timber, if cut 
