280 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
we often find it growing to considerable perfection on land of a 
sandy or gravelly nature. Being of slow growth, and of little 
value when young, it need not be planted closer than 12 feet 
apart, with nurses between of a suitable kind. In order to pro- 
duce tall, well-grown trees, it is an indispensable condition that 
the plants be provided with shelter, either natural or artificial. 
The Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). This tree requires a soil of a 
moist nature to bring it to perfection. It grows well on any good 
loamy soil, if the subsoil is of a moist nature. Excellant quality 
of ash is also to be found growing on soils of a peaty nature, if the 
subsoil is clay. It does not succeed at high elevations, and it is 
vain to attempt to grow it on poor, thin land, such as is likely to 
suffer from drought in summer. But if planted in a favourable 
situation it will be found to give quicker, and perhaps larger, 
returns than any other deciduous tree. 
The Wych Elm (Ulmus montana). Poor shallow land is as 
inimical to the growth of the elm as the ash. Its favourite soil 
seems to be of a rich clayey nature, with a moist subsoil. If 
provided with a sufficient depth of earth, and within the reach of 
water, it will succeed well on a great variety of soils. The best 
specimens are almost invariably to be found on the banks of a 
running stream, where they are provided with sufficient moisture 
without having stagnant water about the roots. If grown by itself, 
the elm may be planted at 12 feet apart, but it is more commonly 
mixed with other timber trees. It requires shelter to bring it to 
useful size. 
Sycamore (Acer pseudo-platanus). Perhaps no tree is more 
accommodating as to soil and situation than the sycamore. The 
soil on which it attains to its largest size is a light loam 
resting on gravel, but it thrives almost equally well on soils of a 
tenacious quality, if these are not surcharged with moisture ; and 
it will-also attain to a fair size on peaty soils. It is most valuable 
for planting on exposed situations, and for forming shelter to 
timber trees of a more delicate character. Not only does it thrive 
at high elevations and on severe exposures inland, but it is perhaps 
the best tree that can be planted for shelter where the influence 
of the sea-breeze is much felt. Its timber is most valuable when 
of large dimensions. 
Beech (Yagus sylvatica). Soils of a light sandy nature are best 
suited to the growth of the beech. It will also grow to fair size on 
rather stiff clay, if thorough drainage is effected. It is not suitable 
