282 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
about 350 feet above sea-level. But apart from individual 
specimens, extensive thriving plantations of the larch have been 
formed on most of the wooded properties in the western part of 
the county. But in these situations it is by no means free from 
disease, and, where due regard has not been had to the proper 
selection of sites, the results have been anything but satisfactory. 
I cannot agree with those who declare that it will thrive at higher 
altitudes than the native pine. It certainly will “ve, but it cannot 
be profitably cultivated. 
The larch is much subject to disease, the great predisposing 
cause of which can apparently be traced to the variableness of our 
spring weather. No degree of cold ever experienced in this 
country can injure the tree in winter, but few are so sensitive 
when in foliage. The fine weather often experienced in early 
spring brings the larch into leaf, only to be checked, perhaps 
ruined, by cold east or south-east winds, or late frosts. To prevent 
this as much as possible, it should be planted on north or north- 
west exposures, and preference should be given to home seed, the 
produce of foreign growth being less suited to the changeable 
nature of our climate. 
The Spruce (Abies excelsa). The spruce requires shelter to 
bring it to useful timber size, and is more suitable for valleys 
than mountain sides. Although it endures any degree of cold 
during winter, it seldom grows to large size in exposed situations, 
and it is one of the worst trees for planting within the influence 
of the sea. The spruce is very shallow rooted, and is best adapted 
for soils of a cool moist character; and it is one of the few trees 
that will succeed where the subsoil is of a wet, retentive nature. 
It also grows well on peaty soils, if provided with shelter belts of 
deciduous trees, such as the birch or sycamore. 
Silver Fir (Picea pectinata). The silver fir attains to greatest 
perfection on loamy soils of a moist nature, but it will thrive on 
most soils that are not liable to be affected by severe drought. It 
does not grow at so high an altitude as the native pine, being 
found in its native habitat in association with the oak. It is very 
liable to be damaged by spring frosts, and it should be protected 
from this by being grown in the shade of other trees in the early 
stages of its existence. It thrives with an amount of shade that 
would entirely destroy other trees. For this reason it is very 
valuable for growing under the shade of old trees which are to be 
removed at a later date. When it is once established, and has 
