THE ISLAND OF ARRAN AS A FIELD FOR PLANTING. 345 
hardly worthy of attention. Those trees of the same kinds which 
have been planted, however, go to prove that their cultivation 
would be a success if judiciously practised. 
It might be interesting to mention here a few of the rarer 
exotic trees and shrubs that are to be found growing and flourish- 
ing on the island. Of these, perhaps the most noteworthy is the 
“Blue Gum” of Tasmania, Zucalyptus globulus, several of which 
are growing in favoured situations. At Lamlash are two of these 
trees, one the largest on the island, growing in the grounds of 
Craigard House. They are said to have been planted some 
twenty years ago, and the larger is now about 30 feet in height. 
This tree was unfortunately blown down during the heavy gale 
last October, but by the instructions of Captain Brown it has been 
raised very carefully, and may be little the worse for the mis- 
fortune. Smaller specimens of the Hucalyptus are growing at 
Corrie and Strabane, the Corrie ones coming next in size to those 
at Lamlash. At Corrie there are also two of the Australian tree 
fern, Dicksonia antiartica, with several Australian palms, and 
acacias, all in a thriving condition. The fuchsia grows very 
abundantly in the grounds around Brodick Castle, and is to be 
met with in quantity in other parts of Arran. At Strabane 
there is a small apple tree upon which mistletoe is flourishing. 
From these facts, and looking to the delicate constitution of some 
of the plants mentioned, it is not difficult to conclude that the 
climate of Arran is a very mild one, and in every way favourable 
to the growth of trees and shrubs. When these delicate plants, 
natives of a warmer and more genial climate than Britain can 
boast of, grow with such luxuriance in the open air, surely the 
hardier timber trees, natives of this and even more ungenial 
climates, could be made to grow with great profit to the owner. 
In further proof of this, let us now consider in detail the present 
plantations in Arran. 
I. The Merkland Wood, situated immediately to the back 
of Brodick Castle, is by far the largest plantation in Arran, and 
covers nearly 500 acres. It was formed seventy-five years ago, 
‘and all the plants were pitted. The soil is of a calcareo-argillaceous 
nature. This wood contains larch, silver fir, spruce, oak, ash, 
beech, and a few other kinds, but the principal trees are larch and 
silver fir. The silver fir grows with remarkable vigour, and has 
attained very large proportions, in some cases measuring upwards 
of 100 feet in height, and 8 feet in girth at 5 feet from the ground. 
