14 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



seem to have a wood of much value, and contains much sap- 

 wood, and that while they are about it they might as well use its 

 much superior cousin, the Corsican, though possibly (I am not 

 sure on the point) it may not grow quite so well on very 

 thin soils. This (to continue with M. Jolyet) is the great 

 quality of the Austrian, especially over limestone : and even on 

 thin soils it will withstand storms. There are not many species 

 that will do so in such conditions. Our author states that, though 

 light-loving, the Austrian can stand a little cover in its youth, 

 and, this cover removed, can go ahead, a thing which the Scots 

 pine cannot do at all. This is a valuable quality, but in the 

 present instance all that is required is the capacity to stand 

 lateral shade, such as would occur in relatively small blanks. 

 M. Jolyet thinks the Austrian could do this. 



In discussing this matter, Gayer's " Classification of Species 

 according to their demand for Light" is quoted, and as this 

 is a useful table we will give it here. The order, then, starting 

 with the most light-demanding, is as follows: — 



1. Larch, birch. 



2. Scots pine, aspen, willow. 



3. Oak, ash, chestnut, mountain pine. 



4. Elm, alder, Austrian pine. 



5. White alder, lime, Weymouth pine, maple, Cembran 



pine. 



6. Spruce, hornbeam. 



7. Beech. 



8. Silver fir, yew. 



For dealing with smaller blanks, as for instance blanks caused 

 by single shells, M. Jolyet regards the spruce as certainly the 

 most suitable, but does not recommend it in places exposed to 

 storms or drought. He is thinking of Central and N.E. France, 

 which are very hot in summer. The danger from drought 

 would, probably, be far less with us ; indeed, a blank in a wood 

 in Britain runs very little risk of it. With storms, of course, 

 it is different. In such conditions it is the Austrian that is 

 recommended. This species, besides the other qualities already 

 mentioned, can stand great heat. Broadly speaking it will, 

 in France, grow up to 400 metres, along a line following the 

 limit of the vine, and, obviously, when the altitude is less the tree 

 will grow farther north. This would seem to bring in at least 

 the South of Enjrland. 



