184 THE CORSICAN PINE. 
feet above sea-level, was some years ago formed with Pinus laricio, 
planted at 16 feet apart all through, the intervening spaces being 
filled up with larch, Scots fir, and various other forest trees for 
removal at an early date. 
For the past half century this pine has been planted here, not 
only as a park or lawn tree, but generally over the estate, which 
has given us ample opportunities of not only testing the quality of 
its wood, but also of forming a pretty correct idea of its utility 
and value for general forest planting. 
Regarding the quality of home-grown wood of Pinus laricto, it 
would, as I have before stated, be premature to speak with any 
amount of certainty, as few trees have attained a size at which the 
wood could be considered mature. We have, however, cut up 
several of the largest trees here, and used the timber for various 
purposes on the estate with very satisfactory results. When sawn 
into boards, the wood resembles somewhat the red deal of commerce ; 
it is, however, more brittle, extremely resinous, tough, weighty, and 
the concentric rings firmly packed. It works smoothly and easily, 
and is, likewise, susceptible of a fine polish. A series of experiments 
with the timber are at present being carried out on this estate, 
such as for fencing posts, gates, boxes, etc. ; but sufficient time has 
not yet elapsed since the commencement of these experiments for 
us to form a correct idea of the real value of the wood as grown in 
this country ; so far, however, the results are in every way satisfactory. 
For planting in exposed situations, or within the influence of the 
sea, this pine is excelled by none with which I am acquainted. 
Along the outskirts of several plantations that are fully exposed to 
the south-west, from which point our worst winds blow, the Zaricio 
is far superior to the Scots fir, and about equal in value with the 
Austrian pine as a screen or shelter tree. Where the Scots fir be- 
comes weather beaten, and, as it were, shrinking or bending from 
the blast, the Larzcio stands boldly out, seeming as if to defy both 
wind and storm, and rearing its head far above any of the surround- 
ing trees. This is very noticeable in several clumps and strips of 
trees planted nearly half-a-century ago in the park here for shelter 
and effect. Again, near the sea-coast this pine grows with a vigour 
excelled by few, and seems quite at home even within the direct 
influence of the salt spray; and for this reason, as well as its 
ornamental appearance, has been extensively used in the formation 
of our sea-side plantations. On the mountain side between 
Llandegai and Aber, at altitudes ranging from 300 to 500 feet above 
