notes and queries. 233 



Choice of Trees for Planting. 



M. Jolyet, of the Research Bureau of Nancy, publishes an 

 interesting article on the choice of trees for planting. Of course 

 it depends on the soil, the altitude, the aspect, and the intentions 

 of the owner, etc. With definite soils the right species can be 

 easily indicated, but, unfortunately, one often meets half-and- 

 half soils — a soil, for example, that is clayey lime, which, 

 without being absolutely superficial, is yet not very deep, and 

 which is neither clearly sandy nor compact. M. Jolyet lays 

 down certain conditions, and on them makes certain proposals. 

 Thus — 



1. Assuming that the proprietor wishes for the highest returns 

 in the shortest time — plant conifers. 



2. Since conifers are out of their habitat at low altitudes, and 

 therefore specially liable to suffer from fungi and insects — plant 

 a mixture. 



3. For the same reason add a few deciduous species, but 

 since it is the conifers that give the quick returns the number 

 of these should not be excessive, and, therefore, the conifers 

 employed should themselves differ as much as possible in 

 temperament. 



4. Since exotics are expensive the number introduced should 

 be limited. 



It is necessary to form a close crop quickly, and accordingly 

 he would have one or more ordinary and indigenous species to 

 form a matrix, occupying three-quarters of the whole area, 

 with the special species distributed throughout. The first must 

 be such that their timber will, while still young, be of value, for 

 upon them will fall the first thinnings for the benefit of the 

 special species. 



For this matrix he chooses spruce and Scots pine. Both 

 are cheap ; both stand frost ; both yield useful products early. 

 The spruce certainly needs moisture, yet can do with a relatively 

 shallow soil. The Scots pine, for its part, lives quite well at 

 low altitudes. As special species M. Jolyet proposes Douglas 

 fir, larch, Abies coucolor, and deciduous trees (especially beech 

 and sycamore). He happens to be a great advocate for 

 Colorado Douglas in dry and continental countries, in spite 

 of its slow growth relatively to the Vancouver. As to the 

 larch, he suggests Japanese, because he thinks it stands 



VOL. XXVI. PART II. Q 



