56 OX THE CORSICAN, AUSTRIAN, AND DOUGLAS FIRS 



to be more generally cultivated ; fur while it is a rapid grower and 

 a handsome tapering tree, it is well calculated for planting in masses, 

 as a crop to produce not only quantity within a period of forty 

 years, hut quantity ofh eavy s ize, and timber of excellent quality. 

 Although in its native country it is felled about eighty years old, it 

 may be profitably used at even thirty years. It may be seen luxuri- 

 ating, and of consid arable height, at Dolphinton in Lanarkshire, at 

 an altitude of 900 or 1000 feet above sea-level; and in many other 

 counties in the north of Scotland, specimens of the P. Laricio 

 show that it is suited to the climate of Scotland. From the long 

 tap-root of this pine, it is, unless frequently and regularly transplanted 

 when young, somewhat difficult of removal, and when forming 

 plantations small plants should be used, as they will ultimately 

 succeed better than those that have had their tap-roots cut or 

 lacerated when young. The true variety of Pinus Laricio was some- 

 what scarce two or three years ago, and as there are several other 

 varieties which when young closely resemble it, care is requisite 

 to obtain the true kind, where the Laricio is desired for ultimate 

 profit and for heavy timber purposes. 



The other conifer which, at the outset of this paper, it was pro- 

 posed to notice, is Pinus Douglasii, or Abies Douglaszi as it is more 

 correctly called. This now well-known tree is probably the most 

 popular of the many excellent introductions of its original and ill- 

 fated discoverer, whose name it so appropriately bears. Its first 

 appearance in Great Britain was about the year 1827, when it was 

 raised from the seeds of cones brought by Douglas from the banks 

 of the Columbia river, where it abounds in immense tracts, cover- 

 ing the lofty hill sides, and appearing near the summits of the 

 Rocky ^Mountains no larger than a mere bush, and gradually in- 

 creasing in its proportions until in the valleys and at the foot of 

 the mountain ranges it attains a height of 200 feet, with a straight 

 noble stem fully 10 feet in diameter. It is common also in 

 California, and in Mexico a variety of smaller grow r th, and with 

 longer leaves of a deeper green colour, is found. 



In Scotland, this fir has proved perfectly hardy, of very rapid 

 growth, a most graceful tree for ornamental or park purposes, and a 

 valuable timber producer. It has been planted in every conceiv- 

 able soil and situation, and adapts itself to almost any description, 

 provided the drainage of the subsoil be porous, so that it does not 

 become " water Jogged." It thrives at any elevation, and the only 

 drawback is its tendency to lose its leading shoot in early spring, 



