PLANTING FOREST TREES. 81 



room for its growth. It may be planted at distances ranging 

 from 16 to 18 feet apart, with nurses from 4 to 4 \ feet apart. 



Coniferous trees grown by themselves require to be planted much 

 more closely than hardwoods, as they constitute both principals 

 and nurses. 



When the Scotch fir is planted in good soil, at a moderate 

 elevation, and in a sheltered position, 4| feet apart will be found 

 close enough ; but when the elevation is high, and the soil poor, 

 3 feet apart will not be found too close. Although the Scotch fir 

 is one of our hardiest forest trees, if planted widely apart on 

 poor, thin ground, and exposed situations, it becomes scrubby and 

 branchy, especially when the ground slopes towards the exposed 

 or windy side ; but on level gi-ound they may be planted at wider 

 distances towards the interior of the plantation, having the margin 

 more close to break the prevailing winds. 



The Larch is a tree of fast growth, and in favourable soils and 

 situations soon outreaches the Scotch fir. Planted in moderately 

 sheltered situations, 5 feet apart, and in more exposed positions, 

 higher elevations, and less favourable soils, 3 J feet, are suitable 

 distances ; but being less hardy than the Scotch fir, Austrian 

 and Corsican pines, it is preferable to substitute some of these, or 

 to mix them with larch, rather than to plant larch alone at a closer 

 distance in poor and exposed situations — the latter to be removed 

 at the early thinnings. 



Spruce should never be planted alone, in exposed situations, nor 

 in high altitudes, but in favourable soils and situations it may 

 be planted at 4 feet apart, and in less favourable places at 3 J feet. 



Austrian pine being of fast and strong growth, and thick, dark 

 foliage, should not be planted too close, on account of the amount 

 of shade it produces, thereby depriving one another of the necessary 

 amount of sunlight. It is particularly adapted for exposed 

 margins of plantations, and when so placed, should never be 

 planted closer than 4 J feet apart, except in very exposed situa- 

 tions, where 3 J feet will be a good distance. 



The Corsican pine is of more upright growth, and less shady 

 and spreading in its habit than the Austrian pine, and although 

 a rapid grower, it requires less room. It should seldom be planted 

 wider than 4J feet, nor closer than 3J feet. 



The Cluster pine (Pinus pinaster), when planted in dry or gravelly 

 soil, may be placed at the same distance apart as the Corsican pine. 



The Douglas pine has a little of the habit of the common or 



VOL. VIII., PART I. F 



