THE FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS ON DEEP PEAT. 73 



{Nardus stricia) ; in addition to these, species of Carcx and 

 Juncus, cotton grass {Enophorum vaginatum), species of orchids, 

 and the dwarf willow are also met with. The elevation ranges 

 from 700 feet to over 900 feet above sea-level. The aspect of 

 the strip which extends along the railway ranges from south- 

 west to north, and the strip along the river Spean from north to 

 north-east. The whole area slopes towards the outer boundaries. 



Nature of Land. 



With a view to tree planting the peat is divided into three 

 classes, viz, : — First class, or the best quality for tree-growth ; 

 second class, or the next best quality ; and third class, or the 

 quality on which trees make least progress. 



The first class peat, or best quality, is invariably deep, sometimes 

 attaining a depth of 8 feet. It is very dark in colour, very porous, 

 and holds a large quantity of water. It is very much easier cut 

 with a spade, or any tool that may be used for draining it, than the 

 second or third class. On it grow — Molinia cczrulea, bog myrtle, 

 some species of orchids, heather, and dwarf willow. The second 

 class peat, or next best quality for tree planting, covers nearly 

 two-thirds of the planted area. It is dark brown in colour and does 

 not attain a great average depth, very often not more than id> 

 inches. It is more fibrous, tight, and holds much less water than 

 the first class. On it grows a mixture of heather, mat grass, 

 bog myrtle, and a species of Carex. The third class peat, or the 

 most unsuitable quality for planting, is of a rather light brown 

 colour, and varies from 3 inches to 8 feet in depth It is 

 extremely tight, very fibrous, most difficult to cut, and 

 holds less water than the first and second class. On it grow 

 Carex, cotton grass, and a small proportion of heather. 



It may be worth while to add the following observations, 

 because they bear out some facts which I have stated regarding 

 the qualities of peat for tree-growing : — The very best class of 

 peat is found where birch had once grown freely, and where 

 their stems are still to be found in a decayed state as deep 

 as 3 feet below the surface. On the other hand, the very 

 worst, or the most unsuitable class for tree-growth, is found 

 where Scots pine grew. Here we find stumps of fairly large 

 trees measuring 30 inches in diameter, with quite a large 

 proportion of smaller stumps from 6 to 9 inches in diameter just 



