64 THE LAECH. 



of the medals, there were also many and important 

 instances of the planting of larches, either as nurses 

 to hardwood timber trees, or as permanent members of 

 mixed plantations; and, in particular, in 1788, John 

 Sneyd, Esq., of Belmont, in Staffordshire, planted, in a 

 mixed manner, 6500 larches of five years old, and 

 6500 of four years old. In 1790, S. Milnes, Esq., 

 between Ferrybridge and Wetherley, planted 200,000, 

 of between two and four years old. In 1791 the 

 same gentleman planted 145,000. In 1794, Mr. 

 Gentrill, of Cumberland, planted 433,000. In 1802, 

 J. Curwen, Esq., of Workington Hall, in Cumberland, 

 planted 84,900. In eight years ending in 1803, Dr. 

 Ainslie planted 91,800; and in 1805, Dr. White, of 

 Butfield, planted 1 2 5 ,800. Thus, under the auspices of 

 the Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Manu- 

 factures, and within twenty-two years of the date of 

 the first offer of their medals, 1,240,008 larches were 

 planted in England. From 1805 to 18 16, mainly in 

 consequence of such a severe blight year after year as 

 prevented the larches from forming their cones, no 

 candidates appeared to claim the premiums. In 1820, 

 the Duke of Devonshire, who had planted 980,128 

 larches, among a total of 1,981,065 forest trees, 

 obtained the gold medal. In more recent years, down 

 to the present day, the planting of larch in England, 

 principally on account of doubtful confidence in its 

 fitness for the climate, or of ignorance as to the proper 

 methods of managing it, has been somewhat hesitating 

 and fitful, and by no means commensurate with either 



