6S THE LARCH. 



The number of larches planted annually must be 

 very great, and, judging from the immense stock 

 cleared out of the public nurseries every season, the 

 demand must be equal to the number of plants 

 grown. 



The Bein forest of Huntly, the property of His 

 Grace the Duke of Eichmond and Gordon, is on 

 various accounts a very important and interesting 

 one. It comprehended 2258 imperial acres as origin- 

 ally planted, but with subsequent large additions it 

 now contains not far short of 3000 acres within one 

 fence. 



Planting was commenced in March 1839, and the 

 whole finished on 20th December the same year, at a 

 cost of 20s. per acre. It consists principally of larch, 

 Scotch fir, and Norway spruce, which were partly 

 mixed and partly grouped. The Scotch fir, either 

 alone or mixed, forms the crop on the lower ground, 

 and larch alone that of the higher and most exposed, 

 and constitutes about one-third of the whole extent. 



The plants were put in on the lower ground about 

 four feet apart, and on the higher about ^i feet apart, 

 equal to about 3000 trees per acre. Thinning was 

 commenced when the forest was about fifteen years 

 planted, and has been continued till the crop upon the 

 ground now averages about 300 trees per acre. 



The part entirely composed of larch, though the 

 poorest ground and most exposed, is yet fully a fourth 

 more value than the other, whether mixed with larch 

 or Scotch fir alone, on the best soil and sheltered. 



