PINACE^ 409 



during 1920 we saw a quantity of timber sawn into quartering 

 for use in cottages in Norfolk, This timber had, however, been 

 sold to a neighbouring builder, and Scots pine was being used in 

 the erection of cottages on the estate. The advantages possessed 

 by Corsican pine over Scots pine are its ability to grow in places 

 unsuitable for the latter tree, its comparative safety from attack 

 by rabbits when first planted, its rapid growth, and freedom 

 from serious attacks of insect pests. Conditions being equal, 

 however, it is probable that it would be wiser to plant Scots pine 

 rather than Corsican pine. 



Resin has been obtained from P. Laricio by tapping, but only 

 when that product realized an exceptionally high price, the yield 

 being insufficient to allow of its competition with P. Pinaster. 



P. Laricio and its several varieties are excellent seaside trees. 

 The Austrian variety, when exposed to strong sea winds, develops 

 a dense branch system which breaks the force of the wind and 

 makes it possible to cultivate more important timber trees further 

 inland. Therefore, in exposed places, it is often planted as the first 

 line of defence, and behind it are used Corsican pine, Scots pine, 

 and other trees. P. Laricio and its varieties are not fastidious 

 as to soil, for they thrive in the pure sand of the sea shore and in 

 heavy loam and clay, their vigour being very similar in Umy 

 soil and in soil containing little calcareous matter. Moreover, 

 they are quite hardy tliroughout the British Isles and succeed 

 as well inland as near the sea. The Austrian pine is often used 

 as a windbreak for gardens and orchards, and for this purpose it 

 is usually planted alternately in two or three rows, the trees 

 being spaced 10-12 ft. apart in the rows. For blocking out 

 unsightly objects it is also of value, although, as is the case with 

 other coniferous trees, it cannot be planted with success in 

 smoky towns or in places where the atmosphere is charged with 

 chemical fumes. For landscape effect the Corsican and Austrian 

 pines must be planted sparingly, otherwise their dark green 

 foliage in mass produces a sombre and depressing effect. There- 

 fore, when planted in mass, the general effect should be relieved 

 here and there by the introduction of groups of other trees 

 bearing brighter foliage. A plantation of about 1,000,000 

 Corsican and Austrian pines was made on Lord Wharncliffe's 

 Wortley Hall Estate in Yorkshire in 1887. 



A large number of trees are also growing on the sand dunes 

 at Holkham in Norfolk, the seat of the Earl of Leicester, whilst 

 old and well-developed specimens are to be seen in the gardens 

 of the same estate. At Holkham a good object-lesson is provided 

 of the value of Corsican and Austrian pines for the improvement 

 of agricultural land by fixing sand-dunes, checking the inland 

 spread of sand, and the provision of shelter. At Kew it is 

 possible to judge of the value of the Corsican pine for planting 



