■J 6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAI. SOCIETY. 



The third-class quality is somewhat similar to the second- 

 class quality in the appearance of the herbage which grows 

 on the surface. The peat is black and fibrous, and holds 

 more moisture than the former. Strange to say, on the top 

 of morainic mounds, it is often found attaining an average 

 depth of 1 1 inches. The dominant plants which grow on it 

 are heather and deer grass, both of which seem to be naturally 

 adapted for growing on this class of peat. Sometimes, however, 

 knolls with a strong growth of bog myrtle, mixed with flying 

 bent, are met with. The thick sole of heather and deer grass, 

 as well as the depth of peat, indicate that the underlying soil 

 is not naturally well drained, and a pan is sometimes present. 

 It is therefore quite inadvisable to plant larch on such areas ; 

 the Scots and mountain pines have proved the most suitable 

 species. On the "hill moss" as distinct from the "flow moss" 

 no spruce is planted, as when peat is present to any extent on the 

 sides of the hills or knolls, it is usually of a coarse, fibrous 

 texture, and the roots of spruce seem unable to penetrate it. 

 The methods of planting " hill moss " are dibbling or notching, 

 according to circumstances ; the former being preferable wherever 

 possible. 



From the above classification it will be seen that the plants 

 growing on the surface of the moor can serve as valuable 

 indicators of the quality of the peat of which it is composed, 

 and its suitability for the growth of certain species of trees. 

 Both the first quality of "flow moss" and the first quality of 

 "hill moss" are distinguished by the entire absence of deer 

 grass and cotton grass, while the most inferior qualities of both 

 may be distinguished by their presence. 



On the best type of "flow moss" Sitka spruce has done best, 

 and on the best type of " hill moss " larch does best. On the 

 most inferior types of both " flow moss " and " hill moss," pines 

 establish themselves best. The best time to plant both mosses 

 is from March to May. 



