317 



Larch, while trees of over 300 feet in height, with a 

 corresponding diameter, are said to exist. The tree was 

 introduced into Britain in 1826 (Brown), and the 

 experience so far gained singles it out as a most promising 

 timber tree of this country hence it was considered 

 desirable to add it to the present list. 



The sylvicultural data at present available are not yet 

 sufficient to give a complete set of notes on the treat- 

 ment of the Douglas Fir in Britain. Numerous 

 experimental plantations have been established in this 

 country and in Germany, some of which are upwards of 

 30 years old (apart from single trees of greater age,) and 

 the following remarks are based upon observations 

 made in these, and on the information supplied lately 

 by Dr. H. Mayr, in his interesting work on " The 

 Forests of North America," 1890.* 



a. Locality. 



The Douglas Fir reaches its greatest perfection on the 

 slopes and in the moist valleys of the Cascade Mountains 

 in Oregon and Washington, and in the coast districts of 

 British Columbia, approximately between the 40th and 

 50th degrees of latitude. These territories have an annual 

 rainfall of about 65 inches, with a moist atmosphere, the 

 climate being comparatively mild. As regards soil, it 

 appears that a deep, fertile, and at least fresh sandy loam 

 suits the tree best ; it seems to avoid stiff clay and also 

 poor sandy soils. Under the most favourable conditions 

 it here attains a height of about 300 feet. 



* Dr. Mayr, a Bavarian Forest Officer, aud now Professor of Forestry and 

 Forest Botany at Tokio, visited North America twice since 1885. and spent 

 altogether seven months in its forests. He largely utilized Professor Sargent's 

 investigations. 



