6 TREE-PLANTING. 



Highland and Agricultural Society awarded their gold 

 medal, " were formed of several kinds of trees, among 

 which the black sallow, or goat willow (Salix capred), 

 and the pinaster, are strongly recommended trees 

 which we have experienced to be very suitable for 

 maritime situations. Within the last sixteen years a 

 considerable extent of plantation has also been 

 formed in the sands of Culbin. These sands occupy 

 several thousand acres of the north-west corner of the 

 county of Moray (N.B.), and are composed of small 

 hills of sand, ranging from twenty to a hundred feet 

 high, the surface of which is ever changing by the 

 influence of the wind. Plantations on these sands 

 were commenced by the proprietor of Kincorth, and 

 the progress of the first larches in pure sand-drift was 

 very remarkable. In 1840 and 1842 several hundred 

 acres of plantations were successfully farmed by 

 Mr. Grant, of Glenmorriston and Moy, on ground 

 elevated from twelve, to thirty feet, above high tide 

 mark, and one mile inland. These plantations are 

 composed of native Scotch pines and larches. The 

 Scotch pine generally appears the more vigorous tree ; 

 it affords the best shelter, and has much the advantage 

 in appearance. Its deep green contrasts beautifully 

 with the colour of the sand, and adds to the native 

 plant the lustre of a Himalayan. In the formation 

 of soil, the larch is the most valuable tree. From the 

 shedding of its leaves, it soon forms a dark stratum 

 of vegetable matter in the surface of the sand, which 

 fixes it, and promotes the growth of herbage. But in 

 all similar situations, a mixture of plants is preferable 

 to any one sort. The plants employed in these 

 plantations were chiefly two years old, with a few one 



