WOODS, LOCHS, AND PASTURES 71 



until the trees had grown sufficiently to give shelter to one 

 another was the annual growth at all apparent. Protection 

 from animals and shelter from winds were provided at first 

 by dry-stone dykes 5 feet high, extensively built for the 

 purpose. Alder and Sea-Buckthorn were planted along the 

 edges most exposed to the prevailing winds. For wet 

 situations Alder and various species of Poplar were used. 

 Poplars did not last well, and they were also liable to be 

 blown over. Native trees Birch, Oak, Rowan, etc. have 

 sprung up in hilly ground where planted trees did not grow. 

 The most commonly planted of deciduous trees are Ash, 

 Elm, Beech, Sycamore, and Alder, mixed with a lesser 

 number of Lime, Horse-Chestnut, Turkey Oak, White Beam, 

 White Willow, etc. The Ash, though one of the fastest 

 growing and most useful of the trees, is liable to decay. 

 The Beech grows well in dry situations, and has not yet 

 shown any signs of unhealthiness. While most of the trees 

 Ash, Oak, Conifers, etc. lose their lower branches in dense 

 shade, those of the Beech have, in many cases, retained their 

 vitality arid still produce leaves. This is also the case with 

 the Lime, Chestnut, and perhaps a few other kinds. Of 

 coniferous trees the Larch, Scots Pine, Silver Fir, and 

 Norwegian Spruce have thriven best. The Larch has pro- 

 duced the most valuable timber, but the Silver Firs are the 

 handsomest trees. A few other species Cluster, Mountain, 

 and Corsican Pines are also planted. Owing to its tendency 

 to fall over at an early age, the Cluster Pine is often seen 

 with the lower portion of the stem prostrate. Coniferous 

 trees, as a rule, do not take kindly to full exposure to strong 

 winds. Cupressus macrocarpa has not been planted as a 

 forest tree, but it appears suitable for the climate. Rhodo- 

 dendrons, which were first planted for cover where the woods 

 were getting thin about thirty years ago, are now thoroughly 

 at home, and every year hundreds of seedlings are spon- 

 taneously springing up. 



