CHAP, ii.] The British Sylva 43 



latter again have often to contend with the still more easily 

 satisfied Birch and Willow for the possession of their own 

 areas. It might be argued against what is here stated, that 

 the Scots Pine asserts itself to the exclusion of shade-bearing 

 species on the vast plains south of the Baltic ; but this is solely 

 due to the fact that, for the poor sandy soil there, the Pine has 

 proved itself better suited and more accommodating than any 

 other species of tree, and is in fact merely another example of 

 the survival of the fittest. Even on that sandy plain, near the 

 fertile lands along the riverine tracts, there is still to be found 

 a stately growth of Oaks, Ash, Elm, Maples, &c., able to hold 

 their own against any attempts at encroachment made by less 

 noble species of woodland trees ; whilst the Alder and Willow 

 coppices of those districts are famed. 



From a study of the growth of trees in their natural habitats, 

 and of their development in varying situations into which they 

 may have been brought by artificial means, we are enabled to 

 classify and arrange them according to their sylvicultural 

 characteristics ; and a thorough knowledge of these is necessary 

 before we can hope to attain anything like the highest and 

 most successful results with regard to the formation, tending, 

 and reproduction or regeneration of woodland crops. To give 

 only one instance of error made in regard to a valuable species 

 of tree, owing to want of scientific knowledge regarding its habit 

 and conditions of growth, take the case of the Larch, which 

 was introduced into England in 1629, into the Lowlands of 

 Scotland in 1725, and into the Highlands in 1727. Of this tree, 

 27,000,000 plants are said to have been planted out in Scot- 

 land between 1738 and 1820; but it certainly has not fulfilled 

 all the anticipations that were then made as to its future value. 

 The Larch is essentially a tree of the mountains, where it 

 ascends higher than even the Spruce. It is found on the 

 Bavarian Alps at from 3,000 to 6,000 ft. above sea-level in 

 excellent development and often forming pure forests; lower 

 down it is naturally associated along with Spruce and Beech in 



