PROFITABLE TIMBER TREES 105 



tree on certain soils in the south of England. It is said to 

 have been first planted at Longleat in 1705, and it was 

 planted extensively as a timber tree at that place about 

 1780. It was also planted freely at Woburn Abbey, 

 probably about the same date, and at both of these places it 

 has produced useful timber. It succeeds best on deep, dry, 

 sandy, or gravelly soils, and in situations fairly well sheltered 

 from strong winds, as it does not possess that robust hardy 

 habit and strength of timber characteristic of the Scots or 

 Corsican pines. Its timber, as the " white pine " of America, 

 is highly prized for indoor work, and that produced in this 

 country is equally well adapted for the same purpose. 

 Weymouth pine grown on the Longleat estate has been sold 

 for Is. per foot, and it is greatly valued for indoor fittings in 

 the estate buildings. As a timber producer it probably falls 

 short of the Scots fir in the long-run on exposed sites, but 

 exceeds it on most sheltered soils, especially for the first fifty 

 years. It may either be grown in pure groups, or mixed 

 with larch, as it is a better shade-bearer than that tree, and 

 is not likely to suffer from overcrowding. The Weymouth 

 is probably the only example of a pine which will reproduce 

 itself under its own shade or that of Scots fir, when not 

 destroyed by rabbits at the outset, and, in the case of large 

 woods of it, it might be possible to turn this to practical 

 account. 



THE DOUGLAS FIR (Pseudotsuga Douglassi). 



Few introduced coniferous trees have jumped more rapidly 

 into favour than the Douglas fir. Although it has not been 

 introduced into this country more than ninety years, 

 numerous specimens may be found in most districts sur- 

 passing in height all other trees in their vicinity, whether 

 indigenous or foreign. It is adapted for most dry soils and 

 sheltered situations, apart from those containing chalk or 

 lime (which are practically fatal to it), and its timber, in 

 spite of the bad effects of rapid growth, is equal in quality to 

 most coniferous woods for outdoor work, such as posts, rails, 

 etc., and is only surpassed by larch. The chief difficulty, so 

 far, has been to grow it close enough to produce clean timber. 



