Trees best Adapted for Various Soils 135 



plexing diversities occur with the same kinds of trees on 

 what, to all appearance, is the same class of soil. There are, 

 of course, other considerations beyond the soil itself which 

 must be taken into account, such as aspect, elevation, and 

 whether the ground is inland or on the coast. 



With reference to some of the newer conifers it must be 

 admitted that soil and situation have a wonderful influence 

 on their successful culture, and this applies in particular to 

 such kinds as are not perfectly hardy and liable to injury by 

 unseasonable frost. The too common practice of selecting 

 warm and sheltered spots for such is, in the main, to be con- 

 demned. 



It may be said that Abies cephalonica and A. Pinsapo 

 are not worth growing, and in many places they are not, 

 but when planted on limestone or chalk they are highly 

 ornamental. 



The same holds good in the case of Tsuga Mertensiana, 

 Picea sitchensis, and P. excelsa, which are rarely seen in good 

 form except on soil of a peaty description. 



Every one at all interested in trees and shrubs knows 

 that there are certain kinds which in a state of Nature are 

 only found growing in a peaty soil, mixed it may be more or 

 less with sand, and any attempt to cultivate them in other 

 soils is productive of very unsatisfactory results. 



Who would ever think of planting the so-called American 

 or peat plants, Cape Heaths, etc., amongst gravel or chalk, 

 or Rhododendrons where lime is present in the soil ? And 

 these facts show us that there is something in the composi- 

 tion of certain soils only suitable for the requirements of a 

 certain class of plants. 



Another curious fact is this, that when growing on certain 

 soils the timber of one species of tree is found to be far more 

 durable than in others. 



Deep loamy soil and soft peat produce timber that is 

 usually of a second-rate description, being deficient in 

 firmness. 



By studying the geological strata of a district much 

 useful information may be learnt regarding the trees best 

 suited for planting. 



