;i7t) NOTES ox BRITISH FOKP]ST TREES. 



3,000 and 0,000 feet elevation, l)ut goes up to 7,000, tliat is to 

 say to the upper limit of tree growth. It is said to have l)een 

 introduced into Britain in 1629 (Brown). Its cultivation in 

 Scotland was commenced about the year 17'25.. the Duke of 

 Athol having begun planting it over extensive areas about 

 that time. It is found in the Highlands up to about 2,000 feet 

 elevation, though its cultivation above 1,500 feet frequently 

 does not pay under present conditions. 



r. LonilUy. 



Climate. — Larch can do with a lower mean annual tempera- 

 ture than any other timber tree mentioned in this part. It 

 suffers from drought, is hardy against frost in its natural 

 home, but liable to suffer somewhat from late frosts in low 

 lands owing to its very early sprouting in spring. It is 

 highly light demanding, and requires to liave its head free 

 throughout life. The climatic conditions required by larch 

 have been much discussed. The majority of foresters believe 

 that it prefers a dry atmosphere, a free and airy position, and 

 northern and eastern aspects. It is more storm firm than 

 almost any other conifer. 



Soil. — Larch requires a deep, fairly porous, and moderately 

 fresh soil ; it avoids wet as well as drj' soil. It is fairly 

 exacting as regards the general fertility of the soil ; loamy 

 soil containing a good proportion of potash and lime suits it 

 best ; in its natural home it is much found on stony soils, 

 provided they are fresh. 



The natural home of the larch enjoys only a short growing 

 season, with a late and very short spring and comparatively 

 hot clear summer. These are conditions which seem to suit 

 it. Britain, on the other hand, shows a much longer growing 

 season, especially a long spring, a moister atmosphere and a 

 more cloudy summer — in other words conditions which are 

 altogether different from those prevailing in the natural home 

 of llie larch. It is not nstonishing, therefore, that this vahiublc 



