482 Of Plantations. 



or thirty years, though planted upon a very light sandy soiL 

 They then begin to decay, and soon after die. It is belie- 

 ved that the disease is owing to the roots of the tree having 

 exhausted the surface soil, and penetrated into the calca- 

 reous subsoil, which is injurious to larch, although beech and 

 other trees thrive well in it. 



The Scotch Pine or Fir, (Pinus sylvestris, Linn.) This 

 tree is well calculated for peculiar situations. It thrives on 

 the thinnest and driest soils ; on the poorest exposed moor- 

 ish ground, if not too wet, or overgrown with rein-deer moss ; 

 and may be planted successfully, wherever there is short 

 heather, growing above gravel or sand ; or sandy heaths 

 near the sea shore ; and on mossy soil, less than two feet in 

 depth, but bottomed with gravel, and not clay. It thrives to 

 the height of from 1000 to 1200 feet above the level of the 

 sea, and its timber improves with the increased height of its 

 elevation; but high winds are very destructive to this tree, and 

 a fall of snow will destroy, or greatly injure, in the course 

 of one night, sometimes one-third of a fir plantation ( 566 ). 

 Some entertain the idea that Scotch firs will not succeed 

 on a clayey soil. The contrary, however, has been found 

 in Lanarkshire and in Ayrshire, where they grow on clay of 

 the worst quality, and as impenetrable to water, as any sub- 

 soil can possibly be. Many firs are to be met with in those 

 districts, above a hundred years old, of a great size, and 

 containing red wood even to near their bark. It is probable 

 therefore, that the modern plantations of fir, consist of that 

 inferior sort, which has unfortunately been introduced into 

 this country, and which, though its growth is quicker, is 

 greatly inferior in value. 



The timber of this tree is employed for several architec- 

 tural and agricultural purposes. It produces a variety of 

 useful substances ( 56? ), and though not so profitable as the 

 larch ( 5<58 ), yet it possesses several advantages. It grows fast, 

 and the wood may be used with advantage in farm-houses. 

 The fir cones, and decayed wood, furnish the poor with fuel. 

 The green boughs keep deer completely well in winter ; and 

 they save much hay, if given to sheep, in snows. The boughs 

 are likewise of great use as firewood, in fences, &c. ( 5<59 ). 

 To this may be added, its utility in ship-building : a very 

 fine frigate of 800 tons, the Glenmore, having been entirely 

 built of Scotch fir, except the masts. The late Mr Davis 

 of Longleat was partial to this tree. He observes, that firs 

 not only grow faster than forest trees, but that four firs will 



