Of Plantations. 483 



stand and thrive on a space of ground, which one oak will 

 require ; and that it is greatly preferable, to see a barren 

 heath, even in the summer, covered with a grove of thriving 

 Scotch firs, than with a parcel of half- starved stunted trees 

 of any other description ( 57 ). 



There are two varieties of Scotch fir, though usually 

 planted as one and the same sort. Those with the broad 

 and spreading tops stand to a great age, and become very 

 large timber. Their spines grow more in clusters; they are 

 shorter, and of a darker green colour than the spines of the 

 conic headed trees. They are called " The old Scotch fir " 

 or Baltic red wood timber. The other, with conic shaped 

 heads, which die prematurely, are called " The new Scotchfir" 

 or Canada pine. Those who wish to plant the true Scotch 

 fir, will endeavour to procure the seed in future, either 

 from the natural fir produced in the Highlands of Scotland, 

 or from the woods in the province of Riga in the Baltic. 



The Silver Fir. This tree thrives well, reaches to a great 

 age, and produces large timber on the Norfolk sandy soil, 

 and its calcareous subsoil. One of these trees now stand- 

 ing in Holkham Park, planted by Mr Coke 46 years ago, 

 measures 84 cubic inches of timber. The silver fir pro- 

 duces more valuable wood than any of the other firs. 



An experienced planter (the Right Honourable William 

 Adam), strongly recommends the spruce for a nurse ( 5?1 ), in 

 preference to every other tree. In numerous instances, oaks 

 and elms may be seen in his plantations, growing up, un- 

 injured, in the bosom of spruces. This circumstance is 

 easily accounted for. The deciduous trees above mention- 

 ed, send their roots downwards, the oak in particular, which, 

 the longer it grows, derives more of its nourishment from a 

 great depth. The spruce, on the other hand, spreading its 

 roots along the surface, draws its nourishment from a diffe- 

 rent source. The spruce also, being thick-leaved, and its 

 branches of a strong and unpliable nature, gives much pro- 

 tection, and does little injury to its neighbours. Rising in 

 a regular and pointed cone, it leaves full scope for the 

 spreading top of the oak ; while, being much feathered at 

 the bottom, it protects that tree, or any other it is intended 

 to shelter, from being windwaved. In soils and situations 

 however, where the spruce would grow but slowly, the 

 Scotch fir is to be preferred as a nurse, as it will grow free- 

 ly even in poor soils, is easier raised, and can be had at less 

 expense. 



