488 Of Plantations. 



and the storm. Cuttings of it will thrive in the sand of the 

 sea-shore, and will grow rapidly, particularly if the bottom 

 be moist. 



At Holkham, where the northern ocean washes the do- 

 main, the sea buckthorn flourishes upon the meals, or hills 

 of sandj thrown up by the winds and waves upon the sea- 

 beach ; and forms with the common elder, and the tamarisk, 

 the best barrier, or outer line of plantations on the sea-coast. 

 The sycamore, the evergreen oak, and the Huntingdon wil- 

 low form the second line, and the Scotch and silver firs, 

 with the elm, rank third. 



The oak, ash, sweet chestnut, locust acacia, lime and 

 beech occupy the interior of the woods, with hasel for under- 

 wood, and interspersed with horse chestnuts, hornbeams, and 

 evergreen oaks to nourish and protect the stems of the prin- 

 cipal timber trees ; for it is material to observe, that it is 

 more necessary to shelter the stems than the tops of timber 

 trees. 



The difficulties, however, attending the raising of forest 

 and even fruit trees on the sea-coast, have been surmounted 

 by a simple expedient. There is reason to believe, that the 

 neighbourhood of the sea is unfavourable to the growth of 

 timber, not so much owing to the spray, as to the violence 

 and frequency of the wind, more especially when the plants 

 are young; for whenever shelter from the wind is afforded, 

 the trees grow equally well on the sea-coast, as in the more 

 inland districts ( 587 ). Impressed with these ideas, the Rev. 

 Mr Formby of Lancashire, adopted the plan of sheltering 

 the young plants from the winds, by raising sods round 

 them, and guarding their tender shoots from the wintry 

 blasts, until they had taken firm root in the ground. By 

 this means, he has successfully planted some acres of land 

 with forest trees, which are flourishing and ornamental to 

 the country ; and has succeeded in raising plantation and 

 fruit trees nearer the sea, than was thought practicable, till 

 he had effected it ( 588 ). 



6. Plantations on Land of rather superior Quality. On 

 soils entitled to that description, the oak, the ash, the Spa- 

 nish chestnut ( 589 ), and the elm, deserve the perference. 



The properties of the oak, in regard both to the bark and 

 timber, being so generally known, it would be superfluous 

 here to speak of them. The timber of the oak is lasting, 

 for in many ancient buildings, it has remained uninjured, 

 after six or seven centuries have elapsed. Though not so 

 durable as the locust acacia, or the sweet chestnut, yet it has 



