372 Wild Life in Wales 



the district from fifty to a hundred years ago, affords an 

 excellent illustration of the suitability of the soil of these 

 parts to their requirements. Yet regardless of such evidence, 

 here as elsewhere, Larches and Pines are being much more 

 extensively used in the formation of young woods. Where 

 the primary object of planting is the ultimate value of the 

 timber, there may be no very valid objection to such a 

 course (though it might well enough be argued that, even 

 with that end in view, Oaks as the main crop would be more 

 profitable, and Firs better nurses) ; but where game enters 

 into the calculation, and where it can be shown that Spruce 

 or Silver Firs do at least equally as well as other conifers, to 

 pass them over can only be regarded as a poor policy arising 

 from lack of observation. The Scotch Pine thrives so well 

 under such a variety of conditions, that for planting, qua 

 planting, nothing can be said against it ; and on a rocky hill- 

 side, affording security against stagnant moisture, Larch 

 may be expected to do well enough, though in either case 

 Spruce or Silver will often succeed as well ; but where the 

 situation of the desired plantation is on a flat, cold-bottomed, 

 and often damp and peaty soil, there can be no doubt at all 

 as to which trees would give the best results. Healthy 

 Larch can scarcely be expected on such sites ; and though 

 Pines may, and probably will grow, they are not, when 

 mature, of much greater commercial value than good Spruce 

 or Silver, and a good Spruce is always preferable to a poor 

 Larch, which ere its fifteenth birthday will probably be badly 

 diseased, and, should it survive till twice that number of 

 years has run, will be nothing but a misshapen cripple. 



There are many plantations in North Wales which bear 

 out and have suggested these remarks ; but I am reminded 

 of the very excellent advice that no author should run the 

 risk of being accused of riding a hobby to death ; and lest it 

 be supposed that I hold a special brief against the planting 

 of Larch, let me hasten to add that such is not the case. 

 Good wine requires no bush, and the many good qualities 

 of the Larch are so well appreciated as to render it equally 

 independent of praise from my poor pen. Very few trees 

 possess greater claims to the attention of the forester, and 



