AMONG THE PINES AND FIRS 225 



it should be much more largely used than at pre- 

 sent it forms one of the very best shelter-belts 

 or wind-mantles along the unprotected edges of 

 woods and plantations exposed to the exhaust- 

 ing effects of winds. Along all such a couple 

 of rows of spruce should be planted, and never 

 trimmed or lopped. 



Larch is one of the most interesting as well as 

 one of the most profitable of our naturalised 

 trees. It was introduced into England in 1629, 

 when it seems to have received no particular 

 attention ; but after its introduction into Scot- 

 land, either in 1725 or 1727, it was largely planted 

 in many parts of the Island, though more espe- 

 cially in the Scottish highlands. The story is 

 well known of how two seedling larches were 

 received by the Duke of Athole at Dunkeld, 

 together with some young orange trees and other 

 exotics from Italy. Placed along with these in 

 the hothouse, the young larch drooped and seemed 

 to die, when they were thrown out on the rubbish 

 heap. Recovering in the colder air they were 

 planted in the lawn, where they still flourish. In 

 Evelyn's day practically nothing was known about 

 this tree, though of course he has a good word 



