1526 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART 111. 



Propagation and Culture. It is justly remarked by Mr. Gorrie, that it adds 

 much to the value of the Salix alba, that its propagation and culture are of 

 the most simple description; and that it will grow luxuriantly in most 

 soils where other trees make but slow progress. According to Sang, it will 

 thrive well in high and dry grounds ; and, if planted in the grove manner, 

 perhaps no other plantation, except larches, would give so quick a return 

 for the trouble and expense of planting. " It is an excellent coppice-wood, 

 grows extremely fast, and is very valuable. It is likewise an excellent nurse 

 to other plants placed in humid situations, as in such it outgrows all other 

 trees." (Plant. Kal., p. 103.) A plantation made by Mr. Gorrie on the northern 

 bank of the Carse of Gowrie, in Perthshire, is thus described by him in Decem- 

 ber, 1825, fourteen years after it was planted: " The soil is a dry ground, which 

 effervesces freely with acids, and is, consequently, calcareous. Its surface is 

 very steep, forming a slope of 43 ; and so poor, that it was without any sward 

 or covering of grass. At the bottom ran a small rivulet, on a bed of the same 

 kind of gravel. The banks and higher grounds were planted with oaks, 

 larches, and Scotch pines ; and the sides of the rill with alders and Hunting- 

 don willows. The undertaking was by my neighbours reckoned foolish, and 

 I had to encounter no little obloquy for my presumption. The result, how- 

 ever, has been favourable ; the plants on the high ground come away boldly, 

 and in the hollow, which is only about 50 ft. above the level of the sea, the 

 Huntingdon willow has made astonishing progress : at 4 ft. above the ground, 

 several of the trees already measure 46 in. in circumference, and in height 

 from 55ft. to 60ft.; giving fully 1 in. in diameter, and 4 ft. in altitude, for 

 every year they have been in the soil. The plants were about 4 ft. in height, 

 and A in. in diameter, at planting. Pruning has been regularly attended to ; 

 all large aspiring branches having been removed, and the leading shoot and 

 numerous small side shoots encouraged, for the purpose of producing suf- 

 ficient foliage to elaborate the sap. One peculiar advantage in the culture of 

 this valuable tree is, that, in planting it, rooted plants are not absolutely re- 

 quisite. I have found shoots of from 6 ft. to 8 ft. long, and about 2 in. in 

 diameter, succeed better than rooted plants: they require to be put in from 

 18 in. to 2 ft. deep in marshy soil, which should be drained : the numerous 

 roots sent out in such soil afford abundant nourishment, and shoots are pro- 

 duced the first year more vigorous than when the plants have been previously 

 rooted." (Gard. Mag., vol. i. p. 46.) On writing to Mr. Gorrie for an 

 account of the present state of this plantation, 10 years having elapsed since 

 the above was written, he informs us that, in October, 1836, he took a carpenter, 

 and measured several of the same trees, of which the dimensions were taken 

 in December, 1 825, and found that they had increased very considerably in 

 growth. " One tree now (in 1836) measures in circumference, at 1 ft. from the 

 ground, 7 1| in., two trees 68 in., and one tree 67 in. The average girt of those 

 which grow near the rivulet is from 62 in. to 68 in. ; but those which stand fur- 

 ther from the stream are smaller. The measurable solid wood, above 6 in. in 

 diameter, is 30 solid feet on each of two of the largest trees ; and 25 solid 

 feet on each of two other trees. Two trees have lately been blown over by 

 the wind, which stood beyond the reach of the stream ; and these measured, 

 the one 76 ft., and the other 80 ft., in length. On cutting up the wood of 

 these trees into boards, it showed a beautifully waved bird's-eye appearance, 

 and it readily acquired a smooth glossy surface. These trees have now been 

 planted 24 years ; and the largest one, which is that first mentioned above, as 

 girting 71 in., measures, within a fraction, 1 in. in diameter for every year it 

 has stood ; and the accumulation of solid wood is yearly increasing in pro- 

 portion to the extent of the circumference. The solid measurable wood in the 

 largest tree averages at the rate of I ft. 3 in. for every year it has been planted. 

 Upon the whole," concludes Mr. Gorrie, than who no man is a more 

 competent judge on this subject, " I continue of opinion that few trees can 

 come in competition with the tfalix alba, for rapidity of growth, elegance of 

 form, and, in short, value." At Woburn Abbey, there are five trees of this 



