HE ATHLANDS 



ing the barren soil with fertile earth, formed by 

 the decay of vegetable matter, it is, perhaps, open 

 to discussion as to whether the best tree has been 

 chosen. Under firs the ground is generally dry, 

 too dry for decay ; the resinous emanations rather 

 tend to preserve anything that falls there. 



No underwood or plants and little grass grows 

 under them ; these, therefore, which make soil 

 quickest, are prevented from improving the earth. 

 The needles of firs lie for months without decay ; 

 they are, too, very slender, and there are few 

 branches to fall. Beneath any other trees (such as 

 the edible chestnut and birch, which seem to grow 

 here), there are the autumn leaves to decay, the 

 twigs and branches which fall off, while grasses 

 and plants flourish, and brambles and underwood 

 grow freely. The earth remains moist, and all 

 these soon cause an increase of the fertility ; so that, 

 unless fir tree timber is very valuable, and I never 

 heard that it was, I would rather plant a waste 

 with any other tree or brushwood, provided, of 

 course, it would grow. i 



It is a pleasure to explore this little dell by the 

 side of the rising ground, creeping under green 

 boughs which brush the shoulders, after the empty 

 space of the firs. Within there is a pond, where 

 lank horsetails grow thickly, rising from the water. 

 Returning to the rising ground, I pursue the path, 

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