FOREST TREES. 35 



and 1786. Between that year and 1791 lie planted six hundred 

 and eighty acres with 500,000 Larches, the greater part only 

 sprinkled over the surface, on account of the difficulty of procur- 

 ing a sufficient number of plants. Besides a plantation of sev- 

 enty acres for the purpose of embellishment, he had, in 1799, ex- 

 tended his plantations of Larches over an additional space of eight 

 hundred acres, six hundred of which were planted entirely, though 

 thinly, with Larch. These took 800,000 plants. 



" Observing, with satisfaction and admiration, the luxuriant 

 groAvth of the Larch in all situations, and its hardihood even iii 

 the most exposed regions, the duke resolved on pushing entire 

 Larch plantations still further to the summit of the highest hills. 



" He therefore determined to cover with Larch sixteen hund- 

 red Scotch acres, situated from nine hundred to twelve hundred 

 feet above the level of the sea. Its soil, presenting the most 

 barren aspect, was strewed over thickly with fragments of rock, 

 and vegetation of any kind scarcely existed upon it. ' To en- 

 deavor to grow ship-timber," writes the duke, " among rocks and 

 shivered fragments of schist, such as I have described, would 

 have appeared to a stranger extreme folly, and money throvra. 

 away; but, in the year ISOO, I had for more than twenty-five 

 years so watched and admired the hardihood and the strong veg- 

 etative powers of the Larch, in many situations as barren and as 

 rugged as any part of tliis range, though not so elevated, as quite 

 satisfied me that I ought, having so fair an opportunity, to seize it.' 



" Having now no doubt whatever of the successful growth of 

 the Larch in very elevated situations, the duke still further pur- 

 sued his object of covering all his mountainous regions with that 

 valuable wood. Accordingly, a space to the northward of the 

 one last described, containing two thousand nine hundred and 

 fifty-nine Scotch acres, was immediately inclosed, and planted en- 

 tirely with Larch. 



" This tract, lying gsnerally above the region of broom, furze, 



