210 VEGETATION OF THE PEAK DISTRICT [CH. 



Yorkshire. It is curious therefore that Linton (1903) should 

 not record the tree from a single station on the Derbyshire 

 continuation of the Permian Limestone of Yorkshire, although 

 one would think it must certainly occur here. Although the 

 matter is a difficult one to settle, the balance of evidence seems 

 to be against the view that the beech is native in Britain so far 

 north as Derbyshire. The tree, however, is indigenous in the 

 south of England, where it forms beech woods (see Moss, Rankin, 

 and Tansley, 1910), especially on the escarpments of the Chalk 

 and on the Greensand. 



Many of the plantations are small ; and of these only those 

 in sheltered situations are successful. Small plantations in 

 exposed situations are often ruined by the severe and cold 

 winds of the hills ; and derelict plantations are far too common 

 on the Pennines (see figure 35). 



On the other hand, the larger plantations are, on the whole, 

 in a prosperous condition, especially those in the valley of the 

 Derwent, e.g., the large one north-west of Strines reservoir, and 

 in the Goyt valley, e.g., the still larger one to the south-west of 

 Taxal. The one near Taxal is said to be the most extensive 

 plantation in Cheshire, and to occupy not less than a thousand 

 acres. It was begun about the year 1796 — 8 (see Holland, 

 1808 : 10). The southern portion of this plantation is composed 

 almost wholly of beech {Fagus sylvatica) planted on soil con- 

 taining sour humus. At the present time, the chief ground 

 species under the beeches is Deschampsia flexuosa, but all the 

 commoner plants of the natural heath pasture occur. There 

 are very few other trees or shrubs ; but the beeches are vigorous 

 and healthy. This portion of the plantation is wholly below 

 1250 feet (379 m.). 



The more elevated portion of the plantation is composed 

 principally of mixed conifers ; and, whilst a large proportion of 

 it is flourishing, some other portions (see figure 35) have been 

 completely ruined. These degenerate parts are situated either 

 in extremely exposed positions at high altitudes or on wet 

 moorland peat, both situations being highly unsuitable for tree 

 planting. 



The following is a list of plants compiled on the site of a 

 portion of this decrepit plantation where the soil is wet, sour, 

 peaty, and badly aerated : — 



