FOREST TREES. 65 



THE SILVER-FIR. 



This tree is alfo found to thrive on very oppo- 

 ftte foils. In loamy foil and an elevated fituation, 

 {as at Caftle-Howard) ; on a fandy or gravelly 

 hill, (as at Woburn) ; and in clayey foil, incum- 

 bent on till, and a high filiation, (as at Panmure), 

 the Silver-fir has arrived at a very large fizc. f It 

 is a hardy tree, being a native of Switzerland 



and 



stinguished by modern botanists. The sort which is most 

 commonly cultivated is least worth the trouble. The Pinus 

 syhestris var. montana, is the variety which yields the red 

 wood : even young trees of this sort are said to become 

 red in their wood, and full of resin very soon. Mr Don 

 of Forfar lately exhibited specimens of cones of each varie- 

 ty, to the Highland Society of Scotland : it is' much to be 

 wished that he were encouraged to go on in his researches 

 in so important a matter. We understand that the variety 

 preferred by Mr Don is distinguished by the disposition of 

 its branches, which are remarkable for their horizontal di- 

 rection, and for a tendency to bend downward, close by 

 the trunk. The leaves are broader and shorter than in the 

 common kind, and are distinguishable at a distance by 

 their much lighter and beautiful glaucous colour. The bark 

 of the trunk is smoother than in the common kind. The cones 

 are thicker and not so much pointed. This variety Mr 

 Don considers as more hardy than the common sort, ob- 

 serving that it grows freely in almost any soil or situation, 

 and quickly arrives at a considerable size. 



f The largest Silver-fir at Panmure, measured)' in Sep- 

 E tember 



