THEIR PROPERTIES, &C. Ill 



It has, at leaft, been efteerned fo till of late ; but 

 another, of a finer form, and much higher value, 

 has been found ; namely, the Larch. The Scots 

 fir mu ft, however, frill be confidered as a valu- 

 able plant on very expofed fites and peculiar 

 foils, efpecially as a nurfe. As nurfes for rearing 

 oaks from feeds, Scots firs are ufed with good ef- 

 fefl, as well as in many other refpecls. 



The value of the Highland fir of Scotland is 

 well known, as being not inferior to any import- 

 ed into this country, either in cleannefs or dura- 

 bility, where it has been grown under favourable 

 circurnflances, on its proper foil, and to a fufficient 

 age. Owing to the fcarcity, and high price of 

 foreign timber of late years, the demand for High- 

 land fir has very much increafed. Indeed, the 

 high price given, has been the caufe of much 

 premature felling ; and many of the Scots natu- 

 ral forefls are now. very much leffened in extent 

 by the operation of ihefe caufes. 



The planted^ Lowland Scots fir, is feldom ap- 

 plied to offices higher than that of roofing of (hades 

 or hues ; lining of carts ; lathing, or making of 

 packing-boxes : But were this tree, even the com- 

 mon variety, cultivated with more care, it certain- 

 ly would become more valuable timber. But we 

 feldom fee the fmallefl care beftowed upon its cul- 

 ture. Everywhere, almoft, the trees are unpruned; 

 the dead branches are left (ticking in their places ; 

 i and 



