352 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



forests, but the quality of the timber is not so good. I have measured 

 and sold Scots pine-trees from the Duthill forest that were from six to 

 seven feet in circumference at the base. In England it is generally 

 considered that the Scots pine is a worthless tree. This is accounted 

 for by the quality of the timber being soft from having been grown on 

 strong land in low -lying situations. The best quality of timber of 

 this tree is always found growing on gravelly soils and rather exposed 

 situations. 



The Larch. The soil and situation suited for this tree may be pretty 

 correctly known when we consider that it grows naturally in the moun- 

 tainous regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is also found 

 growing to perfection in the mountains of Switzerland and Germany. 

 The European or common larch grows well in almost any situation in 

 this country, provided the soil is not too stiff, or wet with stagnant 

 water. I have seen it growing healthily to a large size on the estate 

 of Lofthouse, the property of the Earl of Zetland, although the trees 

 were standing in a wet soil ; the water, however, was not stagnant, but 

 fresh and pure, there being a constant stream through the site. In all 

 cases, the soil for the healthy growth of this important tree should 

 be well drained. It grows best on the slopes of hills and glens, where 

 there is a good natural drainage. 



The Silver Fir. This is a tree which ought to be more extensively 

 cultivated in our plantations than it is. I have seen it growing to 

 large dimensions in a dry sandy loam fully one thousand feet above 

 sea-level. Good specimens are also to be met with on our clay soils. 

 It will grow well on almost any soil, provided the subsoil is not wet and 

 sour from stagnant water. 



The Norway Spruce Fir. This tree grows well in a damp soil, and 

 prefers a sheltered situation. It is found thriving on clay loams, sandy 

 loams, and even on peaty soils, provided the soils are moist, but not 

 full of sour stagnant water. 



Having thus briefly stated the kinds of soils suited to the growth of 

 the most common of our forest-trees, I may further add that all trees 

 of the pine tribe thrive better 011 high and exposed situations than the 

 hardwood trees. The latter require a richer soil and more sheltered 

 situations. I have frequently, in the formation of plantations on the 

 sides of hills, endeavoured to imitate the natural distribution of trees, 

 by planting the pine tribe alone on the higher portions, and having a 

 mixture of the hardwoods on the lower grounds. In the formation of a 

 plantation some six years ago, on the estate of Wass, the elevation 

 ranged from three hundred to eight hundred and fifty feet above sea- 

 level, in which the lower portions were a clay loam, the middle portions 



