440 THE BOOK OP THE LANDED ESTATE. 



Scots pine-trees which have attained a considerable age with any other 

 aspect. 



Pinus Tccda (Loblolly Pine, Linnaeus). This is a native of Florida 

 and Virginia, and is there found in a great many soils and situations, 

 attaining a height of about eighty feet, with a large spreading top. The 

 foliage is of a light-green colour ; the leaves slender, and about five inches 

 long. Bishop Compton introduced it into this country in 1713; and 

 good specimens are now to be seen at several country seats in the 

 kingdom, as at Whittington and Kew. It has not, however, been exten- 

 sively planted, as its timber is not valuable. It is of a soft spongy 

 nature. It is, however, a fast-growing tree, and, I should think, might 

 be introduced with advantage into some climates where any tree of rapid 

 growth is important such as some place along the coasts in the south 

 of Europe and the Cape of Good Hope. 



Piniis tubcrculata (Tubercielatcd Pine, Don). This was introduced from 

 California in 1846, where it attains a height of about fifty feet. The 

 foliage is of a light-green colour, and about five inches long. Gordon 

 states that the timber is hard, and of a reddish colour. The settlers in 

 California use the timber in erecting their houses, but it is little known 

 in this country. 



Larix Europasa (European Larch}. There are several varieties of the 

 larch, but the common or European is the only one worthy of culti- 

 vation for its timber. The larch is found in the mountainous parts of 

 the continent of Europe, Asia, and America, and is everywhere valued 

 for its timber. It attains a height of about one hundred feet. The 

 European is a hardy tree, and attains a large size in this country. Many 

 fine specimens are to be found all over the kingdom, especially on the 

 Duke of Athole's estates in Perthshire, where this tree was planted in 

 1741. It was first introduced into Scotland in 1734 by Lord Kames, 

 and afterwards by the then Duke of Athole, as stated, in 1741, when 

 it was planted at Dunkeld. These trees have grown to a very large 

 size. There are also some very large trees of this kind in the home- 

 park at Invercauld. The value of the larch as a timber-tree is now 

 so well known and appreciated that it requires no commendations. It 

 is one of the best nurses we have for planting amongst other trees, and 

 it is also one of the best paying trees when planted in soils suited to its 

 nature. It thrives well on different soils and situations, provided the 

 soil and subsoil are porous, and that there is no stagnant water about the 

 roots. As an instance of its rapid growth, I may state that on this estate 

 we have a young plantation now four years old, and the plants average 

 ten feet high. They are growing on a light loam soil resting on rock. 



Cedrus Libanii (Cedar of Lebanon}. This is a native of Mount 



