YOUNG TREES, ETC. 61 



any other sort of tree ; indeed, this is the case with 

 all the pine tribe — each species being generally- 

 found congregated by itself. With reference to the 

 common Scots fir, the best timber trees for general 

 purposes are raised where they are standing 

 pretty close in one mass ; but the most picturesque 

 form of this tree is found when standing singly, and 

 has room to spread out its branches. When grown 

 in one mass close together, the trees are found clean 

 stemmed, and drawn up to a great height ; conse- 

 quently, such trees are available for many purposes, 

 whereas, when standing singly, the tree is generally 

 found short-stemmed, thick, and branchy. 



No tree, a native of Britain, can with more safety 

 be planted out into any soil and situation, provided 

 only that soil be a dry one. I have seen a crop of 

 good Scots fir timber taken off almost every sort of 

 soil, of an earthy or stony nature, but upon a mossy 

 soil I have never seen good Scots fir timber grow. 



The Norway Spruce Fir (Abies excelsa) is a 

 native of the north of Germany and Russia, and 

 is a beautiful and stately tree. It is now widely 

 dispersed throughout Britain, particularly in the 

 Lowlands of Scotland. It is a hardy tree, and, 

 when planted in a favourable situation, soon grows 

 to useful size. It is not so valuable in its timber as 

 the Scots fir ; but from its rapid growth, and from 

 its tendency to grow in a rather damp situation, 

 where the Scots fir would not succeed so well, it is 



