64 DISTRIBUTION OF 



wliicli circumstance has caused considerable sensa- 

 tion among planters in general ; relative to which I 

 intend to speak hereafter, as may be seen in its 

 proper place in this book. (See Cause of Disease 

 in Larch Fir Plantations.) 



The circumstances wliich are found favourable to 

 the healthy development of the larch are, — as to 

 soil, it is not particular, but the roots must have a 

 constant supply of water, in order to keep the earth 

 in wliich they grow in a pure state, as is the case 

 upon all rugged mountain slopes, where there is a 

 continual descent of water from the higher ground 

 to the lower. 



Having now briefly stated the peculiarities of 

 each sort of forest tree which is generally culti- 

 vated in our plantations, for the sake of timber, &c., 

 I may add further, that all deciduous hard-wood 

 trees, to grow them properly, require more shelter 

 than the firs or pines do ; consequently, in all cases 

 of planting a piece of ground upon a gentleman's 

 estate, the hard wood ought to be planted upon the 

 most sheltered parts, always keeping the firs and 

 pines upon the liigh and exposed districts. And this 

 is only imitating the proceedings of nature in the 

 same operation; for, in the natural disposition of 

 trees over the surface of the earth, the firs and 

 pines inhabit those cold high-lying districts where 

 the soil is thin, and the oak, ash, elm, &c., inhabit 

 the more temperate regions nearer the equator. 



