YOUNG TREES, ETC. 67 



If, in planting a new plantation, there are found 

 spots of ground lying very high, with an ex- 

 tremely thin, poor, sandy soil, upon which it would 

 be doubtful if even Scots firs would ..*ittain useful 

 size, or live long as a permanent standing crop, 

 plant upon such spots, one half Scots firs, and the 

 other half birches and beech, of each an equal num- 

 ber per acre. By so doing, if the Scots firs happen 

 not to succeed, as is very likely upon a high-lying 

 sandy soil, then the birches and beeches are sure to 

 keep the ground; and, although they may prob- 

 ably never come to be a valuable crop of timber, still 

 it is desirable to have a cover, though but for the 

 sake of shelter, upon such portions of the land. 



If, on the other hand, there are any low-lying, 

 damp, swampy parts in it, make up such parts with 

 alder, birch, and spruce firs; and give the j^refer- 

 ence in number to that sort wliich may be consi- 

 dered most likely to succeed best as a permanent 

 crop; and, when they come the length of thinning, 

 it can then be judged which sort will stand, and 

 wliich should be taken away. 



If there be any rugged precipices or steep glens 

 within the bounds of a new plantation, plant larches 

 and oaks, in equal proportions ; and, if it is consi- 

 dered necessary for the sake of shelter, plant a few 

 Scots firs upon prominent points ; and in any hollow 

 parts of such grounds, put in poplars or willow- 

 trees, or, if not too damp, spruce firs. 



