1 74 Correspondence on the Preservation of Timber. 



The Scotch Pine prefers a poor sandy soil. The seeds acci- 

 dentally falling on turf bog have grown into large trees. Its 

 timber is of more value in the remote parts of Ireland than that 

 of alder. It does not grow as thick in the same space of time 

 as the pinaster, but its timber is harder. 



The Larch is more injured by the sea breeze than any other 

 timber tree in Ireland; it thrives ill near towns, or on road 

 sides. It should be planted unmixed with any other trees ; for, 

 as it outgrows them, its leading shoots are apt to be bent by 

 winds. It easily takes a new leader, if accidentally or otherwise 

 topped. 



The Silver Fir is admirably adapted to Ireland, yet its 

 cultivation is much neglected. It thrives in wet cold soils as 

 well as in the rich and dry, at all elevations, and with every 

 exposure; living to 400 years and more, while the 



Balm of Gilead Pi?ie, so like it when young, scarcely attains 

 40 years before decrepitude. It preserves its deep green colour, 

 while the spruce fir turns brownish towards the end of winter. 

 At Ballylickey, near Bantry, it has outtopped a variety of the 

 usual timber trees among which it was planted sixty years ago. 



The Sdlix alba, SdlixRusselliana, and Carolina Poplar, are all 

 well adapted to wet poor turfy soils. They have reached 30 ft. in 

 height, at nine years from the time they were put down as cut- 

 tings, at Dunkerron. 



I can give no information as to the dates of introduction of 

 different exotic trees and shrubs into Ireland, nor should I know 

 where to look for any information on that head not already in 

 your Arboretum. 



Art. IX. Extracts from a Correspondence "which took place from 

 1817 to 1835, respecting the Preservation of Timber by the Water 

 of a Copper Mine in Anglesea. Communicated by a Corre- 

 spondent. 



Extract of a Letter from Joseph Jones to Mr. Sanderson, respecting the 

 Water of Parys Mountain being a Preservative of Timber, dated Amlwch, 

 20th October, 1817. 



" The piece of timber which I present to you is of oak, and was part of the 

 bucket of a mill-wheel, turned by a stream of mineral water. The one side is 

 left rough, as it was taken out, with the ochry sediment of the water adhering 

 to it ; the other side planed, in order to show how it colours wood. The 

 whitish spot on the planed side is a deal pin, which was put in to bind the 

 bucket ; and it serves to prove that the water preserves deal, or other soft 

 wood, as well as oak. 



" The wheel from which the piece was taken had been worked for eighteen 

 years ; and it is five years since it was taken out. Mill water-wheels are 

 generally considered to be more subject to decay than any other species of 

 woodwork, in consequence of being exposed, without paint, to all the vicissi- 



