270 



Value of the Larch and Silver Fir. 



Trees measured at Dunkeld, the seat of His Grace the Duke 



of Atholl. 



The two celebrated larches planted 1737, or 102 years old 



1st Larch 



2 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



■ 16 3 



4 ft. from 

 ground, 

 ft. in. 



13 9 



2d Larch 



2 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



■ 14 2 



4 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



12 5 



Other larches in great numbers, 2 ft. from ground, 8 ft. 11 in. on an 

 average. 



Scotch fir 



2 ft. from 

 ground, 

 ft in. 



■ 11 4 



4 ft. from 

 ground, 

 ft. in. 



10 10 



Scotch fir 



2 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



- 10 1 



4 ft. from 

 ground, 

 ft. in. 

 9 3 



Trees measured at Monzie, the residence of A. Campbell, Esq. 



Larch 

 Larch - 



Silver fir 



2 ft. from 

 ground, 

 ft. in. 



- 10 6 



- 10 7 



2 ft. from ground. 

 ft. in. 



- 10 6 



4 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



■ 8 6 



- 8 11 



Larch 

 Larch 



4 ft. from ground, 

 ft. in. 

 9 4 



2 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



- 13 3 



- 10 8 



4 ft. from 



ground. 



ft. in. 



- 11 8 



- 14 7 



This tree spreads 14 yards from the stem each way, and all of the above 

 are nearly 100 feet high. The measurement of the last larch at 2 ft. from 

 the ground, owing to its projecting roots, is greatly increased in circum- 

 ference. 



The above measurements leave no doubt that the growth of 

 the silver fir is more rapid than that of any coniferous tree 

 hitherto introduced into this country. 



The trees above measured (with the exception of the two 

 celebrated Dunkeld larches) are supposed to be about 105 years 

 old. 



I shall now proceed to give you the result of three experiments 

 tried by my friend Mr. Salvin, to prove the superior strength or 

 toughness of the silver fir in comparison with the larch. 



The first experiment was made in November 1838, and the 

 silver fir sustained a weight of 17 stone more than the larch 

 before it broke. 



In the second experiment the silver fir and larch were 15 ft. 

 2 in. long each, and each 25 years old. Both trees were seven 

 months under cover, and were, as near as possible, of the same 

 dimensions; the silver fir sustained 37 stone, and the larch 

 25 stone: difference in favour of the silver fir, 12 stone. 



In the third experiment, the larch and silver fir were both 

 cut and tried in a green state, 12 ft. long, 25 years old, and of 

 the same dimensions. The silver fir sustained 64 stone 5 lb., and 

 the larch 45 stone 5 lb. : difference in favour of the silver fir, 

 19 stone. 



These experiments were made in the presence of five re- 

 spectable and experienced woodmen. 



Lartington, July 5. 1839. 



