10 . PINACE^. 



and our own practical knowledge of the firs and pines, draw deductions 

 wliich are so conclusive and unerring, that it is no mere theory or specu- 

 lation, hut a well ascertained and estahlished fact, that tlie climate of 

 Britain is most admirahly adapted for all the firs and pines which are 

 at present hardy enough to withstand the severity of our winters. It 

 is a remarkable fact that the fossil-beds of the British Isles contain 

 the remains of not a few species of the Common Fir, the Giant Fir, 

 the Cypress, the Common Pine, and the Wax Pine : and I often, when 

 in a reflective mood, consider myself as engaged in the introduction 

 and cultivation of firs and pines, which, in now far distant ages of our 

 planet's history, were to be found in our own sea-girt isles, with Nature 

 as their culturist, though now the climate be much changed from what 

 it then was. 



Wind, as a phase of climate, is another of the causes which operate 

 against the cultivation of the firs and pines, and is one of the difficulties 

 Ave have to encounter ; for but few of them can withstand the assault 

 of a cutting wind with impunity; and it matters but little whether its 

 direction be easterly or westerly, or from north or south ; but from 

 observation I think that south-west gales and sea- side blasts are most 

 injurious to them ; yet, even in localities where winds, gales, and sea- 

 breezes prevail, by first planting thickly those kinds which are 

 recommended for such situations, shelter, in a short time would 

 be afforded, when most of the newer or rare kinds might be 

 introduced amongst them, gradually thinning out the common kinds 

 when their services as nurses are no longer required. 



Atmosphere, again, may be disposed of as a collateral of climate ; 

 and here I have only to remark that most of the pine tribe prefer, some 

 of them demand, a pure atmosphere; and will only struggle for 

 existence in such as are noxious or impure, where the most of them 

 will languish and die : in cities or towns, or in close proximity to 

 manufactories or workshops, where the atmosphere is impregnated with 

 deleterious ingredients, or highly charged with smoke, only such kinds 

 as are known to resist with some degree of impunity such injurious 

 influences should be planted. For such localities some of the species 

 of the Arbor- Vitse, the Ground, Prototype, and Eesinous-Seeded 

 Cypresses, the Juniper, the Pine, and the Yew should be selected ; 

 while most of the species of the Araucaria, Cedar, Fir, and Larch 

 should be rejected. 



With regard to the best Season for removing or transplanting firs and 

 pines, we ourselves prefer and practice it in the months of JSTovember 



