41-i CONIFER.E. 



with earth, and the road is finished ; this kind of highway 

 is precisely analogous to what are termed Corduroy roads 

 in North America, and we believe are usually as un- 

 comfortable and jolting to the traveller. 



As fuel, the wood of the Pine, though it gives out 

 much heat and is easily fired, burns very rapidly, accom- 

 panied by a black disagreeable smoke, on which account 

 it is inferior to many other woods as a chamber fuel. 

 The charcoal it produces is excellent, and is made in 

 large quantities where tar is manufactured. Of the roots 

 torches are made, and, when split into thin pieces, are 

 frequently used in the highlands as a substitute for candles, 

 and of this material they commonly make the lights used 

 by the fishermen in our northern rivers, when engaged 

 in the exciting nocturnal amusement of Leistering, that is, 

 spearing the salmon. 



Before we proceed to speak of the mode of propagation 

 and the management of the Pine, a few observations upon 

 its ornamental properties and the effect it is calculated to pro- 

 duce in landscape scenery may not be deemed out of place. 

 If our observations were to be confined or limited to the 

 appearance of the Pine as seen in close plantations con- 

 sisting entirely of the species, or even to the internal or 

 thick part of the natural forest, where the trees are drawn 

 up to straight naked poles, devoid of side branches, sur- 

 mounted by a mere tuft of sombre green, and exhibiting 

 a gloomy sameness of character, or to those miserable- 

 looking belts of fir so frequently seen in England and the 

 lowlands of Scotlands as boundaries to property, or lining 

 the sides of our public roads, admitting through their 

 starved and naked stems the whistling wind and driving 

 shower, we might possibly concur in opinion with those 

 who, without restriction, lavish unbounded abuse upon the 



