416 



CONIFEK.E. 



freely on its native knoll of dry gravel, or thinly covered 

 rock, over which its roots wander afar in the wildest 

 reticulation, whilst its tall, furrowed, and often gracefully 

 sweeping red and grey trunk, of enormous circumference, 

 rears aloft its high umbrageous canopy, then would the 

 greatest sceptic on this point be compelled to prostrate 

 his mind before it, with a veneration which perhaps was 

 never before excited in him by any other tree. 11 



In planting the Pine for its ornamental and picturesque 

 effect, whether singly or in groups, soil, as well as situation, 

 must be particularly attended to ; the one to ensure its 

 reaching its full dimensions, the other, that when grown 

 up it may produce the greatest effect, either by contrast 

 with other surrounding trees, or by the beauty of its own 

 form and the appropriate station in which it is placed. 

 In respect of soil great richness is not required, but it is 

 essential that the substratum be dry, and as to the sites 

 selected, these must be regulated by rules of taste and the 

 peculiar features and locality of the place. One essential 

 point must be observed, viz., that the plants be of the 

 best variety, and immediately derived from seed of the 

 native highland Pine. 



As this tree is propagated entirely by seeds, the greatest 

 care ought to be taken by the nurserymen, in justice to 

 the planter who purchases his trees, to see that the seed 

 from which he raises his stock be gathered from a good 

 variety, and if possible from trees of the native highland 

 forests. In case a sufficient supply of seed of this de- 

 scription cannot be procured, then, as the next in good- 

 ness, such as is produced by plantations that have been 

 made upon a granitic or proper Pine soil, and the trees 

 composing which are themselves the offspring of forest 

 seed. Inattention to so important a consideration as the 



