THE COMMON LARCH. 509 



can be applied, rendering it as an intermediate occupant 

 the most profitable tree to the planter. In forming plan- 

 tations for the growth of Larch timber of the first descrip- 

 tion, and which, from the nature and habit of the tree, 

 must generally to ensure success be confined to the moun- 

 tainous regions of the kingdom, but little preparation of the 

 soil is required, if we except secure fencing, and surface- 

 draining of the moister parts ; for, as Larch seedlings of 

 two years old, or strong seedlings one year transplanted, 

 are found to succeed much better than plants of greater 

 size and age, these can be inserted by the slit method, at 

 an expense trifling as compared with pit planting, and at 

 the same time with much greater certainty of success. 

 The rate of plants usually allowed to the acre, in the for- 

 mation of entire Larch plantations, is from four to five 

 thousand, though the late Duke of Athol, an excellent 

 authority, seems to have considered from two thousand 

 five hundred to three thousand as sufficient. These must 

 be gradually thinned out to three hundred and fifty or 

 four hundred per acre, being the number of trees which 

 it is supposed this quantity of ground is able to bring- 

 to perfection ; and the last thinning should take place 

 when the trees are about thirty years old. 



The time for planting the Larch, whether in alpine situa- 

 tions, or in mixed plantations, should be confined to the in- 

 terval between the fall of the leaf and the swelling of the 

 buds in the ensuing spring ; and as the former does not take 

 place before the end of November, and the latter is in ope- 

 ration by the beginning of April, the period becomes 

 limited to less than four months. 



In mixed plantations, such as are made in the lower 

 districts and plains of England and Scotland, the Larch, 

 as we have already remarked, is more frequently used 



