64 • A ISfiW FLORA OF 



japonica, Prunus lauro-cerasus, P. lusifanica, Arbutus unedo, Ilex 

 aquifoUum, Ulex europ^us, Spartium scoparium. 



To the upper limits in Northumberland and Durham of the 

 various cultivated plants we have paid special attention, because 

 it seems likely that many of them are grown successfully with 

 us under lower temperatures than they are anywhere else in the 

 island. There is a great contrast in the height to which houses 

 and cultivation reach between the Cheviots and the Durham and 

 South Tynedale hills, owing, no doubt, to the broad open dales 

 and more gradual slopes of the latter, and the attraction of their 

 mineral treasures. In the whole Cheviot tract there are probably 

 not more than a dozen farm houses at above 1000 feet, and the 

 cultivation of grain stops at 200 or 250 yards. In Durham, the 

 highest regularly-inhabited house which we have seen, is the 

 farm-house of Grasshill, on the west of the peak of Highfield, 

 which is just 2000 feet above sea-level. In West Allendale there 

 is a small village, called Coal Cleugh, at from 1650 to 1700 feet; 

 and in East Allendale some of the farm houses are nearly as high, 

 and the considerable village of Allenheads, with a church, school 

 house, mining office, and gentleman's hall and grounds, stands at 

 a height of from 1300 to 1400 feet. The following is a list made 

 during various visits to Teesdale, of the height at which the dif- 

 ferent trees grow, either in a wild or planted state, and to which 

 the different kinds of grain and vegetables are cultivated. 



At 2000 feet. — Ehubarb, potatoes, turnip. A crop of each of 

 these grown by the Highfield farmer in the hollow of a disused 

 limekiln. 



At 1700 feet. — Salix caprea. 



At 1650 feet. — Ruins idcBus, Pyrus aucuparia, Corylus avel- 

 lana, Salix aurita, 8. phylicifolia, Rosa tomentosa, Rihes rulrum, 

 R. grossularia (fruit poor). 



At 1600 feet. — Oak, beech, spruce, sycamore, hawthorn, Wych 

 elm, larch, Scotch fir. 



