AMONG THE PINES AND FIRS 225 
it should be much more largely used than at pre- 
sent—it forms one of the very best shelter-belts 
or wind-mantles along the unprotected edges of 
woods and plantations exposed to the exhaust- 
ing effects of winds. Along all such a couple 
of rows of spruce should be planted, and never 
trimmed or lopped. 
Larch is one of the most interesting as well as 
one of the most profitable of our naturalised 
trees. It was introduced into England in 1629, 
when it seems to have received no particular 
attention; but after its introduction into Scot- 
land, either in 1725 or 1727, it was largely planted 
in many parts of the Island, though more espe- 
cially in the Scottish highlands. The story is 
well known of how two seedling larches were 
received by the Duke of Athole at Dunkeld, 
together with some young orange trees and other 
exotics from Italy. Placed along with these in 
the hothouse, the young larch drooped and seemed 
to die, when they were thrown out on the rubbish 
heap. Recovering in the colder air they were 
planted in the lawn, where they still flourish. In 
Evelyn’s day practically nothing was known about 
this tree, though of course he has a good word 
P 
