1526 IRBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 



Propagation and Culture, It is justly remarked by Mr. Gome, that it adds 

 much to the value ot' the Nalix alba, that its propagation and culture are 

 o\ the most simple description ; and that it will grow luxuriantly in most 

 soils where other trees make but slow progress. According to Sang, it will 

 thrive will iu high and dry grounds; ami, if planted in the grove manner, 

 perhaps no other plantation, except larches, would give so quick a return 

 tor the trouble and expense of planting. " It is an excellent coppice-wood, 

 grows extremely last, and is very valuable. It is likewise an excellent nurse 

 to other plants placed in humid situations, as in such it outgrows all other 

 {Plant. KaL, p. L03.) A plantation made by Mr. Gorrieon the northern 

 bank of the Carse of Growrie, in Perthshire, is thus described by him in Decem- 

 ber, 1825, fourteen years after it was planted: — "The soil is a dry ground, which 

 effervesces freely with acids, and is, consequently, calcareous. Its surface is 

 very steep, forming a slope of 43° ; and so poor, that it was without any sward 

 or covering of grass. At the bottom ran a small rivulet, on a bed of the same 

 kind o( gravel. The banks and higher grounds were planted with oaks, 

 larches, and Scotch pines ; and the sides of the rill with alders and Hunting- 

 don willows. The undertaking was by my neighbours reckoned foolish, and 

 1 had to encounter no little obloquy for my presumption. The result, how- 

 ever, has been favourable; the plants on the high ground come away boldly, 

 and in the hollow, which is only about 50 ft. above the level of the sea, the 

 Huntingdon willow has made astonishing progress : at 4 ft. above the ground, 

 several of the trees already measure 48 in. in circumference, and in height 

 from 55 ft. to GO ft. ; giving fully 1 in. in diameter, and 4 ft. in altitude, for 

 every year they have been in the soil. The plants were about 4 ft. in height, 

 and i in. in diameter, at planting. Pruning has been regularly attended to; 

 all large aspiring branches have been removed, and the leading shoot and 

 numerous small side shoots encouraged, for the purpose of producing suf- 

 ficient foliage to elaborate the sap. One peculiar advantage in the culture of 

 this valuable tree is, that, in planting it, rooted plants are not absolutely re- 

 quisite. I have found shoots of from G ft. to 8 ft. long, and about 2 in. in 

 diameter, succeed better than rooted plants : they require to be put in from 

 18 in. to 2ft. deep in marshy soil, which should be drained: the numerous 

 loots sent out in such soil afford abundant nourishment, and shoots are pro- 

 duced the first year more vigorous than when the plants have been previously 

 rooted." {Gard. Mag., vol. i. p. 46.) On writing to Mr. Gorrie for an ac- 

 count of the present state of this plantation, 10 years having elapsed since the 

 above was written, he informs us that, in October, 1836, he took a carpenter, 

 and measured several of the same trees, of which the dimensions were taken 

 in December, 1825, and found that they had increased very considerably in 

 growth. " One tree now (in 183G) measures in circumference, at 1 ft. from the 

 ground, 1\\ in., two trees G8 in., and one tree 67 in. The average girt of those 

 which grow near the rivulet is from G2 in. to 68 in. ; but those which stand fur- 

 ther from the stream are smaller. The measurable solid wood, above 6 in. in 

 diameter, is 30 solid feet on each of two of the largest trees ; and 25 solid 

 feet on each of two other trees. Two trees have lately been blown over by 

 rli'- wind, which stood beyond the reach of the stream ; and these measured, 

 the one 76 ft., and the other HO ft., in length. On cutting up the wood of 

 trees into boards, it showed a beautifully waved bird's-eye appearance, 

 a id it readily acquired a smooth glossy surface. These trees have now been 

 planted 24 years ; and the largest one, which is that first mentioned above as 

 gifting 71.^ in., measures, within a fraction, 1 in. in diameter for every year it 

 Das Stood) and the accumulation of solid wood is yearly increasing in pro- 

 oii to the extent of the circumference. The solid measurable wood in the 

 largest tree averages ;it. the rate of I ft. 3 in. for every year it has been planted. 

 Upon the whole/' concludes Mr. Gorrie, than who no man is a more 

 competent judge OD this subject, "1 continue of opinion that few trees can 

 in competition with the Salix alba, for rapidity of growth, elegance of 

 form, and, in -Jioii value." At Wobuin Abbey, there are five trees of this 



