SCOTS FIR. 



41 



superiority of their timber, to that which grows in 

 the comparatively rich land of the lower parts of 

 the country, any one will allow, who has ever had 

 the opportunity of comparing the qualities of fir- 

 wood which has grown in two different spots, the 

 one poorer, the other richer, in relation to one ano- 

 ther. As for the difference in the colour of the 

 spines, which are said to be of a lighter hue in the 

 natural than in the planted fir, it seems to admit of 

 explanation, from what is often seen to take place 

 in the nursery. Of two plots sown from the same 

 parcel of seed, the plants of the one will have a yel- 

 lowish tinge, while those of the other are of the deep- 

 est green ; and a difference either in the soil or in 

 the quantity of manure, is found sufficient to cause 

 the discrepancy. As to the disparity in length of 

 the spines, dissimilarity in exposure to the light and 

 air may perhaps account for it. 



I may have omitted some of the characteristics 

 in which the planted and natural trees are said by 

 the author of the essay in question, to differ from 

 one another, as I write from memory, having ne- 

 glected to take any notes when I read it more than 

 twelve months ago ; and I wish the reader to take 

 notice that the remarks I have now made are rather 

 the offspring of my doubt than conviction, my ob- 



