ON QUALITY OF SOIL. 



95 



several other species^ have stamped a character of 

 this kind on the extensive and fertile district of 

 Bnchan, in Aberdeenshire. 



To contribute as much as possible towards the 

 prevention of the error in question, I shall point 

 out, as far as my experience extends, the kinds of 

 soil best adapted for the several varieties of forest 

 trees, which are most generally cultivated ; and, in 

 order to make the labour of ascertaining the quality 

 of waste lands intended to be planted, as easy as 

 possible, I shall add, in a subsequent chapter, some 

 rules for that purpose, founded on the nature of 

 the wild plants which such lands naturally produce. 

 Here, as in the other parts of the work, I shall fur- 

 nish the reader with the data on which my own 

 opinions rest, — that he may, with the greater fa- 

 cility, judge with regard to their correctness. 



The most convenient method of treating this part 

 of the subject, will be to go over the different species 

 of trees, one by one, and I begin with the Scots 

 fir. 



This is one of the hardiest trees we possess, and it 

 will thrive in very barren situations, provided they 

 be dry. Dryness is, in fact, the most indispensable 

 requisite that land can possess, in order to produce 

 a good crop of Scots fir ; and it is never advisable 

 to plant this tree in very moist ground, or where 



