100 



ON QUALITY OF SOIL. 



water. This is incompatible with the growth of 

 wood of every kind. Before even the most aquatic 

 trees will grow in a bog, it is necessary that the sur- 

 face-water be drained off. 



The Silver fir and Balm of Gilead will answer 

 in the same kinds of land as the spruce. They are 

 both very hardy, and great lovers of moisture. 

 There are some beautiful silvers at Skene, in Aber- 

 deenshire, in a piece of ground where the soil is 

 deep peat-moss. They, together with the spruce, 

 are invaluable for land of this description, as nei- 

 ther the Scots fir nor the larch will thrive in it, 

 and it is equally sterile with respect to most of the 

 hard-wooded kinds. The above kinds include all 

 of the fir tribe (among which I have enumerated 

 the larch), which we cultivate largely for the sake of 

 their timber. I proceed next to point out the qua- 

 lities of soil most proper for deciduous trees. 



Of all this class the Oak deserves the highest con- 

 sideration, on account of the value and general use- 

 fulness of its timber. The soil in which this tree 

 will grow to the largest size is perhaps a strong 

 clay. Some very fine specimens of it, both as re- 

 gards size and beauty, grow on land which, if I mis- 

 take not, is of this quality, in the front of Glammis 



