52 GROWING GOLD. 



following pages, show an equality of growth 

 which at once proves that the preference for 

 exotics is both undeserved and indefensible. 

 It is most extraordinary, that there should be 

 authors who admit this equality, and at the 

 same time persist in recommending fir trees. 



The present system of managing the pine 

 plantations has also run its length, for there 

 are very few trees of fifty feet in height, that 

 are not stunted and decaying, or decayed : 

 indeed, similar effects are to be seen in many 

 under that height, although, by a reference to 

 the authorities, it will be found that it is not 

 more than one third of the average height to 

 which they grow in their native woods and 

 forests. 



Matthews says, " there must be some con- 

 stitutional tendency to corruption in the larch, 

 as the rot is often found to take place in the 

 most luxuriant growing plants, in open situ- 

 ations, branched to the ground, and growing 

 in deep soil, free from stagnating water." (p. 



