350 



THE planter's GUIDE. 



THE SCOTCH FIR. 



From the very different and sometimes superficial way 

 in which this noble tree (Pin us sylvestris) is treated by 

 the best writers, considerable perplexity respecting it is 

 occasioned to the practical planter. Neither the arrange- 

 ment of Linnaeus, the industry of Miller, nor the learning 

 of Lambert has been sufficient to discriminate the differ- 

 ent kinds, in as far as practical utility is concerned. 

 Linnaeus, in the later editions of liis great work, classes 

 the whole under one general head, (Fimis,) and enume- 

 rates only twelve species. Miller gives fourteen, Martyn 

 twenty-one, and Lambert no fewer than three-and- 

 thirty, including varieties. But, unless it be for tlie 

 particular vahie of some kinds not indigenous, one-third 

 part of this number may suffice for the 'purposes of the 

 planter in this climate.'" 



The Scotch Fir, or, as it should more properly be 

 called, the Scotch Pine, is the only Terebinthine tree that 

 is a native of Britain ; yet three other species are as well 

 known, and have so long been naturalised — namely, the 

 Spruce Fir (P. abies,) the Silver Fir (P. pinea,) and the 

 Larch (P. larix,) — that all the fom^ are usually considered 

 as separate trees. The obvious differences between their 

 leaves and their fruit sufficiently entitle them to that dis- 

 tinction. But our present business is with the Scotch Fir 

 only. 



The Scotch Fir (P. silvestris) especially belongs to 

 our northern districts. It is a tree that grows to great 

 magnitude, and will live for at least four hundred years. 

 More than three hundred and sixty rings or circles have 

 been counted in a Swedish Fir, all of sound wood. 



Note XIII. 



