PINETUM BRITANNICUM. 
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“ Upon the estate of Dunskey, which runs partly along the sea-shore from Port Patrick towards Stranraer, the Pinaster has been plentifully 
introduced along the higher grounds bordering upon the sea-shore, in order to form a protection to the plantations of hardwood growing inside. 
It has answered the desired end there, having grown rapidly and healthily, securing in a very few years an amount of shelter which could not 
have been obtained by any other sort of tree. . . . Upon more elevated parts of the same estate the Pinaster was also planted, at from 
about 400 to 500 feet above the level of the sea; but in such parts the plants did not succeed well, and consequently their cultivation upon 
these elevated inland parts has been given up.” 
As to the growth of the Pinaster in Scotland, Mr Brown says: 
“It must not be expeCled that the Pinasters will rise high, or make fine-looking trees for a number of years. On the contrary, they will 
spread rather low, and form a very bushy habit for at least the first twelve years. This habit of theirs is their security; for a tree that would 
incline to rise high in such a situation would be at once thrown into bad health, while the Pinasters spreading themselves, soon form a complete 
massive shelter to everything else near them; and by the time they arrive at about fifteen years old, they begin to rise upwards rapidly, being 
by this time perfectly established in their situation.” 
Even at its best, however, it does not appear ever to get beyond 50 feet in height in Scotland. 
That is about the height of a number of these trees in the parish of Moffat, in Dumfriesshire, whose 
introduction there is thus pleasantly described by the late Dr Fleming: 
“ Dr Walker, who long occupied with distinction the Chair of Natural Plistory in the University of Edinburgh, was, when minister of the 
parish of Moffat, regarded as rather of weak intellect, in consequence of the fondness which he displayed for weeds and vermin. On returning 
one afternoon in spring from Edinburgh, he was observed to have the pocket of his coat full of what appeared to be Fir branches. The witnesses 
now imagined that a crisis in his lunacy had arrived, and began to set a watch on his future motions. He was observed in the course of the 
evening going forth to a corner of the glebe and putting some plants into the ground. When he had retired to the manse, the spies immediately 
proceeded to the spot, and found that he had been planting some young Firs (that these had appeared as branches sticking out of his pocket), 
and hence they were led to conclude that their minister was not so great a fool as they had suspeCted. The plants took root, were protected,-and, 
as trees, now prove an ornament to the glebe, and a monument of the Doctor’s arboricultural tendencies. These trees must now (1857) be at least 
seventy-three years of age, and one is 45 feet in height, and 6 feet 3 inches in circumference at the ground ; and they to this day preserve the 
name of Pouch Firs , in memory of the part of the DoCtor’s dress in which they were first observed.” 
Properties and Uses .—Of course, wherever timber is, however worthless it be, some use will be 
made of it. In the marine arsenal at Toulon, the timber of the Pinaster is employed for the outer 
cases of the packages used on board vessels, and also for the piles and props which are used for sustaining 
the frames of vessels while building. In other words, the timber is applied to the most inferior purposes 
to which it can be put. But its real commercial uses are even lower than this: they are the production 
of resin, by withdrawing the juice of the tree by a system of tapping ; and of lampblack, by burning 
the wood. Loudon gives a full account of both processes; but as these may rather be considered of 
the nature of chemical or mechanical manufactures than arboricultural details, we shall refer the reader 
who may wish for information regarding them to his work, the “Arboretum Britannicum,” vol. iv. 
p. 2221. The manufacture of these produCts, however, is a most important matter for the inhabitants 
of the province of Guienne, for, thanks to M. Bremontier, the peasantry between Bourdeaux and 
Bayonne are mainly supported by the preparation of tar and resin from the pignadas or Pinaster forests. 
It is to be remembered, however, that although the inhabitants of these districts derive a scanty living 
from the extraction of these produCts, we should not be equally successful were we to attempt to deal 
in the same way with the Pinasters growing in this country. The resinous sap does not flow in the 
trees here in anything like the same quantity or richness as in warmer climates. An attempt to extraCt 
resin from trees in this country, as is done in the Landes, would prove commercially a failure. 
Notwithstanding the little value of the Pinaster for economical purposes, it is always welcome for 
decoration. Its rich green, its rapid growth, its dense mass of foliage, and its magnificent leaves and 
shoots, render it very effective. 
According to Major-General Beatson, the Pinaster has undergone a remarkable change in the 
quality of its timber by transplantation to St Helena. Writing to Sir John Sinclair (St Helena, 
18th Sept. 1811), he says, “I beg leave to present you with a specimen of Fir timber, the produce 
of 
