PINUS PINASTER. 
11 
of Pinaster trees raised in this island. The transmutation which has been effected by some natural cause 
or causes in the texture and appearance of Fir timber seemed to me so curious and extraordinary, that 
I could not deny myself the gratification of submitting it to the inspection of yourself,” &c. He also 
communicated with Sir Joseph Banks on the subject, and, in writing him, said that although many 
trees of different sorts had been tried at St Helena, there were none so peculiarly adapted to the 
climate and soil, nor that stood the almost unceasing south-easterly wind so well, as the Pinaster. “In 
the higher and cooler parts they thrive surprisingly; but in those less elevated, and towards the north 
and south extremities of the island, the summer heats are too powerful for the propagation of trees 
that are indigenous to the colder climates. When sheltered under the leeward sides of the hills, against 
the prevailing south-east wind, it grows straight and beautiful, and arrives at the height of 50 to 60 feet 
in the space of twenty-four years.”—(Beatson’s “ TraCts relating to St Helena,” p. 49.) The timber 
thus altered by growth at St Helena is described by the General [loc. cit.) as of a very superior quality, 
differing materially from either the Memel or the American Fir, being of a closer grain, beautifully 
veined, and resembling in some degree a pale Mahogany. 
The Pinaster (at least in the Fandes) seems peculiarly liable to the attacks of insedts. M. Perris 
of Mont-de-Marsan in the Fandes, an eminent French entomologist, has for some years past found 
occupation in tracing the habits and transformations of the different kinds of insedts which prey 
upon it, and has already recorded those of upwards of 120 species as parasites upon this tree. It 
is satisfactory to learn from him, not so much on account of this particular tree, but as a fadt which by 
inference must be applicable to all trees, that “ he cannot admit that these insedts are the primary 
cause of the death of the trees which they attack; and that during the fifteen years for which he 
without intermission studied their habits in one of the best-wooded countries in France, he had observed 
a sufficiency of fadts to justify him in expressing his opinion, that insedts in general (not including those 
which attach themselves solely to the foliage as miners, &c.) do not attack those trees which are in good 
health, but they only address themselves to those whose health and fundfions have suffered from some 
cause or other; ” and he expresses his perfedt convidtion “ that lignivorous insedts are only to be dreaded 
by sickly trees. They are like some mosses and lichens which only attach themselves to enfeebled trees, 
while healthy well-growing trees preserve a smooth bark, and repulse these vegetable parasites.”—(Perris, 
in Annal. Soc. Ent. France , erne serie, vol. x. p. 513.) 
Culture. —The first and most essential requisite to the successful cultivation of the Pinaster is 
a sandy soil, and the second a sea-breeze. It will never grow so well under any other conditions, and 
there are some in which it is absolutely hopeless to attempt to grow it. Such are a chalky or any kind 
of calcareous soil, peat, or any stiff wet loam ; to which, perhaps, may be added, in Britain, any 
considerable elevation above the sea. 
The usual time for sowing the seed is towards the end of April; but if the season be late, and if there 
be any appearance of frost, the sowing may be delayed until the first week of May. As the Pinaster 
makes few fibrous roots, their growth must be encouraged by transplanting twice at least before being 
planted out. At one year old they may be transplanted from the seed-bed into lines, about six inches 
apart, two inches being left between the plants. The ground chosen should be light and sandy, without 
manure. When two years old they should be again transplanted, leaving about four inches between the 
plants and twelve inches between the rows. At three years old they may be lifted and planted where 
they are to remain. 
Mr Brown, in his “ Forester,” recommends that, in planting, a few men should be employed taking off 
turfs, about 2 inches thick and 12 inches square, from the exadt spots where it is intended the plants are to 
be put in ; which turfs, as they are taken off, should be divided into two equal halves. After the plants 
are put in the turf should be put on the opening from which it was taken, but with the earth or under side 
uppermost, making it meet close upon the plant upon each side; and when it is thus placed, the seam or 
[ 26 ] f opening 
