2 LocaL CONDITIONS OF FORESTRY IN ENGLAND. 

concerned, For convenience of reference the species are 
treated in the alphabetical order of their scientific names. 
Abies pectinata (Common Silver Fir).—This tree appears 
to be generally, but sparsely distributed, and nowhere does 
it attain to first-rate economic importance. While with 
hardly an exception it seems to grow best on loam, the 
underlying rock may be of the most varied character,including 
sandstone, limestone, whin, granite, shale, and chalk. It is 
met with at all elevations up to 800 feet, at which height it 
is found to be growing luxuriantly in Westmorland. It 
appears to be very susceptible to smoke and _ similar 
atmospheric impurities, and, as a consequence, it is rarely 
met with in such districts as North and Mid Durham. 
Where the conditions of growth are favourable it reaches a 
girth of 7 to 11 feet, and a height of 1oo feet, at an age of 
100 to 150 years. The tallest specimen—104 feet at the age 
of I10 years—was reported from Staffordshire, while a 
specimen 125 years old in Norfolk is estimated to contain 
250 cubic feet of timber. It appears to suffer but little from 
disease or insects. 
Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore).—This species also grows 
best on loam, the subjacent rock being evidently a matter of 
comparative indifference. Only in one district (North 
Norfolk) is this tree reported to grow badly, and there the 
soil is evidently too dry, being a light loam on chalk. Many 
trees of 8 to 14 feet in girth were reported, a size that is. 
generally reached between the ages of one and two hundred 
years. In one case (North Riding of Yorkshire) a tree is 
reported to have attained a girth of 13 feet at 120 years. 
Betula alba (Contmon Birch).—This species was reported 
from comparatively few districts. Even specimens that are 
accounted large do not usually exceed a girth of 8 feet, and 
an age of 100 to 120 years; but an exceptionally large tree, 
(2 feet 1 inch in girth and 62 feet in height, is reported 
from Kent, where it is growing on humus soil overlying 
shale. 
Castanea vesca (Spanish Chestnut).— While this tree is 
most frequently reported as growing on loam, the loam is in 
some cases argillaceous, and in some cases sandy. Thus. 
