4 LOCAL CONDITIONS OF FORESTRY IN i-NGLAND 

and 12 feet, although instances of greater girth are also 
recorded. A report from Lancashire gives 120 feet as the 
height, and g feet 7 inches as the girth at five feet from the 
ground of a tree 130 years old. Loams of various character, 
generally overlying sandstone or limestone, are the soils on 
which this species is usually found. Clay soil is said to pre- 
dispose to canker. In Durham and Cumberland the Larch 
grows well up to goo feet of elevation, while in Northumber- 
land it is recorded at a height of 1,100 feet, nee there it is 
somewhat unhealthy. 
Picea excelsa (Common Spruce).—Comparatively few obser- 
vations have been made on this tree, and from this it may 
be concluded that it is not so generally distributed, on an 
economic scale, as several of the other species. In South 
Durham it is reported to contain go cubic feet of timber at an 
age of eighty-six years; while in North Durham the smoky 
atmosphere has left few healthy trees. In Oxfordshire this 
tree grows well till an age of forty years is reached, when it 
1s apt to die off under the attack of heart-rot. In Notts and 
Stafford it grows well, reaching a girth of 8 feet at 100 to 150 
years. In general it appears to do well on a moist soil, 
provided there is sufficient drainage. In Westmorland the 
spruce is reported as forming close woods at an elevation of 
1,200 feet; while in Northumberland it grows in mixture 
with Scots pine at a height of 1,760 feet, where it thrives 
better than the latter tree. 
Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine).—This tree, like the spruce, is 
not common in the South-West of England, but in most 
other districts it is one of the commonest species. Light 
soils—sands and ’gravels—suit it best. In the North of 
Ikngland it is found growing weil at elevations considerably 
over 1,000 feet, and is reported to be quite healthy at 1,600 
feet. In Oxfordshire it is said to be scarce, but to form fine 
timber at the age of 100 years. Trees too feet high and 8 to 
14 feet in girth are frequently noted, the age in many cases 
exceeding 200 years. 
Populus nigra and monilifera (Black, or Black Italian 
Poplar).—Poplars are not extensively cultivated, but the 
reports regarding them are nevertheless distinctly encourag- 
