1526

ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM.

PART 111.

Propagation and Culture. It is justly remarked by Mr. Gorrie, that it addsmuch to the value of the Aalix alba, that its propagation and culture are ofthe most simple description; and that it will grow luxuriantly in mostsoils where other trees make but slow progress. According to Sang, it willthrive w T ell in high and dry grounds; and, if planted in the grove manner,perhaps no other plantation, except larches, would give so quick a returnfor the trouble and expense of planting. “ It is an excellent coppice-wood,grows extremely fast, and is very valuable. It is likewise an excellent nurseto other plants placed in humid situations, as in such it outgrows all othertrees.” {Plant. Kal., p. 103.) A plantation made by Mr. Gorrie on the northernbank of the Carse of Gowrie, in Perthshire, is thus described by him in Decem-ber, 1825, fourteen years after it was planted:—“ The soil is a dry ground, whicheffervesces freely with acids, and is, consequently, calcareous. Its surface isvery steep, forming a slope of 43° ; anti so poor, that it was without any swardor covering of grass. At the bottom ran a small rivulet, on a bed of the samekind of gravel. The banks and higher grounds were planted with oaks,larches, and Scotch pines; a«d the sides of the rill with alders and Hunting-don willows. The undertaking was by my neighbours reckoned foolish, andI had to encounter no little obloquy for my presumption. The result, how-ever, has been favourable; the plants on the high ground come away boldly,and in the hollow, which is only about 50 ft. above the level of the sea, theHuntingdon willow has made astonishing progress: at 4 ft. above the ground,several of the trees already measure 46 in. in circumference, and in heightfrom 55 ft. to 60 ft.; giving fully 1 in. in diameter, and 4 ft. in altitude, forevery year they have been in the soil. The plants were about 4 ft. in height,and Jin. in diameter, at planting. Pruning has been regularly attended to;all large aspiring branches having been removed, and the leading shoot andnumerous small side shoots encouraged, for the purpose of producing suf-ficient foliage to elaborate the sap. One peculiar advantage in the culture ofthis valuable tree is, that, in planting it, rooted plants are not absolutely re-quisite. I have found shoots of from 6 ft. to 8 ft. long, and about 2 in. indiameter, succeed better than rooted plants: they require to be put in from18 in. to 2 ft. deep in marshy soil, which should be drained: the numerousroots sent out in such soil afford abundant nourishment, and shoots are pro-duced the first year more vigorous than when the plants have been previouslyrooted.” {Gard. Mag., vol. i. p. 46.) On writing to Mr. Gorrie for anaccount of the present state of this plantation, 10 years having elapsed sincethe above was written, he informs us that, in October, 1836, he took a carpenter,and measured several of the same trees, of which the dimensions were takenin December, 1825, and found that they had increased very considerably ingrowth. “ One tree now (in 1836) measures in circumference, at 1 ft. from theground, 71 Jin., two trees 68 in., and one tree 67 in. The average girt of thosewhich grow near the rivulet is from 62 in. to 68 in.; but those which stand fur-ther from the stream are smaller. The measurable solid wood, above 6 in. indiameter, is 30 solid feet on each of two of the largest trees; and 25 solidfeet on each of two other trees. Two trees have lately been blown over bythe wind, which stood beyond the reach of the stream; and these measured,the one 76 ft., and the other 80 ft., in length. On cutting up the wood ofthese trees into boards, it showed a beautifully waved bird’s-eye appearance,and it readily acquired a smooth glossy surface. These trees have now beenplanted 24 years ; and the largest one, which is that first mentioned above, asgirting 71J in., measures, within a fraction, 1 in. in diameter for every year ithas stood ; and the accumulation of solid wood is yearly increasing in pro-portion to the extent of the circumference. The solid measurable wood in thelargest tree averages at the rate of l ft. 3 in. for every year it has been planted.Upon the whole,” concludes Mr. Gorrie, than who no man is a morecompetent judge on this subject, “ I continue of opinion that few trees cancome in competition with the Salix alba, for rapidity of growth, elegance ofform, and, in short, value.” At Woburn Abbey, there are five trees of this