METHODS AND PROFIT OF TREE-PLANTING. 13 



time as the European larch, in countries where its cultivation is pos- 

 sible." Its cultivation has been proved possible in a large part of our 

 country. In the East and West alike it has been planted with success, 

 and has shown itself to be superior to the American larch, or hack- 

 matack, as it is commonly called. It is especially adapted to poor 

 soils, and bleak, rocky situations emphatically a tree to be planted on 

 waste and comparatively valueless lands. It belongs to the coniferous 

 family of trees, though not an evergreen. It grows to a height of 

 more than one hundred feet, and perhaps no tree combines more valu- 

 able qualities. In Europe is is especially esteemed for railway-ties. 

 It is the most durable wood known when alternately subjected to the 

 influence of air and water. Hence it is very valuable for piles for the 

 construction of docks and the support of buildings. Venice is largely 

 built upon piles made of this wood, and, though they have been ex- 

 posed to the elements for hundreds of years, in many cases they show 

 hardly any signs of decay. The European larch is more durable, as 

 well as stronger and tougher, than oak. For posts it is probably equal 

 to our red cedar. It is admirably adapted for the frames.of buildings. 

 Grigor, an eminent English writer on forestry, says, " No tree is so 

 valuable as the larch in its fertilizing effects, arising from the rich- 

 ness of the foliage which it sheds annually." The Messrs. Fay and 

 others have planted it extensively on Cape Cod and with great success. 

 It has been grown all the way from there to Northwestern Iowa, and 

 even beyond, and a village in Iowa bears the significant name " Larch- 

 mont." 



An important practical question arises whether it is best to stdrtt a 

 plantation from the seed or from trees already grown from one to three 

 years that is, of a size convenient for transplanting. With some kinds 

 of trees there is little difficulty in raising them from the seed sown 

 where they are to grow. But the preponderance of opinion both in 

 Europe and in this country favors planting the young trees. Though 

 so large and strong when fully grown, many trees are quite small and 

 tender at tl}e beginning. The stately pine, that sends its lofty spire to 

 a height of one or even two hundred feet, is hardly visible for the first 

 two years of its life. It is very easily destroyed. It is most econom- 

 ically raised, therefore, in nurseries or seed-beds, where it can have the 

 needful protection and care. Transplanting, also, while in the nurs- 

 ery tends to give trees a furnishing of roots which prepares them to 

 make a more vigorous growth than when they spring from seed on the 

 forest-ground. It will in most cases probably be safer and cheaper 

 for the planter to procure his trees from the professional nursery -men 

 than to undertake himself to raise them from the seed. The European 

 larch and Scotch pine can be imported at a cost of not more than half 

 a cent apiece, all expenses paid. Messrs. Douglas & Sons, of Wauke- 

 gan, Illinois, and other nursery-men in this country, are now raising 

 them very largely and will furnish them at an equally cheap rate ; 



