238 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



gree of moisture of the soil. The aments are an inch long, straight 

 and winged like those of the pond pine. The size of the cones 

 depend upon the nature of the soil, and varies from less than an 

 inch to more than three inches in length ; they are of a pyramidal 

 shape, and each scale is pointed with an acute spine about two 

 inches long. Wherever these trees grow in masses the cones 

 are dispersed singly over the branches, and they release the 

 seeds the first autumn after their maturity ; but on solitary stocks, 

 exposed to the buffeting of the winds, the cones are collected in 

 groups of four, five or even a larger number, and remain closed 

 for several years. 



The pitch pine has a thick, blackish, deeply-furrowed bark. 

 It is remarkable for the number of its branches, which occupy 

 two-thirds of its trunk and render the wood extremely knotty. 

 The concentric circles are widely distant, and three fourths of 

 the larger stocks consist of sap. On mountains and gravelly 

 lands, the wood is compact, heavy and surcharged with resin, 

 whence is derived the name Pitch Pine : in swamps, on the 

 contrary, it is light, soft, and composed almost wholly of sap ; it 

 is then called Sap Pine. These essential defects place it below 

 the yellow pine, but as that species is constantly diminishing by 

 the vast consumption in civil and naval architecture, it is partially 

 replaced by the pitch pine, the poorer variety of which is used 

 for the boxes employed in packing certain sorts of merchandize, 

 such as soap, candles, etc. On some parts of the Alleghanies, 

 houses are built of it, and the wood if not covered with paint, is 

 recognized by its numerous knots. It is thought better than the 

 yellow pine for floors that are frequently washed, as the resin 

 with which it is impregnated renders it firmer and more durable. 

 It serves perfectly well for ship pumps, for which purpose trees 

 with very little heart are preferred. It is much esteemed for 

 fuel by bakers and brick makers. From the most resinous stocks 

 is procured the lamp black of commerce. 



