FOREST TREES. 165 



grey and scaly, not rifted like the White Pine. It is a more graceful tree 

 in its growth than the Pine, Spruce, or Cedar, and deciduous in habit, 

 like the European species. 



The American Larch is also called Black Larch, but for what reason 

 I cannot determine ; and also by the Indian name. Hackmatack. The 

 yellow, tough, slender rootlets of the Larch are used by the Indians in 

 sewing their birch-bark canoes, and are called Wahtap. The outer bark 

 is removed by steeping the roots in water for some time, when it peels 

 off readily. The roots are rendered supple, smooth, and very pliant, and 

 are made up in coils for use when required; the toahtap thus prepared is 

 as strong as any cord, and is invaluable in the manufacture of the Indian 

 canoe — more suited to the purpose than any manufactured article the 

 native could adopt — easily obtained and without cost. The Indians 

 make use of the inner bark of the Larch as a poultice in drawing hard 

 obstinate tumours, but it is a strong and painful application. 



The timber of the American Larch is much valued, especially in 

 ship-building, and for railway ties. On dry, hilly land the Larch attains 

 to a much larger and finer growth than on low, wet, swampy soil ; the 

 wood is much better grained and more compact. While the value of 

 the White Pine is lessened by growing in open spaces, where it can 

 develop its lateral branches, the Larch seems to improve in quality and 

 attains a larger stature and produces more valuable timber. 



While the Larch is one of the first of our forest trees to put forth 

 its glad green leaves it is one of the last to shed them, and lingers long 

 with us, brightening the faded woods with its bright golden colours 

 where all around is sad and grey and dull in the landscape from which 

 the glory of the Summer hasdeparted. 



In low, wet, spongy flats the Larch grows tall and slender and is 

 little valued, excepting for rafters or such purposes. Formerly a 

 Tamarac swamp was regarded as utterly worthless, mere waste lands, a 

 harbour for Bears and Wolves ; but as the country becomes denuded of 

 its woods even the despised Tamarac is utilized ; and when opened out 

 in course of time the soil is cultivated as grass lands and runs for cattle. 

 Many of our inland creeks and springs take their rise from, and are 

 cherished in the deep shade of the Cedar and Tamarac swamps. 

 When these reservoirs are cut down and destroyed much of the fertility 

 of the land will be lost. People are only now beginning to learn 

 the uses and value of the trees that they destroy ; looking only from one- 

 point of view they regard them as enemies. " Cut them down, root and 

 branch, why cumber they the ground ? " is the cry of the backwoodsman 

 But a day ccjmes, when his eyes being opened by education and experi- 

 ence, he begins to plant a shelter around his bare homestead, and no 



