236 



Dr. John A. Warder said that the walnut grew rapidly during the first years of its 

 growth, but grew much slower after it had attained a certain age. Under favourable 

 circumstances a walnut tree of fifty years growth will measure across the stump twenty- 

 four inches, but if it were brought into the market at that age it was found to be very 

 unsaleable, useful only for plain work, for chair legs and trifling things of that kind. Its 

 chief character was its great value and great beauty which it gets only in centuries. He 

 recommended the planting of walnut trees, with trees of some variety which came to 

 maturity earlier at the same time, so that some return could be had from the land at 

 once. Although nothing would grow under the branches of the walnut, they might grow 

 up together. 



THE EUROPEAN 'LK'RQB.—Larix Eurojyea. 

 By David Nicol, Cataraqui, Ontario. 



There are three other species of this tree ; one is a native of America, one of Siberia, 

 and one of China. 



Between the European and American larches there is so little difference in their 

 characteristics when young that they can hardly be distinguished as two different species, 

 though in their growth and quality of their woods there is a remarkable difference. 



In the American, Larix pendula (Black Larch, Tamarac), the branches are stronger, 

 the bark more inclining to yellow, the scars more slender and clustered, the leaves are 

 more slender, narrower and more glaucous, and the outer ones of each bundle shorter ; 

 cones only one-third the size, blunt, with scales scarcely exceeding twelve in number, 

 thinned, more shining, retuse, emarginate, wings of the seeds straight, more oblong, nar- 

 rower and, together with the seed itself, of a more diluted gray colour. 



The European Larch is a quick growing tree, which rises to the height of sixty feet. 

 The branches are slender and generally drooping, the bark of an ash gray colour, the 

 leaves a little wider, bright green, all nearly equal, commonly more than forty in a bundle. 

 The male flowers appear in the month of April in the form of small purple cones ; after- 

 wards the female flowers are collected into egg-shaped, obtuse cones, which in some have 

 bright purple tops, but in others are white. This difference is accideijtal, for seeds taken 

 from either will produce both sorts. The cones are one and one-half inches long, with 

 over thirty woody, striated, rounded entire scales ; under each scale is lodged a brownish 

 gray seed, with two subtriangular wings somewhat bent in ; tree generally grows perfectly 

 straight. 



No tree better deserves our attention than the larch, for it is one of the most valuable, 

 which brings to the planter the quickest returns, with the most certain profitable results. 



It possesses many valuable qualities, succeeds in almost every climate, thrives well 

 on poor land, and is certainly destined to become a blessing to the nations that adopt it. 



In countries where it is plentiful, its wood is preferred to all kinds of pine for almost 

 all purposes ; for shipmasts, yards, booms, and gaffs, nothing excels it, and in Europe it 

 is extensively used in shipbuilding ; for door and window-frames it is well adapted because 

 it does not shrink or warp. Joists and rafters made of it support an almost incredible 

 weight, for it is exceedingly strong. Under water it becomes almost petrified and lasts 

 for centuries. In Venice the piles on which many of the houses were built many hundred 

 years ago, are said to be as fresh as when first put in ; for canal lock gates, no wood is 

 «qual to it. The wood varies in colour according to age — that of the young trees is nearly 

 white ; as the trees grow older the wood becomes red, and is much used in Switzerland for 

 furniture making. Shingles made of it are more durable than cedar or pine, the resin 

 which it contains is hardened by the air and becomes a smooth shining varnish which 

 renders them impenetrable to moisture. For ornaments or farm fences, hurdles and gates, 

 it is particularly suitable, because they can be made lighter and more durable than of any 

 other kind of wood. In Italy it is used for carriage building, for wainscoting, panelling, 

 and flooring. No wood takes paint better. It resists the bore -worm, and wherever strength 

 and durability are required, larch timber is admirably adapted. A valuable product of 

 the larch is Venice turpentine, which exudes spontaneously from the bark, but is more 



