THE LARCH IX GERMAN FORESTS. 51 



Oiily the warmest situations, and there the best soils, need 

 be thought of for such of the Japanese trees as are worth 

 growing. 



Von Alten records the occurrence of Larix leptolepis in Japan 

 at altitudes of fi'om 5000 to 7000 feet ; but he also reports, 

 without mentioning his authority, its appearance in northern 

 Japan at sea-level. Mayr puts the range of altitude at from 

 6000 to 8000 feet. 



The author makes mention of an old Japanese larch tree 

 growing in the Botanic Gardenu at Gottingen. This tree, which 

 has been grafted on to the stock of a European larch, is, probably, 

 between fif cy and sixty years old ; it stands in a free, though 

 well-protected position, and on good soil. Its total height is 

 slightly under 40 feet. All but 1| feet of this height was made 

 in the first fifteen years. From the seventeenth year, in conse- 

 quence of its very small height-growth, and the failure of the new 

 shoots to ripen, the top of the tree has consisted of a cluster of 

 shoots which does not permit a determination of individual years' 

 growth. The favourable nature of the locality is proved by the 

 vigorous development of American walnuts growing in the 

 immediate vicinity. The dampness of the atmosphere, which 

 has no doubt acted injuriously on the growth of L. leptolepis, 

 has had a very difi"erent effect on a neighboui'ing Cembran pine, 

 a noble tree such as one might expect to see growing in the 

 southern Alps or in the Apennines. This old Japanese larch 

 may quite well be likened to trees of the European species 

 growing in the Alps on the confines of forest vegetation, at an 

 altitude of from 6000 to 7000 feet. 



Forstmeister Boden claims that his previously expressed opinion 

 as to the amount of sunshine in Germany being insufiicient for the 

 Japanese larch has been abundantly confirmed by subsequent and 

 more extended observation. Plants when obtained for the purpose 

 of interplanting with firs were found not fully lignified. Owing 

 to the effect of lateral shade in their new situation, the next season's 

 growth was also imperfectly lignified, and the new shoots were 

 consequently eaten by roe-deer almost down to the old hard wood. 

 As he could not protect each plant with a wire guard, he had to 

 give them up, and they now exist as " hedgehogs." This excessive 

 browsing of the Japanese larch is well worth attention. Apart 

 from injury by hares, the European larch does not suffer in this 

 way, though it is rubbed by deer; and against rubbing it is much 



