99 on the value and uses of the larch tree. Sept. 18. 
Hay rakes 
This is an article of universal consiitpalie and 
the demand for them must be for ever increasing. 
At present it is only in a few places that wood for 
making these can be reared ; and even where the 
wood is the best and cheapest, the expence of mak- 
ing rakes of ath or willow, is much greaterjthan they 
could be done for of larch ; and they are also much 
more perifhable : and as larch wood can be had eves 
ry where, the charge of the carriage of rakes from 
one part of the country to another, which is often 
considerable, and greatly enhances the pace of that 
article, might be entirely saved. 
Larch wood is as light and as tough as the best 
willow, and infinitely lefs apt to split; for that rea- 
son it would be much better for the head of the rake 
than willow: and ath is too weighty, or if made of 
crop wood, greatly too brittle for the purpose here 
wanted. 
Larix too if planted close together grows pefect- 
Fy streight and smooth in the bark, having only small 
branches that could be easily fhaved off. If it 
Were planted properly, and duly cared for, in a good 
soil and situation, the trees would attain the pros 
per size for hay rakes in from six to eight years 
from the time of planting. Were the thick end cut 
off for the head of the rake, the remainder would 
Ge fit for the handle; the small point being cut off 
for light railing and other purposes to be after men- 
tioned. Such spires could be afforded at a very small 
price ; and the time expended in making the rakes 
would not perhaps be one half of what is necefsary at 
