¢ 
94 on the value and uses of the larch tree. Sept. 18, 
| Making roads in swampy ground. 
From the same peculiarity in the larch that we 
have so often had occasion to notice, the branches 
and brufh wood will supply an object that has been 
a great desideratum in many places, a sure founda- 
tio’ for a firm road through bogs, mofses, and 
swampy grcunds. Heath is almost the only mate- 
rial we have yet discovered in Scotland for: this 
purpose; but on account of its small size, it is by no 
means so proper for that use as could be withed; 
and were it even better than it is, there are many 
situations in which heath cannot be had. But there 
are none where larch brufh could not in a fhort time 
be obtained; so that by means of this valuable af- 
sistant, roads may be opened through many parts 
of Britain, that have hitherto been thought impaf- 
sable. To make a road in such cases, after making a 
ditch on each side of as great a depth and width as can 
be conveniently made, and. with the materials, such 
as they are, raising it somewhat above the ordinary 
level, the whole fhould be covered with a thick bed 
of larch branches laid lengthwise acrofs the road ; 
and then firm materials, of sufficient thicknefs, laid 
above it. Nothing can make a better road than 
this ; and few roads would be more durable. 
Fire wood. ,. ; 
It may seem surprising that I fhould here men- 
tion larch as proper for fire wood, after having said 
that it is scarcely combustible. Experience however 
has discovered that this seeming incongruity may 
be reconciled. Larch wood, in large solid pieces, 
can scarcely be made to burn; but the small twigs 
and brufh may be consumed. These twigs, howe- | 
