124 T^^ LAllCH. 



Mr. Charles M'lntosli, in his treatise on larch 

 disease, says : " The trees at Diinkeld, Monzie, Craig- 

 darroch, Kirkconnel, &c., will, in all probability, if no 

 accident overtake them, arrive at something like their 

 natural period of existence; indeed, they are already 

 approaching the period assigned them by Wildenow, 

 who states the natural duration or life- existence of the 

 larch at from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 

 years. This, however, shows us that the larch, even 

 in its natural habitats, is, compared with many other 

 species, by no means a long-lived tree." 



No wonder that such varied dates are given as 

 those at which larch should be cut as mature, seeing 

 it is influenced by so many and varied circumstances. 

 The fact really is, that no time can be specified for its 

 maturity, as some trees may, under favourable, or rather 

 unfavourable circumstances, have attained their highest 

 value and perfection at or below thirty years' growth, 

 while others may be still growing profitably at sixty 

 years, others again at one hundred years, and others 

 again at one hundred and fifty years, or even more. 

 Soil, situation, climate, and other influences all go to 

 determine the time when trees should be cut as mature, 

 or most profitable. 



An opinion has been advanced that the larch, not 

 being a tree indigenous to Britain, is degenerating in 

 consequence of change of climate; but this is deemed a 

 very untenable argument by those who adduce the cases 

 of the sycamore and the horse and Spanish chestnuts 

 as suitable, some of which have flourished in this 



