138 THE LAECH. 



in various parts of the Continent, and particularly in 

 Provence, from May till September. 



Mr. J. Stewart, Inveraray, says, the larch, whether as 

 a denizen of the forest or a commercial or industrial 

 product, may be considered as the most profitable of 

 all the coniferous tribe. From its toughness and dura- 

 bility when old, sound, and well grown, there is almost 

 no kind of work it cannot be used for. 



The wood, says Mr. J. Fingland, is a great deal 

 lighter for carting, and when w^ell dried, better ad- 

 apted for paint or coal-tar ; but all large timber used 

 in carpentry, furniture-making, and other important 

 purposes should be cut in the winter season: the 

 wood then cut is richer in colour, and receives a 

 higher polish, than when cut in summer. The prin- 

 cipal rooms in Drumlanrig Castle are furnished from 

 home-grown wood all cut in winter. It is quite true 

 that the wood has a strong tendency to open and split 

 if peeled and dried in the sun, but better lose the bark, 

 valuable though it be, than spoil the valuable timber 

 for the sake of the bark. 



