190 THE LARCH. 



upon were too great in area, thereby entailing ground- 

 rent too high for the profits. Time also represents 

 money or expense, and it is therefore made a condition 

 that time be limited for the growing of the crop. 

 Larch of all others has been designated " the profitable 

 tree," and well it may ; for although it has defects and 

 shortcomings, as every other tree in the forest has, it 

 is yet the most profitable tree that is grown in this 

 country. It attains maturity in less than half the 

 time oak does, lasts as well for any purpose out- 

 doors, and in some cases equally as long indoors, 

 and commands within a fraction as high a price, taking 

 young and old wood together, and every other item of 

 expense connected with both. And again, while the 

 use of oak in shipbuilding is being greatly displaced 

 by iron, yet for fencing and architecture larch is daily 

 increasing in demand. 



Ornamental forestry includes everything relating to 

 trees that please the eye ; and since " man is not to 

 live by bread alone," it follows as a natural result that, 

 much as he requires to supply his physical wants, he 

 yet requires as much to feed the mind. The larch 

 tree, however, although found at present in promi- 

 nent places near many domains, the noblest and best 

 in the land, is not to be considered an ornamental tree 

 in the general acceptation of that term, and will 

 never bear comparison in such situations with the 

 oak, elm, beech, or sycamore. Young larches are 

 beautiful at every stage of growth, either in the nursery 

 or out of it J those of middle age and size are graceful 



