276 THE LARCH. 



profusion of branches, limbs, and spray, in effect de- 

 stroy the qualities of good and valuable timber trees 

 as industrial or commercial subjects. 



Fourteenth. It is maintained by most who have 

 paid attention to the cultivation of the larch, that it 

 grows upon almost any quality and description of 

 soil. This is true beyond what even its strongest sup- 

 porters are probably aware of ; for, as a matter of fact, 

 no forest tree with which the writer is acquainted 

 has roots so full of vitality and so tenacious of life 

 as the larch. It will keep vital under conditions the 

 most adverse, and not only continue in life for more 

 than half a century, but will, after lingering that time 

 between life and death, spring into vigorous growth 

 as if by magic, and commence a growth equal to what 

 is experienced in a young and newly planted tree. 



Fifteenth. The effects of draining plantation ground 

 are often marvellous, and the growth so greatly pro- 

 moted as to create astonishment. This is most clearly 

 seen in plantations that have been planted on ground 

 somewhat unsuitable on account of wetness, hardness, 

 or strong surface herbage. Advantages are gained to 

 the plants or advanced trees by drainage much be^ 

 yond what simply drawing off the water could effect ; 

 and the explanation of the whole matter is, that the 

 excavations of the drains yield food and nourishment 

 to the roots of the trees, which they very readily 

 find and appropriate. It is quite surprising how 

 much plant food is afforded by spreading even half 

 an inch of soil over the surface. How the growth 



