PINACE.E 441 



extracted from the leaves in Oregon, and used for stuffing medi- 

 cated pillows, mattresses, etc. A turpentine oil and a snuff-like 

 powder, obtained during the preparation of the fibre, are used in 

 medicine in the treatment of bronchial and catarrhal complaints. ^ 

 The soft sapwood has been used as food by the Indians in times 

 of scarcity. This is one of the commonest species in W.N. 

 America, and as there is a very large quantity of timber of 

 merchantable size, it is probable that exports will largely increase 

 in the near future. It can be shipped from all the important 

 timber ports, from British Columbia southwards to S. California. 

 P. ponderosa thrives under widely different conditions, and 

 in many kinds of soils. It occurs from low elevations to a con- 

 siderable altitude, on light and moist soils, and on dry, arid land ; 

 on dried-up river-beds and lakes where there is a deep and rich 

 deposit of soil, and on almost bare rocks. The most satisfactory 

 growth takes place on light, deep, and moist, but well-drained 

 soil. Good seed-years occur every third or fourth year, and there 

 is little intermediate seeding. Well- developed trees are said to 

 produce as many as 1,000 cones in one seed-year. Seedlings thrive 

 in full sun and in partial shade. For a number of years, although 

 eventually requiring full light, the tree withstands more shade 

 than most of the other pines. For these reasons it is spreading 

 rapidly and taking the place of more exacting species. In Oregon 

 and California it is often mixed with P. Lambertiana. P. ponder- 

 osa is, however, likely to oust that species if not controlled, 

 owing to its greater adaptability, its more regular seeding, and 

 its smaller reliance upon a perfect seed-bed. Forest fires do not 

 injure P. ponderosa so badly as some other species, but it is subject 

 to serious injury by Dendroctonus brevicomis, a bark beetle that 

 speedily encompasses the death of large and small trees. There 

 are also other bark beetles that cause serious injury, whilst 

 several parasitic fungi are common on the tree. A mistletoe 

 [Arceuihohium occidentale) is often present on the branches, 

 causing them to become stunted and unhealthy, and even- 

 tually seriously injuring the trees. P. ponderosa and some of its 

 varieties grow well in the British Isles, but it is not likely to 

 become a useful timber tree here. 



Jepson, Silva of California, 77 (1910); Cooper, Albert W., Sugar Piiw and 

 Western Yellow Pine in California, For. Ser. Bull. No. 69, U.S. Dept. of Agri- 

 culture (190G). 



Pinus Pringlei, Shaw. 



Pringle's Pine. 



A tree up to 60 ft. high, the trunk covered with dark grey, 

 scaly bark. Branches slender and curving upwards at the ends. 

 Young shoots sometimes glaucous. Leaves in threes, 6-10 in. 



^Diplomatic and Consular Report, No. 2666, 1900, p. 23. 



