138 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



contrasts beautifully with the other species, and when in 

 motion is remarkably handsome, presenting as it does a 

 happy commingling of green and silver, that is equalled 

 by that of few trees. The long, slender leaves are so 

 easily moved by the slightest breeze, that a constant sigh- 

 ing and moaning is kept up, which has long been a theme 

 with poets ; and although this peculiarity is not restricted 

 alone to this species, we have always preferred standing 

 by the side of our old favorite, and listening to this nat- 

 ural JEolian harp in preference to any other. 



According to London, " Pinus Strobus was first cultivat- 

 ed in England by the Duchess of Beaufort, at Badming- 

 ton, in 1705. Great quantities were soon afterwards 

 planted at Longleat, in Wiltshire, the seat of Lord Wey- 

 mouth, where the trees prospered amazingly, and whence 

 the species received the name of the Weyrnouth Pine." 



The lumber of the White Pine is quite as useful as that 

 of any other species, notwithstanding the assertions of 

 some of our transatlantic brethren to the contrary. It is 

 soft, fine-grained, light, and very white, and is in use 

 throughout our country. Although very liable to decay 

 when improperly exposed, its other good properties fully 

 compensate for this defect. The turpentine afforded by 

 this tree is moderately abundant in particular situations, 

 but not of sufficient value to make it an object of manu- 

 facture. 



Var. alba, London. Syn. P. nivea, JBootk, with 

 other incorrect names, is very beautiful, and quite desirable 

 in our collections. The foliage is silvery-white in color, 

 and much shorter, as well as more dense, than that of the 

 species. The bark is very light colored and conspicuous. 



Var. liana. Knight. Syn. var. tabuliformis, and var. 

 umbraculifera, (of several foreign nurserymen.) A curious 

 dwarf variety not particularly handsome, but frequently 

 planted on account of its oddity. The whole plant, in- 



