The Larches. 343 



details of its inflorescence, etc., are shown in the accompanying en-. 



graving. 



THE LARCH. (Genus Larix.} 



1386. Of this there are 8 species, native of the North Temper- 

 ate and Arctic Zone of Europe, Asia, and America. We have 

 three native species, of which one grows in Canada and the Atlantic 

 States, and two upon the western coast. The larches have decidu- 

 ous leaves, that are collected in fascicles of from ten to twenty in a 

 group, and small cones, with the bracts usually shorter than the 

 scales. The foliage takes a bright yellow color in autumn a little 

 before the fall of the leaves. 



1387. THE TA.MAKACK (Lnris Am>r!<-ana). This is in some 

 regions called " Hackmatack," and in commerce in Maine and New 

 Brunswick it is sometimes known as " Juniper." The tamarac 

 grows in swamps in Canada and the Northern States, from Maine 

 to Wisconsin. It can be cultivated in humid soils, but does not 

 thrive well upon dry grounds. It grows to the height of thirty to 

 forty feet, and comes to largest development in Canada. Exten- 

 sive swamps are .sometimes almost exclusively occupied by this tree. 



1388. THE WESTERN LARCH (Larix occidental is). This is a tall 

 slender tree, with short, thick, and small branches, thin, light, and 

 yellowish-green leaves. It grows to a hundred and fifty feet in 

 height, with a diameter of two to three feet. It extends northward 

 iu British Columbia, in the valleys of the Selkirk and Gold Ranges, 

 within the limits of abundant rain-fall. It is not found on the 

 coast. The timber is said to be strong and durable, but coarse. 



1389. The Larix Lyallii is a little known species, found growing 

 at high elevations upon the Cascade Range in Oregon. 



1390. THE EUROPEAN LARCH (Larix Europea). This tree has 

 been found in Scotland the most profitable that can be grown. Al- 

 though not adapted to such valuable uses as the oak, it will mature 

 two crops while the oak is bearing one. It comes to maturity there 

 in about 60 years, in which time it has eight or nine thinnings, 

 at from 5 to" 10 years. An acre has been known to yield over 

 82,464 at the end of 60 years, or over $40 a year above the cost of 

 management. 



1391. In recent years it has suffered from a disease that has 

 rendered success less certain, and led to the substitution of other 

 species of conifers, and especially the Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) , 



