NATIONAL AFFORESTATION 



3. The larch produces a comparatively large 

 quantity of timber to the acre, and timber 

 that is straight, clean, and easily manipulated, 

 for above all conifers the larch is least inclined 

 to throw its vigour into the formation of 

 many and heavy branches. Then the dura- 

 bility of the wood of the larch is generally 

 admitted, it being almost twice as lasting as 

 that of the Scotch or Corsican pines. For 

 mining and railway purposes the durability 

 and lightness of the timber makes it much 

 sought after, and at a higher price than that 

 of any other coniferous tree grown in this 

 country. 



The timber is of a yellowish- white colour, 

 tough, clean -grained, strong, and readily 

 worked, and, above all, possessed of exceptional 

 lasting properties. Though the larch is pecu- 

 liarly suited for planting as a pure crop, yet the 

 premature death-rate of the tree, owing to a 

 cankerous disease, precludes such a course of 

 cultivation, and mixing with hard wooded 

 species is to be recommended. 



Taking into account the hardihood of the 



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