>0 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



ing it with this view, except on exposed situa- 

 tions, and thin gravelly soils. 



But, for this purpose, Fir is excelled by 

 the Larch, which, in many respects, even 

 vies with the Oak. 



" The wood of this tree is likewise much 

 esteemed for its exceeding great durability ; 

 it being almost incorruptible either in the 

 open air or under water: as is clearly demon- 

 strated at Venice, the greatest part of which 

 city is built upon piles-; of wood, which arc 

 not only still fresh, although they have re- 

 mained there for many hundred years, but 

 they have at length acquired such a degree 

 of hardness as in some measure to resemble 

 iron, so to resist the edge of the best tem- 

 pered tool. 



" I need not point out the utility that a 

 wood possessed of this valuable property 

 might be of to a country like this, which de- 

 pends so much upon its navy for its preser- 

 vation and well-being; as it promises to be a 

 ready succedaneum for the Oak, and, for 

 some particular purposes, would seem to be 

 even more valuable than it. For although 

 the straitness of the tree would never allow 



