340 PINUS LAKICIO. 



represents the species in the western portion of the area of its 

 distribution, on the Spanish Sierras, the Pyrenees and the Cevemies ; 

 and Pallasiana, in the eastern portion, from the Cilician Taurus to 

 the mountains of Bithynia. The vertical range of P. Laricio and 

 its varieties varies in the different regions over which they are 

 spread; in Spain it is estimated to be approximately 1,000 3,500 feet 

 elevation, in Corsica 3,0005,000 feet, on Mount Etna 4,0006,500 feet, 

 in Albania 2,500 3,000 feet, on Olympus and the Cilician Taurus 

 40006,000 feet. 



The type, Pinus Laricio proper, was introduced into Great Britain 

 in 1759 under the name of P. sylvestris maritima, and many fine old 

 trees scattered over the country attest its adaptability to the British 

 climate, of which one standing near the principal entrance to the 

 Royal Gardens at Kew is worthy of mention. The variety austriaca 

 was introduced in 1835 by Lawson of Edinburgh, monspeliensis about 

 the same time, and Pallasiana first became known in British Arboreta 

 towards the end of the eighteenth century. 



The Corsican Pine is recommended by the best forestry authorities 

 for profitable planting in this country. For quality, quantity, general 

 utility and early maturity it may have equals, but no superiors among 

 the true Pines. It is constitutionally hardy, of very rapid growth, 

 surpassing its congeners, and a rival to the frequently diseased Larch ; of 

 large dimensions, attaining heights of from 80 to 100 feet, arriving at 

 maturity in sixty to eighty years, but will produce timber fit for any 

 purpose in about thirty or forty years. It is not fastidious as to soil 

 or situation, and excepting in spongy marsh or soft peat, there is no 

 description of soil not surcharged with stagnant water in which it 

 would not grow and produce wood of as good quality and equal 

 quantity, and yield as quick and profitable a return as any timber tree 

 extant. Its wood, when young or newly cut, is creamy white ; when 

 matured and seasoned, brownish yellow ; very resinous, elastic, and 

 tough; very durable, long grained, and though a little coarse in texture, 

 is easily worked and capable of receiving a tolerably good polish. It 

 is less subject to the ravages of insects, fungi, game or vermin than 

 any other Pine, which may be accounted for by the bitter aromatic 

 flavour with which its juices are impregnated. It is a sparse tap- 

 rooted Pine when in a young state, but it is not on that account 

 bad to transplant. If the seedling plants are transplanted .in the 

 autumn or whiter, after their first summer's growth, and again every 

 succeeding autumn or winter till removed to their permanent quarters, 

 the failures are nil. 



The Austrian Pine is a fast-growing dense-habited tree of great 

 accommodative power on the poorer classes of soils and for bearing 

 shade ; it is one of the best of Pines for forming shelter screens 

 and for planting on chalk hills. The wood of the Austrian Pine is 

 coarser in grain than that of P. Laricio proper, and is apt to be 

 knotty when the trees have been grown in poor soils ; it is better 

 adapted for out-of-door work as rough fencing than for the better 

 kinds of carpentry. The varieties monspeliensis and Pallasiana are 

 effective park and landscape trees, for which purpose alone they should 

 be used in Great Britain and Ireland 



