found in pure stands, occurring only in small groups or as isolated 

 individuals among more shade-enduring species. 



The larch grows faster than most species.. It is one of the most 

 desirable trees for slanting in the eastern and central parts of the 

 United States. 



Several years ago the larvae of a saw fly almost entirely killed the 

 native tamarack of the Northeast, and young trees are still seriously 

 injured by insects. As yet no serious damage by this insect has been 

 reported from plantations of the European species in the West, but 

 the small plats which exist in New England have been badly injured 

 and in some cases nearly destroyed by insect pests. On low ground ti 

 fungus known as Trametes pint often attacks the larch and so destroys 

 the substance of the wood that the tree breaks down in even a slight 

 wind. In Europe pure plantations often become the prey of the 

 fungus. 



ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood of the larch is heavy, hard, strong, flexible, and very 

 durable in contact with the ground. When grown on good soil it is 

 yellowish white, but in cold, elevated situations it is reddish brown 

 and much harder. Because of its strength and durability it is very 

 valuable for poles, posts, cross-ties, etc., and is largely used in ship- 

 building. 



METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 



The larch reproduces entirely by seed. It is best propagated by 

 transplanting 2-year-old nursery-grown seedlings or transplants to 

 the plantation. The seeds are borne abundantly in small, upright 

 cones, and are easily collected. Care, however, should be taken in col- 

 lecting them, for the old, seedless cones, which remain for three or 

 four years, are easily mistaken for new ones. The number of trees in 

 this country that have reached fruiting age is limited, and it is often 

 necessary to use imported seeds, which may be obtained direct from 

 foreign dealers or through the larger home seedsmen. 



Although a deciduous tree, the larch is a conifer and should be 

 treated as such in all nursery and planting operations. Nursery cul- 

 ture is simple and should be conducted according to the general rules 

 given in Bulletin 29 of the Forest Service. Nursery seed beds 

 should be prepared in moist loam and the seeds sown in shallow drills 

 6 inches apart and lightly covered w r ith fine dirt. Partial protection 

 from the sun and beating rain should be given the young seedlings 

 for the first two years. For this purpose the common lath screen de- 

 scribed in the bulletin mentioned is simplest. One pound of seed, 

 containing 72,000 seeds, is sufficient to plant 400 feet of seed drills, 

 and will produce about 25,000 plants. These will occupy about 250 

 square feet of nursery space. 



[Cir. 70] 



