OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 143 



erect, one inch long. European larch. Moun- 

 tains of Europe. 



In ornamental gardening, few trees come 

 into service oftener than the larch. It has 

 become so associated with rocky, rugged, 

 barren scenery, that wherever this is promi- 

 nent we almost look for the larch as for a 

 necessity. Its foliage is of such an agreeable 

 light-green hue, and at the same time so soft 

 and graceful, while its branches are frequently 

 drooping and always slender, that it is sure 

 to please. It has the advantage, too, of thriv- 

 ing in the dryest and most barren soils, where 

 little else will, and thereby turning a useless 

 piece of ground into a source of pleasure 

 and profit. There are several fine specimens 

 both at Bartram and in Marshall's. The 

 finest of the former is one hundred and eight 

 feet high, and five feet four inches in circum- 

 ference. 



The seed should be sown early in spring 

 in boxes of light sandy soil, or in beds of the 

 same material ; cover about a quarter of an 

 inch thick, and keep them carefully moist 

 till the plants appear. If sown thinly, they 



