88 THE BOOK OF EVEKGREENS. 



9, P, Ilritis, Michaux. SHORT-LEAVED YELLOW PINE. 

 Syn. P. variabilis, Pursh. Leaves, from 3 to 5 inches 

 long, with long sheaths, slender, channelled, and dark 

 green color. Cones, oval or conical-oblong, nearly 2 inch- 

 es in length, usually solitary, light brown color, with a 

 short incurved spine on each scale; peduncle, short and 

 stout. Seeds, quite small, with reddish wings. 



This valuable native tree is found in various sections of 

 our country from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. 

 In New Jersey, especially, it is quite common and may be 

 frequently seen in large numbers with P. mops. In the 

 generality of cases it prefers a poor, sandy soil, although 

 occasionally flourishing in fertile places. On a mod- 

 erately rich, well-drained surface, it forms a beautiful spec- 

 imen, not unlike in appearance to many of the rare Mexi- 

 can species; and in fact, with careful cultivation, and 

 sufficient space to develop its peculiar natural beauty, the 

 P. mitis will compare very favorably with the majority of 

 these much-extolled and tender strangers. 



It varies considerably in height with the quality of the 

 soil and in the situation where it is found ; but the medium 

 size is probably about 50 feet. According to Meehau's 

 Hand-book of Ornamental Trees, the Bartram specimen is 

 90 feet high, and four feet eight inches in circumference; 

 it is growing on a dry, gravelly soil, with a rocky bottom. 



The timber furnished by this species is very valuable, 

 although inferior in quality to the Long-leaved Yellow 

 Pine, (P. australis,) but readily commands a good price 

 not only in our own markets, but in those of European 

 ports, and in consequence has been quite largely exported. 

 The wood is fine-grained, and when devoid of the sap or 

 outer portion, is remarkably durable. The timber is 

 especially valuable in ship building, being /excellent for 

 masts, spars, etc., and is consequently in great demand 

 for those purposes. The resinous properties of the species 

 are not of sufficient interest to make it valuable on that 



