246 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



othcr\vise as in Abies. Leaves deciduous, soft, all folia- 

 ceous; the primary ones scattered; the secondary very 

 many in a fascicle developed in early spring from lateral, 

 scaly, and globular buds. Fertile catkins crimson or red 

 in flower."- (Gray.} 



The Larch is one of the few genera belonging to the 

 Conifers that have deciduous leaves ; but it is nevertheless 

 capable of producing the same effects in planting, and is 

 subject to the same rules in regard to removal, soil, etc., 

 as govern those with evergreen or persistent leaves. The 

 genus comprises but few species, which are natives of the 

 colder regions of Europe, Asia, and America. 



As ornamental trees, the Larches have long been favor- 

 ites with our planters on account of their regular conical 

 form, slender, delicate branches, soft, light-green leaves, 

 and their perfect hardiness ; but we too frequently notice 

 the entire absence of taste displayed in the indiscriminate 

 use of them. There is no tree that requires more judg- 

 ment in selecting its proper locality for planting than the 

 Larch. 



The trees are picturesque, and especially adapted to 

 those bold, wild landscapes, which we occasionally find in 

 large plantations ; but to use them indiscriminately on a 

 small, highly cultivated lawn, is the opposite of good taste. 

 Downing says : 



" For picturesque beauty, the Larch is almost unrivalled. 

 Unlike most other trees, which must grow old, uncouth, 

 and misshapen, before they can attain that expression, 

 this is singularly so, as soon almost as it begins to assume 

 the stature of a tree. It can never be called a beautiful 

 tree, so far as beauty consists in smooth outlines, a finely 

 rounded head, or graceful^ drooping branches. But it 

 has what is perhaps more valuable, as being more rare 

 the expression of boldness and picturesqueness peculiar to 

 itself, and which it seems to have caught from the wild and 

 rugged chasms, rocks, and precipices of its native nioun- 



