THE BOFGLAS FIE. 381 



former in height at the age of about 25 or 30 years, and that 

 it is less branchy and straighter at that age. Again, canker 

 has ah-eady been observed on the Japanese larch, so that it is 

 impossible to say whether it will be more resistant against 

 disease than the European larch. 



21. Douglas Fir — Pseudotsmia Douglasli (Carr). 

 (The "Red Fir or Oregon Pine of North America.) 



The Douglas fir is a native of the western part of North 

 America, where it is found between latitudes 31° and 55° 

 and longitudes 104° and 130°.* It is considered the most 

 valuable forest tree of North America, owing to its rapid 

 growth, great dimensions and the excellence of its timber. 

 The latter is said to be equal to that of larch, while trees of 

 over 300 feet in height, with a corresponding diameter, are 

 said to exist. The tree was introduced into Britain in 1826 

 (Brown), and the experience so far gained singles it out as a 

 most promising timber tree for this country ; hence it was 

 considered desirable to add it to the present list. 



The sylvicultural data at present available are not yet 

 sufficient to give a complete set of notes on the treatment of 

 the Douglas fir in Britain. Numerous experimental plantations 

 have been established in this country and on the Continent, 

 some of which are upwards of 40 years old (apart from single 

 trees or groups of greater age), and the following remarks are 

 based upon observations made in these, and on the informa- 

 tion supplied by Dr. H. Mayr, in his interesting work on " The 

 Forests of North America," 1890. t 



a. Locality. 



The Douglas fir reaches its greatest perfection on the slopes 

 and in the moist valleys of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon 



* According to Professor C. S. t>argent. 



t Dr. Mayr, a Bavarian Forest Officer, and now Professor of Forestry at 

 Munich, visited Nortli America twice since 1885, and spent altogether seven 

 months in its forests. He largelv utilized Professor Sargent's investigations. 



