TREES FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING. 



seed is totally unfitted for reproductive purposes ? Injury 

 to the roots of the larch in transplanting is attended with 

 most injurious results. For corroboration of above, it may 

 be stated that natural or self-sown trees are, in this country, 

 almost exempt from disease. 



The variableness of our spring weather is, no doubt, one 

 of the predisposing causes of disease, for, although no degree 

 of cold experienced in this country can injure the tree when 

 leafless, yet few are more sensitive when in young foliage. 



The durability of the wood of the larch is well known, 

 and this peculiarity is even noticeable when of only a few 

 years' growth. As compared with Scotch and spruce firs, 

 the wood of the larch is about doubly durable a fence of 

 the latter cut at from twenty to thirty years' growth lasted 

 from seventeen to twenty years, while that of the spruce lasts 

 about nine years, and the Scotch five years. This is refer- 

 ring directly to rails, not to posts, which decay in 

 about half that time. For mining and railway purposes 

 the durability of larch wood makes it much sought after, 

 this being further enhanced by its extreme lightness, a 

 cubic foot, when seasoned, weighing only 34 Ibs. It takes a 

 beautiful polish, works with great freedom, and, when fully 

 seasoned, is not at all liable to iwist or warp. 



Substitutes for the larch have often been recommended, 

 but, in the true sense of the word, none can be termed sub- 

 stitutes, except, indeed, in the narrowest sense, although, 

 doubtless, some of those whose claims have been set forth 

 might reflect one or more of its valuable qualities : but this 

 is the widest limit of comparison. 



The Corsican Pine (Pinus laricio). This is, undoubtedly, 

 one of the best all-round conifers that has found its way into 

 the British Isles, and we predict that before long the num- 

 ber of trees to be found in woods and plantations will equal, 

 if not exceed, that of any other introduced species. It 

 is of very rapid growth, and well suited for planting, even 

 in the most exposed and wind-swept situations ; a non- 

 fastidious subject as to soil, and a very valuable 

 producer. 



As to its adaptability for withstanding long-continued and 



