226 OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 



to say about ' the Larch, from whence that useful 

 drogue Agaric is gathered. I reade of Beams of 

 no less than 1 20 foot in length made out of this 

 goodly Tree, which is of so strange a composi- 

 tion that 'twill hardly burn, as Caesar found in a 

 Castle he besieg'd built of it ; yet the Coals thereof 

 were held far better then any other for the melt- 

 ing of Iron. That which now grows some where 

 about Chelnsford in Essex, arriv'd to a flourishing, 

 and ample 'Tree, does sufficiently reproach our 

 negligence and want of industry/ 



Under the encouragement of successive Dukes 

 of Athole many millions of larches were planted 

 on their Perthshire estates, and larch-planting 

 became general throughout many parts of Britain 

 during the present century. It was found to 

 improve pasture in a remarkable degree, thus 

 adding largely to the value of pasturage in moun- 

 tain tracts, apart from the advantage accruing 

 from the profit of its excellent, durable wood. 



Unfortunately, however, it was often planted 

 on soils and situations unsuitable to its true re- 

 quirements, and unfavourable for sound, vigorous 

 growth. Indigenous to an alpine climate that 

 jumps almost straight from winter into early 



