PINE. 209 



Uses. The Rock Pine has the power of withstanding great 

 extremes of drouth and temperature, and promises to be of great 

 value for planting on our Western plains. It is of rapid growth, 

 and while it has a somewhat coarse appearance its sturdy form is 

 far from being unsightly. It is perhaps rather more difficult to 

 transplant than the Scotch Pine, probably on account of its deep 

 tap root when young. The wood is largely manufactured into 

 lumber, and used for railway ties, fuel, etc. 



Pinus sylvestris. Scotch Pine. Scotch Fir. Deal Wood. 



Leaves two in a sheath, one and one-half to two inches long, 

 and of a glaucous hue, falling during third season; sheaths small, 

 persistent, nearly black. Cones about two inches long, tapering 

 towards the apex, solitary or in clusters of two or three; scales 

 of cones tipped with a deciduous point. Trees rather inclined 

 togrow crooked, and to not keep a straight shaft as in the case 

 of the Norway and Austrian Pines. In this region where it is 

 cultivated it seldom grows over ten inches in diameter, and forms 

 round topped trees spreading twenty-five to thirty feet. There 

 are several cultivated varieties, the most of which are of little 

 value. 



Distribution. It is the common timber pine of northern 

 Europe and Asia. 



Propagation. Easily grown from seeds if properly managed, 

 but requires shade when very small. Most of the seeds of this 

 pine that are commonly sold are gathered in Europe from a 

 dwarf scrubby form that is found on dry poor land. There are 

 probably very few seeds sold from the large timber trees, as they 

 are most cheaply gathered from the dwarf form. This may be a 

 reason why the tree is generally so dwarf with us, although it 

 varies much in size when grown in different soils. 



Properties of Wood. Yellowish white, soft, light, close grained 

 and easily worked. Specific gravity, air dried, 0.52. 



Uses. The Scotch Pine is one of the hardiest of evergreens, 

 of very rapid close growth when young, but often rather open in 

 habit when old. It generally reaches its maturity when about 

 twenty years old, and seldom lasts much longer when on dry 

 soil. It has been planted more largely than any other evergreen 

 on our prairies, and perhaps is as good as any for pioneer plant- 

 ings. 

 14 



