984 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



Part III. 



can tree, introduced in 1 756, not unlike the Scotch pine, and " receives its name from 

 the color of the bark. From the high geographical range of this pine, it is well adapted 

 to associate with the P. sylvestris. It has been imported in the form of masts into this 

 country. Like the P. sylvestris, it affords an inferior timber on a damp and unsuitable 

 soil." {Caled. Hort. Mem. v. 367.) 



7047. The pinaster or cluster-pine (P. pinaster, L.) {Lam. pin. 9. t. 5.) (Jig. 669. b) 

 grows to the height of fifty or sixty feet, with broader, thicker, and longer leaves than the 

 common pine (a) : the branches are also farther apart, and grow more horizontal than 

 in that tree. As the tree advances in age it becomes naked and unsightly below ; but 

 the top grows highly picturesque, and may readily be distinguished in the landscapes 

 of the Roman and Florentine painters. It grows naturally on the mountains of Italy 

 and the south of France ; in Switzerland it is cut into shingles for covering their houses, 

 and also for making pitch. It flowers in April and May, and the cones are fit to be 

 gathered in December. It was introduced in 1596, but never much cultivated, being 

 less, hardy and much less valuable as a timber-tree than the common pine. It is very 

 picturesque, and well merits culture in that point of view. There are some large speci- 

 mens at Culzean Castle, on the sea-coast of Ayrshire. 



7048. The stone pine (P. pinea) (Lam. pin. 11. t. 6, 7, 8.) (Jig. 669. c) grows to a 

 considerable height, with a straight stem and rough bark. The leaves are not quite so 

 long as those of the pinaster, and are of a greyish or sea-green color. The cones are five 

 inches in length, round, thick, and obtuse ; the kernels are large, and frequently served 

 up in desserts during the winter season in Italy and the south of Fiance, and they are 

 also much relished by the Chinese, for the same purpose. It is a native of the south 

 of Europe ; very common about Ravenna, and forming a distinguishing ornament of 

 the villas of Rome and Florence. It was introduced here in 1570 ; but as the wood is 

 not so resinous as most of the other sorts, it has been only cultivated for ornament. 



7049. The sivamp, Georgia, pitch, or long-leaved pine (P. palustris) (Lam. pin. 27. 

 t. 20.) (fig. 669, d) is a valuable and a lofty tree in America, affording planks, which, 

 imported in this country, are valued 20 per cent, higher than any other American tim- 

 ber excepting the black larch. The leaves are a foot or more in length, produced in 

 tufts at the ends of the branches, and having a singular appearance. It grows in a 

 warmer climate than most other pines ; and if it were found to produce equally valuable 

 timber in the low warm situations of England, which it does in America, it would be a 

 most valuable tree. It was introduced in 1730, but has been yery little .cultivated. 



7050. Hie Weymouth or New England larch, 

 commonly called Weymouth pine, (P. Strobus) 

 (Lam. pin. 31. t. 22.) (fig. 670.) forms the con- 

 necting link between the pine and larch tribe. 

 It is one of the tallest of the genus, attaining in 

 America the height of 100 feet and upwards. 

 The bark is smooth and delicate, and the leaves 

 soft and of a bluish green. Vast quantities of 

 the timber, under the name of the white pine, 

 are imported from America ; but the tree seems 

 to be of so delicate a habit, as to prevent our 

 expecting it ever to become a large or valuable 

 tree with us, especially in exposed situations. 

 It was introduced in 1 705, and has been a good 

 deal cultivated, having formerly been supposed 

 the most valuable tree of the genus, next to the 

 common pine. The largest specimens are at 

 Mersham-hatch, Sir E. Knatchbull's seat in Kent, 

 and at Whitton Park in Middlesex. 



705 1. The cedar-larch, or cedar of Lebanon, is the P. cedrus, L. (Lam. jnn. 59. t. 

 37.) Cedre, Fr. ; Cederbaum, Ger. ; and Cedro, Ital. It is distinguished from all other 

 trees of the genus by its strong ramose branches, which, in some cases, deviate from the 

 common character, and become ;irregular in shape, and permanent in duration. The 

 general character of the shoot, even when the tree is young, is singularly bold and pic- 

 turesque, and quite peculiar to the species. The tree is a native of the coldest part of 

 the mountains of Libanus, Amanus and Taurus ; but it is not now to be found in 

 those places in great numbers. Maundrell, in his journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem 

 in 1696, could reckon only sixteen large trees, though many small ones : one of the 

 .argest was twelve yards six inches in girth, and yet sound ; and thirty seven yards in 

 the spread of its boughs. The forest of Libanus never seems to have recovered the 

 havoc made by Solomon's forty score thousand hewers : so that we have now, as Pro- 

 fessor Martyn observes, probably more cedars in England than there are in Palestine. 

 I he tree is supposed to have been introduced here in 1683. The oldest specimens are 



