THE LAECH. 407 



which, and for its property of long resisting fire, makes 

 Vitruvius wish they had greater plenty of it at Eome to 

 make joists of ; for that, being attempted with fire, it is 

 long in taking hold, growing only black without. It 

 makes everlasting spouts and pent-houses, which need 

 neither pitch nor painting to preserve them; also excellent 

 pales, posts, rails, pediments, and props for vines ; to these 

 add the palettes on which our painters blend their colours. 

 Before the use of canvas and bed-tick, it formed the 

 tables on which the great Eaphael and the famous artists 

 of the last age eternized their skill." 



In Evelyn's time the value of British-grown Larch had 

 not been tested ; for though he says, "We grow it of seeds," 

 it is clear from what he afterwards says that it was of 

 uncommon occurrence. "That it flourishes with us, a 

 tree of good stature, not long since to be seen about 

 Chelmsford, in Essex, sufficiently reproaches our not 

 cultivating so useful a material for many purposes, when 

 lasting and substantial timber is required." 



About the middle of the last century some trees planted 

 by the Duke of Athole were cut down, and the timber 

 was found to be superior to that of any other of the Eir 

 tribe. A further acquaintance with the tree confirmed 

 this opinion, and Loudon tells us that it has been more 

 extensively planted in Britain, particularly since the 

 commencement of the present century, than any other 

 timber- tree whatever, not even excepting the Oak. John, 

 Duke of Athole, successor of the duke mentioned above, 

 planted, between the years 1764 and 182G, the enormous 

 number of 14,096,719 Larches, occupying a space of 

 8,604 Scotch acres, or 10,324 imperial acres. " There 

 is no name that stands so high, and so deservedly high, 

 in the list of successful planters, as that of the late 

 John, Duke of Athole. His Grace planted, in the last 

 years of his life, 6,500 Scotch acres of mountain ground 

 solely loitli Larch, which, in the course of seventy-two 

 years from the time of planting, will be a forest of timber 



