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DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



3. P, strobus, L. (White Pine. Weymouth Pine. Apple Pine. Sapling 

 Pine. New England Pine. Pumpkin Pine.) Trunk 50 to 160 feet in height, 

 from 3 to 7 feet in diameter. With other timber the stem frequently rises to 

 the height of 80 feet without a branch. Branches whorled in the young trees. 

 Bark light gray. Leaves 3 to 4 inches long, bluish-green, in fives, and glau- 

 cous, forming a soft, beautiful foliage ; sheaths deciduous ; cones 5 to 6 inches 

 in length ; scales 1 to 2 inches long, one half to three fourths of an inch wide ; 

 seed less than a quarter of an inch in length, obovate, tapering to a point 

 below with a wing ; cotyledons 6 to 5. 



Geography. — It is native to all parts of North America, from the Atlantic 

 west, reaching as far south as Virginia. 



PiNus STROBUS (White Pine). 



Etymology and History. — Strobus is the Latin for an odoriferous gum. It 

 was successfully grown in the grounds of Lord Weymouth (England), and 

 was hence called Weymouth pine. It was introduced into England in 1705. 



Use. — This tree is a symmetrical grower ; it forms a beautiful object, and 

 produces a pleasant contrast with other evergreens in planted grounds. 



The wood is fine-grained, white, and free from resin, strong, easily worked, 

 takes a good polish, and does not warp easily. It is highly prized in carpen- 

 try and in joiner's work. The woodwork of the insides of dwellings, doors, 

 sashes, floors, wainscoting, etc., are largely composed of white pine. It is the 

 most valuable lumber tree in the United States. 



4. P. mitis, Mx. (Yellow Pine. Spruce Pine.) Synonym : P. variabilis, 

 Pursh. Trunk 30 to 80 feet high. 18 inches to 3 feet in diameter, branching 

 regularly ; bark dark and rough. Leaves channelled, slender, 3 to 5 inches 

 long, in twos or threes, inclosed in lengthened sheaths, bluish-green, scattered 

 over the branches. Cones lateral, conical, or egg-shaped, 2 iaclies long, soli- 

 tary ; seeds small, with reddish wings. 



