LAECH TIE. 23 



tersfield in that county, nearest to the latter 

 place on the direct turnpike road to Ports- 

 mouth ; and when intermixed with other tim- 

 ber in plantations, it affords an agreeable con- 

 trast of light to the more sombre shade of its 

 kindred Scotch and spruce firs. 



As a timber, larch fir is most valuable for 

 various purposes, especially in our division. 

 It is in great demand for post-wood for the 

 collieries : by many it is preferred to oak for 

 colliery purposes, and for spars for the roofs of 

 buildings, after being peeled and squared. I 

 have never used any of it myself for other 

 purposes than these I have named, but I be- 

 lieve it has by many been used as bearing- 

 timber in barns and farm buildings in my 

 own neighbourhood. If intended for railing, 

 it should by aU means be peeled, for if not, 

 the wet gets in between the peel and the 

 wood, and it soon perishes. Nothing can be 

 more unwise than to plant larch too thick 

 anywhere, especially in any low or sheltered 



