190 WODteRlsr fOBESl ECOiJOM'y. 



the Pinus Laricio A ustriacd of Eadlecher, is, as is gener- 

 ally held, and as is indicated by the last mentioned 

 botanical designation, very nearly related, or, according to 

 some botanists, is a permanent varety of the Corsican 

 pine. In the Styrian Alps, in the mountains of Dalmatia 

 and Croatia, as well as in a part of Hungary, and in the 

 neighbourhood of Vienna, it forms considerable forests, 

 sometimes alone, sometimes mixed ■with the oak, the ash, 

 the Scotch fir, and the larch. During the last forty years 

 this tree has been much cultivated in Germany, and more 

 recently attention has been given to it in France. Its rapid 

 growth, the good quality of its timber, and especially its 

 hardy constitution, which permits it to thrive even in the 

 most arid caloaireous soil, justify the favour with which it 

 regarded bj' sylviculturists. 



Climate, Situation, Exposure. — The mountains where this 

 pine is indigenous range from about 800 to about 1000 

 rafetres in height. It is also found at greater altitudes, but 

 with a visibly retarded growth. It also thrives on declivities 

 and plateaux, and all exposures seem to agree with it. 



Soil. — As already mentioned the Pin Noir, or black 

 pine prefers especially light, dry calcareous soil, however 

 destitute it may be of humus. This quality makes it very 

 suitable for the reboisement of bare rocks, provided that 

 there be fissures into which the roots can insinuate them- 

 selves. It will take root in earth which has fallen down, 

 in a landslip, even when there is little depth, without 

 seeming to suffer injury. Clay soils are not very suitable 

 for it ; and damp soils are positively injurious to it. 



Flower and Fruit. — Both resemble those of the Corsican 

 pine. 



Young Plants. — Are very robust from the first, and 

 fear neither cold nor heat. 



Foliage. — The leaves are very close together, and they 

 are of a dark green, and they remain on the tree for five 

 or six years. The tree having numerous bushy branches, 

 the shade is dense, and the soil is supplied with an abun- 

 dance of detritus. 



