1&8 FOREST TREES. 
tered, the secondary very many in a fascicle, developed 
in early spring from lateral scaly and globular buds; 
fertile catkins, crimson or red in flower. 
The Larches are not evergreen, like most other 
Coniferous trees, but receive similar treatment in 
growing from seed, and in subsequent culture. Only 
two species are common in cultivation in this coun- 
try. Two more are found west of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, and four or five in Asia, but they are as yet 
little known. All are natives of cold or mountain- 
ous countries. 
1. Lariz Americana—Black Larch, Hackmatack, 
Tamarack. 
Leaves, almost thread-form, light bluish-green 
color; cones, small, ovoid, of few rounded scales; 
seeds, very small, with short wings. 
According to Michaux, this tree, in primitive for- 
ests, grows to the height of eighty or one hundred 
feet, with a straight, slender trunk two or three feet 
in diameter. The branches are numerous, but sel- 
dom large. In Newfoundland and around Hudson’s 
Bay, it grows on the uplands, but within the limits 
of the United States it is found only in swamps. In 
cultivation it will thrive in most soils, and grows 
rapidly on the rich loam of the Western prairies. 
Michaux says: “The wood of the American Larch 
is superior to any species of Pine or Spruce, and 
unites all the properties which distinguish the Euro- 
pean species, being exceedingly strong and singularly 
durable. In Canada it is considered as among the 
