FOREST TREES. 189 
most valuable timber, and has no fault except its 
weight.” It is certainly very strong, and highly 
eligible for rafters, and timbers of every description 
used in building. It is also very durable, when kept 
from contact with the earth. Some assert that it 
will last a long time when used for posts. My own 
experience, which is but limited, is adverse to this 
opinion, as is also the testimony of many who have 
been familiar with its use from childhood. Although 
sometimes used for posts in the countries where it 
grows, it is little esteemed for that purpose. It has 
been asserted, and may probably be true, that the 
Larch timber grown on uplands, far north, is much 
superior to that grown in swamps, towards its south- 
ern limit. It is a handsome ornamental tree, but less 
so than the European species. 
Although the Black Larch is unquestionably infe- 
rior to the European Larch in some respects, yet, as 
has already been stated, it is very valuable for many 
uses. It flourishes upon the Western prairies—the 
young plants are cheaply obtained from the swamps 
of the north—it is of easy culture, and grows rap- 
idly—considerations which should commend it to 
the attention of tree-planters. The trees should be 
planted early in spring, before the leaves begin to 
appear, in rows four feet apart and two to four feet 
distant in the rows. 
It is said that the Black Larch has been sold by 
vendors as the European Larch, in Iowa, Kansas and 
Nebraska. Such imposition would be easy when the 
buyer was not acquainted with the difference between 
