FOREST TREES. 201 
expect a general renewal of the northern forests; the 
influx of settlers will effectually prevent it; and 
plantations of Pine will at no remote period be among 
the most valuable. 
The White Pine accommodates itself to a great 
variety of soils. It grows in poor, sandy or gravelly 
lands, in rich loams, and in swamps. It will not 
thrive in a soil composed entirely of sand, nor on 
lands constantly covered with water. The soil of the 
Illinois prairies appears to suit it well. On dry uplands 
its wood is harder, stronger and more resinous than 
when grown in moister soils; its grain is coarser and 
the concentric circles more distant. According to 
Michaux, the wood grown in deep, loose, humid soils, 
unites in the highest degree the valuable properties 
for which it is esteemed. 
As an ornamental tree, the White Pine is surpassed 
by few if any of its genus. The formal arrangement 
of its branches in whorls, which is apparent while it is 
small, is in thrifty and vigorous trees concealed when 
they become larger. Its foliage is soft, its hue agreea- 
ble, and the whole appearance of the tree graceful. 
It is indeed looked upon with contempt by some, for 
the same reason that the Hemlock and other native 
trees are despised—because it is so common. 
The wood of the White Pine burns freely, but does 
not make a lasting fire, nor produce an intense heat. 
It is not, therefore, particularly valuable until it has 
reached a size fit for hewing into square timber, or 
for the manufacture of lumber. Hence, in forming 
plantations for timber it may be a matter of economy 
