LARCH. 



105 



ber deficient in strength from being a top. White 

 larch has comparatively smaller and more numerous 

 branches than any other of the Coniferae ; conse- 

 quently the timber is freer of large knots, and has 

 more equable strength, as well in small spars as 

 when large and cut out into joists and beams, pro- 

 vided the timber be not too far up the tree. Laixh, 

 however, compared with piiies and firs, has the 

 timber much stronger when young, and seve^ 

 ral inches or below a foot in diameter, than when 

 old and large : this may partly be owing to its defi- 

 ciency in resinous deposit. 



