CONIFER^.. 



87 



most otlier plants so maltreated and mismanaged, they were consigned 

 to their sepulchre — the rubbish heap but being only in a dying 

 condition, and not, as had been supposed, dead, by this unnatural 

 treatment ; and being now a little more at home, with a semblance of 

 their native air, and favoured by a showery season, they revived, 

 pushed forth new leaves, were again planted ; but this time it was in 

 the earth, and minus a glass canopy ; henceforth they became vigorous- 

 growing young trees; and getting "fat and full of sap," they grew 

 and flourished until they were the best specimens extant in this 

 country. 



So early however as 1629, Parkinson informs us that this tree was 

 cultivated in England; and of the flowers he states that they were 

 " very beautiful and delectable, being of an excellent fine crimson 

 colour ;" a true enough description of the female catkins of the red- 

 flowered, or most common variety. Miller states, in 1731, that it was 

 " common in English gardens, trees at Wimbledon producing annually 

 a great quantity of cones." He mentions both the red and white- 

 flowered varieties. 



In the introduction and cultivation of the Larch as a timber tree, 

 however, Scotland takes priority, and James, Duke of Athol, prece- 

 dency. Yet, exact data is wanting as to the quantities and dates in 

 which he first planted it; but it is a well-known and authenticated 

 fact that between 1730 and 1760 he planted nearly two thousand 

 trees, and that during his lifetime he planted more than fifteen thousand 

 five hundred acres, which may safely be estimated to have required at 

 least twenty-five million plants. The Earl of Fife planted nearly two 

 hundred thousand plants of it, about the close of the last century, and 

 many other Scotch proprietors planted very large quantities of it 

 about the same date; of which, however, I have found no accurate 

 accounts. The earliest English planters of it of whom I have authentic 

 records are the Bishop of Llandaff, who, in the seasons 1787 and 1788, 

 planted in Westmoreland nearly fifty thousand ; and John Sneyd, 

 Esq., who between 1784 and 1795 planted about twenty-five thousand 

 in Staffordshire. During the last ten years of the eighteenth century 

 we find that other English planters, of whom we have .less accurate 

 accounts, planted at least five hundred thousand of this tree. Yet, 

 great though this number be, I hazard the opinion that it is not more 

 than one-quarter of the actual number planted during the period 

 referred to ; and out of this vast number, in the present year of grace 

 it would be difficult to say how many of these trees may now be extant : 



