818 MONADELPHIA. POLYANDRIA. Pinus 
in decorticating tlie Fir; feeding beneath the bark. The most sterile lands of Scotland have 
been rendered valuable by extensive Fir plantations, which have also tended to increase 
population. Though the Fir be, for general purposes, of less value than the Larch, (the 
■ l lignum immortale” of Pliny, which maybe cultivated with as little trouble, we shall 
insert one experiment, from Dr. Hunter for the encouragement of patriotic planters. 
Crooksbury Heath, Surry, consists of 3,700 sandy acres. In 1776 twelve acres were 
planted with Scotch Firs, four years old, at. the distance of four feet, the ground in no way 
prepared. In 1788 the plants were thinned, being then about the height of fourteen feet, 
and produced eight pounds per acre. The thinnings were sold for hop-poles, and the 
branches were made into bavins for burning lime. Such hop-poles have been proved to be 
perfectly sound after nine years’ use. The second thinnings took place in 1794, when the 
trees were converted into scantlings and rafters, being about 40 feet in height. The 
number of trees then left standing upon the twelve acres was 18,531, valued at 573/. 
Frigates have been built of Fir-wood ; but it possesses too little tenacity for such 
purpose, and splinters so dangerously in action that its use has been discontinued. The 
ancients were accustomed to appropriate it to the same purpose, and with better effect, 
before the use of artillery ; 
———- (C Dant utile lignum 
Navigiis Pinos : ” Virg. 
An intermixture of Firs with young Oaks has been found to protect and encourage the 
growth of the latter very advantageously, 
“ Et comitem Quercum Pinus arnica trahit; ” Claudian. 
The friendly Pine the mighty Oak invites: 
and maybe thinned out when in danger of interfering with, or drawing up, the more 
valuable timber trees. E.) In a grove, the trunk becomes tall and naked ; (suitable for 
masts of ships and scaffold poles ; E.) in sunny open places, branched. On rocks or 
bogs, it seldom attains a large size. In black soil it becomes diseased, and in chalky land 
it dies. Sometimes it will thrive near running, but never near stagnant, waters. None but 
the terminal buds send forth branches, therefore it will not bear the least clipping. The 
roots spread very near to ihe surface of the earth, all but the central root, which grows 
directly downwards; and if this be bioken off, or interrupted in its passage by rocks, the 
stem ceases to shoot upwards, and the tree remains a dwarf. Upon this account it is apttc 
suffer by transplanting. This tree furnishes us with the best red or yellow deal. It is 
smooth, light, and easily cloven. The inhabitants of the North of Europe make bread 
from this tree, (probably resembling that from Cassava, the Yucca root, a bad thing per se , 
but by no means obnoxious when flavoured with pine jam ; verb, sap.) in the following 
manner: They choose a tree whose trunk is even, for these contain the least resin, and 
strip off the bark in the spring when it separates most readily. This they first dry gently 
in the shade; then in a greater heat; and reduce it to powder. With this powder they 
mix a small quantity of corn meal, and with water knead it into bread. This they eat, not 
only in years of scarcity, but at other times, from an apprehension that long disuse might 
render it disagreeable to them. Devoutly cvere it to be wished that human beings should 
never be driven to such sad necessity of thus robbing even the swine, which are said to 
grow fat upon this keep. Their children are very fond of the fresh bark in the spring 
time, either shaved with a knife or grated with a rasp, (truly a miserable substitute for 
wholesome farinaceous food ; but 
“ De gustibus non est disputandum.” 
The tops of the branches are also mixed with oats as provender for horses. E-) The 
young shoots distilled afford a fragrant essential oil. (The bark is used with much success 
for tanning. An infusion of the buds has been recommended as an antiscorbutic ; as are 
the fresh cones boiled, which also are a principal ingredient in spruce beer. The air 
impregnated with the balmy exhalation of Fir tr ees has been supposed wholesome for delicate 
lungs. Dr. Clarke describes the mode of obtaining tar from the roots as now practised by 
northern nations to be exactly similar to that of the ancient Greeks. “ The Fir,” 
observes that author, appears to constitute the summum bonum of the Norwegian 
peasants ; affording materials for building their houses, churches, and bridges; for every 
article of their household furniture ; or constructing sledges, carts, and boats; besides fuel 
