Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/86

68&#93; 6S] L AR lus, L. a British bird, distinguisJied • by its black bill, crown of the head, crest, and throat ; red legs, black and white wings and tail : it is above 12 inches in length, and weighs about eight ounces. The female of this bird con- struds her nest widi a few bents, and deposits four eggs of an olive • shade, spotted with black : these are, on account of their delicacv, much esteemed, and sold by the London poulterers for three shil- lings and upwards the dozen. During winter, lapwings fre- .<juent fens and marshy places, •where they join in numerous flocks ; and, though remarkably shy, are then easily taken in nets similar to those employed for catch- ing ruffs. They are not preserved for fattening, but killed when caught : iheir flesh is very palat- able and nutritious. LARCH-TREE, or Pinus La- r'lx, L. one of the most valuable exotics, which was introduced into Britain from the Alps towards the end of the l/lh centuiy, and has been lately cultivated witii parti- cular attention. The larch will grow in any soil, but it flourishes most luxuriantly ton cold and gravell)- lands, or such as are neither too stiff nor too dry; •provided its roots can penetrate through the soil to a suflicient depth. It is propagated from seeds first put in a light eartli ; and, at the end of two years, the j'oung, plants are usually removed to those spots where ih.'^y are destined to remain. This useful tree should be transplanted immediately after . shedding its leaves : during the first four yp^rs, it grows siowly, and seldom exceeds three feet in height ; but in the course of 20, it will surpass both in length and L AR girth, a fir-tree 40 years old ; ai the age of 24, it is, in gei>era], from 50 to 6o feet high 5 and, in 50 or (JO years, it often attains the height of 120. The most proper season for fell- ing tile larch, is in the month of July 3 because the liquid whidi oozes from the tree at that time, is speedily changed into a gummy- resinous matter, so that the wood is not drained so much as at other seasons, but hardens, and may thus be sooner employed. The larch is of singular utility for various purposes, in which du- rability and strength are required. Hence it is peculiarly calculated for ship-masts and the building of ves- sels, or for strengthening the wood- en frame-work of bridges ; for it is capable of supporting a much greater weight than the oak itself, and almost petrifies under water. It also resists the intemperature of our climate, and is of excellent service for gates, pales, and other works which are exposed to all the vicissitudes of the weather. Larch timber is equally durable within doors ; and houses con- strufted with it, liave a whitish cast for the first two or three years ; after which the outside be- comes black, while all the joints and crevices are firmly closed with the resin extracted from the pores ^ of the wood by die heat of the sun ; and which, being hardened by the air, forms a kind of bright varnish, that has an elegant ap- pearance. — Nor is there any wood which aftbrds such durable pipe* staves for casks, while the flavour of the w ine is at the same time pre- served and improved. — Its trunk, when perforated and tapped be- tween the months of March and Septembejj yields the pmest Verie- tiun