New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE PINE TREE IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE SILVA OF NORTH AMERICA, A Descrip-
ton Of the Trees Which Grow M Naturally IN IN
Charles sprague Sargent. Director q the Ar
mold Arbore,um OF Harvard Univerrsity: Jus Jus
trated with FsuTes and Analyses Draw no IRON
Nature by Charles Edward o EaSon v spiu iss
Houghton. Miffn Co.
Professor sargent's noble work Is drawing TO
q close. waking. it nears the final volume
mingled feelings OF satisfaction and regret: sat
isfaction because the silva Of North America Will
have received such complete celebration. regret
because lovers OF trees might well wish this
splendid series Of volumes to go on forever. en-
bracng the silva OF other countries besides our
own "In the Old World" says Professor Sar-
gent. in the Introductory chapter to this eleventh
and penultimate volume. devoted TO the genus
pine. pine trees abound in the regions bordering
the Mediterranean where there are five species.
This allusion alone, indicating group IN
world company Of no less than seventy species
and reviving memories Of Italian landscapes
rendered enchanting by the pine calls up allur-
Ing visions Of the work that might be done II
this great enterprise were to be extended But
We are more than grateful for the compendium
as 1t stands. 1t is a monument OF enthusiasm
and learning.
The pine In the United States is ravased by
insects. we are tod and is subject to many
fungal diseases yet 1t remains one OF our most
energetic and conspicuous trees, having great
reproductive powers. In the Western states no
fewer than twenty-one species flourish, and thr-
teen species credited to the East Only one
species thrives in the arctic winter Of our north
ernmost regions. but the hardy character OF the
pine is indicated by its survival at high ati-
tudes. maintaining a foothold where no other
tree can live" and Professor Sargent further
v,iptir cd
est ocean gales" thus showing that they are
useful on our coasts well as In the Interior
Touching upon the utilitarian value Of the pine.
Professor Sargent points out that the genus con-
tains some Of the most important timber trees
Of the world" the chief Of these growing In
America He does not fail, either. to linger over
the beauty Of this glorious tree, observing In re-
gard to the white pine Qinus stroDus). raised
on stately shafts high above the level of the for
est roof. and breaking the monotony of It's sky
line" that II gives a charm 10 the sylvan seen
cry Of the Eastern States unique in the world.
Returning TO the practical uses Of this species,
our author mentions that ii has counted heavily
in our material development. Great fleets of
vessels and long railroads have been built to
transport the lumber sawed from it's mighty
trunks; and men have grown rich by destroy
ing IT. building cities 10 supply the needs Of
their traffic, and seeing them langush as the
forests disappear" In footnote ii Is stated
that the white pine first became popular in Eng
land through the initiative Of Viscount Wey
mouth who used 1t extensively at Longleat II
Is known on the Continent, as well as in Eng
land as the Weymouth pine. But the species
has never grown so we'll in the British Islands
as in Northern Italy and in some parts OF Ger
many
Professor Sargent's descriptions, as the read
ers Of The Tribune we'll know from reviews OF
his preceding volumes. are marked not only by
erudition. but by many happy touches which
give them a character more than scientific. They
are clear and vivid. and this volume is really
collection Of living portraits. Embedded in the
notes are countless interesting bits OF lore. some
times scientific. sometimes historical or personal
To the high artistic value we'll to the in
structive quality Of Mr.. Faxons plates we have
also borne frequent testimony. The present vol
ume deepens. in short. the gratitude to its au-
thor which will endure long there remain
lovers we'll as students OF our trees.