I. 3. THE BALSAM FTR. 87 



extremity of the branches. Each anient is on a short footstalk, 

 which rises from a cnp-like, irregular scale, in the axil of a leaf. 



The cones are erect, near the ends of the upper branches, 

 from two to four inches long, and an inch or more thick, nearly 

 cylindrical or a little tapering, with the ends rounded, and set 

 on very short, stout footstalks. They are made up of broad, 

 round, bluish, purple scales, outside each of which is a scale 

 resembling a transformed, winged leaf, and within are two 

 seeds with short, broad, purple wings. They stand in great 

 numbers on the uppermost branches, and, by their soft purple 

 color, produce a fine effect. 



The balsam is gathered, in small quantities, by puncturing 

 the tubercles in the bark and receiving it in a cup, or shell, or 

 an iron spoon. The process is a slow one, and the turpentine, 

 which, under the name of balsam of Gilead, or Canada balsam, 

 is reputed to have great virtues in pulmonary complaints, is 

 sold at a high price in this country and in England. A valu- 

 able varnish for water-colors is prepared from it. 



The wood of the fir is of little value, as it is deficient in 

 hardness, strength and elasticity, and the tree does not often 

 attain a large size. It is hardy, easily transplanted, and grows 

 rapidly and with great vigor, and possesses in a high degree the 

 most important qualities of the evergreens as an ornamental 

 tree, a regular pyramidal shape, and rich, deep-green foliage. 

 The large cones with which the upper branches are often load- 

 ed, give it additional beauty. Its defects are its stiffness, and 

 the raggedness which it assumes in old age, which comes on 

 early; as it is a short-lived tree. 



Its chief recommendations are its hardiness and quickness of 

 growth. It stands unprotected against the wind, when not 

 blowing from the sea, better than any other tree, and grows on 

 a bleak point where any other would be killed. Of several 

 firs in the Botanic Garden, which had been planted in 18U9 or 

 '10, the largest measured, in 1841, after it had been thirty-one 

 years planted, four feet two inches, at the ground, and three 

 feet five inches, at three feet. One, planted in 1S14, measured 

 three feet ten inches at the ground, two feet six inches at three 

 feet; and one, planted in 1819 or '20, measured three feet one 



