248 WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Downing recommends it as one of the most ornamental 

 of our native evergreens, and especially for planting near the 

 house. When standing singly, it forms a perfect pyramid of 

 fine dark green foliage, thirty or forty feet high, regularly cloth- 

 ed from the bottom to the top. However small the plants may 

 be, still they are interesting, as they display the same symmetry 

 as full grown trees. 



Hundreds of these trees are annually brought from the north 

 and set out in the vicinity of our larger towns, and in Illinois; 

 but most of them are unable to survive the bad treatment they 

 receive. It is very hardy, of quick growth, and should be more 

 often seen in our yards and ornamented grou)ids. With proper 

 treatment the tree will increase in diameter more than half an 

 inch by the growth of each year. 



65. Abies Canadensis^ of Michaux. — Hemlock. 



This tree does not extend nortlj of latitude 49'^, and south of 

 Manitowoc in latitude 44^^. The bark possesses more value 

 than any other part of the Hemlock, and large quantities are an- 

 nually stripped off for the use of the tanner. The young boughs 

 are used to supply a soft bed for surveyors and others exposed 

 to the hardships of a " life in the woods." 



The wood is much less valuable than Pine, though often used 

 for joists, flooring, etc. It is a very elegant and highly orna- 

 mental tree, with long, gracefully-drooping branches, and light 

 tufted, foliage. 



The Hemlock is said to be but little injured by the pruning 

 knife, and therefore makes a good hedge plant. By being plant- 

 ed ill double or tripple rows, it forms in a few years an impene- 

 trable evergreen wall, which would be invaluable for shelter 

 from the cold winds of winter. 



When j)lanted in localities south of its native country it is apt 

 to become thin by the loss of the smaller branches and leaves. 

 The wood is preferred to pine in cases where great strength and 

 rigidity are required. Under favorable circumstances the an- 

 nual growth of Hemlock is about half an inch in the diameter 

 of the trees. 



