84 
Achnacarry estate in Inverness-shire a tree was noted in 1910 
which was 98 feet high and 8 feet 8 inches in girth at 5 feet above 
the ground. It was possible to compare this tree with a specimen 
of Douglas fir near by. The latter was apparently the same 
height, but was 2 inches larger in girth. Both trees were planted 
Many of the trees had formed leads from 5 to 53 feet in nogite as 
the result of one season’s growth. As a contrast. to this, young 
trees planted on boggy land, at an elevation of 800 to 1400 feet in 
Inverness-shire formed leading shoots, the second year after plant- 
ing, from 9 to 12 inches in len 
Sargent, in his description x the Sitka spruce in the “ Silva,” 
xii. pp. 55-58, says “no tree in the American forest grows with 
greater vigour or shows stronger evidence of vitality.” He also 
refers to it as “the greatest of all spruce trees,” though it does not 
do well in the Eastern United States 
P. sitchensis occupies an extensive range of country along the 
Pacific coast, for it occurs from a northerly point in Alaska to 
Mendocino county in California. It is most abundant and reaches 
its largest proportions in rich, moist soil in Western Oregon and 
Washington. In some places it occurs as extensive and almost pure 
forests, on swampy ground about the mouths of rivers where the 
influence of the tide is felt. Elsewhere it may be mixed with other 
trees but either as pure or mixed forest it is common throughout 
mee coastal region. Sargent gives its average height as 100 feet 
a diameter of 3 or 4 feet, though he says =“ it is occasionally 
niet with over 200 feet high with a trunk 15 or 16 feet in diameter, 
and in its extreme north-western limits, as a iow shrub. The 
timber is of very good quality and is useful for a variety of 
purposes. Hough, « American oods,” vi, No. 149, pp. 54-55, 
describes it as “ ‘light, soft, strong, with close, straight grain, 
compact, with satiny lustre, ‘differing from other spruce wood b 
its dark heart-wood.” Amongst other uses, it is employed for 
general interior finishing, fencing, boat-building, general construc- 
tive Lead yt cooperage, and wood pulp. 
o its partiality for wet places af 7 probable that it would 
prove pt satisfactory as a pure though where a mild 
climate prevails a mixture of this tree em deciduous cypress might 
prove a good combination. 
Although the two following species are being planted to some 
extent, it is very doubtful whether they will ever be of a 
peahires, value in this country. . 
THe Wuits Spruce (Picea alba, Link.)—In both England 
and Scotland an effort is being made to introduce this yap as a 
forest tree, the idea being that it will prove a success sed 
situations where many kinds of se have little chance. "Tt would, 
however, be wise to carry on a certain amount of planting of an 
experimental character before launching out on any great expendi- 
ters, in face of the fact that it has not proved to be a very satis~ 
ry ornamental tree in this country, and that, with a few 
exceptions, the trees of Eastern North America are more stiffiaytt 
