CHAP. cxTii. coni'fer^. ^bie'tin^. 2127 



of a little sand or chalk. Turpentine, in all its different forms, is extensively 

 used, along with oil, in painting. Tar and pitch, with a mixture of tow, or 

 beaten cables, are used for paying over the seams of the sides and decks of 

 ships after they are caulked, to preserve the oakum from any wet. Oakum 

 is formed of untwisted old ropes, steeped in tar, and is in universal use in 

 ship-building. Lampblack is used by painters, both with water and oil ; and 

 also by modellers, and other artists and artisans. 



As ornamental objects, most of the species of the Jbietinge are eminently 

 deserving of culture, and they may all be said to be beautiful in every stage 

 of their growth, from the regularity and symmetry of their forms, from 

 their foliage being evergreen, and from the lofty stature attained by most of 

 the species when full grown. The resinous odour of most of the species is 

 also a powerful recommendation to many persons in modern times, as it was 

 anciently to the Greeks and Romans. The fragrance of the common spruce fir 

 is considered, in Sweden and Norway, to be particularly agreeable and refresh- 

 ing; and, hence, the floors of cottages are generally strewed with it in those 

 countries. In the Dendrographia of Johnston, groves of pine are said to be 

 particularly wholesome to walk in ; and every one must have felt the refresh- 

 ing influence of such a walk in the beginning of summer, when the pines are 

 producing their young shoots, and the weather is warm ; the resin at that 

 time being in a comparatively volatilised state, and floating in the atmosphere. 

 Among the most ornamental species are, the cedar of Lebanon, the cedar 

 of Deodar, the silver fir, the Araucdria imbricata, and the Picea Vfehhidna ; 

 but all the species are ornamental in an eminent degree, when full grown, as 

 single objects. No species is more picturesque than even the common Scotch 

 pine, when it has stood detached, has attained a considerable age, and has 

 grown in a suitable soil and situation. Some of the commonest species, in 

 particular localities, and from accidental circumstances, become very singular 

 objects ; such as the spruce fir when its branches take root at their extremities, 

 and send up shoots which become trees ; or when, from being thrown down 

 on its side, its branches become trees, proceeding from the parent trunk. 

 The same species also affords a curious monstrosity (^^bies excelsa Clanbra- 

 sih'azza), which, when propagated, becomes a bush, seldom seen above 3 ft. or 

 4 ft, high. The silver fir and the cedar of Lebanon, and also the larch, often 

 form branchy heads, which, from such heads rarely occurring in needle- 

 leaved trees, have a very singular appearance. 



Soil and Situation. The debris of granitic rock may be considered as the 

 universal soil of the pine and fir tribe, and a dry subsoil an essential condition 

 for their prosperity; but they will grow on all soils whatever, that are not 

 surcharged with water. The roots of all the Jbietinae run immediately under 

 the sm"face, and hence do not require a deep soil ; and, as their needle-like 

 leaves do not carry off" much moisture by evaporation, the soil in which the 

 ^bietinae will grow to a large size may be drier than that required for any 

 other kind of tree. In pine and fir forests, or extensive groves, the leaves 

 and decaying fronds of the trees drop on the surface of the ground, and not 

 onl)' retain moisture in the soil, by forming, from the much longer time which 

 they require to decay, a non-conducting stratum of greater thickness than is 

 ever found in groves of broad-leaved trees, but they supply a layer of vegetable 

 food to the roots. When the trees stand singly, or in scattered groups, their 

 fronds or branches, being fully exposed to the light and air, do not decay so 

 readily as they do when grown in thick masses, from which the air is in a 

 great measure excluded; and, consequently, so much manure is not supplied 

 by them : but, on the other hand, as in this case they cover the ground so as to 

 exclude in a great measure the sun and air, evaporation is prevented, while, 

 from the greater range which the roots have on every side, abundance of 

 nourishment is supplied. Nevertheless, a soil somewhat loamy, and a cool 

 subsoil, are necessary to bring the timber of the pine to its greatest degree of 

 perfection ; and various species, particularly those belonging to the genus 

 Picea, require a loam rather rich than poor, and a situation low rather than 



6 Y 



