LATEST EXPERIENCE WITH THE RARER CONIFERS. 



219 



Douglas spruce has the reputation of being a rapid grower, but with 

 us it will not keep up with the white (and I think also the Colorado 

 blue spruce) the first fifteen years anyway; after that time it may 

 outgrow them both. The Douglas is a symmetrical, handsome tree, 

 taking on a graceful form and deserves a place in every collection. 



The silver fir (Abies concolor) is not very hardy when young, but 

 as it gets up from the ground it stands very well in sheltered sites 

 and is certainly of high ornamental value. It grows quite slow 

 when small. 



One tree I obtained under the name of Abies subalpina, but 

 which answers more closely to the description of Abies balsama of 



Residence of A. Norby, Madison, S. D. 



the Rocky Mountains, has proved hardy and decidedly prettier than 

 the eastern balsam fir. 



The silver cedar might also be classed with the rarer evergreens. 

 In point .of ornament it is superior to the common form ; otherwise 

 there is no noticable difference. 



yir. A. Brackett : What varieties would you plant on the west- 

 ern prairies if you were restricted to but two varieties of evergreens ? 



Air. Norby : I would plant the ponderosa pine and the blue 

 spruce. I hate to leave out the red cedar, but if I had to make a 

 choice those would be the two. 



Mr. C. S. Harrison : You have not mentioned the silver cedar. 



