THE SPRUCES AND THEIR USES AND ABUSES. 329 | 
it from their lists, as it seems to succeed only in sheltered locations. 
In eastern Canada as well asin Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine, this 
tree is largely cut for its bark as wellas for lumber. But the tree 
makes poor lumber, as it is very cross-grained. The bark is used 
for tanning purposes, and as it commands a fair price it is a large 
and paying industry. 
Among trees of this order not natives of the “ North Star State,” 
we first mention the Norway spruce, Picea excelsa, which is prob- 
ably as universally known as any evergreen we grow. It naturally 
grows a little farther south than the white spruce, as it cannot stand 
as muchcold, but it seems to withstand severe droughts much 
better. The Norway spruce isa fine, thrifty grower, and as it matures 
its fine pyramidal form,together with its drooping branches of olive- 
green foliage, give to it a majestic appearance surpassed by few 
of its class, making it one of the most picturesque trees we have for 
park or ornamental plantings. 
Other than the Norway and native spruce, we have several of the 
Rocky Mountain species which well deserve a moments notice. The 
peculiarity with them seems to lie in the beautiful light blue color 
of some specimens. All of the species seem to vary greatly in color, 
and generally not more than one-third of the seedlings have the 
desired tint. 
The Colorado blue spruce, Picea pungens, is by far the most 
beautiful of ourevergreens. As yet, the planting of it in this state 
is in its infancy, on account of the exorbitant price charged for 
select trees; but from the hold it has taken and the way it promises 
at present, it is destined to become a sentinel among our ornamen- 
tals. 
Another tree from the same flora, and a rival of the blue spruce 
in color, is the Douglas spruce, Pseudotsuga taxifolia. It resem- 
bles the hemlock very closely both in growth and uses, but is far 
hardier. 
Abies concolor and Engleman’s spruce, Picea Englemanii, have 
also been tried to some extent in this state, and so far have proven 
themselves hardy and worthy of notice, but are overshadowed by 
the two others spoken of. 
There are numerous other uses to which the spruce is put besides 
its value as an ornaniental or windbreak tree, and industries con- 
nected with the growth and destruction of which we would never 
have dreamt. 
As the lumbermen skimmed over the woods a few years ago 
for the best timber, they little thought that others would follow in 
their trail and utilize the leavings; but now timber is becoming so 
scarce that when any is cut they recognize the value of all. Along 
with the pine, the spruce now suffers from the woodman’s ax wher- 
ever it can be found of any size. Spruce is not as resinous as pine 
and hence is not as adaptable for outside uses, except for masts, 
etc., where lightness is a desired factor as well as strength. Enor- 
mous quantities are annually cut for lumber, and in some sections 
fully as much as of pine. Of later years a new industry has in- 
creased wonderfully, which utilizes an immense amount of this 
