208 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



places in this country it is producing as much, if not more, timber 

 than the Doughis Fir ; and before we place the latter at the top 

 of the list, we must see its value better tested as a common forest 

 tree. As yet the larch is the tree " ])ar excellence " for forest 

 planting ; and I question very much if the Douglas Fir were once 

 tested as well as the larch has been, but that its supposed superi- 

 orities will vanish. This dark-gi-een tree, grown as a single 

 sjjecimen, is of an open habit of growth, and rather ornamental. 



A. D. Stairi. — This distinct variety, which originated at Castle 

 Kennedy, "Wigtownshii-e, is almost white in spring. It assumes 

 a colour approaching the type in summer, and a sUvery tint in 

 autumn, and generally loses its leaves before the next season's 

 growth appears. It is of a dwarfish habit, and is a unique speci- 

 men for the lawn. 



A. Pattoniana (Patton's Fir). — Habitat, California and Oregon. 

 Introduced in 1851. It grows at altitudes ranging up to 10,000 

 feet, and attains heights of 150 and 200 feet, and girths of 16 

 and 20 feet ; a very ornamental tree. Its leaves are light-gi'een 

 above, and glaucous beneath. 



The Spruce Firs. 



Abies alba (the White Spruce). — Habitat, British North 

 America; introduced about 1700. Height, 40 to 50 feet; has 

 longer and more glaucous leaves than A. nigra; and is a very 

 attractive tree, especially when standing singly, or set amongst 

 others of a sombre green colour. 



A. Alcoqxdana ( Alcock's Fii-). — Habitat, Japan ; introduced in 

 18G1. A conical growing and distinct tree, and a very free grower 

 in this country. It is perfectly hardy, and I think no planter 

 should omit this valuable species, either for ornament or profit. 



A. excelsa (the Norway Spruce). — Habitat, middle and north 

 of Europe; introduced about 1548. It thrives well, attains to 

 a gi-eat height, and is a very useful timber tree, the wood being 

 light and elastic, and suitable for a variety of purposes. Its 

 durability depends a good deal on the altitude at which it grows, 

 the soil it grows in, and the management to which it is sub- 

 jected. The colour of the wood is either a reddish or yellowish 

 white, and contains much less resin than the Scots pine. It weighs 

 G5 lbs. 11 oz. per cubic foot when green, and 35 lbs, 2 oz. when 

 quite dry. Its ashes furnish potash, and its trunk resin, from 

 which Burgundy pitch is made. The timber takes a high polish, 



