COMPARATIVE VALUE OP EXOTIC CONIFERS IN BRITAIN. 209 



is used for gilding upon, and, like the pear, takes a rich black 

 stain. This tree is an excellent and cheap nurse, and being dense 

 in the foliage, it may be said to be a storehouse of heat. It is of 

 a conical form, and being an excellent non-conductor, it protects 

 the ground from cold and drought. The tree luxuriates on north 

 and east exposures in deep loams or a moist sandy soil, and on 

 such it is believed to produce timber in this country equal, or 

 almost so, to that grown in Norway. 



A. e. alba (the White Fir of Norway) is of a finer foliage, and 

 by far the most ornamental of the varieties, especially in the 

 early stage of the season's growth, when the young shoots throw 

 a profuse whitish green tint xipon the graceful and pendant twigs 

 and older grass-green foliage of the tree. 



A, e. nigra (the Black Fir of Norway). — As a single specimen 

 this is a handsome tree till about 15 feet high, if it is allowed 

 plenty of room, and the foliage is well retained. When older and 

 full of vigour, it assumes a drooping habit,^and then somewhat 

 resembles Abies morinda. 



A. e. pendula (the Weeping Fir of Norway). — A most graceful 

 tree, especially if grown in a moderately moist soil. Its drooping 

 habit and dark glossy green leaves at once arrest the eye, and 

 show to great advantage when growing amongst deciduous trees. 



A. e. variegata (the Variegated Norway Fir). — This has its 

 leaves blotched with yellow, and is of a dwarfy and rather compact 

 habit ; certainly a vmique variety, though I do not consider it 

 attractive. 



The dwarf varieties of the Norway Spruce are also worthy of a 

 place in all collections, particularly on account of their neat ap- 

 pearance and ornamental effect, such as the following : — A. e. 

 Clanbrasiliana, dumosa, elegans, Finedonensis, inverta, mutabilis, 

 pygmea, and others. 



A. Menziesii (Menzies' Fir). — Introduced in 1831. Habitat, 

 North- West America, from latitude 42° to latitude 67° North ; 

 attaining its greatest dimensions about the mouth of the Columbia 

 River. It does not attain to the size of the Douglas Fir in its 

 native country ; but its timber is of excellent quality, and used 

 for a great variety of purposes. In suitable sites in Britain, and 

 in deep moist loam, it is a rapid growing and very handsome 

 tree ; its beautiful silvery foliage and long wavy branches being 

 very attractive in ornamental grounds. It is of a wide-spreading 

 habit, and the branches require plenty of room to fully develop 



