2-38 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



value for contrasting with otlier trees of a more light and airy 

 appearance. Although of slow growth and doubtful value as 

 a forest tree, still for ornamental planting, particularly for lawns 

 of small extent, or where larger trees would be out of place, this 

 spruce is of particular value, and cannot fail to attract attention 

 and win the admiration of the lovers of trees. 



As scarcely half a century has elapsed since its introduction no 

 trees have reached matui'ity, although specimens of fully 50 feet 

 in height are not uncommon. When gi-own under favourable 

 circumstances, the Eastern spruce makes an annual upward 

 growth of about 17 inches. A specimen, growing on gravelly 

 loam with a surface coating of decayed vegetable matter and 

 in a sheltered situation, has attained to the height of 47 feet in 

 twenty-nine years, and in that time has produced about 30 feet 

 of timber. The few specimens of wood I have examined were of 

 good quality, the graining and texture resembling closely its near 

 ally, the Norway sj^ruce. As a timber tree it will never rank 

 high with us ; but as an ornamental and perfectly hardy tree, it 

 merits greater attention than it has received. The date of intro- 

 duction is not certain, but it is supposed to have been about 1838. 

 Nearly 300 years before, in 1553, however, it was noticed by 

 Belon, who visited its native country. Habitat, Mount Taurus 

 and the Caucasian region. 



24. A. Pattoniana (Patton's Fir). — As before stated, this tree 

 and A. Hoolieriana are usually described by botanists, including 

 Engelmann and Pavlatore, as one species. That they are nearly 

 allied in habit and foliage must be admitted by every one who has 

 examined them. It is fair to add that plants diflering materially 

 in density as well as colour of foliage are occasionally met with. 

 Whether these two spruces are distinct or not matters little ; both 

 are highly ornamental and fast gaining favour amongst British 

 tree-planters. Introduced in 1851. A native of the higher regions 

 of the Sierra Nevada. 



25. A. pectinata {Common Silver Fir). — As an ornamental tree 

 this is only of secondary importance ; but for the value of the 

 timber it produces it is well worthy of attention, although its 

 merits in this particular have been exaggerated. The timber is 

 of fairly good quality, and well fitted for rough outdoor carpentry. 

 The timber is elastic, and the graining irregular, while it is soft, 

 apt to shrink, and soon decays on exposure. For tem2}orary 

 buildings, tool-sheds, cattle-shelters, and many such purposes, we 



