1 THE WOODS OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 
4, THE HEMLOCK SPRUCE (Abies Canadensis, Mich.). 
The hemlock spruce, or hemlock as it is often more simply 
termed, is one of the most abundant of our evergreen trees, being 
found on almost every soil. It is when in perfection a very 
beautiful tree, but is apt, as age advances, owing to the death or 
breaking off of the lower limbs, to assume the appearance of pre- 
mature decay. Under favourable circumstances it reaches a 
height of 70 or 80 feet and a circumference of 6 to 9 feet, the 
latter, as in others of the family, being nearly uniform until the 
branches are reached. There are two varieties known to woods- 
men, the Sapling or White Hemlock, and the rough bark or 
Black Hemlock. The latter, owing probably to its large and 
heavy top, is very subject to shakes, rendering the boards sawn 
from the lower log nearly worthless. The wood of the sapling or 
white hemlock, with the exception of a small piece near the butt, 
is sound and firm, and lasts well. It is of more frequent 
occurrence in the southern or middle districts of New Brunswick 
than in the north, being a rare tree north of the Grand Falls of 
the St John. It occurs in belts and masses in certain localities, 
the laws regulating its place of growth not being understood. It 
is very subject to the action of fire, and disappears rapidly from 
the neighbourhood of settlements. It was formerly abundant on 
the lower portion of the Nashwaak, while it is rarely found above 
the Narrows, forty miles from the mouth. It is abundant on the 
Intercolonial railroad north of Moncton, 
A wide belt of hemlock crosses the St John river on the granite 
formation forty miles above Fredericton, and the wood is especially 
good, owing, perhaps, to the presence of potash from the decom- 
position of the felspar contained in the granite, by the action of 
time, frost, and moisture. It is found in large quantities and of 
good quality on the lands of the New Brunswick Land and 
Lumber Company south of the Becaguinne river, growing on the 
red soil of the Lower Carboniferous formation. This wood has 
been used hitherto for framing and boarding in buildings, and for 
fencing ; it is now employed to a limited extent for interior finish- 
ing of houses, and is better than black spruce for many purposes : 
it does not warp or shrink more, or indeed probably so much, as 
good white pine; it requires a longer time for seasoning than 
either pine or spruce ; it holds nails well; and much of it has a 
fine grain, and takes an excellent polish. It is very durable 
