TREATMENT OF WESTERN OR CALIFORNIAN HEMLOCK SPRUCE. 4 1 



7. The Nursery Treatment of the Western or 

 Californian Hemlock Spruce. 



By J. M. Murray. 



The Western Hemlock Spruce {Tsuga mertensiana, Carr) has 

 hitherto been looked upon only as one of our finest ornamental 

 species, but, judging from its habit and rate of growth, it may 

 also come into consideration as being likely to form a valuable 

 forest-tree in Britain. 



The only objection that can be fairly urged against the 

 general and liberal use of this tree for planting, is the 

 exorbitant price asked by nurserymen for the plants. This 

 price is no doubt determined to a great extent by the scarcity 

 and dearness of seed. Along with this, there is the difficulty 

 experienced in rearing the plants. But the scarcity of seed is 

 not likely to be long continued, since we have now in this 

 ccfuntry trees which bear seed freely. As a proof of the fertility 

 of these seeds when in a favourable situation, thousands of 

 natural-grown seedlings may be seen springing up. Also, 

 judging by experience, it is reasonable to believe that plants 

 produced from home-grown seed will be better adapted to our 

 climate than those of foreign origin. 



While employed on an estate in Perthshire, I had considerable 

 experience in rearing the Western Hemlock spruce, more 

 popularly known to arboriculturists as Abies albertiana^ the 

 Albert spruce. 



On this estate many thousands were reared from home- 

 collected seeds, and I will now endeavour to explain the chief 

 points to be attended to in raising the plants. 



It is during the earlier stages of growth that the greatest care 

 must be taken, since then the plants are, as compared with 

 other forest-trees, somewhat tender. 



The cones become ripe in October, and the seed may be 

 easily extracted, but a few hours in a kiln will be of great 

 assistance in bursting the cones. 



The germinating power of the seed is equal to that of the 

 Douglas fir. The seeds should be sown about the end of 

 April, and as they are very small, care must be taken not to 

 sow too thickly. The covering on the seeds must not be too 

 heavy, barely a quarter of an inch being sufficient. 



