GENUS ABIES. 11 



broken top, 72 feet in hcis^ht, measured 26 inches in diameter 

 at the butt end, and contained 73 feet of timber. 



On measuring some of the annual rings near the bark, I 

 found them to average fully i inch in thickness, which 

 speaks highly of the tree as a rapid timber producer. When 

 felled and stripped of its branches, the balsamic fragrance, 

 from the quantity of resin the tree contained, was perceptible 

 for a considerable distance — further than I have ever noticed 

 even with the Douglas fir — and the circumstance was com- 

 mented upon amongst the woodmen employed in removing it. 



The average upward rate of growth of A. graiidis m this 

 country is 17 inches, while the quantity of timber produced in 

 fifty years by the large specimen just referred to gave an 

 annual average of nearly li cube feet. When cut into 

 boarding, the wood resembled in appearance that of the 

 common silver fir, but was perhaps darker, of greater specific 

 gravity, and of firmer texture. 



It works well, and takes a good polish ; but from the rapid 

 rate of growth, the graining is rough, though perfect in de- 

 lineation. When compared with foreign timber from British 

 Columbia at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, that pro- 

 duced in this country revealed but small differences, and 

 nothing more than might be expected between that of a par- 

 tially developed and a mature tree. Taking into considera- 

 tion the quantity and quality of wood produced by A.grandis, 

 as also its highly ornamental appearance and undoubted 

 hardihood, it must be placed in the first rank for extensive 

 planting in this country. It grows well on poor soils, the 

 largest specimens in this country having been planted in 

 rather light gravelly loam. For a full illustrated account of 

 the tree, see my article in The Garden, vol. xxviii., 1885. 



A. la.SiOCa.rpa, Hooker. {Synonyms: — A. {Piced) 

 bifolia, Murray; A. suhalpina, Engelmann.) Alaska, British 

 Columbia, Oregon to Colorado. — This tree bears some resem- 

 blance to the better known A. balsanica, but it is of larger 

 growth, with thin, whitish, smooth bark, which becomes 

 cracked and ashy grey with the advance of years. Leaves 



