GENUS ABIES. 7 



already specimens from 70 feet to 80 feet high arc plentiful 

 in various parts of the country. As a forest tree this species 

 is also likely to attract attention, its behaviour when sub- 

 jected to close order of growth being highly commendable, 

 and which, coupled with its rapidity of growth and value of 

 timber produced, show that it may be used as a forest tree 

 with at least fair prospects of a profitable result. A stiffi:sh 

 soil, such as a good clayey loam, and a northern or western 

 aspect, will be found most suitable for this species, as these 

 considerably retard early growth, the great evil to which the 

 tree is susceptible in our clime. As an ornamental conifer 

 this tree is of considerable importance, the long and lithe 

 branches being well clothed with dark, olive-green foliage, 

 while the whole contour is remarkably distinct and pleasing. 

 Usually the lower branches have a wide spread in proportion 

 to the height of the trunk, and are retained in a perfectly 

 healthy condition when the tree is growing in the open. They 

 are thickly covered with stiff, dagger-shaped leaves, each an 

 inch in length, that terminate in sharply-pointed prickles. 

 The cylindrical cones are from 5 inches to 6 inches long, 

 about i^ inches in diameter, and with the bracts exceeding 

 the scales in length. Resin exudes freely from the surface of the 

 cones when these are arriving at maturity. Timber of home- 

 grown trees, which I have used experimentally for several 

 purposes, appears to be of good quality, and very durable, and 

 the results tend to prove that when of mature age the wood 

 will be of value for outdoor purposes. It is very resinous 

 and firmly packed. 



Under favourable conditions the rate of growth of the tree 

 is about 10 inches per year, three specimens of fifty years 

 growth which I measured were, on an average, 38 feet high 

 each, thus showing an annual increase in height of 9 inches 

 since they were planted. 



A hybrid between this species and A. Pinsapo has been 

 raised by Mons. H. Vilmorin. It resembles A. cepJialonica 

 more than A. Pinsapo in habit and general appearance, 

 while the cones showing distinctly the points of the bracts 



