HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES 113 



in diameter near ground-level, the taper through- 

 out the entire length being very gradual, and is 

 all the more pronounced on account of the trunks 

 being branchless usually for three-fourths of their 

 length. These trees are growing not in swampy 

 soil, as is generally associated with the Black 

 Spruce, but in a shallow layer of vegetable mould 

 resting on coarse gravel, and in company with 

 probably the greatest number of the largest speci- 

 mens of Pinus Laricio that are to be found any- 

 where in this country — nine trees growing in a 

 space of 20 square yards averaging 70 feet in 

 height, the stems being 5 J feet in girth at a yard 

 from the ground. 



Owing to the lank, naked appearance of the 

 Black Spruces, a large number were some years 

 ago removed from amongst the Pinus Laricio, 

 those around the margins of the plantation, which 

 were the best furnished, being left as permanent 

 standards. The timber w^as yellowish white, some- 

 times quite white, very light in proportion to the 

 bulk, long-grained, and readily indented. It is of 

 little value for constructive purposes when used 

 out-of-doors, but for panelling it has stood well. 



The stem of the Black Spruce is usually straight, 

 with roughish, hght brown bark, the branches 

 slightly ascending, and getting gradually shorter 

 as we pass from the lower to the upper whorls, 

 thus gi\ing to the tree a regularly conical outline. 

 The plentifully produced leaves are somew^hat 

 quadrangular in shape, half an inch long, and per- 

 sist for about five years. The cones, produced in 

 great abundance, are oblong ovate in shape, i to 

 li inches long, and purplish in colour before 



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