238 CONIFEROUS TREES 



The Common or Norway Spruce {Picea ex- 

 celsa) has been extensively cultivated in this 

 country for upwards of three hundred years. For 

 shelter, game coverts, and for imparting a dis- 

 tinctly pleasing appearance when associated with 

 hardwooded trees, the Spruce is of value ; while 

 the timber, which it produces quickly and in 

 quantity, is valuable for many purposes — few, 

 perhaps, of a permanent character. 



Although, as a marketable commodity in many 

 parts of the country, the timber does not attain 

 a high place, yet when clean grown, it is well 

 adapted for pit-props, fencing rails, soles for 

 drain-pipes, and when of large size it is used in 

 the construction of outside sheds, joists, and rough 

 flooring. For packing-cases it is also in demand, 

 and on the farm Spruce is useful on many occasions 

 when the employment of timber is necessary. We 

 have used Spruce timber thoroughly seasoned and 

 of large size for indoor work, and after forty years 

 it appears quite sound. In fencing, too, this timber 

 will last quite as long as that of the Scotch Pine. 

 In Ireland, the timber is largely used by farmers 

 in fencing, for shed-cleading, and, being lighter 

 than Larch, in the making of ladders. 



The usual price of Spruce is rather lower than 

 that of Scotch Pine, though often, when lotted 

 together, it is similar. It varies according to 

 locality and local demand from 5d. to gd. per 

 cube foot. Since the war commenced, double 

 the normal price has been obtained for Spruce 

 timber ; and in Buckinghamshire we saw splendid 

 trees that had been purchased by one of our rail- 

 way companies at the previously-unheard-of price 



