294 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



Sometimes it grows up in a thick, dense, dark mass of 

 foliage, only varied by the pendulous branches, which 

 project beyond the grand mass of the tree ; at others it 

 forms a loose, airy, and graceful top, permeable to the 

 slightest breeze, and waving its loose tufts of leaves to 

 every passing breath of air. In almost all cases, it is 

 extremely ornamental, and we regret that it is not more 

 generally employed in decorating the grounds of our 

 residences. It should be transplanted (like all of this class 

 of trees) quite early in the spring, the roots being preserved 

 as nearly entire as possible, and not suffered to become the 

 least dried, before they are replaced in the soil. 



The uses of the Fir tree are important. The Norway 

 Spruce Fir furnishes the white deal timber so extensively 

 employed in Europe for all the various purposes of 

 building ; and its tall, tapering stems afford fine masts for 

 vessels. The Black Spruce timber is also highly valuable, 

 and is thought by many persons to surpass in excellence 

 that of the Norway Spruce. The young shoots also enter 

 into the composition of the celebrated Spruce beer of this 

 country, a delightful and very healthful beverage. And 

 the Hemlock not only furnishes a vast quantity of the 

 joists used in building frame-houses, but supplies the 

 tanners with an abundance of bark, which, when mixed 

 with that of the oak, is highly esteemed in the preparation 

 of leather. 



We regret that the fine evergreen trees both of this 

 country and Europe, which compose the Pine and Fir 

 tribes, have not hitherto received more of the attention 

 of planters. It is inexpressible how much they add to the 



