THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 161 



portions of Norway, Sweden, Russia, etc., young seedlings 

 having been planted for the purpose of growing timber. 



This species usually attains the height of from 120 to 

 150 feet, and from 3 to 5 feet in diameter, and is said to 

 require a century to perfect its growth. It is therefore 

 very probably the largest Conifer, if not the largest tree 

 in Europe, and certainly the most valuable, for the colder 

 countries especially. 



In a comparison of the A. excelsa with our native spe- 

 cies, we must confess to having not one that will compare 

 with this invaluable tree for every purpose. Its great 

 hardiness enables it to withstand the utmost rigors of ev- 

 ery portion of onr country, and the ease with which it 

 adapts itself to almost every soil stamps it as superior in 

 that respect. Its gracefulness of outline, rapidity of 

 growth, and dark verdure, also render it particularly 

 pleasing, and have placed it at the head of the list of ever- 

 green trees. 



On the other hand there is a certain monotony in a large 

 belt or clump of Norway Spruces that produces an impres- 

 sion of sameness, so that they should never be used indis- 

 criminately, but with a careful judgment and an appreci- 

 ating taste as to effect. 



Meehan, in his Hand-book of Ornamental Trees, says : 

 "There is a great diversity of opinion respecting the 

 merits of this tree in a landscape. The objection is chiefly 

 to the monotonous formality of its appearance ; yet when 

 it is in a situation highly artificial, or extra-natural, as near 

 ornamental buildings, on rugged rocky places, or on the 

 tops of informal hills, there is probably nothing more 

 beautiful." 



Downing considered it by far the handsomest of the 

 Spruces, and adds : " The Norway Spruce is the great tree 

 of the Alps; and as a park tree, to stand alone, we 

 scarcely know a more beautiful one. It then generally 

 branches not quite down to the ground, and its fine sweep- 



