188 THE BOOK OF EVEKGKEEXS. 



her is less than that of any other American resinous tree ; 

 but since his time the immense quantity that has been an- 

 nually consumed over our country is a sufficient proof of 

 its popularity for rough work. Although extremely per- 

 ishable and coarse-grained in texture, it enters largely into 

 the construction of our buildings, furnishing a cheap qual- 

 ity of lumber for the unimportant portions that are pre- 

 served from the action of the weather. It is a source of 

 regret, however, that a tree so universally scattered over 

 the timber sections of our country, and in such immense 

 quantities, could not have been of better quality. A re- 

 deeming quality, nevertheless, is contained in the bark, 

 which is of great importance for tanning. It is asserted 

 that although inferior to oak, a mixture of the two is much 

 superior to either when used separately. 



As a screen the Hemlock Spruce is greatly admired, and 

 as it bears the shears well, grows thriftily, is of a dark 

 green color, and very dense, it will increase in the estima- 

 tion of planters as its availability for this purpose be- 

 comes more fully known. 



Michaux mentions a peculiarity in this species of some- 

 times ceasing to grow at the height of 24 or 30 inches, in 

 which state it has a conical form, and its compact, tufted 

 branches rest upon the ground. We have observed this 

 curious variety in our own collection, and have deemed it 

 of sufficient importance to perpetuate. 



Var. liana, Lawson. Is mentioned by Gordon in his 

 Pinetum as " not growing more than two or three feet 

 high, and spreading on the ground with a more tufty fo- 

 liage." It is probably not distinct from the numerous 

 chance sports just mentioned. 



Vai\ microphylla, Lindley. The Gardener's Chronicle 

 describes this as follows : " Messrs. Fisher & Co. raised it 

 from seed imported from Canada, and they have found it 

 much more hardy than Canadensis itself, it not having 



