CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM NOTES. 



47 



Siberian Arbor vitae [Thuya occidentalis 

 wareana Sibirica) : — The Siberian Arbor 

 vitae is one of the best known varieties. It 

 is of compact habit, and while not as dwarf 



Fig. 1996. Alcock's Spruce. 

 as some others, it does not grow very tall. 

 The leaves have a blunt appearance, which 

 distinguishes it from most varieties, and 

 their deep bluish green color is also quite 

 distinct. 



Thuya occidentalis Columbia : — Of those 

 varieties of the American Arbor vitae which 

 have variegated foliage this is one of the 

 best. The tips of the leaves, which are 

 rather blunt, are whiter than most of the 

 other variegated forms, and the contrast be- 

 tween the lighter parts and the green is, 

 therefore, more marked. This is a very 

 beautiful variety. 



There are a good many species of spruce, 

 and of the Norway spruce especially there 

 are a great many varieties, but there are few 

 of them which are better than the ordinary^ 

 forms. The Norway spruce {Picea excelsa) 

 is one of the best evergreens that will grow 

 in this country. It is hardy, of rapid 

 growth and good form, and possesses more 

 good points than any of the other species. 

 The Rocky Mountain Blue Spruce [picea 

 pungens) is a very handsome tree. It lacks 

 the graceful form of the Norway, but if a 

 good specimen of the glaucous form is pro- 

 cured there will be nothing found to equal 

 the beauty of the steely blue foliage. This 

 tree is a slow grower and it takes some time 

 before it reaches a great height. The beau- 

 tiful specimens growing at the Central Ex- 

 perimental Farm are the wonder and admir- 

 ation of all visitors. This species varies 

 much from green to steely blue, and in 

 ordering this tree the blue variety should be 

 asked for. 



Among the newer spruces there are none 

 of the hardier species which equal Alcock's 

 spruce [Picea Alcockiana) in beauty. It is a 

 native of Japan and there attains a height of 

 from forty to sixty feet. It is quite distinct 

 from other species. The upper surface of 

 the leaves if dark green and the lower sur- 

 face is bluish, silvery-green, and the contrast 

 gives the tree a very attractive appearance. 

 The cut of this spruce, which was produced 

 from an excellent photo taken by Mr. F. F. 

 Shutt, gives some idea of the character of it. 

 The native White Spruce [Picea alba) is 

 not to be ignored. When given plenty of 



