280 EVERGREENS. 



The length of the needles as given above is not 

 as I- would give it, they in my specimens being 

 much longer than the Norway. 



This was formerly called Menzies spruce. 



Hemlock. Abies (or Tsuga) Canadensis. A very 

 beautiful tree and should be in every lawn where 

 they are hardy enough to stand. Holds its color 

 well through the winter, and like the White pine 

 is very soft and flexible. Mehan says, "It would 

 not be exaggeration to pronounce this the most 

 beautiful of all evergreens." But this was in Penn- 

 sylvania, where the climate was just fitted to it. 

 It does not do so well in dry climates and dry 

 exposures. 



Balsam Fir. In its younger days this is one of 

 the most popular of the evergreens for ornamental 

 planting. It is perfectly symmetrical, and nearly 

 all trees are uniform in shade, being very dark 

 green, and tapering regularly from base to apex. 

 In the west it loses its beauty when 20 to 30 feet 

 in height, becoming ragged, and limbing off near 

 the ground. If the soil is kept very fertile there is 

 less danger of this. 



In conclusion let us add here what has been 

 omitted, that there is no better precaution can be 

 taken with so little trouble in handling evergreens 

 than puddling. This consists of dipping the roots 

 of the young trees as soon as they are dug into soft 

 mud, made about the consistency of batter. If of 

 quite stiff clay it is better. No one may claim 

 that he has done his duty in sending out evergreens 

 who has neglected this. 



