SPRUCE FIRS. 119 



soil it retains even in an advanced age its branches 

 and luxuriant foliage, almost down to the surface of 

 the ground. The tree blossoms in May and June, 

 and the cones become ripe in the following winter. 



The seeds are planted in the same way as directed 

 for other fir trees, and when they have stood for two 

 years in the seed-bed the plants are generally from seven 

 to nine inches high, when they are fit to be transplanted 

 into nursery lines. If however they are weak and stand 

 thin, they may be allowed to stand for a third summer, 

 and then transplanted, no other species of the Coniferce 

 admitting so well of being kept three years in the 

 seed-bed, which is due to its roots being naturally 

 more fibrous than any others, which better adapts it 

 for removal. The space at which the plants stand in 

 the lines must be regulated by the intention of their 

 future disposal. If they are to be removed after being 

 only one year transplanted, they can stand much 

 thicker on the ground than when intended to remain 

 for two years in lines. In the former case, eight inches 

 apart in the lines, and the plants a couple of inches 

 asunder is enough, but in the latter case the lines 

 should be a foot from each other, and the plants four 

 inches distant from one another. A common practice, 

 and a very good one, adopted by some nurserymen, is 

 to place the lines thickly as mentioned, and then lift 

 the plants from every other one. From their naturally 

 fibrous roots, they can stand in lines with impunity for 

 three years without being disturbed, the tree admitting 

 of being removed at a greater size, without injury, than 

 any other tree of the same order. 



It derives its nourishment chiefly from the surface 

 of the ground, and prefers a soil that is cool and moist, 



