The Balsam Fir 119 



dark purple and covered with fine, short hairs. 

 Like those of the other cone-bearers, the balsam's 

 seeds have little wings and are easily carried by 

 the wind. The cone-scales, with the seeds, drop 

 from the cone in the fall. Through the winter 

 the bare stems left look like a great many little 

 spikes standing erect on the branches. 



The bark on the twigs and younger trunks is 

 thin, smooth, and light brown; that on the old 

 trees is thick, rough, and reddish-brown. The 

 wood is light, soft, and pale brown in color. 

 It does not make good lumber, though some- 

 times pulp paper is made of it. The leaves of this 

 tree have an odor sweeter than any other of the 

 sweet woods smells. At Christmas it fills the 

 house with its fragrance. In the forest, balsam 

 boughs give the woodsman an ideal bed and 

 pillow. 



