104 COMMON SENSE GARDENS 



as the influence of trees and flowers in forming 

 character is a marked one. If partly covered with 

 snow the branchlets of the Spruce become so droop- 

 ing that they give almost the appearance of weep- 

 ing. Spruce trees are particularly useful for 

 screens and wind-breaks, and are planted by many 

 people for hedges, for which latter purpose they 

 are of doubtful value as they have many unde- 

 sirable qualities. They do not do well if placed 

 where they get the drippings from other trees. 

 As the Spruces will bear close clipping they are 

 often used for topiary work in America, where 

 topiary material is hard to find; the tops are cut 

 back and the lower growth is encouraged. Then 

 they are shaped into balls, pyramids, and cones, or 

 even made into more fantastic forms. They are 

 not really appropriate for such a purpose, however, 

 for while the effect from a distance is good they are 

 coarse and heavy, and a very poor imitation of 

 Box or Yew. 



Nordmann's Silver Fir (Picea Nordmanniana) is 

 a glorified variety of Spruce that should be planted 

 if possible in place of the Norway or native. It is a 

 tree of more moderate size but of splendid proper- 



