Spruce and Fir 



123 



in Canada and the 

 Northern states. Other 

 large species of spruce 

 are found in the moun- 

 tains of the West. 



The cones and seeds 

 of the spruce. The 

 cones of both spruces 

 and firs have much 

 thinner scales than the 

 cones of the pines. The 

 cones of the spruce are 

 drooping. In what 

 part of the tree do they 

 hang in greatest num- 

 bers? If you can get 

 a full-grown cone which 

 has not yet lost its 

 seed, take it home or 



to the schoolroom. After a time the scales will spread 

 apart so that the winged seeds can drop out. When 

 thrown in the air, do the seeds fall straight down? 

 Why? 



The wood of the spruce. In Europe masts and spars 

 are often made from the tall, straight trunks of the 

 Norway spruce. On account of its uniform grain the 

 wood of this and other species of spruce is used for the 

 sounding boards of musical instruments. The lumber is 

 soft, white, and straight grained and, in proportion to 

 its weight, has great strength. It is used for many 

 purposes, and of recent years has come into great promi- 



FIG. 80. Blue spruce in Highland Park, 

 Rochester, New York. 



