Firs 



225 



deep soil is required, since the firs are deep-rooted and come generally 

 from humid climates (mountains) or swamps. They are little infested 

 by insects, but are apt to suffer from drought and frost, also from 

 fungi. 



The fine Pacific Coast species, A. amabilis (23), grandis (24), mag- 

 nifica (25), nobilis (26), are 

 unfortunately not hardy in 

 the East. The eastern A. 

 balsamea (2 y) and A. Fraseri 

 (28), and the European A. 

 pectinata (29), lack desir- 

 able ornamental value in 

 comparison with other firs. 



A. concolor Lind. & Gord. 

 (30), if selected from Colo- 

 rado and not from the 

 Pacific Coast range, is per- 

 fectly hardy in the East, 

 even in the spray of the sea. 

 It is most ornamental, with 

 its long, soft, gray-green 

 needles and splendid form, 

 is of rapid growth and with- 

 out any troubles — the best 

 fir for planting. 



A. Nordmanniana Spach. 

 (31), from the Caucasus, is 

 as hardy as the former, and, 

 with its rich, lustrous, heavy 

 foliage, dark green above, 

 silvery underneath, the op- 

 posite in color of the former, 

 and also one of the finest, 

 most dignified ornamentals, retaining its fine form long. It is free 

 from troubles, and especially frost-hardy. 



A. Cephalonica Loud. (32), and var. Apollinis (32a), from Greece, 

 are more spreading in habit than the former two, and somewhat spruce- 

 like in appearance. They are hardy south of New York and more 

 adapted for southern planting than most firs. 



Fig. 68. — Abies Cilicica Carr. 



