TREE PLANTING IN UTAH. 259 



spruces planted in this country, this one is the most favorably 

 known, yet it is doubtful if it is wise to plant it largely in Utah. 

 Its great merits elsewhere, are, that it is very hardy and makes 

 a rapid growth, but in this State it is not more hardy than the 

 native Blue Spruce just described, and in the plantation here 

 has not made nearly so rapid and thrifty a growth ; moreover, 

 the former has far more beauty as would be apparent to any 

 one who could see them growing- side by side. Eventually, 

 perhaps, the Norway would make the larger tree, as it is des- 

 cribed by European writers as one of the tallest of the forest 

 trees of that continent. In old ag-e it is probable that it will 

 equal and possibly surpass the native tree in beauty. The 

 Norway, if planted in numbers, creates far too gloomy an 

 aspect, lacking 1 entirely the air of cheerfulness that the Blue 

 Spruce possesses. The tree is sold by nurserymen every- 

 where and is so common as not to need description here. Our 

 specimens averag-e 13>^ feet in heig-ht and 11 inches in circum- 

 ference. 



White Spruce. (Picea canadensis (Mill.) B. S. P.) Of the 

 several specimens of this tree on our grounds, all are so 

 scrawny and unthrifty as to be unworthy of notice here, except 

 to say that they have proved a failure; yet, the tree in other 

 locations in this region has shown so many g-ood qualities that 

 it would be unfair to condemn it outrig-ht; moreover, in the new 

 forestry experiment several thousand young- trees are making 

 so fine a start that it seems probable that the opinion one would 

 form of the trees in the old experiment will be reversed. Un- 

 suitableness of the soil, or some accident in handling the trees, 

 may be the source of the backward and stubby growth in the 

 old plantation. The White Spruces now average in size but 

 8 feet in height and 10^4 inches in circumference. 



The White Spruce is less commonly planted as an orna- 

 mental than the Norway, the latter being considered more rapid 

 in growing, and its stately habit of growth is preferred by many. 

 The first quality named is one much in favor of the imported 

 species, but the points of difference in appearance seem to me 

 to be in favor of the White Spruce. The aspect of the Norway 

 Spruce is stiff and formal and if there be more of them than a 

 few specimens in an assemblage of trees these qualities tire 

 one. The habit of growth of the native spruce is more sturdy, 

 picturesque and variable, and quite more generally to be pre- 



