in Extra-Tropical Countries. 285 



PimiS Sibirica, Turczaninow. (P. Pichta, Fischer.) 



Siberian Pitch-Fir. Russia, westward to the Volga, eastward to 

 Kamtschatka, ascending the Altai-mountains to 5,000 feet. This pine 

 reaches a height of about 50 feet. 



Firms silvestris, C. Bauhin. 



Scotch Fir or Pine, Foehre, Kiefer. Europe, Northern and Western 

 Asia, reaching to 70 north latitude, ascending the Alps to 6,000 

 feet, extending south-eastward to the Black Sea, thriving best in sandy- 

 soil. Of all trees the one, which needs the least of mineral aliment from 

 the soil; hence adapted for pure sand, where it forms J;w ice as much 

 humus within the same time as Robinia pseudacacia or poplars, while 

 its wood is much more valuable. More easily transplanted than any 

 other European species (Wessely). A very valuable tree, becoming 

 fully 100 feet high, usually growing to an age of about 120 years, but 

 sometimes getting much older; thus a venerable tree at Schandau, 

 blown down by a storm, showed 463 annual rings. It is important 

 for masts and spars. The Red Baltic, Norway- or Riga-deals are 

 obtained from this pine, as well as a large portion of the European 

 pine-tar and pitch. Great Britain, in 1884, imported 173,000 barrels 

 of tar, valued at 130,000, to a great extent furnished by this tree. 

 A kind of vanillin is prepared from the cambium-sap of this pine. 

 Its cones have come into use for tanning in France. Proves well 

 adapted even for the drier parts of Victoria. Maximum rate of 

 growth in Nebraska according to Governor Furnas (in Prof. Meehan's 

 Gardeners' Monthly) 3 feet stem-circumference at 2 feet from the 

 ground in 10 years. The leaves of pines can be well Converted into 

 material for pillows and mattresses, with the great recommendation 

 of healthfulness for such a purpose. All fir-forests are antimiasmatic 

 and salubrious for hectic patients, in consequence of the di-oxyde of 

 hydrogen evolved from their terebinthine emanations. The annual 

 importation of tar and resin from Coniferae into Britain approached, 

 recently, one million sterling in value, of which P. silvestris must 

 have contributed a large share. 



Pinus Sitkensis, Bongard. (P. Menziesii, Douglas.) 



North- Western America. The Blue Spruce of California, also 

 called Tideland-Spruce, ascending to elevations of 9,000 feet, of rapid 

 growth in congenial soil. A very handsome tree, which furnishes 

 soft, light, pale and fine-grained timber, used largely for piles (Dr. 

 Gibbons). It thrives best in moist ground. According to Professor 

 Brewer, instances are on record of trees having attained a height of 

 over 300 feet, and a stem of 7 feet in diameter at 100 feet from the 

 base. From an exceptionally large tree 100,000 shingles were 

 obtained, besides 58 cords of wood. 



Pinus Smithiana, 1 Lambert. (P. Khutrow, Royle.) 



Himalaya-mountains, at elevations from 6,000 to 11,000 feet, 

 extending to Afghanistan and to China; this spruce, known verna- 

 cularly also asKutro- or Morinda- Spruce, attains a height of 150 feet, 



