398 APPENDIX 



fresh seeds, and 14,090 clean seeds to the pound, or 8,063 to the quart. It will not stand 

 packing nor shipment and keeps only from autumn until the following spring. 



Germination. The germination of seed sown in the spring takes place in 3 to 4 

 weeks. After the young plant sprouts ... it has from 4 to 8 cotyledons (generally 

 5). They are twice as long as and broader than ordinary cotyledons. . . . 



Seedling. During the first 2 to 3 years all the vegetative activity concentrates in 

 the deep-reaching tap root and in stem diameter increase. From about 3 to 4 years the 

 seedling begins to ramify by producing annually from 1 to 2 lateral branches, first in 

 one and then in the other direction . . . after the tenth year ramification becomes 

 normally verticillate, and from that time vegetation is rapid if there is sufficient light. 

 Tolerance. Silver fir will bear protracted shade better than any other species. 

 Under dense cover, saplings, 3 feet high and 0.79 to 1.18 inches in diameter, are often 

 found which are.no less than 60 to 70 years of age and which, if given space and light, 

 will develop vigorously . . . and become splendid trees. Early vegetative activ- 

 ity makes young fir liable to suffer acutely from spring frosts; they often lose their 

 lateral shoots (the first to be developed). 



Timber. Fir timber is formed only of tracheids and medullary rays and is almost 

 entirely devoid of resiniferous channels . . . consequently it has no pronounced 

 odor, and the resin is well disseminated. . . . 



The timber is white, though often tinted a very light reddish-brown. . . . There 

 is no very appreciable difference, especially when dry, between the sapwood and the 

 heartwood. The sapwood does not possess the quality of the heartwood and is more 

 subject to rot. On the other hand, the sapwood is easily injected with preservatives, 

 while the heartwood is very difficult to impregnate, as is the case with other similar 

 resinous timbers, such as spruce, larch, cedar, and pine. 



The annual rings are very clearly defined on account of the great difference in color 

 and in hardness between the spring and autumn tissues. The lack of homogeneity in 

 fir timber (formed of cylindrical zones of alternately soft and hard wood) is evident 

 when it is being cut into firewood. It has a distinct tendency to split in a circular 

 direction. ... In fir timber, as in all those of non-homogeneous structure . . . 

 breaks will occur in the direction of the less resisting tissues, which . . . correspond 

 to the soft spring rings . . . (ring shake). . . . Its shade-enduring quality 

 means that rings close together may be followed by wide rings of annual growth 

 obviously a defect. . . . 



Specific Gravity. The density of fir wood is extremely variable and seems to 

 increase with southern latitudes, or as the trees have more space in which to develop 

 their crowns; on the whole it is superior to that of spruce and varies from 0.381 to 

 0.640. 



The horizontal strength and resiliency of fir timber are considerable and have been 

 ascertained by numerous tests. ... It was found that fir from the Aude Depart- 

 ment was superior to any indigenous and exotic timber except the longleaf pine (of 

 the United States). . . . Fir timber will not last very long if exposed to moisture. 



Uses. The large size, good quality, and abundance of fir timber make it one of the 

 commonest building materials for planks, boards, beams, laths, etc.; it is -even used 

 for masts. It splits easily and is good for basket making, shingles, and roofing. 



Fuel Value. According to G. L. Hartig the average fuel value of fir as compared 

 with beech is as 69 is to 100, and is inferior to spruce. It is poor fuel, burning with a 

 bright flame but crackling a great deal and smoking badly. 



It should be pointed out, however, that the branch-wood (Vosges) which is formed 

 of very thin rings (the density is therefore higher) makes far superior cordwood than 

 the stump or bole. . . . 



