348 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



but as it attains some age it changes the character of its 

 leaves, becomes irregular in habit, and loses its lower 

 branches. 



The Eastern nurseries describe several beautiful varieties 

 which do well at the East, but they are not favorites at the 

 West. The best varieties for Eastern use are Siberica, 

 pyramidal, globosa, and the golden. 



The most popular use of these varieties is for ornamental 

 screens or hedges east of the Great Lakes, but they all have 

 the fault pointed out by Downing, of taking on a " dingy 

 green hue of foliage in winter," while the hemlock, white 

 spruce, pinus pumilio, and other conifers will retain their 

 characteristic colors in winter. 



