1893.] ESSAYS. 41 



There is no class of trees that better repay for liberal treatment 

 than do the conifers. Feed them well, if yon desire stnrdy growth 

 and superlative leaf, for they can be made, with liberal treatment, the 

 most beautiful objects in Nature, for what class of trees are more 

 symmetrical in form and more beautiful in variety. 



The coniferous, or cone-bearing trees, are receiving more attention 

 as the country grows old, and our people better informed regarding 

 the variety and beanty of the Evergreens. 



The White Pine, Pinus Strobus, is one of the most common as well 

 as one of the most valuable ; it is readily transplanted, and with good 

 treatment makes rapid growth. It makes an excellent tree for shelter, 

 and has no insect enemies. I have a belt, planted for the pnrpose of 

 shelter in 1846, that are large enough to saw into lumber. The color 

 of the leaf is a deep and clear green, rarely discolored either by heat 

 or cold. There are two trees in Institute Park that are of gigantic 

 growth, and one near Newton Hill nearly as large. 



The Pitch Pine, Pinus Rigida^ is also common about here, but not 

 as ornamental as the white and more difficult of transplanting. The 

 Scotch and Austrian were at one time considerably planted, are of 

 vigorous growth, and quite ornamental. The Cembra Pine, indige- 

 nous in the mountains of Switzerland, is a beautiful tree, of dwarf 

 habit of growth. The leaf resembles the White Pine, the tree is very 

 compact and shapely, and is a very attractive tree, and for small 

 places is the best of the pines. 



The Hemlock, Abies Canadensis^ is common throughout the State, 

 and one of the most beautiful Evergreen trees ; the beautiful green 

 leaves and the graceful sweep of its branches is unequalled. I have 

 some planted about forty years that are stately, and the (^ueeu of the 

 Evergreens both in summer and winter. They are easily transplanted. 

 Colonel Wilder once sent an order to England for their best Evergreen 

 trees, and they returned him the Hemlock. 



Of the Spruce, Abies, we have a goodly number that thrive here 

 and are found worthy of cultivation. The most prominent is the 

 Norway, Abies Excelsa, which of late years has gained the promi- 

 nence among the Spruces. 



It makes a vigorous and upright growth, of pyramidal form, often 

 graceful in its lower branches. It is particularly adapted for large 

 plantings, where shelter is an object. Although of foreign origin it 

 seems perfectly at home here. It makes its seed cones, and young- 

 trees are frequently found growing in the shade of the older ones. I 



