AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 235 



berg Castle park and in the neighbourhood of Bonn (Rosenburg), 

 where one specimen has attained a height of 20 m. in twenty-four 

 years and is 0*85 m. in circumference at the height of i meter. 



c. Abietinece : Firs, pines and larches. The Japanese collective 

 name for the last two is Matsu, while several kinds of firs are called 

 Momi. Of the nine varieties of Japanese firs and pines given by 

 Franchet and Savatier in their " Enumeratio plantarum," only two 

 have any wide distribution, or as wood producers any significant 

 value, viz., Abies firma, S. and Z., and A. Tsiiga, S. and Z. 



21. Abies firma, S. and Z., Jap. Momi, is spread over the whole of 

 Japan, more general however in Middle and Northern Hondo, 

 and on the Southern Islands. It is found chiefly and in the high- 

 est development in mixed forests, among the beautiful deciduous 

 woods, at an elevation of between 1,000 and 1,500 m. seldom iso- 

 lated. It develops the most magnificent trunk of all the Japanese 

 firs, and grows in parks and temple groves to a height of 30 to 40 m. 

 with a circumference of 4 to 5 m. In its entire bearing as well as 

 in the character of its wood, this tree resembles our Abies pectinata, 

 but has a much slower growth. Its wood is lighter, rougher, and 

 less tough than that of the pine, hence cheaper and less valued. 

 It is seldom used in housebuilding. 



22. Abies Veitchiiy Lindl. {A. nephrolepsis, Maxim.), Jap. Shirabe, 

 a tree of the upper conifer region with a greyish red bark which 

 is distinguished from kindred species chiefly by the brilliant, bluish 

 white colour of two lines on the under side of its needles, thus 

 giving its crown a peculiar appearance. It grows 20 to 30 m. 

 hieh and measures about 2 m. around the trunk. The wood is 

 moderately fibrous, splits easily, has broad shining rings of white 

 and narrow reddish autumn zones, and is lighter and still less 

 elastic and firm than that of the Momi, and consequently not so 

 much prized. 



23. Abies bicolor^ Maxim. (A, Alcockiana, Lindl.), Jap. Tohi, 

 belongs likewise to the high mountain conifers of Middle and 

 Northern Hondo, but is often found on Yezo. This tree, which as 

 a rule is found mixed with the following species, attains the same 

 dimensions as Shirabe. Its wood is pale pink, white in the sap- 

 wood, less shiny than Shirabe, and seamed with large distinctly 

 recognisable channels of resin. On account of its easy cleavage it 

 is frequently used for shingles. 



24. Abies polita, S. and Z. {Picea polita, Cam), Jap. Ira-momi 

 and Tora-momi. This kind is very easily distinguished from 

 others by its needles, which are four-edged, prismatic in shape, 

 crooked toward the top, and ending in a sharp point. It makes a 

 fine stately tree with the bearing of our Abies excelsa, belongs to 

 the high mountain districts and northern parts of Japan, and, like its 

 previously described companions, is little used. In modern times 

 on the island of Yezo, however, it has been much employed in 

 building. 



