THE PINE SUB-FAMILY. 167 



feet in low, moist, or marshy soils, especially on the bor- 

 ders of streams." 



The general height of this species is about 60 or 70 feet, 

 but in the rich, deep, alluvial soils along the rivers, speci- 

 mens 100 feet in height have been found. 



In our grounds the Menzies' Spruce has proven entirely 

 hardy without artificial protection, and so far as we have 

 been able to ascertain, such has also been the experience 

 of other cultivators in the Middle States. Indeed, coming 

 from so high an elevation and from such exposed situa- 

 tions, we might readily believe that such would be the 

 case. 



Sargent, however, in his description of this tree, men- 

 tions that the foliage is occasionally scorched on specimens 

 in his grounds, from which it Avould appear that young 

 plants would thrive much better in the shade in more 

 northern localities, as the sudden changes from heat to ex- 

 cessive cold are the cause of this destruction of the foliage. 



There is an inclination on the part of the leaves to be 

 deciduous, and during heavy storms, or when in contact 

 with other trees, the foliage is often completely removed 

 from the young shoots, thus greatly disfiguring the tree. 

 This interferes with its otherwise beautiful form, and can 

 only be prevented by placing it singly on a lawn, and 

 never allowing anything to rub against the foliage. 



This dropping of the leaves is more prevalent in trees 

 that are growing in dry, sandy soils, showing that the 

 most suitable position for it is in rather moist situations, 

 especially near the bank of a stream where the air is charg- 

 ed with moisture. 



Its growth is exceedingly rapid in soils that are suited 

 to it ; and T. Meehan mentions a tree of this species that 

 was planted 6 years ago, then 3 feet high, that is now 15, 

 ^with a perfectly straight leader and as fine a conical shape 

 as could be desired. 



"We make the following extracts from the description 



