GETTING AC^AINTED WITH THE TREES 



a great variation between the different species. 

 The scrub -pine one sees along the railroads 

 between New York and Philadelphia has rather 

 stubby cones, while the pitch-pine, beloved of 

 the fireplace for its "light-knots," has a some- 

 what pear-shaped and gracefully disposed cone. 

 A most peculiar cone is that of a variety of 

 the Norway pine, which, among other species 

 brought from Europe, is valued for ornament. 

 The common jack -pine of the Middle States 

 hillsides wears symmetrical and handsome cones 

 with dignity. Cones are, of course, the fruits 

 or seed-holders of the pine, but the seeds 

 themselves are found at the base of the scales, 

 or parts of the cones, attached in pairs. Each 

 cone, like an apple, has in its care a number 

 of seeds, which it guards against various dan- 

 gers until a kindly soil encourages the rather 

 slow germination characteristic of the order. 



The nurserymen have imported many pines 

 from Europe, which give pleasing variety to 

 our ornamental plantings, and aid in enriching 

 the winter coloring. The Austrian pine and 

 the Scotch pine are welcome additions to our 

 own pine family. In these days of economic 



64 



