WHAT TO PLANT. 77 



all our evergreens, for while it attains a lofty 

 stature, like that of the pine, its limbs and foliage 

 are more delicate, and the tree has a more 

 graceful appearance. It is recognized as one of 

 the most desirable trees for planting on the 

 lawn. It is one of the best trees also for use in 

 making screens and wind-breaks, and no tree is 

 better for forming hedges, as it bears the shears 

 extremely well. Though it does not produce 

 lumber of the first class, yet where it is not ex- 

 posed to the weather, as when used for the sills 

 and rafters of buildings or for lining-boards, 

 hemlock-lumber is strong and durable, and holds 

 nails better than pine does. But in addition to 

 its other merits, the bark of this tree is among 

 our most valuable tanning materials, and vast 

 numbers of the trees have been cut down in 

 the forests and left to decay after being deprived 

 of their bark ; treated, as one has aptly said, like 

 the buffaloes, that are stripped of their skins and 

 left to decay. 



The spruces, black and white, deserve atten- 

 tion. The black spruce, especially that which 

 grows in the Eastern States, supplies a lumber 

 which, for many purposes, may be substituted 



