16 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES. 



quantity of fairly valuable timber produced, it is well 

 worthy of attention, although its merits in this particular 

 have been rather overrated. Both branches and branchlets 

 stand out horizontally, the deep green leaves, which are two- 

 rowed on the juvenile, but pectinate on the adult specimens, 

 are marked by two distinct silvery white lines beneath. They 

 vary on the same twig from f to fully i^ inches in length. 

 The cones are cylindrical, usually about 6 inches long by fully 

 1} inches in diameter. The timber is of fair quality, and well 

 adapted for rough outdoor carpentry. It is elastic, somewhat 

 irregular in graining, soft, apt to shrink, and decays speedily on 

 exposure. For temporary buildings, tool-sheds, and cattle 

 shelters of a rather temporary nature, it is to be recommended. 

 In connection with sluices and dams, it is an excellent timber, 

 while for lining the banks of streams and rivers, to prevent 

 the sides being washed away, I have found it to be peculiarly 

 suitable. The tree itself will grow well beneath the shade 

 and drip of others, produces a large quantity of timber, and 

 is not over-exacting as to the quality of soil in which it is 

 planted. 



A. pectinata fastig^iata. The Upright Silver Fir.- 

 This is a very distinct form, the branches of which have a 

 decided upright inclination, with the branchlets, particularly 

 the tips, falling backwards. It varies a good deal, however, 

 and specimens quite unworthy of the name, though departing 

 considerably from the normal form, are in cultivation. In 

 the best fastigiate variety, the leaves differ considerably from 

 the species, being smaller, more slender, and slightly up- 

 curved. 



A. Pinsapo, Boissier. Spanish Silver Fir. {Synonym: 

 P icea Pinsapo, l^oudon.) Southern Spain. 1839. The short 

 and prickly foliage, extreme density and rigidity, combined 

 with compact growth and a unique appearance, at once dis- 

 tinguish this from all other silver firs. When favourably 

 situated, few trees are more ornamental and effective ; but to 

 see it in its beauty it must be planted singly, or sufficiently 

 ar apart from others so that the branches may have room for 



