SILVICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS 49 



fifty and sixty years; higher up on the slopes it usually remains 

 sound until seventy years. 



The fir is an exceptionally prolific reproducer. Wherever in 

 a mixed spruce and fir stand a cutting is made the reproduction 

 is sure to be largely of fir. It prefers as a seed bed the bare 

 mineral soil or a soil covered with needles, and seldom grows on 

 hardwood fitter, although it does better in such situations than 

 spruce. 



Fir lumber is of an inferior quafity, but on account of the 

 rapid growth and splendid ability to reproduce, it is possibly as 

 profitable to raise as the red spruce. In the future when the 

 profit from growing is given as much consideration as the profit 

 from cutting, the balsam will be more appreciated. 



Hemlock {Tsiiga canadensis). 



The range of hemlock is from Newfoundland west to Minne- 

 sota and south to Georgia. It is found scattered throughout 

 New England except in the Cape Cod region. 



The hemlock is only a httle more particular than the pine 

 in regard to soil, as it will grow in very dry situations. It is 

 rather a tree of the hillside than of the plain, and especially 

 prefers cool glens or ravines, probably on account of the atmos- 

 pheric moisture, where it is usually mixed with other trees. 

 Hemlock stands a great deal of shade, even surpassing the spruce 

 in this ability. It is very slow growing and is apt to become 

 shaky in old age. 



Reproduction is good, as seeds are borne nearly every year. 

 They germinate on practically all sites but prefer decaying logs 

 and similar moist beds. 



Hemlock is comparatively free from disease, and much less 

 susceptible to windfall than spruce. 



The lumber is of inferior quafity, but the bark has a slight 

 additional value for tanning purposes. 



Altogether, when its slow growth and low value are taken into 



