30 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICl'LTUEAL SOCIETY. 



The Silver Firs will rauk as among the most desu'ablei orna- 

 mental trees. The European Silver Fir (Abies pectinnta) is 

 scarcely hartly with us, exce>i)t in protected places, but the closely 

 allied Nordmauniava is quite iKirdy and thrives well, with the 

 single fault of liability to lose its leader. Its stately habit and 

 dark, rich, glossy green foliage render it one of the handsomest 

 of conifers. 



Abies concolor is a more recently introduced fir from Colorado, 

 its type in the Sierras af California being known under the names 

 of Insiocarpa and Loiviaiia. Its name concolor implies the like 

 silvery color on the upper and under sides of the leaf. It is one 

 of the stateliest trees of the Rocky Mountains, and retains its 

 beautiful color iu old age. As the type from Colorado seems to 

 be quite hardy and to be suited to our climate, it bids fair to 

 become one of the most useful and desirable of the recent intro- 

 ductions. A magnificent specimen may be seen at "Wellesley in 

 the collection of Mr. Hunnewell. 



In the same collection is a fine specimen of the Japan Silver Fir 

 (Abies brachy phiflla ) . It proves to be one of the hardiest and hand- 

 somest of Firs, its two under silver lines being quite conspicuous. 



Abies Cilicica is reported as not accommodating itself to the 

 climate of England. It has done well in this country, however, a 

 good example of it being also in Mr. Hunnewell's collection. Thi^ 

 is proof that some varieties may be better suited to our climate and 

 therefore more hardy than even in England. It is only by trial 

 under various conditions that we can determine hardiness. This 

 rule will apply to the three following firs of our northwest coast. 



The great Silver Fir (A. (/rcnidis) attains to the height of two 

 hundred feet and upwards, along the Eraser River and Vancouver's 

 Island, and at altitudes of four thousand feet. Its branches are 

 slender and less thickly set than iu most, and hence it has a light, 

 graceful, and airy appearance which is very desirable. 



Abies amabilis is reported by Professor Sargent as growing 

 freely ou the Cascade ]\^untains and as far north as the Eraser 

 River in British Columbia, and as the most beautiful of the genus 

 with which he is acquainted. As it grows at altitudes of four 

 thousand to five thousand feet in this northern latitude we are not 

 without hope that it may be domesticated with us. 



Abies nobilis has a more southern range, growing in Oregon and 

 California to the same immense height, and being very conspicuous 

 for its deep, glaucous-green, thick-set, crowded foliage. 



