HARDY CONIFERS FOR PRIVATE ESTATES. 89 



and beautiful in their pyramidal outlines, and the branches are 

 regularly disposed in circular layers. 



The White Spruce (Picea Canadensis) shows remarkable hardi- 

 hood, and is a very handsome object when standing alone and well 

 developed. It stands well in the sweep of cold winds, but to see 

 it to the best advantage it should be planted in cool, moist, and 

 well-drained soil. 



Parry's Spruce (P. Parryana) which is commonly known as Blue 

 Spruce, through that highly glaucous form which is frequently 

 planted, is a very handsome and dignified ornament for gardens 

 and possesses great hardihood. 



Engelman's Spruce (P. Engehnanni) is sometimes taken for the 

 Blue Spruce, but the foliage is quite distinct from the former. It 

 is a most elegant conifer and when it attains a height of 30 or 40 

 feet and is clothed with branches to the ground, it is a most striking 

 object. It does splendidly in the Arnold Arboretum. 



The Eastern Spruce (P. orientalis) is a hardy species whose 

 beauty will stand close analysis. The smallish dark green leaves 

 are closely set on the branches, and the general graceful habit 

 conveys a very refined aspect. It retains its lower branches until 

 it is well into adult age. There is a beautiful example of this in the 

 Hunnewell Pinetum about 50 feet in height. 



The Macedonian Spruce (P. Omorika) is one of the newer species 

 in cultivation, but is giving every promise of hardihood and a high 

 order of beauty. It has a dense and conical outline and it is one of 

 those conifers whose beauty unfolds itself under close analysis. 

 The largest specimens of it in this country are in the Arnold Arbore- 

 tum. 



The Ajan Spruce (P. Ajanensis) is a gem, at least in its juvenile 

 days. The silvery white appearance of the leaves, which is well 

 displayed towards the ends of the branches, renders it highly orna- 

 mental. It seems to be perfectly hardy. 



Alcock's Spruce (Picea Alcockiana), which in general appearance 

 resembles the Ajan Spruce, and has a somewhat similar habit of 

 displaying its glaucous foliage at the tips of the branches, is quite 

 hardy, very desirable, and beautiful. This spruce and the last 

 are badly mixed up in nurseries. The Ajan Spruce can be mainly 

 distinguished by the flattish leaves, and Alcock's Spruce by its 

 somewhat four-angled leaves. 



