MAY. 241 



The bark of tliis tree is of a reddish brown, divided by 

 furrows that separate it into scales, which are more or less 

 persistent. The young trees and branches have a smooth 

 gray bark like that of the Fir balsam. The cones are small, 

 pendulous, and attached to the extremities of the branches, 

 arriving at maturity in the autumn. The hemlock is found 

 on all kinds of soil, though its thrifty growth is an indication 

 of depth and fertility. It is fond of moisture, often bearing 

 its graceful branches aloft upon the summits and steep sides 

 of granitic rocks and precipices which are supplied with per- 

 petual rills. 



The hemlock is confined, in its geographical range, to the 

 northern parts of the American continent, but does not extend 

 into so high a latitude as the other spruces. It does not bear 

 transplantation well, especially when the young trees are taken 

 from the woods ; tliey ought always, therefore, to be pur- 

 chased from the nurseries. On the average it is rapid and 

 thrifty in its growth, increasing slowly during the first few 

 years, and more rapidly as it advances in age. The timber 

 of this tree is of an inferior quality, having a tendency to 

 open between the successive circles of its growth, and being 

 liable to warping. The knots in the boards made from hem- 

 lock are apt to be loose, and to separate from them, leaving 

 them full of holes. With all these faults hemlock timber has 

 considerable durability and firmness, and is extensively used 

 for boarding the roofs of houses. The bark is valuable for 

 tanning, and is employed in combination Avith oak bark. 

 The hemlock bears pruning well, and, on account of the 

 closeness of its branches, it surpasses most other evergreens 

 when used as a shelter from the winds. 



II. Black Spruce. 



The Black Spruce (Abies nigra) is not often found in the 

 woods of Massachusetts, and is scarce also as an ornamental 

 tree, the Norway spruce, which is a more rapid-growing and 

 stately tree, being generally preferred. The Norway spruce 

 is a taller species, with lighter and brighter foliage, and infe- 

 rior to it only in the closeness and density of its leaves, in 



VOL. XXII. NO. V. 31 



