236 SYLVA FLOHIFERA. 



grows to the height of eighty feet, with a 

 straight trunk. The bark is of a brownish 

 colour and full of crevices. It is known by 

 experience, that we have scarcely any soil .so 

 bad, or exposure so bleak, where this tree will 

 not live ; but when planted upon clayey soils, 

 the timber is not of so good a quality, or the 

 tree so long lived, nor does this species of fir 

 stand the sea air so well as some other kinds, 

 particularly the Pinaster. 



Nature is the only pruner that should touch 

 the fir-tree, as the lower branches gradually 

 decay, from the root to the top, leaving no 

 knot or blemish ; and the time for felling these 

 trees is kn9wn to be when all the branches are 

 dead, except those at the very top. If a fir-tree, 

 whilst in a vigorous state of growth, be much 

 pruned, it will be reduced to premature old 

 age, by the escape of its inflammatory juices. 



The fir-tree is not calculated to stand in a 

 small shrubbery ; it belongs to a bolder style 

 of scenery, and should be planted so as to 

 give height to our hills, and variety to our 

 views, where 



" Trees unnumber'd rise, 

 Beautiful in various dyes: 

 The gloomy pine, the poplar blue, 

 The yellow beech, the sable yew, 

 The slender fir, that taper grows, 

 The sturdy oak with broad spread boughs." 



DYER. 



