FIR-TREE. 237 



In extensive shrubberies, on hilly situa- 

 tions, the fir-tree may sometimes be both 

 usefully and ornamentally employed, as a 

 back ground to shelter the more delicate 

 trees, whose lighter foliage will also shine 

 with more splendour by the contrast. When 

 the walks wind near or through the planta- 

 tions of firs, we should do well to take a hint 

 from Shenstone, who says, 



" Not a pine in my grove is there seen, 



But with tendrils of woodbine is bound ; 

 Not a beech's more beautiful green, 

 But a sweet-brier entwines it around." 



But this hardy offspring of bleak and snowy 

 mountains seems intended for utility more 

 than beauty, and we would, therefore, recom- 

 mend it to be planted for profit rather than 

 pleasure, for few trees have been applied to 

 more uses than this. From the time of So- 

 lomon to the present day, it has formed raf- 

 ters to the houses of our cities, and masts to 

 the vessels of our navy. 



Dant utile lignum 



Navigiis Pinus. Georg. ii. 



" The useful pine for ships. " 



Its resinous and durable quality has recom- 

 mended it for numberless domestic purposes, 

 in modern as well as ancient times ; when, if 

 we can rely on poetical accounts, it was used 

 by the Greeks in the formation of the cele- 



