EVERGREENS OF COLORADO 35 



at the base of each scale by means of a hand lens. After being pollinated 

 and fertilized, the scales rapidly grow in size and unite to form the so- 

 called juniper berry. Careful examination will reveal the marks upon 

 its surface of the original scales which compose the berry. This berry 

 may require from one to three years to mature the hard-shelled seeds 

 which it contains, depending upon the species. When ripe, the juniper 

 berry is usually more or less juicy and sweet-flavored with a pronounced 

 resinous taste and contains from one to three or more bony-shelled seeds 

 without wings. The berries of certain species of junipers are used in 

 the manufacture of the distilled liquor known as gin, which owes its 

 particular qualities to the presence of the aromatic volatile oils contained 

 in the juniper berries. The hard, thick coat of the juniper seeds enables 

 them to pass unharmed through the digestive apparatus of birds which 

 sometimes feed upon them, and in this way they are widely distributed 

 to new locations. The berries of some red cedars have been largely 

 used by the Indians for food, after being ground and baked into cakes. 

 The large, smooth seeds of one species are not uncommonly used for 

 stringing as beads for various ornamental purposes among primitive 

 peoples. 



The wood of the juniper and red cedars is fine, close grained, uniform 

 in texture, not hard but exceedingly durable. The characteristic odor 

 possessed by the red cedar wood is due to a volatile aromatic oil which 

 may be obtained by distillation as a very dark reddish brown oil, pos- 

 sessed of the odor of the wood. This oil is used to some extent in the 

 manufacture of perfumes and for scenting inferior woods of other species. 

 Probably the most extensive use that is made of red cedar wood is in the 

 manufacture of lead pencils. Its fine, soft grain of even texture, the 

 attractive color and the pleasing odor of the wood fits it pre-eminently 

 for this purpose so that no other has been found as a perfect substitute. 

 The wood with its characteristic odor, which is repellant to most insects, 

 also greatly favors its use in the making of chests and boxes used for 

 the storage of garments and furs. Some of the junipers form scrubby 

 spreading plants which are not adapted to the production of lumber, 

 while others form trees of moderate size, the trunks of which are exten- 

 sively used for fence posts on account of the great durability of the 

 wood. Some botanists separate the junipers into two genera, depending 

 upon the way in which the needles are produced and the fruit borne. 

 All of those which occur in Colorado, however, have been included in one 

 genus. There are only three species commonly found within our border 

 which reach the stature of trees. 



On account of the fact that the leaves on seedling or immature 

 specimens of the junipers are so much alike, it is necessary in using the 

 foliage for identifying the species, to make examination of leaves from 

 fully developed or mature plants, those which are at least two feet 

 in height. 



