22 TREES OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ranks like the hemlock ; ^-1 inch long, dark glossy green on 

 the upper surface, beneath silvery bluish-white, and traversed 

 lengthwise by rows of minute dots, flat, narrowly linear ; apex 

 blunt, in young trees and upon vigorous shoots, often slightly 

 but distinctly notched, or sometimes upon upper branches with 

 a sharp, rigid point ; sessile ; aromatic. 



Inflorescence. Early spring. Lateral or terminal on shoots 

 of the preceding season ; sterile flowers oblong-cylindrical, 

 i inch in length ; anthers yellow, red-tinged : fertile flowers 

 on the upper side of the twig, erect, cylindrical ; cover-scales 

 broad, much larger than the purple ovuliferous scales, termi- 

 nating in a long, recurved tip. 



Fruit. Cones along the upper side of the branchlets, erect 

 or nearly so in all stages of growth, purplish when young, 

 3-5 inches long, 1 inch or more wide ; puberulous ; cover- 

 scales at maturity much smaller than ovuliferous scales, thin, 

 obovate, serrulate, bristle-pointed ; ovuliferous scales thin, broad, 

 rounded ; edge minutely erose, serrulate or entire ; both kinds of 

 scales falling from the axis at maturity ; seeds winged, purplish. 



Horticultural Value. Hardy in New England, but best 

 adapted to the northern sections ; grows rapidly in open or 

 shaded situations, especially where there is cool, moist, rich 

 soil ; easily transplanted ; suitable for immediate effects in 

 forest plantations, but not desirable for a permanent orna- 

 mental tree, as it loses the lower branches at an early period. 

 Nurserymen and collectors offer it in quantity at a low price. 

 Propagated from seed. 



PLATE X. ABIES BALSAMEA. 



1. Branch with flower-buds. 



2. Branch with sterile flowers. 



3. Branch with fertile flowers. 



4. Cover-scale and ovuliferous scale with ovules, inner side. 



5. Fruiting branch. 



6. Ovuliferous scales with ovules at maturity, inner side. 



7. Cone-scale and ovuliferous scale at maturity, outer side. 

 8-9. Leaves. 



10-11. Cross-sections of leaves. 



