DOUGLAS SPRUCE. 225 



Uses. The Hemlock is unsafe for general planting in this 

 section, as it is very liable to injury from cold winds and drouth, 

 but in extreme Eastern Minnesota, on moist soil and in pro- 

 tected locations, it has proved desirable for ornamental planting. 

 The wood of the Hemlock is used for framing and general con- 

 struction purposes where fine finish is not needed, wood work, 

 furniture, picture moldings, ties, fencing and charcoal. It is 

 loose, and warps badly when exposed to the air, but stands fairly 

 well in contact with the ground. The bark is used in immense 

 quantities for tanning leather, and is largely obtained for this 

 purpose in Wisconsin. 



Genus PSEUDOTSUGA. 



A genus of a single species midway between the firs and hem- 

 lock. Leaves somewhat two-ranked by a twist at the base. 

 Cones upright, maturing the first season. 



Pseudotsuga taxifolia. (P. douglasii.'] Douglas Spruce. 



Red Fir. Douglas Fir. 



Leaves linear, distinctly petioled, mostly blunt or rounded, 

 nearly an inch long on old trees, but a little longer on young 

 thrifty trees, falling during fifth season; in color generally a rich 

 dark green, but some specimens occur on which the foliage is 

 a light glaucous blue. Cones two to four inches long, cylin- 

 drical; bracts toothed, protruding above the scales, and giving 

 a fringed appearance to the cones; seeds triangular, reddish on 

 the upper side, flat, and white on the lower side. A gigantic 

 tree, sometimes 200 to 300 feet in height. When young it is sel- 

 dom very symmetrical in form, and is likely to produce heavy 

 limbs unless severely crowded. 



Distribution. Throughout the Rocky Mountains and the 

 mountains of California, reaching its greatest height in Oregon. 



Propagation. One of the easiest conifers to grow from seeds, 

 which may be readily obtained from the Rocky Mountain region. 



Properties of Wood. Hard, strong, durable, varying greatly 

 with age and conditions of density, quality and amount of sap- 

 wood; difficult to work; color varying from light red to yellow; 

 sapwood nearly white. Specific gravity, 0.5157; weight of a 

 cubic foot, 32.23 pounds. 

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