Gardening in California 



Abies Morinda. 



ABIES (Fir). 



A genus of about twenty-five spe- 

 cies, all giving a grand effect in the 

 landscape, whether in group form or 

 singly in the park or lawn. Most of 

 the species are lofty conifers, massive, 

 symmetrical and handsome, many of 

 them with the under side of the leaves 

 of a silvery white. All are hardy 

 and delight in a cool moist atmos- 

 phere and a well-drained soil. 



A number of the finest of the 

 species are indigenous to California, 

 Abies amabilis, Abies grandis, Abies 

 Douglassii, Abies bracteata, and 



Abies Mertensiana, preferring the cool coast counties, while our 

 other indigenous species, including Abies nobilis, Abies mag- 

 nifica, Abies Pattoniana, Abies concolor, etc., seem to prefer the 

 high valleys and ridges of the Sierras. Many of the exotic 

 species, such as the Abies Nordmanniana from the Crimea, the 

 Abies pectinata from Central Europe, the Abies Cephalonica 

 from Greece, and all of the Asiatic species, such as the Abies 

 Morinda, seem to be at home with our natives, and, when grow- 

 ing side by side, with the same exposure and treatment, do 

 equally well. The Eastern species, including the beautiful Abies 

 balsamea, seem also to thrive, especially when given a sheltered 

 half-shady situation. 



Propagate by seeds sown, in February, one-eighth of an inch 

 deep, in a cool frame; give them plenty of air and protect them 

 from small birds until they are three inches high when they 

 should be pricked off, two inches apart, into boxes, left there one 

 year, and then transplanted into nursery rows. 



[60] 



