The Hemlocks 



of white on each narrow blade, but the aggregate makes a mighty 

 difference in the atmosphere of the place. 



Throughout New England one fmds generous appreciation 

 of this native hemlock. The slender terminal shoot, " the leader," 

 lifted into the sky is a weather vane that never gets out of order. 

 Where hemlocks of considerable size are scattered among pines or 

 other trees, they are guideposts to the "timber cruiser" or the 

 hunter in trackless woods. Each treetop has its own individuality 

 — the scars of storms outridden, or other modifying influences at 

 work. 



Tjie specimens of hemlock to be seen in parks and on private 

 grounds exhibit the fitness of this species for ornamental planting. 

 The symmetry and grace of the "dark green layers of shade," 

 spreading into intricate sprays of remarkable delicacy, are familiar 

 in forest and lawn. The pale bloom on the under sides of the 

 leaves is punctuated by the little violet cones, pendant from every 

 spray. There are many horticultural forms of this species, but, 

 to my mind, none are as handsome as the wild species. 



In winter the red squirrel finds a stable base of supplies in 

 every fruitful hemlock tree. The litter of cone scales on the snow 

 will convince any doubter, if, indeed, the squirrel does not him- 

 self appear and scold the intruder. 



In hedges the young trees are thrifty, and even the shears 

 cannot subdue the grace that renews every spring the delicate, 

 flexible new shoots. They seem more like wavering tendrils of 

 a vine than branches of a sturdy conifer. 



The seeds of hemlock are slow to germinate on burned-over 

 ground, but in the leaf mould, overshadowed by larger trees, they 

 start in great numbers. For four or five years they average 

 scarcely an inch a year, but they produce a good root system. 

 After this they rapidly mount upward to independence. They 

 supply a valuable protective cover for seedling white pines. The 

 two species grow together often in large forests. Canada offers 

 the best soil and climate for hemlock. It requires cool air with 

 rich, loamy soil, moist but well drained. It is found plentifully 

 in our Northern and Eastern States, and follows the mountains 

 to Alabama. 



Hemlock wood is coarse and splintery, likely to be cross- 

 grained and full of knots. It warps in seasoning, and wears rough; 

 moreover, it is brittle and weak. It has two cardinal virtues that 



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