the lumbermen of Europe have done without the Scotch 

 Pine? The great majority of conifers are native of the tem- 

 perate zone, only a few being tropical or sub-tropical. The 

 conifers number about three hundred species divided into 

 nearly forty genera. The North American flora contain not 

 less than one hundred species and sub-species, the largest 

 variety being found on the Pacific coast. In addition there 

 are at least four hundred nurserymen's varieties selected 

 mainly for their ornamental value. 



As we look back over the history of conifer cultivation in 

 America we must admit that we have neglected our native 

 species, which are inferior to none, for imported species. 

 For example, the Norway spruce and the Scotch pine have 

 been planted more extensively than any other conifers; this 

 is mainly because the seed is obtainable at low prices from 

 western Europe where it is picked up in the forest by cheap 

 labor as a waste product. 



Our valuable native western evergreens have been like 

 prophets, "not without honor save in their own country." 

 Some of them are more popular in Europe than in America. 

 The common evergreens of western Europe have been found 

 valuable in our eastern states, but the further northwest their 

 cultivation extended on our prairies, the more uncertain is 

 their behavior. The same may be said of our native eastern 

 evergreens ; while perfectly hardy in swamps, moist soils 

 and protected localities even far northward, they fail on the 

 windswept prairies. On the other hand, some evergreens, 

 such as the native pine and spruce of the Black Hills, or the 

 red cedar on high dry bluffs along the Cheyenne river west of 

 the Missouri river, are found making vigorous growth in 

 dry soil and the most exposed situations. It is time that 

 these general principles were well understood by planters, 

 as the multitude of failures in the past from a disregard of 

 these rules have caused much disappointment and the loss 

 of many thousands of dollars. In addition, evergreens have 

 certain peculiarities which planters must learn before they 



