(150) 
seldom one-half this size, and trees taken from the far 
northwest do not thrive well on the Atlantic coast, owing 
to the much greater rainfall which they naturally receive 
there; the cones of the Douglas spruce are from 2 to 4 
inches long, pendant on the branches, their scales rounded 
and shorter than the bracts which project beyond them. 
The hemlock spruces (Tsuga) are planted south of power 
house 1, and are represented by the Canadian hemlock 
spruce (Tsuga canadensis), the same species which forms the 
interesting forest on the hills bordering the Bronx River, 
and indicated on the general plan of the Garden as the hem- 
lock grove. This tree occasionally becomes 100 feet high, 
with a trunk up to 4 feet in diameter, and is distributed 
throughout northeastern North America, extending south- 
ward along the mountains to Alabama, northward to Nova 
Scotia and westward to Minnesota. Its bark is the most 
important tanning substance in the United States and a 
great many trees are annually felled to obtain it; its wood 
furnishes a cheap lumber of little strength and durability. 
The weeping hemlock (Tsuga canadensis pendula) is one 
of the most beautiful dwarf evergreens. The Carolina hem- 
lock (Tsuga caroliniana), from the mountains of southern 
Virginia to Georgia, may also be seen here, as well as 
Siebold’s hemlock spruce (Tsuga Tsuga), to which the name 
Tsuga was first applied. The hairy-twigged Japanese hem- 
lock, Tsuga diversifolia, is also here. 
In the area to the westward of the conservatories, 
extending to the west border, and bounded by paths on 
the north and south, are the firs (Abies). These can at 
once be distinguished from the spruces (Picea) by the erect, 
instead of pendulous, cones, and by the smooth branchlets. 
The wood of the firs is usually soft and not durable, so it 
makes poor lumber. Specimens of the balsam fir will be 
found here; this is widely distributed over northern North 
America, and from it is obtained canada balsam or balm of 
fir, used in the arts and in medicine. The Japanese silver 
fir is an attractive plant, with its dark green stiff foliage. 
