ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 83 



EVERGREEN CONIFERS IN CANADA.— I^Iacoun 



Vast areas in Canada were at one time covered with an 

 evergreen coniferous forest, and over other very large tracts 

 there was a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees in which 

 conifers were still a very important part of the forest. In 

 addition, in the more southerly parts of the province of Ontario, 

 the hardwoods were the prevailing trees, with a comparatively 

 small proportion of evergreens. While the lumberman's axe 

 and the forest fires have destroyed thousands of square miles 

 of fine evergreens, yet there are still great coniferous forests in 

 Canada, fine woodlands of mixed timber, as well as those 

 other districts in which there are just enough evergreens to 

 make a pleasing variety in the landscape. Canada is looked 

 on by many as the land of the pine and the hemlock, whereas, 

 in reality, it possesses many kinds of trees. The evergreen is, 

 however, a great asset because of its value for lumber and 

 pulpwood, but it means much to the average citizen apart 

 from this. As a shelter from the winds of winter, a windbreak 

 of evergreens is most desirable and is particularly appreciated 

 in parts of Canada where high winds are frequent, and espe- 

 cially on the prairies, where the cold is so intense. A windbreak 

 of conifers is a veritable haven of shelter for the farmer and 

 for his flocks and herds. Not only do evergreens afford this 

 shelter from the wind, but their very greenness in winter makes 

 the landscape much more cheery during the months of frost 

 and snow. When used as specimens or in groups on the lawn, 

 conifers are very effective in beautifying the landscape. As 

 hedges, evergreen conifers are among the best trees and should 

 be much more widely used for this purpose. 



The pines. 



The pine is closely associated with the name of Canada. 



