AMONG THE PINES AND FIRS 223 
Hence even in the north of Scotland, with its 
more congenial climate, the cultivation of the 
Norway spruce seems only to be profitable when 
it is used as an auxiliary for the improved growth 
of larch and pine, or for underplanting maturing 
crops of these. 
Its spreading superficial root-system specially 
fits it to be the tree of the mountains, with their 
shallow soil and rocky outcrops. So long as it 
grows in large compact masses, either by itself 
or along with other trees, the tangled network 
of roots enables it to offer considerable resist- 
ance to storms; but once the canopy is broken 
into freely, or the flank of the high forest is ex- 
posed to heavy wind, especially when the tree-tops 
are wet and heavy while the ground is sodden 
with rain, whole crops can easily be brought to 
the ground as windfall during heavy gales. 
Like pine and larch, spruce has its own dire 
enemies in the shape of injurious insects and 
deadly fungous diseases, evils from which it is 
best protected by means of admixture with these 
or other trees. Where soil and climate favour its 
growth—a fresh or moist sandy loam, a cool situa- 
tion, and rather a humid atmosphere—Norway 
