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Handbook of Nature-Study 



The Norway spruce grows on the Alps abundantly, and like the youth 

 with the banner, "excelsior" is not only its motto but its scientific name, 

 (Picea excelsa) . Here it grows to the height of one hundred to one hundred 

 and fifty feet. Its wood is valuable and its pitch is marketed. In this 

 country, it is used chiefly for ornamental planting and for wind-breaks. 



LESSON CCIII 

 The Norway Spruce 



Leading thought — The 

 Norway spruce is one of the 

 most valuable of the trees 

 which have come to America 

 from Europe. It grows 

 naturally in high places and 

 in northern countries where 

 there is much snow; its 

 drooping twigs cannot hold 

 a great burden of snow, and 

 thus it escapes being 

 crushed. 



Method — This lesson 

 should begin in the autumn 

 when the cones are ripe. 

 The tree should be observed 

 by all of the pupils, and they 

 should bring in twigs and 

 cones for study in the 

 schoolroom. The lesson 

 should be taken up again 

 in May when the trees are 

 in blossom. 



Observations — i. What 

 is the general shape of the 

 tree ? Do the lower branches 

 come off at the same angle 

 as the upper? If un- 

 trimmed, what can you see of the trunk? Do the lower branches rest upon 

 the ground ? What advantage would this be to the tree in winter ? Do the 

 twigs stand out, or droop from the branches ? Of what advantage is this in 

 case of heavy snow? What is the color of the foliage? Where did the 

 Norway spruce come from? 



2. What is the color of the twig? How are the leaves set upon it? 

 Are there more leaves on the upper than on the under side of the twigs of 

 this year's growth? Of last year's growth? Brush your hand along a 

 branch toward the tip. Do the leaves prick? Brush from the tip back- 

 ward. Is the result the same ? Why is this angle of the leaves to the twig 

 a benefit during snowstorms? 



3. Take a single leaf. What is its shape? How many sides has it? 

 Is it soft or stiff? Is it sharp at the tip? Describe the buds which arC' 

 forming for next year's growth. Look along the twigs and see if you can 

 discover the scales of the bud which produced last year's growth? 



A Norway spruce. 

 Photo by Cyrus Crosby 



