ABIES EXCELSA AND VARIETIES. 71 



droop almost close to the trunk- the leaves are somewhat larger 

 and of a brighter green than those of the type. 



It originated in the Nurseries of Mr. Kieliard Smith, at "Worcester. 



Abies excelsa monstrosa.— In this variety the strength of the 

 plant seems to be expended in the formation of the trunk and 

 principal branches at the expense of the other parts ; the branches 

 are long and straggling, almost without laterals, and covered with 

 short bristly leaves. It has a singularly grotesque appearance. 



Abies excelsa pumila glauca.— A handsome dwarf form, with 

 deep green glaucescent foliage] the leaves are nearly erect on the 

 branches. 



Abies excelsa pygmaea is a diminutive pyramidal bush, having 

 all its branches excessively shortened, with their parts proportionately 

 diminished. 



The economic importance of the common Spruce is doubtless unsur* 

 passed by that of any other northern tree. Its timber possesses every 

 quality that renders it valuable for constructive purposes, both for 

 building and for articles of every day use. Its only available com= 

 petitor is,, perhaps, the Scotch Pine, but the wood of that valuable tree 

 is coarser in texture, and much more resinous. Abies excelsa yields 

 the white deal of commerce, of which the finest is supplied from the 

 great forests of Norway and Sweden, where, owing to climatal causes, it 

 attains its greatest perfection. The bark of the Spruce Fir may be 

 used for tanning, but it is inferior in this , respect to that of the 

 Larch, although superior to that of the Scotch Pine.* Excellent cordage 

 is made in Norway of the fibres of the roots. Specimens of this 

 cordage sent to the London Exhibition of 1862 showed that it is not 

 inferior in tenacity and strength to the best ropes made of hemp 

 and other material. 



The Spruce Eir is much planted for purposes of utility. It is 

 one of the best of nurses for other trees ; its perfectly hardy con- 

 stitution, dense habit, and rapid growth, render it capable of affording 

 efficient protection to less hardy trees during their earlier stages of 

 growth. It is also one of the best of trees for forming a permanent 

 screen for protection from piercing winds, for hiding unsightly buildings, 

 and for shutting out of view incongruous objects in the landscape. 

 Its frond-like branches form an excellent protection for the blossoms of 

 fruit trees on walls from spring frosts, and are often used as such by 



* Pinciwn Brtiannicum, Abies excelsa, p. 12. 



