FOREST TREES. 185 
The bark of the Hemlock ig valuable for tanning 
leather ; a quality which has unfortunately occasioned 
a great waste of the timber. Immense numbers of 
the trees have been felled, stripped of their bark, and 
left to rot upon the ground. 
Although despised as “common” by many in the 
countries where it is native, the Hemlock has few if 
any equals among evergreens as an ornamental tree. 
Meehan says, “It would not’be exaggeration to pro- 
nounce this the most beautiful evergreen in cultiva- 
tion.” Its branches are slender, graceful and drooping, 
without the formal arrangement common to the 
Pines and Spruces. Asa screen or ornamental hedge 
it is far superior to the Red Cedar; it bears clipping 
well, its foliage is dense, and retains its dark green 
color in all seasons. 
The Hemlock has been considered by many a very 
difficult tree to transplant. When removed at once 
from its native forests to open grounds and warmer 
climates, it is very likely to perish; but after two or 
more years of culture in the nursery, I have uni- 
formly found it as successfully transplanted as 
any other evergreen. It is sometimes winter killed 
on heavy clays, although perfectly hardy on suitable 
soils. 
The cultivation of the Hemlock for timber cannot 
be recommended. Care should indeed be taken to 
preserve forests of young trees already established; 
but for artificial plantations, the Norway Spruce, the 
White, Red, and Scotch Pines are far more eligible, 
16* 
