SPRUCE FIR. 189 
ample space, they may, in most soils, from their naturally 
fibrous roots, be successfully grown three years in lines, after 
which they should be removed, either into the forest, or 
transplanted again in the nursery, to insure their future 
success. 
The spruce admits of being removed at a great size, even 
though more seldom disturbed during its nursery growth 
than any other tree of the order. 
Although the tree is so hardy that it is never affected by 
any degree of frost during winter, yet it never attains to a 
very great size in an exposed situation. It is, however, valu- 
able as a nurse to other trees in young plantations, from its 
numerous lateral branches and dense mass of persistent foli- 
age, which furnishes great shelter. 
It derives its nourishment chiefly from the surface, and 
luxuriates in soil which is cool and moist, and, with a surface ‘ 
soil of ordinary quality, it is one of the few trees that will 
thrive where the subsoil is wet and retentive. Even in dry 
and sandy soil, unsuitable for the growth of its timber, the 
spruce often advances sufficiently to form a shelter for the 
establishing of other sorts, which ultimately become more 
valuable ; but on approaching the size of a timber-tree in 
such situations, it assumes a sickly aspect, and presents a 
scanty foliage, compared with the luxuriance of the tree in 
the cool alluvial deposit of the sheltered glen, where it is 
developed in its most attractive form. 
Perhaps the finest specimen of the species in Britain stands 
at Studley, Yorkshire. In April 1853 this tree measured 
124 feet 6 inches high, and is now upwards of 130 feet. At 
a yard from the surface of the ground its circumference is 
about 16 feet. Its age is believed to be about 160 years. 
At Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, in an avenue formed on soft 
alluvial soil, incumbent on gravel, watered by a mountain 
stream and sheltered by the surrounding hills, there are some 
fine specimens of Norway spruce, which were planted about 
the year 1720. As these trees have been frequently mea- 
sured from time to time, I am enabled to give the following 
