SHADE, L\W^, AND PARK TREES. 345 



than pungens, but it has finer foliage and is more compact 

 in habit. Its ability to stand the dry air of the prairies 

 seems to depend on the locality whence the plants come. 

 Plants from the Clear Creek Valley of Colorado have stood 

 in Iowa as well as the Black Hills spruce. This species is 

 often mixed with Picea pungens in gathering seed in Colo- 

 rado, and also in digging young plants ; but in reality it 

 more nearly resembles the white than it does the silver 

 spruce. 



In Eastern and Southern nurseries are to be found several 

 varieties and species of the spruce of local value, such as the 

 Alcock from Japan, the Smith from the Himalayan Moun- 

 tains, the Oriental from Asia and east Europe, and nu- 

 merous varieties of the Norway that will give variety of 

 expression. 



329. The Firs. — Several of the firs are short-lived when 

 planted in open exposure. The present limits will only 

 permit the mention of those that have done well over large 

 areas of the country. 



AMes concolor stands well at the head in withstanding 

 heat, cold, and drought. It is popular over the Eastern 

 States, and is hardy and specially beautiful in the "West. 

 As its name indicates, it is even-colored through the year 

 and a thing of beauty at all times. It should be more 

 extensively grown and planted. 



The red fir (Pseudotsuga Douglasii) is quite variable as 

 found in different parts of the Rocky Mountains and the 

 Black Hills. As received from the Black Hills it is the 

 most rapid grower yet tested among the conifers, and the 

 most defiant to extremes of heat, drought, and cold. The 

 leaves are also longer, broader, and thicker than on trees 

 from Colorado, and the whole habit is denser 'and more 

 compact. 



As found in Colorado it also runs into variations, some 



