156 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
stiff, formal appearance, but, clothed in verdure and stand. 
ing in the middle of a lawn, it has a very pleasing effect. 
It is a splendid tree for shelter-belts, and has been rec- 
ommended again and again for this purpose. It is per- 
fectly hardy, is rapid and vigorous of growth, and trans- 
plants very readily. Itis of perfectly persistent growth, 
and will push its branches over any obstacle until it has 
attained its full development. The Norway spruce is 
much preferred to the black spruce, but for what rea- 
son I do not know, as they both have the same qualities, 
unless it be that the Norway varieties are of much faster 
growth. The seeds ripen about the first of November, 
and the cones, in order to obtain the seed, must be dried in 
the sun or kiln-baked, and then the seed will very readily 
dropout. In planting, the seeds should be set about four 
feet apart, and the young trees carefully tended until they 
have reached the height of from three to four feet ; then 
transplant, and place in their proper positions; or the 
alternate rows may be thinned out, and willows planted 
in their places. 
HEMLOCK SPRUCE. 
This tree is found as far north as Hudson’s Bay, and 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It thrives best in cold 
places, and is found near the top and on the slopes of 
some of our highest mountain-ranges. It is of a coarse 
texture and not very durable, but is much more service- 
able than the white pine, as it is stronger and gives a 
better hold to nails, screws, etc. As its cost of manu- 
facture and transportation is as great as that of white 
pine, and its market value less, it is not likely to be much 
used while pine is abundant. 
There is one peculiarity about the grain of the hem- 
lock, and that is, in ascending three or four feet it makes 
a complete turn round the tree, just the same as the 
rifling of a gun-barrel. 
It is one of the most beautiful of the evergreen trees, 
and is cultivated on that account. It is much used for 
