ROCKY MOUNTAIN EVERGREENS. 73 



above the level of the sea. It is generally found even there In 

 deep gorges or on the north of the ranges. We would naturally 

 suppose that It could not endure a sudden change, or thrive In 

 a hot climate. But the fact is, there is no tree which can 

 endure a greater variety of soil and climate. There are fine 

 specimens growing in Washington, also in North Carolina. 



Until it is twenty-five years of age it will probably be by 

 far the most attractive Conifer on earth. That marvelous sheen 

 seems of the deep blue and the fleecy clouds poured out on the 

 branches like a flood of beauty. 



This tree has been extensively grafted, but as only laterals 

 could be used, it was hard to make the tree rise in the world. 

 The upright leader of course could not be used for the scion, 

 and so the tree, partaking of the nature of the graft, did not 

 know which way to go, and so would go every way but upward. 



The rare color of these trees is somewhat tricky. You 

 may put the brightest tree you can find on the windswept plains 

 and it will become green except while growing, when it will 

 brighten again. Tou may make the most careful selection and 

 send East, and they will lose their gala dress on the way. The 

 collector is often severely censured for not sending bright trees, 

 when the finest have been sent, but sweat out the color on the 

 way. But it is restored again as soon as the tree begins to 

 grow. Two Pungens grafted from the same tree will show 

 different color, according to different situations. For some 

 cause trees raised from seed in nurseries do not develop as 

 bright color as those growing in some sections of the moun- 

 tains. Some of the ranges will show a much larger per cent 

 of richly colored trees than others. The best way is to take 

 those with established colors and give them good cultivation. 

 The brightest tree, if stunted or neglected or placed in an un- 

 favorable location, will take the sulks and turn green. It al- 

 so changes as old age comes on. 



The cone of the Pungens is about one-half the size of the 

 Norway. The needles are short and sharp — pungent — hence the 

 name. They are like polished glass. In Denver you will often 

 see them covered with dust and smoke, but on shaking them 

 they will be as bright as ever. This peculiarity makes them 

 especially adapted for city planting, and from its construction 

 we would judge it was invented for this purpose. Dust is 

 poison to Conifers of soft foliage. This distinctive feature of 

 the tree jnust not be forgotten, for it will doubtless grace a 

 thousand city homes where there would be no success in 

 planting any other kind. 



These trees vary much in formi Those on the grounds 

 of Robert Douglas of Waukegan, 111., are remarkable for their 

 pyramidal form and symmetry, while others will be pendulous. 

 The tree has a regal grace, stern and unyielding in outline, like 

 an oak among the Conifers. It throws out stiff, shelf-like 



