214 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



observed that few men live to see the full 

 beauty of the trees they plant. The cause of 

 this is principally that they do not begin to 

 plant until they are old, for youth is too fre- 

 quently employed with the hewers to attend 

 to the planter. But it is never too late in life 

 to plant, and the beauty of young trees may 

 be compared to the beauty which the parent 

 discovers in his infant children ; the pleasure 

 of seeing them expand is perhaps quite equal 

 to what is enjoyed when fully matured by 

 time. 



The Norway spruce fir offers particular ad- 

 vantages to the planter, as it is equally dura- 

 ble at all ages, like the larch, and therefore 

 will bring a price whenever cut, even of the 

 smallest dimensions ; and as it grows perfectly 

 straight, it soon becomes fit for scaffolding 

 poles, and other similar purposes, and as it 

 increases in size, for masts of vessels, &c. 

 Loudon observes, that this tree is peculiarly 

 valuable as a nurse, from being evergreen, and 

 closely covered with branches, by which ra- 

 diating heat is retained ; from its conical 

 shape and rigid stem, by which it does not 

 suffocate or whip the adjoining trees. It 

 must be observed, however, that this tree 

 will not thrive in all situations where the 

 common pine and larch flourish, as the spruce 



17 



