SOIL AND SITUATION. ; 33 
sizes is shown in the following table, which is compiled from the meas- 
urements of 283 trees made in Nehasane Park during 1897: 
Average age of merchantable Spruce of different diameters. 
ioe 
Mase pnceeeeea| ATSTIES | trenat |, tee | Aveteee 
high. 2 high. 
Inches. | Number.| Years. Inches. | Number.| Years. 
9 17 163 18 17 219 
10 38 165 19 10 228 
11 48 171 20 5 220 
12 28 184 21 4 931 
13 28 186 22 5 236 
14 39 206 23 5 253 
15 18 199 24. 5 255 
16 12 217 27 2 310 
17 12 211 | 
SOIL AND SITUATION. 
The influence of situation and soil on the character and distribution 
of the Spruce is very marked. In general, the Spruce may be divided 
into three classes with fairly distinct lines, according as it is found on 
hardwood lands or Spruce slopes, on swamp lands or on the intermediate 
- Spruce flats. Occasional groups of Spruce on the narrow tops of high 
ridges belong also to the latter class. While the character of the tree 
varies according to the situation, yet the Spruce is not fastidious, for 
it occupies all situations and soils--the tops of mountains and ridges, 
abrupt rocky slopes, and low wet swamps, as well as good soil. The 
best Spruce is found on rich flats or moderate slopes with rich fresh soil. 
Any aspect is good if the soil is suitable. It must not be wet or acid. 
Thus the largest Spruce is found on low, moderate slopes, in sheltered 
coves, along the benches or hollows of steep slopes, and on rich flats. 
On low, swampy land it is short and of slow growth. Spruce of inter- 
mediate growth occurs on Spruce flats, where the soil is fresh, or even 
moist, but not wet. 
ade from these general conaidoritions the presence or absence of 
the Spruce in certain places is determined chiefly by accidental distri- 
bution and by the struggle with other species for possession of the 
ground. On steep southwestern slopes it is found in great abundance, 
and sometimes almost pure. This is not because the soil and aspect 
are here most favorable to the growth of Spruce, but because many of 
the hardwoods will not grow on such rocky, thin soil, and the Spruce 
is thus left almost without competitors. In the same way Spruce often 
predominates on poor, low, moist, or even wet lands, because in such 
places, also, it is almost without competition. Spruce is then most 
abundant, not necessarily where the situation and soil are best suited to 
4364—No. 26 ——3 7 
