Firs a2 5 
deep soil is required, since the firs are deep-rooted and come generally 
from humid climates (mountains) or swamps. They are little infested 
by insects, but are apt to suffer from drought and frost, also from 
fungi. 
The fine Pacific Coast species, A. amabilis (23), grandis (24), mag- 
nifica (25), nobilis (26), are 
unfortunately not hardy in 
the East. The eastern A. 
balsamea (27)and A. Fraseré 
(28), and the European A. 
pectinata (29), lack desir- 
able ornamental value in 
comparison with other firs. 
A. concolor Lind. & Gord. 
(30), if selected from Colo- 
rado and not from the 
Pacific Coast range, is per- 
fectly hardy in the East, 
even in the spray of the sea. 
It is most ornamental, with 
its long, soft, gray-green 
needles and splendid form, 
is of rapid growth and with- 
out any troubles — the best 
fir for planting. 
A. Nordmanniana Spach. 
(31), from the Caucasus, is 
as hardy as the former, and, 
with its rich, lustrous, heavy 
foliage, dark green above, 
silvery underneath, the op- 
posite in color of the former, 
and also one of the finest, 
most dignified ornamentals, retaining its fine form long. It is free 
from troubles, and especially frost-hardy. 
A. Cephalonica Loud. (32), and var. Apollinis (32a), from Greece, 
are more spreading in habit than the former two, and somewhat spruce- 
like in appearance. They are hardy south of New York and more 
adapted for southern planting than most firs. 
Fic. 68.—— Abtes Cilicica Carr. 
