118 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



if they be stinted for room in the first instance, they seldom, if 

 ever, recover. The silver fir requires at least to be nursed for 

 two years from the seed-bed, before it be in a fit state for final 

 planting out, although some plant them when only one year 

 nursed; and, at that size, adopt the slit-method of planting. 

 We would, however, recommend giving them not less than two 

 years in the nursery-lines ; and when planted out, to be ]Mtted, 

 as a more likely way of ensuring success. This fir, like most 

 ever-greens, may be safely transplanted at a considerable age 

 and size ; but when the object in view is profitable planting, those 

 of the above size will be found, under most circumstances, to 

 succeed the best. 



Spruce Fir or Norway Fir. — ( Pinus Abies. J 



Is a native of the north of Europe, and is particularly abund- 

 ant in Norway, and is imported by us from that country under 

 the name of white deal. It is supposed to have been cultivated 

 in this country about 1518, and has been, and continues to be, 

 very generally planted in all parts of the British empire. It is 

 one of the loftiest of our hardy trees, and has been known to 

 have attained 150 feet in height. 



This is a valuable tree, considered as a nurse for protecting 

 other trees, as it is extremely hardy, and being ever-green, is 

 calculated for affording a better shelter than the larch, and 

 equally, if not better, than the Scotch fir ; but it excels the 

 latter in being much more valuable in its young state, and is 

 peculiarly adapted for masts, spars, scaflblding poles, &c., as 

 its habits in general, whether growing in groups or individually, 

 is perfectly straight and erect. 



When grown into a timber size, it is inferior to that of the 

 Scotch fir in durability and bulk ; and being often knotty, is 

 less fit for supporting horizontal pressure. In regard to soil 

 and situation, the spruce is by no means difhcult to be accom- 

 modated ; it will grow and thrive in soils of very opposite 

 qualities. It, however, succeeds best in deep loams and low 

 situations. In sheltered situations where the soil is middling 

 good, the timber becomes most valuable. The seeds of this 

 fir are abundantly produced, and ripen in December, at which 



