EVERGREEN ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
269 
the spring, the roots being preserved as nearly entire as 
possible, and not suffered to become the least dried, before 
they are replaced in the soil. 
The uses of the Fir tree are important. The Norway 
Spruce Fir furnishes the white deal timber so extensively 
employed in Europe for all the various purposes of build- 
ing ; and its tall, tapering stems afford fine masts for vessels. 
The Black Spruce timber is also highly valuable, and is 
thought by many persons to surpass in excellence that of 
the Norway Spruce. The young shoots also enter into the 
composition of the celebrated Spruce beer of this country, 
a delightful and very healthful beverage. And the Hem- 
lock not only furnishes a vast quantity of the joists used in 
building frame-houses, but supplies the tanners with an 
abundance of bark, which, when mixed with that of the 
oak, is highly esteemed in the preparation of leather. 
We regret that the fine evergreen trees both of this coun- 
try and Europe, which compose the Pine and Fir tribes, 
have not hitherto received more of the attention of planters. 
It is inexpressible how much they add to the beauty of a 
country residence in winter. At that season, when, during 
three or four months the landscape is bleak and covered 
with snow, these noble trees, properly intermingled with the 
groups in view from the window, or those surrounding the 
house, give an appearance of verdure and life to the scene 
which cheats winter of half its dreariness. In exposed 
quarters, also, and in all windy and bleak situations, groups 
of evergreens form the most effectual shelter at all seasons 
of the year, while many of them have the great additional 
recommendation of growing upon the most meagre soils. 
