BLACK OR DOUBLE SPRUCE. 
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The wood of the Norway Spruce is not superior to that of the Black 
Spruce, but in my opinion the European species would be preferable for 
the northern parts of America. 
Observation. — A variety of this species is said to exist, called Long 
Cornish Fir, of which the cones are much larger. 
PLATE CXLYI. 
A branch with a cone of the natural size. Fig. 1 , A seed. 
[As an ornamental evergreen this tree is unsurpassed. See Nuttall’s 
Supplement, Yol. 3, for a number of new species.] 
[No tree is better adapted than the Norway Fir for planting in narrow 
strips for shelter or seclusion. The tree bears the shears, and as it is of 
rapid growth, it makes excellent hedges for shelter in nursery gardens. 
Such are not unfrequent in Switzerland and in Bavaria and Baden. In 
1814, there were fir hedges in the neighborhood of Moscow between 30 
and 40 feet high. The whole hedge may be cut down to 5 feet and after- 
wards trimmed into ornamental shapes : every portion will thus become 
beautiful and green ; the annual growths are then very short, giving the 
surface of the hedge a fine healthy appearance. Loudon .] 
BLACK or DOUBLE SPRUCE. 
Abies nigra. A. arbor maxima ; foliis solitariis undique circa ramos erectis , 
brevioribus , subtetragonis ; strobilis ovatis, pendulis ; squamis subundulatis, 
apice crenulatis aut divisis. 
This tree, which appertains to the coldest regions of North America, is 
called Epinette noire and Epinette à la bière in Canada, Double Spruce, in 
