104 
BLACK OR DOUBLE SPRUCE. 
these pieces are of Oak, they are formed of two limbs united at the hase ; 
hut when of Spruce, they are made from the base of the trunk and one of 
the principal roots. From its strength and durability, this species is the 
most proper substitute for the Oak and the Larch, which is also rare in th® 
northern parts of the United States. In Maine and at Boston, it is often 
employed for the rafters of houses, and is more esteemed than the Hem- 
lock Spruce, which was formerly preferred. Some persons select it for 
floors ; it is tougher than the White Pine, but more liable to crack. 
In all these regions, and particularly in Maine and New Brunswick, the 
Black Spruce is sawn into boards of considerable width, which are sold a 
fourth cheaper than those of White Pine. They are exported to the West 
Indies and to England, and I have been informed that a large part of 
them are consumed at Manchester and Birmingham in packing goods. The 
supply, I doubt not, will long be abundant, for the species is a hundred 
times more multiplied than the White Pine. In Nova Scotia, the Red 
Spruce, which is straight grained and more easily wrought, is employed 
for barrels to contain salted fish. This species is not resinous enough to 
afford turpentine as an article of commerce. The wood is filled with air, 
and snaps in burning like Chesnut. 
With the young branches, especially those of the Black Spruce, is made 
the salutary drink known by the name of spruce beer, which in long voy- 
ages is found an efficacious preventive of the scurvy. The twigs are boiled 
in water, a certain quantity of mêlasses or maple sugar is added, and the 
mixture is left to ferment. Tl^e essence'of spruce is obtained by evapora- 
ting, to the consistence of an extract, water in which the summits of the 
young branches have been boiled. As I have never seen the operation 
performed, I cannot describe its details ; but I have often witnessed the 
process of making the beer in the country about Halifax and in Maine, and 
can affirm with confidence that it is not, as Sir A. B. Lambert asserts, the 
White Spruce which is used for this purpose. 
If the wood of this species has in fact been proved in England to be 
superior to that of the Norway Pine, it would be useful to propagate it on 
the Old Continent ; but in my opinion it would flourish only in the coldest 
and most humid countries of the north of Europe, and on some parts of the 
Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Highlands of Scotland. 
PLATE CXLVII. 
A branch with a cone of the natural size. Fig. 1 r A leaf. Fig . 2, A seed. 
