Ornamental Shade Trees, 
lend a cheerfulness to the landscape, other¬ 
wise so dreary and bare at this season, that 
is quite delightful, and bestow a comfort 
among the grounds in sheltering them from 
the cold winter winds, which is not other¬ 
wise attainable. Pines, hemlocks, and firs, 
we have heard objected to by some, as con¬ 
veying the idea of gloom, why we never 
could divine, for to us they ever appeared no 
less enlivening than beautiful, and we have 
always endeavored to promote their culti¬ 
vation. 
Perhaps one of the handsomest evergreen 
trees of America, of the medium size, is the 
Abies balsamifera , popularly known as the 
Silver or Balsam Fir. 
The Silver Fir. — (Fig. 36.) 
This is more usually found in Nova Scotia, 
the Canadas, and northern states; but it oc¬ 
casionally flourishes on the high mountains 
as. far south as the Carolinas. It rarely 
grows above 45 feet high, or has a diameter 
of over 15 inches of trunk. The foliage is 
dense and singularly rich and beautiful; be¬ 
ing of the brightest green on the top of the 
leaves, and beneath of a silvery white, and 
hence its popular name. It flowers in May, 
and the cones are quite fragrant. This tree 
produces a small quantity of resin, which is 
sold under the name of Balsam of Gilead in 
Europe and America. Its wood is of but lit¬ 
tle value. This and the next, are the most 
favorable months for setting out trees, in the 
latitude of 40°, and we have thought we 
could not do our readers a greater favor, than 
to call their attention to the Silver Fir, as one 
of the most ornamental among the ever- 
