OSAGE NURSERIES 
OSAGE, IOWA. 
Picea Pungens, or the Silver Spruce of Colorado. 
This tree has been called the “ King of the Spruces ” and it is entitled to that distinction. 
It is found in the deep gorges of the Rocky Mountains, at an altitude generally exceeding eight 
thousand feet. When nursery grown and planted out, it seems to succeed almost everywhere, from 
Minnesota to North Carolina, and from the Western Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. 
The leaves are one-half to one inch long, broad, rigid, stout, sharply acute, usually curved, pale 
green above, silvery glaucious beneath, on smooth and shining branchlets. Cones very abundant, three 
to five inches long, and grow in clusters in the upper part of the tree. Seed very small, nearly two 
hundred thousand to the pound. 
When these trees are small, and in the seed beds, the leaves are not then so stout and rigid, but 
they are sharply acute, and thus are easily distinguished from Englemanni, which have a decided awl 
point. 
The seeds which we plant are gathered from the best specimens that can be found in Colorado, 
and we guarantee all our plants to be genuine Picea Pungens. 
We have sent samples of our trees to the Department of Agriculture, Washington, for inspection, 
and the following letter explains itself. 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Division of Forestry, 
Washington, D. C., Feb. 14tli, 1896. 
Mr. Charles F. Gardner, Osage, Iowa. 
Dear Sir :—The specimens of Spruce sent by you are, beyond question, Picea Pungens ; any one mistaking it for 
any other spruce, especially Eglemanni. is not acquainted with either species. The sharp needle point is absolutely character¬ 
istic, while Eglemanni has a decided awl point. Also the buds of pungens are larger and lighter colored. The needles are 
somewhat deficient in the usual stiffness, which deficiency is common with young thrifty shoots. 
Yours truly, 
B. E. Feiinow, Chief. 
We have had many years experience in growing evergreens from the seed, and can show millions 
of them growing on our grounds that are as thrifty and vigorous as can be found in any part of the 
United States. We have the following sizes of Picea Pungens to offer to the spring trade : 8 to 12 
inches, 6 to 8 inches, 4 to 6 inches, and 2 to 4 inches. 
We are the originators of the “Gardner” Strawberry, and are happy to state that we have a 
large stock on hand of very fine plants that have not been allowed to bear fruit, except for the purpose 
of inspection, for seven years, thus ensuring the strongest vitality possible. 
Write us for Prices. 
GARDNER & SON, - Osage, Iowa. 
We need a few Apple and Plum Trees for our Spring Trade. 
