216 ON THE TAXODIUM SEMPERYIIiENS 



permrens, is to plant always in pits amongst well-loosened earth, 

 for their rapidly formed rootlets are very tender, and are apt to 

 be damaged by the ordinary " notch" system of planting, which 

 moreover, seriously interferes with the rapid shooting out of the 

 young branchlets, and development of the quickly formed ter- 

 minal leader, — thus materiallv checkinc^ and retardim? the natu- 

 ral habit of the species in the formation of young wood. 



Where the soil into w^hich it is intended to plant the Taxodium 

 sempcrvirens is naturally deep and rich, it should be the planter's 

 endeavour, if at all possible, to give it a northern exposure, so as 

 to shelter it from sun's rays during the trying months of spring 

 and autumn : but after beins^ fairlv established in such soils, 

 this conifer will be found to succeed very well, for it must be 

 remembered that in the native habitats of the Sequoias, the soil 

 is of such a character. In regard to altitude, if we a^-ain refer 

 to the native haunts of the Taxodium, and draw our own lessons 

 of observation for guidance in planting in this country, we shall 

 i^nd that while the Wcllinytonia gigantea is found tallest and 

 most abundantly luxuriant at higher altitudes and in more in- 

 land situations than the Taxodium semijcrmrens, the latter, in 

 its native haunts in the same latitudes, grows most freely and 

 abundantly in situations with a lower altitude, and is found even 

 down at the w^ater's edge. It may therefore be assumed that it 

 will succeed best in this country in localities of low or moderate 

 elevation, provided shelter from frosty winds in early spring — 

 after it has begun to push out its buds — be secured. Thus we 

 hnd it thriving most luxuriantly along the banks of the Clyde 

 near Dunoon, and in such localities. At Ardhallow, for example, 

 within a few feet of the Clyde, and close to the influence of the 

 sea-breeze, there is a most magnificent specimen growing in a 

 light loam upon the rocky subsoil, and measuring 36 feet in 

 height, and 4 feet 9 inches in circumference at 1 foot from the 

 ground. This plant is in no way browned or injured by wind or 

 sea-breeze. In other similar low altitudes the best specimens- 

 are found in Scotland, and indeed there is no doubt that it is far 

 better adapted for, and much more likely to prove a useful and 

 profitable timber tree in suitable positions in low altitudes than 

 in the higher ones. At Dolphington, Lanarkshire, with 800 

 feet elevation, the Taxodium scmiJervircns will not grow, the alti- 

 tude in that district bein^ the chief reason of its failure. 



The Taxodium sem]pcTvircns is admirably adapted for extensive 

 planting in Ireland. The humidity of the atmosphere, fertility of 

 soil, and general freedom from effects of easterly wind in that coun- 

 try, are eminently suitable for its rapid development into timber- 

 producing dimensions. Many beautiful specimens abound in the 

 various collections of newer coniferce,but it is to be regretted it has 

 not been planted in quantity. One of the best specimens is grow- 

 ing at Claremont, and is situated in good deep soil, near the lake. 



