1884.1 ENGLISH ABBOBIGULTUBAL SOCIETY. 213 



climate, or other causes, these cones this season contain no good seed. 

 This tree is a native of the north-west of America and the regions 

 which bound the Nortliern Pacific Ocean, is thoroughly hardy but 

 slow in growth in its earlier stages, but when it once becomes estab- 

 lished in a suitable soil and situation its growth is vigorous and rapid, 

 its fine glaucous-green foliage making a striking contrast when mixed 

 with other trees. A group of Nohilis planted at Alnwick about 

 thirteen years ago are now 24 ft. high. Picea nordmanniana 

 (Nordman's Silver Fir), a native of the Crimea, I believe — this tree is 

 in my opinion the finest type of the Silver Fir. In fact, Mr. Coxon, 

 head forester to his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, argues that 

 the large Silver Firs in Alnwick Park, one of which fell during the 

 heavy gale in the October of 1881, and measured 1,000 ft. round 

 measure, or 600 ft. when squared, are the true Nordmanniana. To test 

 this, we had a branch taken from one of these old Silvers and placed 

 among the branches of a young Nordmanniana, where it could not in 

 any way be distinguished from its younger relation. I have not 

 seen anylarge specimens of the fir which is sent out as Nordmanniana, 

 but from its sturdy, vigorous growth it will not be many years 

 before large specimens of this fine tree will be common enough. 

 It seems to have this advantage over the common Silver Fir, 

 that it stands wind better and will grow on more exposed 

 situations. Another species deserving of more extended cultiva- 

 tion is the Finns laricio (Corsican or Larch Pine), which, though 

 inhabiting a lower zone than the Pinus sylvestris, is sufficiently 

 hardy to thrive in any part of Great Britain, except the more 

 elevated mountainous regions. It is a tree of handsome form, 

 the leaves long and slender, and of a deep green. In Corsica it is 

 said to attain a height of 140 to 150 ft., but its general height maybe 

 stated at from 80 to 100 ft. Its growth in a favourable soil — a 

 dryish, gravelly, or sandy loam — is much more rapid than that of the 

 Scotch Fir, its leading shoots often making a growth of 2 ft. There is 

 an instance on record where two plants, one of Pinus laricio and one 

 of Pinus sylvestris, were planted together at the same time and at 

 the same age. In the course of eight years Pinus laricio had attained 

 a height of upwards of 12 ft., and Pinns sylvestris of not more 

 than 7 ft. Its timber, although inferior in elasticity to the common 

 Pine, is of greater specific gravity, and by the French has been 

 extensively used in shipbuilding as well as for masts of vessels. It 

 is also in request with cabinet-makers, and works easily and smoothly 

 under the plane and chisel. It is a native of Corsica, and also 

 abounds in the Caucasus, and in the south of Russia and on the 

 loftier summits bordering the Grecian Archipelago. It has one 

 advantage over most of our forest trees, that when young it appears to 



