Conifcrcc at Hid Is Park, Somerset. 559 



Abus Albert Icvnii is growing- freely ; it is tlie most graceful of all the 

 Spruce species, and is at the same time a rapid grower, and does 

 not possess such a strong tendency to a bushy habit of growth as is 

 exhibited by its congener the Hemlock Spruce {Abies Canadensis) ; its 

 foliage, too, is a darker and better green than the latter. Abies 

 Oricntalis is a pretty specimen, and it is a most eligible subject with 

 which to adorn a lawn. Its short neat soft green foliage and 

 symmetrical habit of growth are its most distinctive and attractive 

 features. Abies Douglasii and A. Smitliiana are of a robust habit of 

 growth, but both are graceful and handsome specimens. Taxodium 

 sempervirens is well represented by a fine, vigorously grown tree ; it 

 would have been probably the tallest specimen in Britain had it not 

 lost its leader for several years ; it has, however, now formed a new 

 leading shoot, and promises to thrive well. The three Cypresses are 

 elegant and noteworthy specimens, each presenting a distinct and 

 beautiful habit. The Araucarias are good specimens, but are not in a 

 very healthy state. Fitzroya Patagonica has a very graceful drooping 

 habit, but its foliage presents a rusty appearance ; indeed, I never saw 

 a plant of Fitzroya otherwise ; and I doubt if it is at all suited to 

 our climate, unless in the very mildest and moist localities, with a 

 climate approaching its native habitat on the Pacific slopes of the 

 mountains of Patagonia. There is also a large collection of the newer 

 kinds of recent introduction, many of which give good promise of 

 forming beautiful specimens in the course of a few years. To all lovers 

 of Conifers a visit to Mells Park, and an inspection of its fine collec- 

 tion of rare and beautiful trees, cannot fail to be both instructive and 

 interestino'. 



