102 THE FLORIST. 



As soon as their beauty is over, cut back the shoots sufficiently to keep 

 the specimens in form, and remove them to their winter quarters in 

 the greenhouse, where they must be very carefully attended to. A 

 liberal shift may be given in spring to such as are healthy and look 

 likely to make a full growth, and, if all goes well, they will form mag- 

 nificent specimens this season. 



W. Cole. 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF HARDY CONIFERS.— No. XVI. 



PINUS PONDEROSA. — THE HEAVY WOODED PINE. 



Tnis Pine was one of the first sent to the Horticultural Society by 

 Douglas, in 1826, he having discovered it on the banks of the Columbia 

 river and in other parts of the north-west coast of America. Seedling 

 plants from this importation were distributed by the Society, and many 

 fine trees are now to be met with in different parts of the country. 

 Our woodcut is taken from a specimen in the grounds at Bowood Park, 

 Wilts, planted about the year 1832. 



Pinus ponderosa is remarkable for its robust habit, which makes it 

 easily chstinguished from other Pines ; it attains the height of 100 

 feet and upwards on its native soil, with a trunk of corresponding 

 dimensions, and furnishes timber said to be of considerable value, but 

 so heavy, that it will sink in water when first cut. The branches are 

 disposed in w^horls, in some trees horizontal, in others more upright ; 

 the upper part of the branches are thickly set with leaves (three in a 

 sheath) from nine to tw^elve inches long, thick, rigid, and nearly straight, 

 and of a dark green colour ; the cones are produced singly, three inches 

 long, roundish ovate. After a few years' growth, those parts of the 

 branches nearest the trunk become naked, and, consequently, the foliage, 

 which is nearly straight and rigid, is confined principally to the 

 extremities of the branches. This peculiarity gives the tree a bold 

 and picturesque appearance, even when the tree is comparatively young, 

 which is heightened as it advances in years, when it forms a very con- 

 spicuous object well suited to wild rocky situations, or abrupt declivities 

 accompanying water. It is evidently not a tree for the plain, nor for 

 pastoral scenery ; but associated with Pinus Sabiniana, macrocarpa, 

 and Benthamiana, its proper position will be found on the rocky banks 

 of rivers,* or the mountain side, where the grandeur of the scenery 

 will best harmonise with the picturesque and rugged outlines of this 

 section of three-leaved Pines. We have no information on which we 

 can rely as to the value of the timber ; but, as it contains a large quantity 

 of turpentine, we may infer that its durability may be relied on. P. Pa- 

 lustris furnishes in a great measure the yellow Pine of the Americans, 

 and we have no dcubt, P. ponderosa is equally valuable. Its growth is 

 very rapid, and it is certainly as hardy as the Scotch Fir ; and in some 

 situations will merit a trial for its timber, when the price is sufficiently 

 low for the purpose. 



