266 THE FLOBIST. 



more in length, and pointed. They are of a medium green colour on 

 the upper surface, relieved by two whitish bands on the under side. 



The tree from which our woodcut is taken is growing at Dropmore, 

 having been planted out in 1845, at which time it was only 14 inches 

 high. It now measures 29 feet in height, the stem at two feet from 

 the ground being 2 feet 6 inches in circumference, and the diameter 

 of the branches 21 feet. Mr. Frost considers the tree would have 

 been five feet higher had it not on two or three occasions lost its leader 

 by accident. Some of our own specimens are 16 feet high, though 

 only planted in the spring of 1850, at which time they might be 

 four feet high. This will show the rapid growth of the tree on suit- 

 able soils ; it does not seem at all particular in this respect, excepting 

 stiff clays, which should be avoided when selecting sites for planting. 



The Bastard Cedar forms a veiy ornamental tree for the lawn or 

 pleasure ground ; but we think it will be more eligible for park or 

 forest scenery. As the tree grows older, we may expect it to assume 

 its more characteristic habits, when its suitability for the latter situa- 

 tion will become more apparent. When denuded of branches, the 

 bark, which is of a bright cinnamon colour, will become rugged with 

 age, and its deep fissures, and colour, will make it a favourite with 

 admirers of trees, independently of the great size of the trunk and the 

 wonderful altitude it attains. 



The tree is hardy, for although partly injured in some places last 

 winter, we see that many of our common trees and shrubs have suffered 

 equally with it. 



The Bastard Cedar is easily propagated by cuttings, and we see no 

 reason to doubt that they will grow equally well and make as fine 

 trees as seedling plants. It is now met with plentifully, and would, 

 we imagine, make a capital hedge plant for situations where a rapid 

 growth was required. We have tried it on a small scale, and it 

 appears to answer the purpose. 



LISTS OF PELARGONIUMS. 



At a season when all should be seeking to improve their collections by 

 making the necessary additions thereto, or by discarding the un- 

 necessary therefrom, perhaps I may be permitted to solicit from the 

 leading raisers, exhibitors, and cultivators, their co-operation and 

 assistance in a matter which, from past experience, I am led to believe 

 wiU be cheerfully accorded to me for the public good — viz., returns of 

 the best 24 varieties, and the best 12 fancy varieties, according to 

 their several opinions, based on the experience and observation of the 

 past season — flowers that have been sent out ; and, further, I would 

 suggest that the value of such returns would be highly increased 

 if plain detail particulars be appended thereto, such as " good early," 

 " free," *' requires warmth," " somewhat late," and similar explicit 

 brief terms, which all may easily comprehend. 



It is now several yeai's since I solicited similar most valuable and 



