200 THE FLORIST. 



branches of horticulture into that position which the late lamented 

 T. A. Knight wished it to occupy, but which, since his decease, has 

 been nearly a dead letter with the Horticultural Society. As we are 

 firmly of opinion it will effect a large measure of good, it has our best 

 wishes for its success. 



HARDY CONIFERS.— No. VII. 



XIII. CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA — THE JAPAN CEDAR. 



This is a very handsome tree fi*om China and Japan, closely resembhng 

 Araucaria Cunninghami in its general appearance. In its native 

 country the Cryptomeria forms a pyramidal shaped tree, with a remark- 

 ably straight trunk from 80 to 100 feet in height, detached trees being 

 clothed with branches down to the ground. The branches are slender, 

 erect at first, afterwards spreading, and in some instances assume a 

 pendulous habit. Leaves small, sessile, hnear, and entire, of a bright 

 gi-een colour, and thickly set on the branches. Cones small, round, and 

 produced in abundance even on young trees. 



For the introduction of this fine tree to Britain we are indebted to the 

 Horticultural Society, whose enterprising collector, J\Ir. Fortune, first 

 met with it in the neighbourhood of Shanghae, in 1843, to which 

 district, however, it is not indigenous, as that gentleman informs us in 

 a note on the Cryptomeria, but is found in abundance in the hilly 

 district near Ningpo, and generally throughout the mountainous parts 

 of northern China and the Japan Islands, sometimes constituting vast 

 forests between 500 — 1200 feet elevation. 



The wood of the Cryptomeria is stated to be of a white colour, 

 compact, and very durable. That it produces a useful timber in China 

 we may gather fi'om its extensive application to building and domestic 

 purposes. As the tree produces cones plentifully, even while young, 

 plants will soon be cheap enough to try them as forest trees for the 

 production of timber ; it far exceeds the Larch in rapidity of growth. 

 That it is perfectly hardy there is now no doubt ; and, under any reser- 

 vation as to its ultimate value as a timber tree in this country, it must 

 make a valuble nurse, for which its fight feathery foliage and rapid 

 growth weU adapt it. Commercially speaking, therefore, its cultivation 

 should be encouraged by every means, till it can be supphed as cheaply 

 as the Larch. 



As an ornamental tree the Cryptomeria has considerable claims on 

 the attention of the planter ; it is the only hardy Conifer which can be 

 said to resemble the Polynesian Araucarias. Its erect growth and 

 graceful habit render its appearance prepossessing on the la;^^. We 

 have, however, noticed that young plants vary considerably in their 

 habit, and the greenness and density of their foliage ; where, therefore, 

 plants are wanted for single specimens, some care should be taken in 

 selecting those of a compact, bushy habit, and, if possible, such as retain 

 their foliage green through the winter. Mr. Lobb's variety is valuable 

 for ornamental planting in this respect. 



