1873.] NOTES ON HARDY CONIFERS. 7 



The Junipers are readily distinguished from their near allies the 

 Cypresses, which in general appearance they very much resemble, by 

 their cones — the scales of which, instead of being hard and dry, are 

 soft and fleshy, like berries — as well as by that peculiar flavour for 

 which they are used in the manufacture of Gin and Hollands, and 

 which, though strongest in the fruit, exists to a greater or less extent 

 in every part of the plant. 



The wood of all the species, besides being of a beautiful colour, is 

 light, fragrant, and remarkably durable, fitting it for the finest cabinet- 

 work ; and that of Bermudiana, a grand but unfortunately tender 

 species, is the pencil-Cedar, well known all over the world. 



From a great array of really fine ornamental species and varieties, 

 we cull the following as specially worthy the attention of planters of 

 decorative shrubs and trees : — 



J. communis {the Common Juniper), found wild in all soils and situ- 

 ations in Scotland, England, and Ireland, as well as over a wide range 

 of Continental Europe and Asia, is a bushy shrub, growing to heights 

 of from 10 to 15 feet in good soils and sheltered places, but dwarfing 

 down in high sterile exposures to a mere trailing bush of a few inches 

 above the ground. 



In cultivation it is a pretty plant, with a dense bushy habit, and in- 

 teresting as a distinct variety in a collection ; but it is mostly used for 

 planting in masses for game-cover, or for clothing steep, rocky banks, 

 where the soil is scanty and poor. 



Of this species the following handsome varieties are universal 

 favourites : J. Suecica, known as the Swedish Juniper, but also found 

 abundantly in several other countries of Northern Europe, has a narrow, 

 compact, conical habit of growth, with longer leaves and a brighter 

 green colour than the species, and rises in sheltered situations to 

 heights of from 15 to 20 feet j the Irish J. Hibernica, found on 

 mountains in Ireland, has short glaucous- coloured leaves, and a more 

 compressed, sharply conical form than the Swedish variety, and in 

 general appearance resembles the Irish Yew, with which it makes a 

 pleasing contrast. J. Hibernica compressa is a dwarfer, more compact 

 and elegant variety of the preceding, very useful for planting in situ- 

 ations where a neat, close-growing plant is required. Though quite 

 hardy, all the varieties will be found to grow best where they are 

 moderately sheltered from high winds. 



J. oxycedrus {the Pricldy Juniper), found widely distributed and in 

 great abundance on mountains in France and other countries of 

 Southern Europe, growing to heights of from 10 to 12 feet, was first 

 introduced into Britain about 1739. It is a well-known hardy shrub, 

 with an upright conical habit of growth, the branchlets rather open, 



