1873.] NOTES ON HARDY CONIFERS. 55 



isroTEs onsr hardy conifers. 



THUJA (the AMERICAN ARBOEVIT^). 



This is a small but very interesting genus of evergreen shrubs and 

 busily trees, for the most part natives of North America, aU of them 

 very ornamental, thoroughly hardy, and of remarkably free gro^vth in 

 almost every kind of soil. 



All the species and varieties possess in a greater or less degree that 

 upright, densely branched, conical habit of growth, so characteristic 

 of the Cypresses, but so distinct in appearance and so uniformly 

 handsome, that they are rarely absent even in small collections of 

 choice shrubs. 



Of the sorts in cultivation, the following deserve special mention : — 



Occidentalis {the Western Arhorvitce) is indigenous to, and occurs 

 in great abundance over, a large area in Canada and the United States, 

 where it is commonly called the " White Cedar," and from whence 

 it was first introduced into Britain about 1596. It is usually found 

 growing in low sheltered swamps, and on the moist banks of rivers, 

 where the soil is of a peaty or rich alluvial character, rising to heights 

 of from 30 to 50 feet. 



The timber being close-grained and remarkably durable, as well as 

 light and easily wrought, is extensively used in America for fencing, 

 house-building, and a variety of other purposes. 



As an ornamental shrub, for which it is alone cultivated in this 

 country, it has long been highly popular ; its symmetry of outline, 

 profusion of graceful plumy branches, along with its beautiful light- 

 green summer's tint, renders its presence ever welcome, either in mixed 

 groups of shrubs, or as single specimens on the lawn ; and though it 

 assumes a somewhat sombre russet brown on the approach of winter, 

 it is even at that season, as a contrast to the lively greens of many of 

 the Cypresses and Junipers, strikingly pleasing and effective. 



Erom its dense bushy habit and facility of growth in almost all soils 

 and situations, if moderately moist, this species is well adapted for 

 forming garden-screens or ornamental hedges, which, if the operation 

 is performed in early summer, may be pruned or trimmed into any 

 shape with the greatest impunity. 



The following varieties are distinct and handsome, equally hardy 

 with the species, and well worthy of cultivation among select shrubs : 

 Ericoides, a neat dwarf bushy plant, with a great profusion of tiny 

 heath-like branches — called by the American nurserymen, with whom 

 it originated, Tom Thumb — is useful for planting in front of groups 

 of the larger shrubs, in flower-garden beds, or on lawns of limited 

 extent. Compacta differs from the species in having a dwarfer habit, 



