i873-] PINE-GROWING AT WYCOMBE ABBEY. 349 



R. plumosa {the plume-like Retinospora). — This is a very distinct 

 and interesting species, among the most recently introduced of the 

 genus. The experience of the last three or four winters proves its perfect 

 hardiness ; while it is found to grow in ordinary soils quite as freely 

 as the other species. In habit of growth it is very compact, with a 

 blunt round top ; the branches are slender individually, but produced 

 in great abundance ; the foliage has a light-green or slightly glaucous 

 tint. 



It is a superb dwarf shrub, not likely to rise higher that 2 or 3 feet 

 from 'ih.Q ground, and admirably suited for arrangements of neat 

 dwarf plants. 



A charming variegated variety, P. aurea, has a fine golden tint 

 intermixed with its green spray, and is also a fine dwarf plant, very 

 effective, particularly in early spring and summer. 



Hugh Fraseii. 



PIlSrE-GEOWING AT WYCOMBE ABBEY. 



A FEW days ago w^e found ourselves journeying along the Great West- 

 ern Railway through Buckinghamshire to have a look at Wycombe, 

 to pay a promised visit to Mr Miles, and to see his Pine-growing, for 

 which his reputation stands deservedly high. As regards soil and 

 climate, Buckingham is one of the finest counties in England ; and in 

 one of its warmest and most sheltered valleys lies Wycombe Abbey, 

 the seat of the Rt. Hon. Lord Carrington. But as our notes are not 

 ample enough to do justice to the place by a general description, we 

 will speak of the fruit garden only, and the Pines occupy the first 

 place. The pine-houses, or rather pits, are not very pretentious struc- 

 tures, but they are light and well adapted to their work. In one divi- 

 sion there were twenty-eight plants, principally Queens, just about 

 finishing their fruit. Among the lot there was not one ill-formed or 

 small fruit. The Queens would average, I should think, 5 lb. apiece 

 — many approaching 6 lb. — and the Envilles and Smooths amongst 

 them would be much heavier. The plants were in 1 2 and 1 4-inch pots, 

 were dwarf and squatty in habit, and more remarkable for the substance 

 and rigidity of their leaves than anything else. I do not recollect ever 

 noticing pine leaves of such tliichiess, and it confirmed an impression 

 I had previously entertained that great substance of leaf was always to 

 be found in conjunction with large and fine fruit, and was of infinitely 

 more importance than either length or breadth. As a case in point, I 

 may mention that the Hurst House Pine has short but remarkably 

 thick leaves, and its remarkable feature is its large fruit compared to 

 the size of the plant. 



