540 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



locality is indispensable to its successful cultivation ; and in such, 

 provided the soil is rich, and the subsoil cool, without being damp, it 

 is a most .beautiful and interesting jilant, and well worthy of a pro- 

 minent place in any collection of the choicer Conifers. 



rRUMXOrYTIS ELEGxVXS (tiIE GRACEFUL PRUMNOPYTIS). 



As far as we know the only representative of the genus in cultiva- 

 tion, this superb little plant is a recent introduction from Yaldivia, in 

 South America, discovered by Mr Pearce, growing as a broad bushy 

 shrub of only a few feet high, at altitudes of from 5000 to GOOO feet 

 above the sea-level. 



It is as yet only to be seen here in a young state, and presents 

 the appearance of a miniature Yew. In habit of growth it is sharply 

 conical, very profusely furnished with tiny branches from the ground 

 upwards, the small Yew-like leaves, of a bright green colour, thickly 

 covering the shoots. 



The experience of the last two or three years proves that, though 

 requiring a moderate amount of shelter, it is quite hardy in most 

 localities, and at the same time, that it may be cultivated with the 

 greatest facility in almost every variety of soil, with a preference, 

 however, to light deep loam. It is doubtless a valuable acquisition, 

 and will contrast well with the fine dwarf Retinosporas, and other dwarf 

 compact-growing Conifers, in small garden beds, or in front rows of 

 the taller forms, while no plant will be more effective for planting on 

 and around rockeries. 



TORREYA (the FCETID YEW). 



This small genus, named in honour of the late Professor John 

 Torrey of New York, one of the authors of the 'North America 

 Plora,' is closely allied to the Yews, and is composed of small ever- 

 green trees, natives of North America, Japan, and the north of 

 China. They are remarkable for the peculiarly disagreeable rue- 

 like odour they emit when bruised or burned, — hence their popular 

 name. 



Though very ornamental, with one or two exceptions, they are un- 

 fortunately scarcely hardy enough to be very generally planted as 

 shrubbery plants in Britain ; and though specimens of all the species 

 are to be found in exceptionally mild localities, they suffer injury to 

 a greater or less extent in most winters, and present an appearance, 

 even at their best, the reverse of handsome. 



The two following are noted as the hardiest of the genus, and as 

 likely to succeed when well sheltered ; they are at least interesting 

 enough to be well worthy of a fair trial where a favourable situation 

 is available : — 



