106 THE GARDENER. [April 



Pinetum is either under Consideration or has reached a reality, geographical 

 arrangement is almost certain to take possession of the mind ; and it may appear 

 to be the correct line to follow, but in practice will be found to terminate in a 

 grievous mistake. 



The enclosure contains 62 acres, the walks and planting so skilfully arranged 

 that a stranger is impressed with an idea of greater extent. The number of 

 species and varieties of Coniferso are too numerous to allow the insertion of a des- 

 criptive list : such would no doubt be both useful and interesting to many. Not 

 being admissible, I shall only introduce the genera, the number of species and 

 varieties, with an occasional comment. 



Abies, six species and one variety. There is a magnificent tree of A. Douglasii 

 taxifolia, 50 feet high, and 25 feet in diameter. Araucaria, three species ; Arthro- 

 taxus, two species. A. selaginoides, from its habit of growth, is anomalous ; its forked 

 branchlets give a curious and interesting appearance. Biota, three species and 

 three varieties. There is a beautiful plant of B. orientalis compacta over 9 feet in 

 height. Callitris, one species. Cedrus, three species and two varieties : a very 

 handsome tree of C. deodara robusta above 23 feet high. Cephalotaxus, three 

 species. C. adpressa very vigorous, over 16 feet high. Chamsecyparis, one species 

 Cryptomeria, two species and two varieties. Cunninghamea, one species. Cup- 

 ressus, seven species and three varieties. The Lambert Cypress is considered by 

 Mr Coleman to be a distinct species; the validity of his opinion I doubt very 

 much. After many years' acquaintance I have not been able to place it higher 

 than a mere variety of C. macrocarpa. But on this point we shall not dispute : one 

 thing is certain, that either takes the lead among their congeners. There is here 

 the finest specimen I have ever seen of a full habit, 36 feet high and above 6 feet 

 in circumference round the stem. Dacrydium, one species. Dammara, one species. 

 Juniperus, fourteen species and nine varieties. None in this large collection, 

 Mr Coleman tells me, surpasses J. Phcenicea, whether in habit or colour : it grows 

 freely in almost any situation, and appears to be a great favourite with Earl 

 Somers, as it has been planted in large quantities ; J. recurva is also a very graceful 

 Juniper, but unless planted on a cool and somewhat moist bottom, has generally 

 a rusty appearance. J. fragrans is not generally met with, although the price 

 places it within the reach of any one. It must have been in the Eastnor col- 

 lection for several years, as the height is nearly 15 feet. J. tamariscifolia, trained 

 to a single stem to the height of 4 feet, and then allowed to form a head, 

 deserves imitation owing to its very graceful habit. 



Larix-Ksempferi, although reported to reach to the height of a hundred feet 

 in China, I very much fear, from what I have seen of its progress, will never 

 become in this country a conspicuous object. This is the more to be regretted, 

 as its golden hue gives an additional variety to our indigenous trees. Libo- 

 cedrus, two species; Picea,nine species ; P. bracteata, 8 feet high, among the fin- 

 est in Britain; P. nobilis, 18 feet high; P. nordmarmiana, 24 feet high; P. pinsapo, 

 23 feet high, the branches 17 feet in diameter; P. magnifica, 3 feet high; Pinus, 

 twenty-five species; Don Pedri, 9 feet high, very handsome and quite hardy ; 

 P. insignis, 45 feet high ; P. Lambertiana, 28 feet high ; P. Montezuma?, 19 feet high, 

 branches 23 feet in diameter ; P. nigricans, 21 feet high; Podocarpus, two species ; 

 Retinospora, five species ; P. pisifera aurea is really beautiful, of a golden colour, 

 slightly intermixed with green ; Sequoia Sempervirens, 37 feet high ; Taxus, five 

 species and two varieties ; Thujopsis, three species; Thuja, eight species. The 

 general character of this genus is rapidity of growth, with the exception of r t. An- 

 tarctica, which, as a lawn plant, has few equals, owing to its dwarf habit. Torreya, 

 one species; Wellingtonia gigantea, 22 feet high, the circumference of stem 49 



