ASIATIC CONIFERS. 



describes it as "flourishing most between 6,000 and 10,000 feet;" but adds that "it 

 occurs above and below those h'mits." Dr. Gerard measured Deodars of 13 feet in 

 circumference and 140 feet high above the level of 10,600 feet. Major E. Madden 

 says : " Although the Deodar abounds and attains a great girth on mountains thirty 

 miles from the plains, all the gigantic specimens occur near the snowy rancrQ. On 

 Choor, not one exceeded 17 feet round at 5 feet high; but at Slides, near Looloot, on 

 the western side of the Changsheel Range, there exists a hollow, flat-crowned patriarch, 

 36 feet round at 4 from the ground ; there is another of the same dimensions near 

 the sacred fish tank below Cheeuee, in Koonawur ; and at Sheong, on the north face 

 of the Boorun Ghatee, one of 33 feet. Dr. Hoffmeister mentions individual speci- 

 mens above 40 feet in circumference," The Deodara occupies immense tracts of the 

 Himalayas, about the elevations already noted, forming forest of great beauty. As 

 regards situation and soil, Major E. Madden says : " It seems very indifferent to site 

 and substance, flourishing equally amongst the clefts of the most scarped rocks, 

 gneiss, quartz, limestone, granite, clay, and mica slates, as in the black vegetable 

 mould of the brse or glen, provided always the surface of the latter slope to an ano-le 

 sufficient to ensure thorough drainage." What Major E. Madden describes as true of 

 the Deodara in its native habitats, is equally true in cultivation ; it will grow in 

 almost any soil or situation, prefering, however, a sandy loam, and demanding good 

 drainage. On its introduction into England it was found to graft freely on the 

 Lebanon, and on it succeeds well ; some of the finest specimens at Elvaston Castle 

 are on this stock. Thousands have been also grafted on the Larch, on which it 

 takes freely, but is extremely perishable ; on the latter stock I have seen them die 

 off at every age, from two or three years grafted to twenty feet in height. This 

 latter cause has, perhaps, led some to speak lightly of the Deodara. At present, few, 

 if any, are worked, seed being procured in abundance, from which any quantity of 

 plants are raised. It is needless to say how infinitely superior they are to the grafted 

 plants. Mr. Veitch, the eminent English nurseryman, has two varieties of this — one 

 of a rich green foliage, nearly the color of Sinus insignis, the other a very robust, 

 strong, growing variety. 



Abies Cedrus ; syn. Cedrus Libani. — The Cedar of Lebanon is so well known 

 that it appears a work of superogation to either describe or recommend it ; still it 

 is not so generally cultivated as it should be. When young it grows slowly, and at 

 all ages transplants badly ; when transplanted it never takes freely to grow for two or 

 three years. These causes have operated much against its more general cultivation, 

 particularly with persons that are anxious for a rapid growth. After it fairly takes to 

 growing, I will answer for it, that it is as thrifty, vigorous, and rapid in growth as 

 most ornamental trees. What noble specimens of this tree are to be seen in many 

 parts of Britain ! Generally flat-headed, and throwing out their long horizontal 

 sombre branches "witb an air of solemnity and grandeur. Native of Mount Lebanon 

 and eastward. 



PiNus excelsa. — In this species we have a near approach to our White Pine (^ 

 {Pinus strobics), as well as to the European species, Finns cembra, but the latter tree 



