ASIATIC CONIFERS. 



is also found in Xortliorn Asia. The leaves of tlie throe species are five in a sheath, 

 and in nianv charaotoristics tliey agree. Their chief j>oints of distinction are these : 

 ccmhra is much slower in growth than either of the others, and has sliorter foliage ; 

 cxcclsa has mucli longer foliage than either, more glaucous, and hangs gracefully 

 from the branches ; the shoots and branches are stouter and more vigorous, and it is 

 l»y far the most graceful and beautiful of the three. This Pine proves perfectly hardy 

 in the Middle States. I have seen specimens which have withstood several winters 

 without the slightest protection. Dr. GiiiFFrni describes this species as being common 

 in Bhotan, forming large and beautiful woods on Southern aspects, next above P. 

 louf/i/olia, and below Abies Smithiuna, or from G,000 to 10,000 feet. Major E, Mad- 

 den says: "Between the Shatool Pass and Pan wee, as well as below Chansoo, in 

 Koonawur, there are magnificient forests, containing many trees certainly not under 

 150 feet." Writing on altitude. Major E. Madden observes: "We may therefore fix 

 on 5,000 and 12,140 feet above the sea line as the extreme limits of this species." 

 It is very extensively distributed through Bhotan and many other parts of the 

 Himalayas. As tliis pine is now becoming plentiful and is sold cheap it should be 

 extensively planted. 



PiNus LONGiFOLiA. — This beautiful long-leaved species is not hardy in England, 

 and consequently we must not expect it to be hardy here. In the more Southern 

 States it would succeed fine, and it richly deserves the attention of southern cultiTators. 

 On its native mountains, the Himalayas, it grows much lower down than most of the 

 other conifers ; hence its delicacy. Major E. Madden says : " The tree occurs in the 

 greatest perfection and abundance on both mountains (Siyahee and Biusur), and, 

 indeed, seen from any commanding elevation. Outer and Central Kumaoon and 

 Gurhwal, north to the Pindur, from 2,500 to 7,000 or 7,200 feet elevation, appear 

 little else than one great forest of Cheer* Pine, succeeded at that level by Oaks," 



PiNCS Gerardiana. — Though I have grown and seen thousands of this species, I 

 have not yet seen one fair specimen. It is very slow in growth, and though perfectly 

 hardy in Britain, it refuses to grow freely like the other Himalayan Pines. In the 

 Middle and Northern States it will no doubt prove hardy, and I think succeed better 

 than in the moist atmosphere of Britain. Major E. Madden says : " When young and 

 on tolerable soil, it grows in a conical form, pretty much in the habit of F. longifoUa, 

 to the height of about 54 feet, furnished with numerous horizontal branches nearly to 

 the ground ; but in the situations which it best loves, rocks and bleak, riven crags, the 

 bouglis become excessively crooked, and are twisted in every direction." Capt. A. 

 Gerard found it as high as 12,300, but adds: "This locality, near Soongnum, is, no 

 doubt, its extreme limit: the usual range lies between 5,500 and 10,800 feet. It is 

 generally associated with Cedrus deodara^ 



CuNNiNGHAMiA SINENSES; si/n. CuNNiNOHAMiA LAXCEOLATA.' — This tree is but 

 sparingly planted by cultivators even in England. I cannot tell why, as it is exceed- 

 ingly distinct, and forms an admirable contrast with other conifers. In Britain there 

 is none more hardy. Perhaps one cause is, but few seedling plants are oflered for ^ 



* ILs native name. 



!^^^^^' 



