ASIATIC CONIFERS. 



sale, and cuttings never make handsome specimens. In the catalogue of conifers 

 published by the Horticultural Society of London it is described as a small tree. Mr. 

 Fortune, who has seen it on its native mountains, says : " The sides of the mountains 

 here were clothed with dense woods of the lance-leaved Pine, (^Cunni?i(/hamia lance- 

 olata). This was the first time I had seen this Fir tree of sufficient size to render it 

 of value for its timber. Many of the specimens were at least 80 feet in height, and 

 perfectly straight. There was a richness, too, in the appearance of its foliage which I 

 had never seen before ; sometimes it was of a deep green color, while at others it was 

 of a bluish tint. There are doubtless many varieties of this tree among these hills." 

 Native of Southern China. 



Salisboria adiantifolia. — The Ginkgo or Maidenhair tree is well known in this 

 country, where it grows more rapidly and thriftily than in any part of Britain. This 

 is probably owing to our fine warm summers, which are like those of its native land. 

 Here is one among the many plants which prove that the plants of Northern China 

 will be more at home and do better with us than in England. Whoever plants only 

 a iQVf trees should include this among them. The lamented Mr. Downing had a 

 handsome specimen in his lawn. Native of Northern China and Japan. 



Cephalotaxus pedunculata ; syn. Taxus Harringtonia. — A prettj'^ Yew tree 

 from Japan, which proves quite hardy in Britain, and in all probability will in this 

 country. It promises to be a handsome and useful species, but the plants in cultivation 

 are small. 



Cephalotaxus Fortuni. — A very beautiful Yew from the north of China, Avhere it 

 was discovered by Mr. Fortune. Dr. Lindley says:* "In the absence of a well 

 grown plant, little or nothing can be said of this tree, save that it is stated by Mr. 

 Fortune to grow to a height of from 40 to 60 feet. Its branches are probably 

 spreading or drooping, obscurely streaked or furrowed distichous, pale brown, slender; 

 leaves quite distichous, alternate or opposite, close together, three to four inches long, 

 linear, tapering a little at the base, much and gradually acuminate, one-nerved, dark 

 and full green above, paler beneath." Perfectly hardy in England. 



Torreva nucifera ; syn. Taxus nucifera. — The plants in cultivation are small, 

 consequently little or nothing can be said of its beauty or habit. " It looks well," 

 (as cultivators say.) Said to be a small tree from Japan. 



Taxus adpressa. — A very pretty and distinct Yew from Japan. Judging from 

 appearance, I should think it would not be larger than a bush. It is very beautiful, 

 but I fear will not prove hardy in this country. 



* Paxton's Flower Garden.— Vol. I, p. 58. 



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