IRISH GARDENING 



15 



lit'atl), owing to llie suowy colour of the con- 

 spicuous pair of stoniatic Ininds. 



The distribution of these two species is very 

 distinct, typical Abies Wcbbiana occurring in tlie 

 Kastern Hnnalayas, from eastern Nepal to Sikkini. 

 Abies rindruw is restricted to the western Hiuui- 

 layan region, in the Kurram Valley, Chitral, 

 Kashmir, Kumaon, etc. 



In certain parts of the western Himalayas another 

 Silver Fir is met with, which grows at a higher 

 elevation than Abies Find row. This appears to 

 he a geographical form of the eastern species, 

 and was distinguished by me in " Trees of Great 

 Ikitain," iv., 751 (.1909), as Abies W'ebbiana, car. 

 brerifolia. This tree agrees with Attics 

 '\Ve})bi(ina in the characters of the twigs, which 

 have the same brown pubescence in the furrows, 

 and bears the leaves in a regular V-shaped 

 arrangement. The leaves, however, are consider- 

 al)ly shorter, about an inch in length, and much 

 less showy in colour, as the stoniatic bands beneath 

 are merely whitish, not snowy-white as in Abies 

 Webbiana. The cones are similar in colour to 

 those of AJnes Webbiana, Init are much smaller, 

 .scarcely exceeding 3^ inches in length and 

 2 inches in width, with scales, bracts, and seeds 

 also diminished in size. 



The early scaling of the bark on the stem and 

 l)ranches is noticeable in car. brerifoJin, but is 

 occasionally not so w^ell-marked as in .4. Webbiana. 

 Some variation also occurs in the length and 

 colour of the leaves. "Whether the two forms 

 intergrade or form two distinct species can only 

 ))e decided by further field study in the 

 Himalayas. 



Var. brerifoJia is rare in cultivation; but speci- 

 mens exist in Ireland at Glasnevin, Kilmacurragh. 

 Powerscourt, and Charleville,. near Bray. In 

 England, trees occur at Shronei; Wood, ^Yin- 

 chester; Holker Hall. Lanes; and Batsford Park, 

 Glos. The tree at Glasnevin was raised from 

 seed, sent from the Himalayas in 1879, but with- 

 out any precise record of tlie locality. The tree, 

 though healthy, has grown very slowly, measur- 

 ing at present 25 feet in height, and 1 foot 10 

 inches in girth, at 5 feet. It is now bearing small 

 cones for the third time, which do not contain 

 any fertile seed. This variety is much inferior 

 to the type in beauty of foliage and cones, but 

 is probably hardier. 



Everlasting Flowers 



A Plea for their "Wider Culture. 



\\f. have amongst hardy ])erennials, biennials, 

 nnd annuals certain plants, the flowers of which 

 do not merely give pleasure for a few days after 

 they have been gathered, but will last for months, 

 if cut just at the right stage. "We call these — per- 

 haps for want of a better term — " Everlasting " 

 flowers. It is not everyone' who possesses a green- 

 liouse from which during the winter, flowers may 

 lie obtained, but anyone liaving a garden can, if 

 desired, provide flowers that at least in the deptli 

 of winter will not fail to attract. 



In the near approach of spring is the time when 

 it is best to make arrangonients. In i)erennials. 

 we have Globe Thistles, the Echinops, Sea Hollies, 

 the Eryngiums, Physalises uv Chinese Lanterns, 

 I'. Alkekeniii, with pods or calycles of deep orange 

 and /'. Fravrlirfti, with tliose of brilliant red. 

 Gy.sophilas too, with their graceful sprays are 

 useful for making up. and add a touch of light- 



ness desired. ^'. iianicutaia, the well known 

 " Gauze flower," and G. punicubttit alba plena 

 the double form, the individual flowers of 

 which are more pronounced. The panicles of 

 Statice also are of service to the seeker of flowers 

 this month, and S. latifolia with its miniature 

 l)luish purple blossoms is worth consideration. 



One biennial at least may be counted upon to 

 add brightness to a vase of "Everlastings." It is the 

 time honoured favourite. Honesty (Lunaria) with 

 glistening silvery pods, a plant well beloved of 

 country folk who grow it for its white and purple 

 l-lossoms, but more for the pods which follow. 

 Annuals furnish us with a few that are useful for 

 the purpose, Helichrysums, known as Everlasting 

 Daisies in white and crimson and yellow. Acrocli- 

 niums. a smaller daisy, and Rhodanthes more 

 .slender and fragile still, more satfsfactory if grown 

 on a warm shehered border. 



Plautiiid and 



■ing — The perennials named 



Abies Webhiana breviioi.ia at (.ii.as.nkv 



