PROCEEDINGS. xxxvii 



much as ancient descriptions of the excellence of Cedar wood did 

 not necessarily refer to the Cedar of Lebanon, but might have 

 been applied to Junipers and other trees. The conditions 

 essential to the growth of the Deodar in this country, he remarked, 

 are free drainage, free ventilation, a low temperature, and con- 

 siderable moisture. The mechanical condition of the soil did not 

 appear to be very essential, but along with free drainage, a slow 

 supply of nutriment was stated to be necessary to prevent the tree 

 growing too I'apidly. He considered that the Deodar was a 

 valuable addition to our timber trees, and that every encourage- 

 ment should be given to its culture in situations adapted to it. 



The Vice-Secretary said a hypothetical argument against 

 growing Deodar in this country for profit has been drawn from 

 the supposed difference between the wood of the Cedar of Lebanon 

 on Lebanon, and that produced in England. It has been said 

 that though the Cedar of Lebanon may be of great excellence on 

 the Syrian mountains, yet it is perishable and comparatively value- 

 less with us. And hence it has been inferred that Deodar, how- 

 ever good it may be on the north-western mountains of India, must 

 not be expected to possess any importance with us. The speci- 

 mens before the meeting, however, demonstrated in the clearest 

 possible manner that there is no appreciable ditference between 

 tlie quality of Cedar from Lebanon and from Middlesex. It 

 being therefore certain that the quality of the Cedar of Lebanon 

 is in no degree affected by English climate, as has been supposed ; 

 it is but I'easonable to conclude, that neither will Deodar Cedar 

 be so affected. 



As to the distinction between Cedar of Lebanon and Deodar, he 

 said, a strong belief is entertained by gentlemen whose opinion 

 commands respect, that the one is a mere variety of the other. 

 This point he remarked had already been fully discussed ; but it is 

 important to state that the timber of the Deodar is in one most 

 essential particular distinct from Cedar of Lebanon. The latter 

 is not only soft but very slightly scented, not much more so than 

 some kinds of Deal; on the other hand, the fragrance of Deodar 

 is so powerful that while the workmen were planting it in the 

 meeting room, not only was the bouse filled with its sweet odour, 

 but the smell was distinctly perceptible in the street when the 

 door was left open. The shavings of it torch and flare with a 

 great flame, but those of the Cedar of Lebanon, whether English 

 or Syrian, burn with no more fierceness than shavings of Pine 

 wood — in fact, they are as dry to the touch ; while, on the contrary, 



