OBSERVATIONS ON HARDINESS. 137 



winter to summer and vice versa. Coming from this region 

 of continuous cold, it is perhaps the alternate thawing and freez- 

 ing which is destructive to this species. It certainly cannot be 

 the cold here, for in its native home it is subject to far more 

 severe conditions of this kind. It has been tried several times 

 in the pinetum, with poor results. 



Abies Nordmanniana has proved quite satisfactory. It is a 

 native of the central portions of Transcaucasia, where it forms 

 large forests in the valleys at elevations ranging from 3,500 to 

 6,000 feet. It extends as far west as Trebizond, southeast of 

 the Black Sea, in practically the same latitude as is New York 

 City. In passing I would remark that Picea orientalis, which 

 is said to be frequently associated with Abies Nordmanniana in 

 Transcaucasia, is quite variable as to hardiness. Plants derived 

 from some sources have proved perfectly hardy, while others 

 will not stand our winters. These plants were secured from 

 nurseries, and unfortunately it is impossible to obtain data as 

 to where the seeds from which they were raised were originally 

 secured. 



Of the firs from western North America three have been 

 under cultivation in the pinetum for several years. These are 

 Abies concolor, A. nobilis, and A. lasiocarpa. The latter is an 

 alpine plant, and like all such plants does not find a congenial 

 home here in New York, the long periods of drought during the 

 summer and the alternate freezing and thawing during the win- 

 ter militating against them. It is not satisfactory, although able 

 to live through the winters. Abies concolor, much resembling 

 it in color, is much more satisfactory and is one of the best of 

 American conifers for this vicinity. Its ability to withstand 

 heat and dryness, makes it especially valuable. Previous to the 

 past spring, I do not recall its having shown any signs of brown- 

 ing, but some of the specimens did brown rather badly the past 

 winter, while others kept their beautiful gray-green without a 

 blemish. 



Abies nobilis, which attains a height of 150 to 250 feet in 

 its native home, the Coast and Cascade ranges of Washington 

 and Oregon, is a very slow grower here, perhaps being drawfed 

 by the drier climate of this region. It is perfectly hardy, how- 



