COMPARATIVE VALUE OF EXOTIC CONIFERS IN BRITAIN. 215 



I'esembles that of Pimis sylvestris, and the trunk is almost of 

 uniform girth for nearly two-thirds of its length. 



P. monticola (the Mountain Pine). — Introduced in 1831. 

 Habitat, California and Oregon. In its native country it is 

 frequently seen 100 feet in height and sometimes 6 feet in girth. 

 Its leaves have a distinct silvery tint. The timber is said to be 

 white, strong, and durable. It is a fine ornamental, free growing 

 tree, and perfectly hardy. 



P. Pallasiana (the Crimean Pine). — Introduced in 1790. 

 Habitat, the Crimea. This is a much finer ornamental tree than 

 the Corsican Pine, which it resembles, but it is more inclined 

 to spread its branches; which are numei'ous, large, horizontal, 

 and declining ; the lower ones being sometimes nearly as thick as 

 the stem. Timber, coarse grained and knotty, but durable. 



P. Pinaster (the Cluster Pine). — Introduced in 1596, Habitat, 

 South of Europe. The ornamental effect of this pine is not much 

 appreciated ; neither is the quality of its wood. It has often been 

 highly recommended for seaside planting, but with ruinous i-esults 

 in the following instances. Soon after reading a favourable 

 report upon this pine which appeared a number of years ago, a 

 landed proprietor on the west coast planted it extensively, with 

 the result that scarcely a plant survived the first year. I have 

 also tried it, and the failure could not have been greater if I had 

 used a tropical plant. There is said to be several varieties of 

 the Pinaster, and possibly we may not have the hardiest one, 

 which grows so abundantly in the west of France. Unless we 

 can import the hardiest variety, I don't think we shall ever grow 

 the maritime pine in sufficient numbers on our sea-board to supply 

 us with pitch, tar, resin, and other products of the Pinaster. I 

 would advise the British landowner rather not to purchase them 

 than risk their failure on bleak seaside exposures. 



P. ponderosa (the Western Pitch Pine). — Introduced in 1827. 

 Habitat, Western North America. Grows at high altitudes, and 

 to large dimensions, in its native habitat. Its timber is of excellent 

 quality. In its sturdy habit of growth it somewhat resembles the 

 Araucaria. If luxuriating well, its dark-green leaves are from 

 8 to 10 inches long, and closely arranged on the branches. It is 

 perfectly hardy here. A useful and peculiarly grand species for 

 effect. It is also known as P. Beardsleyi, Benthamiana, deflexa, 

 Parryana, and Sindcdriana, and is the "Yellow Pine" of California. 



P. rigida (the Pitch Pine). — Introduced in 1759. Habitat, 



