COMPARATIVE VALUE OF EXOTIC CONIFERS IN BRITAHST. 2G1 



in any other conifer with which I am acquainted. When planted 

 in suitable soil — we have found a light vegetable loam most 

 conducive to growth — this fir is of fairly rapid increase both in 

 height and girth of trunk. A specimen growing in rich alluvial 

 deposit, and sheltered from hard-blowing winds, attained to a 

 height of 58 feet in thirty-two years, while the stem contained 

 37 feet of wood. We have more than once examined home-grown 

 timber, and found it of fairly good qualitj', though somewhat soft. 

 It is easily worked, and exceedingly durable when the non- 

 maturity of twenty-three years' growth is taken into account. A. 

 Webhiana is a native of the Himalayas, from Bhotan to Cashmere, 

 and was introduced in 1822. 



32. Araucaria imbricata (Chili Pine). — Though the Araucaria 

 is of stiff outline, thei'e is something remarkably pleasing and 

 distinct about a well-grown and well-furnished specimen. The 

 drooping sweep of the branches in old and healthy trees serves to 

 a great extent to soften the rigidity of the foliage. When 

 suitably placed with regard to its surroundings, it imparts to our 

 lawns and grounds a distinctly foreign inspect, and associates well 

 with such trees as the Deodar, the Weymouth pine, and the 

 weeping spruce. Perhaps no other tree has been for the past 

 quarter of a century more sought after for ornamental planting 

 than the Chili pine, while there is no more ill-used and wrongly- 

 placed subject amongst the whole of our forest trees. Nearly 

 every cottager must have his " araucaria," be the soil and space 

 suitable or not, while the town garden is in many instances 

 adorned with this tree, which is unable to withstand for any 

 length of time the deleterious effects of an impure atmosphere. 

 The araucaria is often crowded amongst evergreens, and the 

 lower bx-anches being deprived of light and air, die off pre- 

 maturely. It is often planted in cottage gardens where a fair- 

 sized specimen of the common Laurustinus could not, for want 

 of space, become perfectly developed. It is found in damp, low- 

 lying situations beneath the shade and drip of other trees ; and 

 in soils where even the hardy privet fails to gi'ow properly. To 

 produce stately, well-furnished, and green-foliaged specimens of 

 the araucaria, plenty of room must be allowed for its perfect 

 development. It cannot bear being closely hemmed in by other 

 trees, or where the drip from taller plants falls upon it, and 

 these peculiarities will, to a great extent, prevent its being 

 used as a forest tree in this country. The timber as produced 



