COMPARATIVE VALUE OF EXOTIC COXIFER/E IN BRITAIN. 267 



acquainted is there so diverse an appearance of foliage, the 

 pleasant light-green of the younger leaves offering a rich contrast 

 to that of the older foliage. As an ornamental tree of distinct 

 appearance the Cu7ininghamia should find a well-chosen spot in 

 every collection, for, although somewhat tender in unfavourable 

 districts, particularly when the soil and situation have not been 

 attended to at the time of planting, yet in many places it has 

 stood unharmed through our most se^'ere winters, when some of 

 our so-called hardy conifers were badly cut up. It wants a light 

 and rich soil, plenty of room for development, and a partially 

 sheltered southern situation. The rate of growth is not slow, one 

 specimen of which I kept a record having attained the height 

 of 45 feet in thirty-seven years, while the increase in girth at 

 a yard from the ground was 7 inches in six years. The timber 

 produced in this country is clean and firm, of a mahogany colour, 

 and takes a good polish ; but as the specimens were rather 

 immature, these qualities would be much enhanced in full-grown 

 and well-ripened wood. So far as we have ascertained, the timber 

 is lasting, particularly when used for indoor purposes. It is as 

 an ornamental tree that it is likely to attract most attention. 

 Introduced from Southern China in 1804. 



45. Cujyressus funehris (Funereal Cypress) is, unfortunately, 

 a conifer that cannot, in point of hardihood, be wholly relied 

 vipon for planting in these isles. It is an ornamental tree, with 

 gracefully pendulous branchlets, thickly covered with yellowish- 

 2reen foliage. A native of China. Introduced in 1846. 



46. C. Goveniana (Gowen's Cypress). — When seen at its best 

 this is one of the prettiest and most interesting of conifei-s, par- 

 ticularly during early spring, when loaded with pollen. It is of 

 unusually dense habit, somewhat massive in appearance, with a 

 plentiful supply of the brightest and freshest of foliage. It ranks 

 with C. funehris as an ornamental species. Introduced in 1846 

 from California. 



47. G. Knightiana (Knight's Cypress). — If only for its graceful 

 habit and conspicuous foliage, which is of a bluish-gi-een shade, 

 this cypress is well worthy of attention. It is not a common plant, 

 but it is certainly the handsomest and hardiest of the Mexican 

 cypresses. We found it to thrive best when planted in a mixture 

 of loam and peat, and in a position where it was not subjected to 

 cold or cutting winds. Once established, the growth is fairly rapid. 

 A native of the Mexican Mountains, and introduced about 1840. 



