D6 NEW AND RARE CONIFERZ AT PENRHYN CASTLE. 
are given above) is growing in rich, peaty loam, with a northern 
aspect, on the outskirts of a plantation at some distance from the 
park. The wood is hard, of a pale yellow colour, and takes a 
good polish. Introduced in 1736 from North America. 
ABIES DOUGLASII. 
Feet. Inches. 
No. 1.—Height of tree, . ; : : : 79 0 
Girth of stem at 1 foot up, . : ; 13 6 
Girth of stem at 5 feet up, . : : 11 6 
Diameter of spread of branches, . ; 66 0 
No. 2.—Height of tree, . : ; ‘ : 70 0 
Girth of stem at 1 foot up, . ; : 13 0 
Girth of stem at 5 feet up, . ; : 11 0 
Diameter of spread of branches, . : 51 0 
No. 3.—-Height of tree, . : 2 : 65 0 
Girth of stem at 1 foot up, . . 9 2 
Girth of stem at 5 feet up, . : ; 8 if 
Diameter of spread of branches, . . 48 0 
These trees are growing within a short distance of each other, 
and quite close to the carriage drive leading from the castle to 
the grand entrance. The position they occupy is rather exposed, 
and the leaders of all three have been repeatedly broken over 
by the wind. It is a striking fact that nearly all the Douglas 
firs here, on overtopping the surrounding trees, become table- 
headed from the repeated loss of leaders, Being of rapid growth, 
the young wood is not sufficiently hardy or matured to withstand 
a severe storm, and most of our trees of this kind being nursed 
up amongst others are naturally tender, so the leader on rising 
above the surrounding trees is apt to get broken over. I believe 
a plantation formed of this tree alone, or mixed up with others of 
an almost equal rate of growth, such as the silver fir, would suc- 
ceed better, and be less liable to injury during a storm than when 
planted out as single specimens or mixed up amongst general 
forest trees. The timber grown here is hard and durable, suscep- 
tible to a fine polish, and is frequently used as spars in ship- 
building on the Menai Straits. It is heavy, firm, not liable to 
warp, and of as deep a colour as the yew. Introduced in 1826 
from North-West America. 
