6 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES. 



Pimis I'cuusta, Douglas ; P. bracteata, Don ; Picea bracteata, 

 Loudon; Abies vcmista, Sargent.) California. 1853. — Too 

 much can hardly be said in favour of this comparatively rare 

 tree, for, with its long and thick deep green leaves, somewhat 

 erect habit and pleasant contour, it is beyond doubt one of 

 the handsomest of the many conifers with which California 

 has enriched our empire. Even the cones are so distinct from 

 those of any other species that recognition of the tree by 

 these alone is by no means difficult. In this country the 

 lower branches of the tree have a somewhat decumbent habit 

 of growth, while those farther up are horizontal or ascending. 

 The leaves are of a distinct and beautiful dark green colour, 

 and average about 2 inches in length, while the cones are 

 3 inches long, with the bracts developed into 2-inch long, 

 leaf-like, linear spines. The largest, best furnished, and 

 healthiest specimens that I have seen are growing in soil that 

 is largely composed of peat, or to which a quantity of rich 

 sandy loam was added at time of planting. After becoming 

 established, the upward rate of growth is fairly rapid, the 

 annual addition to the height of the specimens referred to for 

 five consecutive )-ears a\'eraging 131 inches. 



A. cephalonica.,^ Loudon. Mount Enos Fir. {Syno- 

 nyms: — A. Apollinis, Link; A.panadiaica, Heldreich; A.regince, 

 AmalicB, Heldreich ; Pin7is Abies cephalonica, Parlatore; Picea 

 cepJialonica, Loudon.) Cephalonia. 1824. — This handsome 

 fir is well adapted for general use in our country, and whether 

 planted singly on the lawn, for which its well-furnished stem 

 and wide spread of branches render it peculiarly suitable, or 

 mixed with other trees in the woodland, it is at all times a 

 pleasing object, and well worthy the attention of planters. 

 Unfortunately, in certain soils, and when planted in unsuitable 

 situations, young trees are apt to suffer from late spring 

 frosts. This, however, should be no drawback to its ex- 

 tended use, as by a proper selection of soil and site, success 

 in the cultivation of this tree is by no means difficult, and 



^ For a full account of this tree, with measurements of the original specimens at 

 Blairadam, in Scotland, raised from seed sent home by General Napier, in 1824, 

 see my article in The Garden, vol. xxviii., 1885. 



