104 DWABF AND SLOW-GBOWING CONIFERS 



On lower branchlets — imperfectly radial, those above 

 pointing directly forward. Roundish; stout and stiff; 

 shghtly curved, narrower at upper third; tapering abruptly 

 and ending in a rather long and very fine hair-like point 

 which is sometimes hooked ; bright green, with about three 

 stomatic lines on each side. 



A very distinct form raised about forty years ago in the 

 Maxwell Nurseries at Geneva, New York, where plants of 

 it are still to be found in the now disused nursery grounds ; 

 also in neighbouring gardens; in the Arnold Arboretum, 

 and at Highlands Park, Rochester, N.Y. It makes a low 

 rounded cushion, the top of which is a mass of stout, very 

 short branchlets with thick radial leaves, and when once 

 seen this form is easily recognised. The old plants at 

 Rochester and Geneva are now about 2 feet high by 4 feet 

 through. 



The true plant is very rare, and so far I have not met it 

 in cultivation in Europe, it being represented, as a rule, 

 by a form of much looser and more open growth, with 

 different leaf arrangement, buds, etc., for which see var. 

 fseudo-Maxwelli. The plant which Beissner describes 

 under this name as having " remarkable brown branchlets, 

 monstrous tufted side branchlets and stiff sharp prickly 

 radial leaves hke those of Picea polita," is a Continental 

 form that I have only just acquired. It has the dark 

 mahogany brown branchlets and thick pointed leaves of 

 VQjT.Barryi (true) and the appearance of var. Tuina (Carr.), 

 but is lower and flatter in shape. It was sent to me as 

 var. echirtceformis (which it is not), and the nurseryman 

 who suppUed it knows nothing of its history, and so far 

 I have been unable to trace it; and in the absence of 

 definite information as to its habit and ultimate height, 

 etc. (mine is only a small grafted plant), it must remain for 

 the present as var. Maxwdli of Beissner. 



