HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES 137 



in habit, and with stiff, bristhng fohage, and large 

 cones. This is a far more distinct and valuable 

 forest tree than is generally supposed, although 

 in the latter respect it cannot compare with the 

 species in the production of straight clean timber, 

 as it branches more freely, and these are pro- 

 portionately heavier and larger, and produced 

 down almost to the ground-level on trees growing 

 in the open — a rare occurrence with the species. 

 I measured a short time ago one of the largest 

 specimens of P. L. Pallasiana growing in this 

 country, which was fully 75 feet in height, the 

 spread of branches nearly as great, with a stem 

 girth at 3 feet of fully 9 feet. The tree is growing 

 on light sandy loam in a Surrey park, and it is 

 certainly a very handsome specimen, the long, 

 sweeping branches, much-divided trunk, and deep 

 green bristling foliage rendering it peculiarly dis- 

 tinct and ornamental. Introduced about 1790. 



The number of cones produced by P. L. Pal- 

 lasiana is remarkable, compared with the species, 

 nearly every branchlet bearing three. The cones 

 are much bigger than those of P. Laricio proper, 

 being from 3 to 4 inches long by i| to 2 inches at 

 widest part, and of a pleasant yellow-ochre colour. 

 Even the lower branches bear cones freely. 



But the reason that I wish particularly to bring 

 this variety under notice is for its now justly 

 acknowledged value for planting in peaty soils 

 that are not very dry or well drained. A curious 

 example of this was brought under my notice 

 recently, where a Larch plantation formed on peat 

 bog turned out a failure owing to drainage not 

 having received sufficient attention. The ground 



