i64 CONIFEROUS TREES 



numerous experiments which I instituted for the 

 purpose of testing this have been very satisfactory, 

 and will be found in the chapter on Timber of 

 Coniferous Trees. When standing alone, the tree 

 has a tall, straight, and very gradually tapering 

 trunk, the branches, which are horizontally 

 arranged and decreasing in length upwards, being 

 retained in a healthy condition down to ground 

 level. The leaves vary in length from i inch to 

 I J inches ; while the freely produced cones are 

 pendent, 3 inches long by half that in width, and the 

 scale bracts protruding for fully half an inch. 

 With regard to soil, the largest specimens in the 

 country are growing on gravelly loam. A Douglas 

 Fir has recently been discovered in Japan, at an 

 elevation of about 2000 feet. It is described as of 

 erect growth, with horizontally arranged branches. 



See Tokyo Botanical Magazine, February 20, 

 1895, for description and figure of the Japanese 

 Douglas Fir. 



A monograph on the Douglas Fir, by myself, 

 will be found in the Transactions of the Royal 

 Scottish Arboricultural Society, vol.xi. Part II., 1886. 



P. DouGLASii BREViFOLiA has comparatively 

 short, stiff leaves, and being very distinct under 

 cultivation is to be recommended for planting in 

 collections of coniferous trees. 



P. Douglasii Fletcherii is a pigmy form of our 

 giant tree, and is recommended as a curiosity for 

 the rock garden. 



P. Douglasii pendula has the strictly droop- 

 ing branches too stiff and straight to be classed 

 as ornamental. It is, however, a very curious and 

 interesting variety. 



