FOREWORD 



In the present handbook conifers are dealt with from the 

 point of view of the gardener, forester, and student rather than the 

 botanist, and we have therefore tried to describe the phxnts in as 

 simple language as possible. In order to add to the usefulness 

 of the work we have endeavoured to include all known species, 

 although many of them are not suitable for outdoor cultivation 

 in the British Isles. 



The keys for the identification of the genera and species in 

 cultivation, if used with care and in conjunction with the illus- 

 trations, should enable the student to identify most of the conifers 

 he meets with in gardens. Species not known to grow in this 

 country are as a rule omitted from the keys. 



Recent expeditions to China have resulted in a large addition 

 to the conifers cultivated in Britain. Many of these are still in a 

 young state, and the identity of some of them is obscure. It is 

 evident, however, from a careful study of the available material, 

 that the number of species is fewer than was at first supposed. 



The names adopted are chiefly those of the Kew Hand-list 

 of Coniferce, except where recent research has dictated to the 

 contrary. A fairly complete list of synonyms and common 

 names has been included. 



Our descriptions have in most cases been drawn up from 

 living plants or herbarium specimens. 



We wish to record our thanks for facilities granted by the 

 present Director, Dr. A. W. Hill, and to Sir David Prain, the 

 late Director of Kew ; to Dr. O. Stapf, for help with the genus 

 Podocarpus and for advice upon difficult points. We are also 

 under obligation to colleagues and friends at the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens, Kew, and the British Museum (Natural History), 

 for help in various ways. Professor A. Henry has allowed 

 us to make free use of information from The Trees of Great 

 Britain and Ireland, and given us other assistance. 



