CHAP. CXII. 



TAX ACE a:. 'i'A'XUS. 



2067 



1982 



the shrubbery of James Andrews, Esq., from a drawing by W. G. 

 Johnson, Esq., of Fortfield, near Belfast, kindly procured for us 

 by Mr. Mackay. The drawing was accompanied by the following 

 description, by Mr. C. J. Andrews, 

 the son of the proprietor of the tree: 

 — This yew is 21ft. high; the di- 

 ameter of the head is 16 ft. 6 in,, 

 and the circumference of the trunk, 

 at 1 ft. from the ground, is 4 ft. 5 in. 

 " The tree resembles an inverted cone 

 formed of numerous richly foliated 

 tapering branches, of a deep green, 

 and studded, in autumn, with scarlet 

 coral-coloured berries. The head ol 

 the tree is formed by numerou'^ 

 branches springing up from a main 

 stem of only 1 ft. Gin. high. These 

 branches vary much in thickness and 

 height ; about ten of the largest 

 having the diameter of a foot each. Their form and growth are, how- 

 ever, very uniform, being richly encircled with innumerable small 

 plume-like shoots, growing vertically along the main branches, of 

 about 6 in. in length, and thickly clothed with narrow decussated 

 leaves of about 1 in. in length ; and all so feathering the several 

 arms, as to form the lengthened plumes exhibited by the drawing ; 

 about fifty of which easily waved sombre plumes form the top of 

 the tree. The exact age of this yew is unknown : it was planted 

 by John Andrews, Esq., father of its present owner ; and it has 

 been certainly 50 years in its present situation. This kind of yew is 

 now very generally and extensively planted herein ornamental plant- 

 ations ; and I can trace much of its propagation, even in Dublin, 

 to the trees sent thither as presents by my grandfather. — C. J. A., 

 Dtiblin, Nov. 1836." There are two trees, of this variety at Nether 

 Place, near Mauchline, Ayrshire, respecting which the following 

 information has been transmitted to us by Mr. John Davidson, 

 gardener, at Nether Place. " In compliance with your request I 

 have again measured the Irish yews in Mr. Campbell's garden at 

 Nether Piace. I cannot ascertain the age of the trees, but I am 

 informed by Miss Campbell, that, about 40 or 50 jears ago, they 

 failed at their tops, and were then cut over, which, indeed, appears 

 evident on examining the trunks. There are now 66 upright 

 branches from the one trunk, and 56 upright branches from the 

 other, each measuring from 6 in. to 2 ft. in circumference. In ap- 

 pearance the two trees are exactly alike : the larger is 22 ft. 6 in., 

 and the smaller 20ft. Sin. in height; the circumference of the 

 larger head is 66 ft. 9 in., and of the smaller 66 ft. 3 in. ; the circum- 

 ference of the larger trunk is 9 ft., and of the smaller 8 ft.; and 

 the trunk of each tree rises about 2 ft. from the soil before it begins 

 to throw out branches. Both trees are in perfect health. These 

 yews must be of slow growth ; since, 10 years ago, I propagated some 

 plants from the old trees, and the greatest progress they have made 

 in that space of time is 5 ft. 6 in. in height." A beautiful drawing of 

 one of these trees, was sent to us by Mr. Davidson, but it came too 

 late to be engraved. One at Balcarras, in Fifeshii-e, was, in 1834, 

 15 ft. high. This variety is readily propagated by cuttings put in 

 in autumn in sand, and covered with a hand-glass. It well deserves 

 culture, more especially in small gardens. 

 »- T. b. 3 procumbens ; T. procumbens Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836; is a low 

 and somewhat trailing shrub, not very common in collections. It is 

 6 s 3 



