186 Coniferous Crees. 



In forming a pinetum considerable time may be needed, 

 and it should be planted upon a previously arranged plan. 

 It is best to form a nucleus here and another there, in suit- 

 able places, of some larger trees already on hand, and as 

 these increase in size plant younger trees about them or 

 in separate groups, sufficiently far apart to allow a full 

 development of every individual tree. In this manner the 

 plantation will look finished and natural from the begin- 

 ning and still be capable of enlargement by subsequent 

 plantings. If a group of coniferous trees is wanted for im- 

 mediate effect they may be planted quite close together, 

 and as soon as the branches touch, the superfluous plants 

 must be removed and planted elsewhere. 



Coniferous trees are most attractive in spring, when 

 the tender green of the young shoots is in beautiful con- 

 trast with the dark color of the older branches. In large 

 plantations of spruce and pine fine effects may be produced 

 by introducing choice flowering shrubs and herbaceous 

 plants in open glades, and on small, irregular open spaces 

 among the trees. 



THE PINE FAMILY PROPER. 



Pine, Pinus. — The pines are chiefly large forest trees, but 

 are sometimes of a dwarf and compact habit, The leaves 

 are more or less rigid, and vary in length from a couple of 

 inches to more than a foot, mostly green, but sometimes of a 

 beautiful glaucous color, disposed in clusters, two, three, or 

 five together. Pines form vast forests, chiefly consisting of 

 one species, and almost destitute of herbaceous vegetation 

 except in open places. Most of the species grow in moun- 



