298 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



powder. The female form, or JT. Chinensis foemina of 

 Linnaeus, has numerous, long, spreading, and drooping 

 branches ; hence the specific name of Reeves. It is very 

 distinct from the male, not only in color, but in manner 

 of growth and outline. 



These large shrubs, or, rather, small trees, are natives of 

 Japan and China, where they are quite common in some 

 districts as well as on some of the neighboring islands. 

 With us the two sexes are about equally hardy, and with- 

 stand our coldest winters with impunity ; and such has been 

 the experience of others in a more trying climate. Notwith- 

 standing it is well adapted to our country, the Chinese 

 Juniper will never be a popular plant, as its general appear- 

 ance approaches so very near to that of our Common Red 

 Cedar. Any plant whatsoever that resembles our own 

 native species, is, in the phraseology of our countrymen, 

 " common," and, therefore, to be regarded as of no value. 

 We may be considered unduly prejudiced in favor of our 

 own productions, when we assert that we would vastly 

 prefer having one well-shaped, thrifty Red Cedar than a 

 dozen half-hardy foreigners of doubtful character. 



The shape and density of the male form of the Chinese 

 Juniper is greatly improved by clipping the outer ends of 

 all the branches, preserving at the same time a perfect 

 conical form. We have found this clipping process to be 

 advantageous to the whole genus, and more particularly 

 to the spreading species and varieties. 



With an experience of twelve or fourteen years with this 

 species, we never could admire it to that degree which 

 some writers have professed. The male form is entirely 

 too stiff and formal in growth to please onr ideas of sym- 

 metry and gracefulness ; moreover, the foliage is apt to 

 lose its vitality on the lower branches. The female form, 

 however, is not liable to these objections, and is a preferable 

 tree. There are so many Conifers more eligible than these 



