VARIETIES OF JUNIPER. 151 



soil, covered with a hand-glass and shaded from the 

 rays of the sun. 



Juniper. There are about twenty species of 

 Juniper, which merge into a great number of varieties, 

 and belong to the Natural order Coniferce. 



The Common Juniper (J. communis\ will flourish 

 on soils of very opposite qualities, but prefers a deep, 

 dry, loamy situation, which is partially shaded by 

 other trees. In a favourable situation it rises to the 

 dimensions of a dwarf tree, but on poor gravel, and 

 in wet situations, it only becomes a low spreading 

 shrub, and in this form makes excellent shelter for 

 game, its cover being the favourite resort of 

 woodcock. 



The plants are propagated by the berries, which 

 lie dormant in the ground for a year, and sometimes 

 for two years, before they vegetate. The berries 

 themselves remain on the plant for two years, being 

 mostly found on the shrub in different stages of 

 maturity, so that while some of the fruit is ripe a 

 younger crop is coming forward. 



The Incense-bearing or Spanish Juniper (J. thu- 

 riferci). This variety forms a beautiful, low, ever- 

 green tree, yielding large berries, which when ripe 

 become black, and form a striking contrast to its 

 foliage of vivid green. As a tree for the lawn, or as 

 an addition to the shelter and variety of the foliage 

 of a shrubbery, it is very desirable, being extremely 

 ornamental. It was introduced into this country 

 about a hundred and thirty years ago, and is now in 

 general cultivation. 



The Virginian Juniper (/. Virginiana). This is 

 commonly termed the red American cedar, and on 



