80 



Surely a tree like this is worthy of acclimatisation in New South Wales, 

 but care should be taken to select seed from a locality with climatic con- 

 ditions approximately similar to those obtaining in the locality in which it is 

 proposed to grow it. Some forms (e.g., var. taxi/olio) are recommended for 

 planting sand dunes near the sea. 



20a. Keteleeria. 



An anomalous genus close to Pseudotsuga. 



(1.) X. Fortunei, Carr. (Abies jezoensis, Lindl.) 



A large tree resembling the Cedar of Lebanon in habit and aspect. It 

 does fairly well in the Sydney district, and will certainly do better in cooler 

 localities. The best tree in the Botanic Gardens is in that lawn narest to 

 the Federal Government House Grounds. 



M 25 (Sydney Botanic Gardens). 



21. Abies, Link. The "Silver Firs." 



A noble genus of trees, specially ornamental in their young state. They 

 are best suited for the colder districts of this State. 



(1.) A. amabilis, Forbes. "California Fir." 



This might be well tried. 



(2.) A. bahamen, Miller (Picea bnhamea, Loudon). "Balm of Gilead Fir." 

 "Balsam Fir." Sargent, t. 610. Also Bentley and Trimen's " Medicinal 

 Plants." 



This tree yields Canada Balsam, used for optical purposes. 



Native from Newfoundland to Virginia. It is for the most part a swamp 

 tree ; " it seems to need a constant supply of water at the roots, as many die 

 in exceptionally dry seasons." 



It is chiefly interesting because of its well known oleo-resin, and should 

 therefore be tried in cold regions with moist soil. It just exists in Sydney. 

 M 18 (Sydney Botanic Gardens). 



(3.) A. bracteatn, Nutt. The " Bristle-coned Fir." Sargent, tt, 615, 616 ; 

 also But. Mng. t. 4740. 



Remarkable for its long, Ipaf-like bracts plentiful between the scales 



Abies Ir.icteat'i is the most remarkable of all the Silver Firs. Its strict but stately 

 habit, it* massive deep-green foliage, its singular cones, and especially its extremely 

 restricttd habitar. have invested it with au especial interest both for botanists and for 

 horticulturists. Its only known habitat is on the outer western ridge of the Santa 

 Lucb Mountains in South California, where at the present time "it grows only in a few 

 isolated groves scattered along the moist bottoms of canons, usually at elevations of 

 about 3,000 feet above sea-level." (Veitch's Manual, p. 497.) 



It should be hardy in the cooler parts of New South Wales. 



(4.) A. cephalonica, Loudon. " Mount Enos Fir." " Greek Fir." 



A stately, medium-sized tree, growing in Greece at elevations ranging 

 from 2,500 to 5,000 feet. 



It is hardy over the greater part of Great Britain, and steps should be 

 taken to thoroughly test it in the colder parts of New South Wales. 



