456 



PICEA SMITHIAXA. 



Fig. 112. Cone of Picea Smithiana. 



name Khutrow (weeping Fir), and 

 which lie presented to the Earl of 

 Hopetoun. * From the seeds six 

 plants were raised, one of which now 

 nearly 80 feet high and reported 

 healthy and vigorous, is still standing 

 in the grounds of Hopetoun House 

 in West Lothian, f When planted 

 in a moist soil and sheltered situa- 

 tion the Himalayan Spruce grows 

 rapidly ; in dry soils its growth is 

 slower and the foliage becomes thin. 

 Owing probably to peculiarities in 

 the climate of the Himalayan region 

 and the high elevation at which 

 this Fir grows conditions that 

 cannot be secured for it in Great 

 Britain failures are frequent ; the 

 plants cannot receive here so long 

 an annual period of rest as they 

 do on their native mountains, where 

 the winter snows cover them for 

 four or five months of the year ; 

 they start into growth in the first 

 mild days of early spring, and the 

 tender shoots are often cut off by 

 frosts later in the season, the effect 

 of which is to weaken permanently, 

 if it does not kill, the plants. A 

 north-west aspect, or one shaded or 

 protected by high trees is recom- 

 mended for it, provided the soil is 

 loamy and not too dry. The lower 

 branches of some of the largest 

 specimens of Picea Smithiana in 

 this country have attained lengths 

 of from 12 to 16 feet, so that, in 

 order to secure a good specimen 

 of this noble Fir, a space having 

 a radius greater than these dimen- 

 sions must be allowed for it. 



The species was named by Dr. 

 Wallich in compliment to Sir James 

 Kdwarrl Smith, First President of 

 the Linnean Society. 



* It is highly probable that the original discoverer of the species was Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton 

 who travelled in Nepal in 18021803. 



t Of the many other specimens of this highly picturesque tree that adorn the parks and 

 gardens of this country, mention may be made of the exceptionally fine one at Poltimore, near 

 Exeter and of others at Bicton, Bowood Park, Tortworth Court, Penrhyn Castle ; Golden 



Grove, Carmarthen ; Hallstead, Cumberland ; Orton Hall, Hewell Grange, and Linton Park. 

 In Scotland at Gordon Castle, Methven Castle, Ochtertyre, Castle Kennedy, Keir House, 

 Dunblane. In Ireland at Powerscourt, Charleville and Coollatin, Co. Wicklow ; Corn-town, 

 Co. Wexford; Fota Island, Cork ; Woodstock, Kilkenny; Shane's Castle, Antrim. 



