484 ABIETIA DOUGLASII. 



an annual growth of 33 inches. When planted for ornamental 

 purposes, the Douglas Fir should have a clear space with a radius of 

 more than 30 feet assigned to it. In an open place admitting of a 

 free circulation of air, it is found to retain its lower branches in 

 health and vigour for an almost indefinite period a circumstance which 

 greatly enhances its value as an ornamental tree. 



Of the varieties described in page 478, glauca, macrocarpa and 

 taxifolia are geographical forms. Glauca is known in many gardens 

 as the Colorado variety in reference to its origin, although it is not 

 found exclusively in that State but along the Eocky Mountains almost 

 from north to south. Macrocarpa is a local form inhabiting the 

 San Bernardino mountains in south California and their continuation 

 into northern Mexico ; it is figured and described in the " Silva of 

 North America " as a distinct species on the ground that the 

 characters which separate it from the type are permanent and that 

 no intermediate forms have been found, although the type, abounds 

 in the region north and south of that inhabited by macrocarpa. 

 Taxifolia is also a local form which has been somewhat vaguely 

 stated to occur in Oregon and Mexico, but more definite informa- 

 tion respecting its origin is wanting. 



As a tree for ornamental planting the variety taxifolia is superior 

 in some respects to the Oregon and Vancouver type ; it is more 

 symmetrical in growth and habit, taking up much less space, and 

 frequently growing satisfactorily in places where the originally introduced 

 form does not thrive. Our illustration represents a fine specimen at 

 The Fry the, near Welwyn, Herts, and there are several trees of 

 this variety of great beauty at Eastnor Castle. 



Our article on the Douglas Fir would be incomplete without some 

 further notice of him whose name it bears. It has been said that 

 " there is scarcely a spot deserving the name of a garden, either in 

 Europe or in the United States, in which some of the discoveries of 

 David Douglas do not form the chief attraction." The frequent 

 mention of his name in these pages as the discoverer and introducer 

 of some of the finest coniferous trees that adorn the lawns and parks of 

 Britain, affords abundant evidence that the above quotation contains 

 very much, if not the whole truth, and that to no single individual 

 is modern horticulture more indebted than to David Douglas. His 

 untimely end, the unfortunate circumstances that prevented the publi- 

 cation of his journals, together with the length of time that has 

 elapsed since the introduction to gardens of his finest discoveries, 

 have all tended to dim the memory of his great achievements. The 

 noble Fir that properly bears his name will, it is true, perpetuate it 

 to, distant ages. 



DAVID DOUGLAS (17991834) was borne at Scone, near Perth, where his father was 

 a working mason. He received a plain education at the parish school, and at an 

 early age showed a strong inclination for gardening, which led to his being apprenticed 

 in the gardens of the Earl of Mansfield, at Scone Palace, for a term of seven years. 

 David was fond of books and the study of plants, and during this period he made 

 himself well acquainted with the native and exotic plants within his reach, and 

 acquired an elementary knowledge of Botany. He greatly improved and extended 

 this knowledge during the two years he served with Sir Robert Preston, of Valleyfield, 



