THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



415 



to those who seek the natural dignity of 

 the tree. We do not refer to geographical 

 varieties which may be valuable as coming 

 from diverse climates. 



A. AMABILIS (Cascade Mountains Fir). A 

 tall, massive tree with deep bluish-green foliage, 

 and dark purple cones thriving in Britain. It 

 is not easy to get it true to name and on own 

 roots, and owing to propagating by grafting 

 from side shoots the trees do not make a good 

 leader. British Columbia. 



A. BALSAMEA (Balsam Fir). A slender 

 northern forest fir rarely attaining a height of 

 more than 80 feet, and much smaller in 

 high Arctic regions. Hardy in our country but 

 somewhat uncertain as to soil. N. America. 



A. BRACHYPHYLLA (Jesso Silver Fir). A 

 handsome and hardy tree, over 100 feet high, 

 with bright green foliage and short leaves. 

 The densely crowded leaves are very silvery 

 underneath, and the effect of a healthy tree 

 good. Japan. 



A. BRACTEATA (Santa Lucia Fir). A stately 

 tree, often 150 feet high in its native country. 

 The foliage is long and rather scattered, sharply 

 pointed. It is injured in some districts by 

 starting early in the spring. There are very 

 few good specimens of it in Britain, the best 

 being at Tortworth Court and Eastnor. N. W. 

 America. 



A. CEPHALONICA (Cephalonian Fir). A 

 vigorous Fir of about 60 ft. high, hardy in this 

 country in a variety of soils, but is best planted 

 in an exposed position to prevent it starting 

 into growth too early. In Britain, it is hand- 

 some till it reaches a height of about 30 ft., 

 when the leaders give way and the side 

 branches grow vigorously. Even in old 

 specimens with several heads it forms a 

 picturesque tree. Greece. 



A. CILICICA (Mount Taurus Fir). A grace- 

 ful tree, 40 ft. to 60 ft. high, with slender 

 branches. It grows freely, but is apt to be 

 injured by spring frosts ; the leaves are soft, 

 and of a peculiar shade of green where it thrives. 

 Cilicia. 



A. CONCOLOR (Hoary White Fir). A 

 whitish tree of medium height, with thick, grey 

 bark. The flat leaves are about 2 ins. long, 

 and it has small, pale yellow cones. It is hardy 

 in Britain, and a rapid grower. Colorado. 



A. FIRMA (Japanese Silver Fir). A tree of 

 sometimes 150 feet in height, with light brown 

 bark and foliage of a glossy green. Hardy in 

 Britain, and grows freely when established, 

 although it is late in starting. It is a handsome 

 tree with short branches and stiff habit. 

 Japan. 



A. FRASERI (Allegheny Fir). A forest tree, 

 reaching 90 feet high in its own country, with 

 smooth bark having resinous blisters. It is 

 allied to the Balsam Fir, but has shorter and 

 more oval cones, and leaves with silvery under- 

 sides. Mountains of Virginia, N. Carolina, 

 and Tenessee. 



A. GRANDI s (Puget Sound Fir). A beauti- 

 ful and stately tree of over 200 feet, with dark 



green cones 2 to 3 inches long, and dark shin- 

 ing leaves, white below. Hardy and free in. 

 various parts of Britain ; best in moist soils, 

 trees in Scotland at Ochertyre being over 60 

 feet high in 1899. N. W. America. 



A. LASIOCARPA (Alpine Fir). A beautiful 

 spire-like tree 150 feet high with white bark, 

 and very small cones, purple, 2 to 3 inches- 

 long, and red male flowers, the foliage luxuriant 

 and gracefully curved. Alaska, B. Columbia. 



A. LOWIANA (California White Fir). A 

 lovely tree, often 150 feet high, long leaves 

 and light green cones, turning yellow at 

 maturity. Oregon to Southern California. 



A. MAGNIFICA (California Red Fir). A 

 stately mountain tree of 200 to 250 feet, with 

 brown bark (red within), and very large light 

 purple cones 6 to 8 inches long. The foliage 

 is dense on the lower branches, but thinner 

 towards the top, of olive-green. Grows rapidly 

 in Britain. N. California. 



A. MARIESI (Maries' Silver Fir) is a tall, 

 pyramidal tree with robust spreading branches 

 and dark purple cones 4 to 5 inches long. 

 Japan. 



A. NOBILIS (Columbia Fir). A mountain 

 tree, 200 to 300 feet high, with deep glaucous 

 foliage and brown cones 5 to 7 inches long. 

 Hardy and rapid grower in Britain. Oregon. 



A. NORDMANNIANA (Crimean Fir). A 

 beautiful dark green tree, with rigid branches 

 and dense dark green foliage and large cones. 

 Hardy and good grower in Britain. Caucasus 

 and Crimea. 



A. NUMIDICA (Mount Babor Fir). A tree 

 of medium height with bright green foliage. 

 Hardy in this country, but may fail from start- 

 ing too early. Mountains of N. Africa, grow- 

 ing with Cedars and our British Yew. 



A. PECTINATA (Silver Fir). A noble tree 

 of the mountains of Central Europe, often 

 planted in Britain, and growing well over ico 

 feet high at Longleat, Burton Park, and many 

 other places. It was the first of the Silver Firs 

 planted in Britain, and one of the best. When 

 young it grows well in the shade of other trees, 

 and it is an excellent tree to plant for shelter, 

 as it will grow in the most exposed situations,, 

 and in peaty as well as ordinary soils. 



A. PINSAPO (Spanish Silver Fir). A 

 large Fir, with bright green prickly foliage, 

 thriving in almost any soil and in chalky dis- 

 tricts. Often suffers from too early a start in 

 spring, and the usual method of isolation 

 by which the grass exhausts the moisture. 

 Spain. 



A. SACHALlNENSis(Saghalien Silver Fir). 

 A tall tree with greyish-brown bark, narrow 

 leaves and small cones. It is hardy, and of 

 distinct and graceful habit, a native of Japan 

 and Saghalien. 



A. VEITCHI (Veitch's Silver Fir). A tall 

 tree of over 100 feet. The bark is light grey and 

 the leaves a bright glossy green with silvery 

 streaks, the cones being a purplish-brown. 

 Japan. 



A. WEBBIANA (Webb's Fir). An Indian Fir, 

 sometimes nearly 100 feet high, and one of the 



