TREES IN THE GARDEN 251 



shade, the foliage not being too thick to admit glimpses 

 of sun and light. The best sort is the hop hornbeam, 

 with curious fruit exactly like hops, which are very- 

 ornamental, and remain on the tree a long time. 



I am not fond of conifers in any part of a small 

 garden; they are for the most part too formal in 

 shape, too thick to give a pleasant shade, and too 

 monotonous in colour. In a park or in large planta- 

 tions they are very valuable, and in such places I can 

 admire even the Araucaria excelsa (the puzzle-monkey), 

 which when seen too near is. the most artificial-looking 

 tree in natiu-e, the leaves and branches having almost a 

 cast-iron texture. But there are two evergreen conifers 

 which may be welcomed anywhere. The cedar of 

 Lebanon is one, which (quite apart from its many 

 associations, Biblical and otherwise) is the most de- 

 lightful tree to grow on a lawn, and if it is in good 

 soil it very soon takes a good shape, so that if I was 

 limited to one tree I should choose a cedar of Lebanon. 

 The deodar of the Himalayas, and the Atlas cedar are 

 probably only geographical varieties, and are fine trees, 

 but not equal to the cedar of Lebanon. The second 

 evergi'een conifer which I would not willingly be with- 

 out is our own British yew-tree. I am not sure that I 

 should plant one, for its growth is so very slow that it 

 will scarcely give nepotibus umbram, and until it gets to 



