XVI 



on the average 3-12 specimens of each species or con- 

 spicuous variety, placed in groups. The number of 

 specimens is about 1,200, all I believe correctly named, 

 with the exception of some doubtful ones. Almost 

 every species that can be grown in the open air in this 

 country is represented. Very few have been bought, 

 the majority being plants procured by exchange and 

 correspondence with different parts of the world, and 

 through the liberality of various eminent nurserymen. 



" Whenever possible, the specimens in the old Pinetum 

 have been transplanted to this, in most cases with 

 apparent success, but of this there is no assurance till 

 the spring is over. The specimen Pines in the Botanic 

 Garden have not been removed." 



It is only 'necessary to add that at the end of a 

 quarter of a century the original plan has met with as 

 much success as could be expected, looking at the great 

 variety of species which it is attempted to grow under 

 almost uniform conditions. A barren and arid soil has 

 been congenial to some groups and fatal to others. 

 Pines have on the whole prospered, while Spruces and 

 Silver Firs have languished. In the latter case the 

 maintenance of a collection illustrating Conifers as a 

 whole can only be effected by constantly renewing it 

 with young plants. As soon as these reach any size, . 

 they appear, under the conditions to which they are 

 exposed at Kew, inevitably to die. It may be interesting 

 10 mention a few of the species which flourish on the 

 Kew soil. 



Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree) has already been 

 referred to. In Japan this remarkable tree, a last 



