510 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



strange to say, it is somewhat capricious in the United States, 

 and among our returns, we find in many places it is apt to lose 

 its leader. This we believe, however, only takes place in 

 young, and consequently succulent plants, which, as they 

 advance in age, acquire a habit of solidifying, as it were, their 

 growth, and escape injury. We have specimens fifteen to 

 eighteen feet high, which are very perfect, and never suffer. 

 The finest specimen we know in the country is one near 

 Germantown, Pa. (Fig. 37.) 



P. pectinata pendula (Weeping Silver fir) Is a dis- 

 tinct and very rare variety of the Common Silver fir, which 

 we had for many years perfectly hardy, with peculiarly droop- 

 ing branches. It is of French origin, we believe. 



P. pectinata variegata (Variegated Silver fir) Is very 

 similar (though distinct) to the P. Fraseri variegata ; hardy. 



P. pectinata nana (Dwarf Silver fir) A. pretty little shrub, 

 quite hardy, and only growing two or three feet high. 



P. grandis (Great Silver fir). Another of the grand dis- 

 coveries of Mr. Jeffrey, on Fraser's River a superb tree, 

 growing to the height of two hundred and eighty feet, and 

 resembling in its character and habits the Common Silver fir, 

 but much finer and more gigantic. Our specimens are only 

 eight to ten inches high, and we do not know of any others in 

 the country any or much larger ; and although from its des- 

 cription we have every reason to suppose it will prove hardy, 

 still we have no authority for saying so. The tree is still too 

 young and costly (two guineas each), to make the attempt 

 quite yet. The only report of it is from Washington, where 

 there are plants in Mr. Corcoran's grounds, two feet high, per- 

 fectly hardy. 



P. pichta (Pitch or Siberian Silver fir). Although this tree 

 s yn . does not become so majestic as the preceding, 



p. Siberica. y e t j^ j s a remarkably fine variety, and well 



worthy extensive cultivation. It is perfectly hardy, and has a 

 superb luxuriant growth, which is most refreshing. It is not 

 very unlike a very fine Balsam fir, though much denser, softer, 

 and deeper foliage. It is found in the mountains of Siberia 

 and Altai, and rarely exceeds twenty-five to thirty feet. There 



