320 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



The timber of this species is light, quite soft, but du- 

 rable, and notwithstanding boards and planks of large size 

 cannot be obtained from it, it is in considerable demand 

 for building purposes. For fencing material it is exceed- 

 ingly valuable, and is used extensively for that purpose, 

 Michaux asserting that posts made from it will last from 

 35 to 40 years, or three or four times as long as any other 

 species. It yields a pungent, aromatic oil, and the whole 

 plant, when bruised or even slightly disturbed, emits a 

 peculiar, and to some pleasant, spicy, fragrance. 



Its adaptability as a hedge plant is now fully apprecia- 

 ted, both in Europe and in this country. To form a per- 

 fect and impervious screen in a short time, we recommend 

 that the young plants should be set about 12 or 15 inches 

 apart in single rows. The ground should previously to 

 planting be dug deep and mellow, and the surface after-- 

 wards kept clean from weeds. As this species is so pa- 

 tient under the knife, it should be frequently well trimmed 

 to produce the proper shape, which may be at the option 

 of the owner, always, however, bearing in mind to shape 

 the top to an acute point, and thus prevent the injurious 

 effects of large bodies of snow. The late Wm. Reid, of 

 Elizabethtown, N. J., one of the earliest and most success- 

 ful cultivators of evergreen hedges in this country, gave 

 this Arbor Vitro his decided preference over all other orna- 

 mental plants, for a quick, cheap, and handsome screen. 



Of later years, numerous marked varieties of this species 

 have claimed the attention of cultivators, its proneness to 

 sport causing quite an addition to our names at least. The 

 most conspicuous and useful of these varieties is the 



Var. Sibirica, Hort. SIBERIAN ARBOR- VIT.E. The 

 origin of this valuable variety is involved in mystery, and 

 the confusion consequent thereon is perpetuated by culti- 

 vators, both in this country and in Europe. The few 

 authors that have noticed it, appear to be perplexed about 



