FOREST TRK1-.S. 



historical interest, this record, which has been kindly supplied to me by 

 the Duke himself, will serve as a basis from which the rate of growth 

 of this noble tree may in future be determined. 



A forest of Wellingtonias is situated in a small valley near the 

 head waters of San Antonio, in California. It contains ninety-three 

 trees about ten years old. The "Father of the Forest" (fig. 961), 

 perhaps the largest tree in the world, is thrown down, and is supposed 

 to have been 453 feet high and 40 feet in diameter. Its interior is hollow 

 and burnt, but the cavity is sufficiently large 

 for a man on horseback to ride inside. Mr. 

 Townsend, who visited this spot, kindly lent 

 me a photograph of this tree to figure. I have 

 also illustrated part of a tree called " George 

 Washington," which is represented as a first- 



FIG. 961. The " Father of the Forest." 



FIG. 962. "George Washington." 



class tree 384 feet high (fig. 962). The form of my young trees is 

 exquisitely symmetrical ; the branches for the first few years grow 

 horizontally outwards, but after a time they take an upward direc- 

 tion, and are not then quite so beautiful. They propagate freely 

 from cuttings, but trees so procured are not so desirable as seedlings, 

 which should invariably be employed where a proprietor desires his 

 posterity to see this tree in perfection. 



The stiff, radiating branches of the Puzzle Monkey-tree (Araucaria 

 imbricata) give it a character so peculiar that it contrasts strongly with 

 every other tree in the garden, and gives a pleasing variety to the 

 scene. It is much more hardy when thoroughly exposed to the light 

 than when apparently protected by shrubs. It bears the snow on its 



