14 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES. 



deep silvery glaucous foliage, regularly and neatly disposed 

 branches, and not too stiff outline, being points of special 

 interest and recommendation. The leaves are crowded on 

 the upper sides of the branches, varying in length from i to 

 i^ inches, rigid, obtusely pointed, and with two glaucous bands 

 beneath. The cones are very handsome and conspicuous, 

 being often 6 inches long, perfectly cylindrical, obtuse at both 

 ends, and with conspicuously recurved bracts. Few trees 

 are less particular about the quality of soil in which they 

 are planted than that in question, but it certainly prefers 

 that of not too light nor too dry description. It grows 

 rapidly, the average annual increase in height of several 

 specimens that I measured being 20 inches for a period 

 of twenty -five years. The production of wood is like- 

 wise rapid, as will be learnt from the following : A tree of 

 this kind was planted in good loamy soil and a moderately 

 sheltered situation in 1854, it at that time being a robust 

 growing specimen of 3 feet in height. In 1884, or thirty 

 years afterwards, it had attained to a height of 55 feet, when 

 it was found to contain 61 cube feet of wood, this giving an 

 average annual increase of fully 2 feet per year. The quality 

 of home-grown timber is not such as to be recommended, it 

 being soft, easily worked, and clean of graining, and from this 

 I do not consider that the tree will be of any special value for 

 afforesting purposes. 



A. nobilis g^lauca. Though not of constant character 

 as regards foliage colouring, yet, in certain specimens the 

 glaucous tint is so well pronounced and distinct as to merit 

 the attention it has received. It is equally robust with the 

 species. 



A. Nordmanniana, Spach. Nordmann's Silver Fir. 

 {Syno7tym : Picea Nordinamiiana^ Loudon.) Crimea, Cau- 

 casus. 1848. This must be considered as one of the finest and 

 most valuable of the European or Asiatic species of silver fir. 

 As a park and lawn tree, it can scarcely be surpassed, the 

 regular and handsome outline, rich glossy green foliage, and 

 stately habit, rendering it a decided acquisition for ornamental 



