152 The Neiv Conifers. 



glor}-," to boiTOw one of Downing's expressions in speaking of the English 

 Holly ; and I think, upon the whole, it possesses so many good qualities, it 

 is likely to be brought into general cultivation more speedily than any other 

 of the new conifers. It comes from the mountains of Northern California, 

 where it grows a hundred feet high ; is easily cultivated and transplanted ; 

 of undoubted hardiness in our climate, and a most vigorous grower, ripening 

 its wood so well, that I have never noticed a branch in the least injured by 

 our most severe winters. It is nearly related to the Thuiopsis borealis, and, 

 according to Murray, was the handsomest tree seen by him in his whole 

 expedition. Gordon, speaking of it, says, " Its habit is most graceful, the 

 branches at first curved upwards like those of the common Spruce, and, 

 towards the ends, hanging down like an ostrich-feather, with the leading 

 shoots, when young, drooping like those of the Deodar cedar." This droop 

 of the leader here referred to is most marked and unique, hanging down, 

 in strong-growing plants, eighteen to twenty inches ; and some of my largest 

 trees, which are eight to ten feet high, fully come up to the description 

 given of their beauty. It is readily propagated by seeds ; and it also grows 

 freely from cuttings, which seem to make as strong-growing plants as those 

 raised from seeds : this must greatly facilitate its introduction, and I 

 doubt not it will soon become a great favorite with all who are desirous of 

 adding to the attractions of their country-places. It has but one single 

 fault, I believe, — an unfortunate trick, in some cases, of throwing out its 

 branches on one side only, leaving two or three feet of the trunk opposite 

 bare, thus marring somewhat the symmetry of the tree in its general ap- 

 pearance. It is difficult to account for this blemish, as it occurs on the ' 

 north as well as on the south side of the tree ; but it is to be hoped it will 

 not continue as they arrive at a greater age. There are t^vo new varieties 

 lately sent out, called the gracilis and a?-gentea fol. var., which I shall 

 test this winter ; and with success, I trust, as the former particularly has 

 been much admired. 



It is well known that the labor and expense attending the importation 

 and acclimatizing of these new evergreens have been heavy ; and the ques- 

 tion naturally arises. How far have the efforts of cultivators been rewarded 

 with success? That there have been many disappointments is true, though 

 no more than it was natural to expect under the circumstances ; and, upon 



