HARDY CONIFERS FOR PRIVATE ESTATES. 95 



The common Juniper {J . cammunis) is a very variable and 

 ornamental hardy species, sometimes forming a tree, but usually 

 a procumbent shrub. The low form is very common along the 

 Great Lakes. I have often admired the numerous natural forms 

 of this juniper around the Thousand Islands and in many places 

 along the valley of the St. Lawrence, growing on those old Lauren- 

 tian rocks. It is extremely useful for planting on all kinds of banks 

 and slopes. 



The Scaly-leaved Juniper (Juniperus recurva variety squamafa) 

 is a low prostrate form with peculiar scale-like leaves. Whilst it is 

 hardy with us it is not as hardy as the common Juniper. Timothy 

 McCarthy, the Superintendent of Swan Point Cemetery at Provi- 

 dence, uses this juniper extensively and with good effect in his 

 planting. 



The Rigid-leaved Juniper (J. rigida) is rare in cultivation. It 

 grows rapidly into a small pyramidal tree; is quite handsome 

 and appears to be hardy. 



The Chinese Juniper (J. Chinends) is quite hardy at Rochester. 

 The staminate form grows much more rapidly than the pistillate. 

 There are a number of interesting forms of this species. A prostrate 

 variety of the Chinese Juniper, (J. Ckinensis variety prostrafa), 

 which I think was brought from Japan in 1892 by Dr. Sargent, is a 

 very hardy, ornamental plant. There is a juniper sold in Long 

 Island and around New York under the name of J. Chinensis 

 variety stricta which is a beautiful garden form. I saw fine speci- 

 mens of it in the Pinetum on the Palmer Estate at Stamford, Con- 

 necticut. 



The Yews are beautiful in their rich dark green foliage and are 

 favorite subjects of all who love conifers. 



The English Yew {Taxus baccata) is unfortunately unreliable 

 north of New York City, and even further south is apt to be scorched 

 by the winter's sun. At Rochester we protect our plants in winter 

 with evergreen branches. We have two varieties, T. baccata variety 

 Washingtoniana and T. baccata variety erecta which are hardier 

 than the type. 



The Japanese Yew (T. cuspidata) is one of the most important of 

 exotic conifers in this country. Dr. C. S. Sargent regards it as a 

 "Most valuable addition to the list of evergreens which can be 



