22 Gardening in Egypt. 



This variety is perhaps the best of the Araucarias, 

 and is said by some authorities to be unrivalled in 

 its beauty by any other tree. Tall specimens are 

 sometimes seen in the gardens inland, but only small 

 plants are met with in Alexandria. 



A. Cookii. A few trees of this variety still exist 

 in the Esbekeeyeh Gardens at Cairo. It makes a 

 fine specimen, but has thicker branches, and it is not 

 so dense in its growth as the former. It is a native 

 of New Caledonia. 



A.Bidwill!!. The Moreton Bay Pine. This hand- 

 some tree is quite distinct from the two preceding, 

 having prickly, sparkling, dark green leaves, with 

 spreading branches, rising from the ground in a pyra- 

 midical form. Its foliage is in character similar to 

 the A. imbricata (the monkey puzzle) so often seen 

 in English Gardens, but this latter variety is unknown 

 in Egypt. 



A. Cunningham!!. A native of Australia. A 

 vigorous growing species, conspicuous in Ramleh and 

 Alexandria, where it towers above all other trees. It 

 has a dark thick foliage of a cypress-like character, 

 and has the advantage of thriving on dry, sandy soil 

 in exposed windy positions where scarcely any other 

 tree will exist. It requires very little water when 

 once established, and always grows in an upright and 

 well-balanced form. 



This tree can be raised in sandy soil from seed or 

 from cuttings taken from the roots 3in. or 4111. long. 

 If the latter method is adopted, care should be taken 

 that the cuttings are planted deeply in sandy soil. 



TRIBE VI. ABIETINE/E PINES. 



Pinus halepensis the Aleppo pine, Senoubar a 

 native of South Europe. This species is fairly com- 

 mon in Egyptian gardens, where it makes an excel- 

 lent avenue tree, and imparts a good effect when 

 planted in clumps. 



