432 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



ing pyramid. Mr Sobb further states that along the summit of the cen- 

 tral ridges, and about the highest peaks, in the most exposed and coldest 

 places imaginable, where no other pines make their appearance, it 

 stands the severity of the climate without the slightest perceptible 

 injury, growing on slaty rubbish which to all appearance is incapable 

 of supporting vegetation. We do not know much of this tree in this 

 country, as there are very few specimens of it in the kingdom. There 

 are two plants of it on this estate, brought here in 1865. They are grow- 

 ing on a light loam soil, have made good progress, and have not in any 

 way been injured by spring frosts. 



Picea Ccphalonica (Cephalonian Silver Fir, London). A handsome 

 tree of from fifty to sixty feet high. It thrives best on dry situations in 

 this country. It is somewhat tender when young, but becomes hardy 

 as it grows older. It is found largely in the Black Mountains of Cepha- 

 lonia, at an elevation of from four thousand to five thousand feet above 

 the level of the sea. It attains the largest size (according to Loudon) 

 in the hollows in the mountains, where the situation is somewhat shel- 

 tered and the soil good. The timber of this tree is very hard and dur- 

 able. The best plants at present in this country are growing on dry 

 stony soils. 



Picea grandis (Great Californian Silver Fir, Loudon). This, as its 

 name implies, is a native of California, where it grows to a height of 

 nearly two hundred feet. It is hardy in this country, and grows best in 

 a deep loam soil. The foliage is of a beautiful light-green colour, and it 

 is altogether a very handsome tree. 



Picea nobilis (Noble Silver Fir, Lindley). This is a native of the 

 northern parts of California, where it forms extensive forests and grows 

 to a great height. The foliage is very dense, and the branches grow with 

 a very flat surface. It thrives best in a rich loamy soil, and attains in 

 its native quarters a height of one hundred to two hundred feet at au 

 elevation of from six thousand to eight thousand feet about the level of the 

 sea. The timber is of a white colour, and soft. It is very hardy, and is 

 a fine addition to the pinetum. In purchasing plants of this kind, care 

 should be taken to see that the plants have been grown from seed, and 

 not from cuttings. Those reared from cuttings, being taken from the 

 branches of the older trees, retain for a long time a flat, one-sided, or 

 branch-like appearance ; and it always takes a number of years to make 

 them well shaped, which must be done by pruning, and this retards their 

 growth. 



Picea Nordmaniana (Nordmans Silver Fir). This is a native of 

 the mountains of the Crimea, where it grows to a height of from seventy 

 to one hundred feet. It is very hardy, and is a handsome addition to 



