ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 51 



The Swiss mountain pine, Pinus Mugo, from the mountains 

 of central Europe, has an ascending shrub-Hke habit, from a 

 wide base, and grows to twenty feet or more in height. It is 

 very hardy and does not brown in the coldest winter. It is 

 very important for small gardens. 



The mugho pine, Pinus Mugo var. Mughus, is exceedingly 

 variable. Occasionally it forms a low mat on the ground not 

 over three feet high and twenty feet across and again it will 

 grow to a height of fifteen feet and form a broad rounded 

 mound. A low variety is sold under the name of compacta, and 

 is a most desirable plant for many situations. The mugho 

 pine in its many forms is one of the most important low pines 

 for parks and gardens, as it is well suited to different soils and 

 exposures. It is not injured in the bleakest exposures. 



The Scotch pine, Pinus sylvestris, has been planted exten- 

 sively in this country and various opinions are expressed about 

 its utility. It maintains a good appearance from fifty to seventy 

 years in most cases, other conditions being equal. It grows 

 rapidly and is absolutely hardy. The branches are usually 

 spreading and sometimes pendulous, and when well grown it 

 is ornamental. Adult trees are characterized by yellowish- 

 brown bark which is quite ornamental in a winter landscape. 

 As a protective tree in a windbreak, the Scotch pine is one of 

 the best and does well in poor soil. There is a form, var. 

 argentea, with silvery-blue leaves, which is very distinctive. 

 There are two dwarf varieties, pumila and Watereri, which are 

 excellent for small places and useful in rock-gardening. An 

 upright columnar form, var. fastigiata, is now in the trade. 



The typical form of the Austrian pine, Pinus nigra, native 

 through Europe to western Asia, is proving very satisfactory. 

 Plants raised from seeds collected by the late Henry J. Elwes, 

 in Bosnia, are now twenty-five feet tall. The stout branches 



