ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 63 



The Nikko fir, Abies homolepis, from Japan, is one of the 

 most important exotic species introduced in this country. 

 The largest individuals are at least forty-five feet in height 

 and in perfect health in some gardens in this country, and 

 densely branched to the base. The tree forms a handsome 

 pyramid, resting on a very broad base. The leaves are large 

 and deep green. This fir has been planted considerably around 

 New York and New Jersey. A. homolepis var. umhellata is 

 equally hardy and has about the same habit of growth, but the 

 cones are green, whereas in the former they are violet-purple. 



Nordmann fir, Abies Nordmanniana, native of the regions 

 southeast of the Black Sea, presents a remarkably noble 

 appearance when in good health. The writer has a tender 

 affection for this species because it was the first fir he became 

 acquainted with as a boy in the north of Scotland. The large, 

 very flat leaves are densely crowded on the horizontal branches. 

 Nordmann fir suffered very much in the Pinetum at High- 

 land Park during the very cold winter of 1917 and 1918, being 

 badly browned and losing many leaves. Some have not fully 

 recovered from the injury up to the present time. Occa- 

 sionally the leaves on the south side will be a little browned 

 from the w^inter's sun after the middle of February in an 

 ordinary winter. It is a very important fir in the Middle States. 

 In the New England States this species should be planted in 

 well-protected situations. 



Veitch fir, Abies Veitchii, from Japan, is very hardy and 

 has never shown the slightest signs of winter-injury. In a 

 juvenile condition this fir is very handsome, but when it 

 approaches adult size, it becomes thin in habit. This tendency 

 can be very much obviated by disbudding or removal of the 

 central buds of the branches and occasional stopping of the 

 leader to induce a denser lateral growth. 



