ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 101 



interest in the yew in the Dominion. In the coast regions of 

 British Columbia, where Taxus brevifolia becomes quite a 

 fair-sized tree, one's affection for the yew is readily satisfied, 

 but in eastern Canada the wild species, T. canadensis, is so 

 unlike the British yew that it is scarcely taken into considera- 

 tion. The Japanese yew, T. cuspidaia, has filled the want there. 



While the common yew, Taxus haccata, succeeds well near 

 the west coast of British Columbia, it is not satisfactory in 

 eastern Canada, although it will sometimes grow well for a 

 time. No doubt, if plants were obtained from the coldest part 

 of its range in Europe, the yew would succeed better than it 

 usually does. A specimen of var. variegata, after twenty-three 

 years' growth, is still in good condition at Ottawa and is 

 now about five feet high. 



The western yew, Taxus brevifolia, reaches a height of 

 twenty to twenty-five feet or more along the west coast of 

 British Columbia where it is native. It is not grown much 

 under cultivation there, although it is a fairly ornamental tree. 

 It is not hardy in eastern Canada above the snow-line. 



Canadian yew, Taxus canadensis, is a native of Canada 

 from the extreme east to the province of Manitoba. It has 

 been under cultivation at Ottawa for thirty years and has 

 reached a height of about five feet, but is so open in habit that 

 it is not particularly ornamental. 



The Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata, has been under test 

 at Ottawa for twenty-six years and has proved quite hardy. 

 The best specimen, planted in 1896, is now about ten feet in 

 height. The foliage is a rich deep green in color, and, as the 

 tree or bush is of a compact habit, it is quite ornamental and 

 makes a good substitute for T. haccata. The var. nana or 

 compacta is also quite hardy, but specimens planted in 1896 

 are but three feet high, though compact in habit. 



