Angnst 4, 1870. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER. 



81 



in length, very slender, and of a peculiar light bluish green 

 colour. All the yonng shoots are likewise tinted with a pretty 

 glaucousness, thus adding to its charms. The older trees do 

 not attain a large size, and differ from other species in the 

 form of the head, which is always branched at the summit, 

 and spreading after the manner of many deciduous trees. 



Pinus Torreyana, Parry (Torrey's Pine)— Greatly resembles 

 the foregoing in manner of growth and general appearance of 

 foliage. If hardy, it would prove a decided acquisition here, 

 but from its close affinity to the Sabine's Pine, and its still 

 ■warmer locality, I very much doubt its utility with us in the 

 Middle States. 



Pinus insignis, Douglas (Oregon Pitch Pine, Seal Pine, See.) — 

 Is found along the coast near San Francisco, and is frequently 

 seen in cultivation in the gardens of that city. When young 

 the trees are remarkably dense and elegant in appearance, but 

 the mature specimens present rather a ragged and open struc- 

 ture. The Pinus radiata of Don is not distinct from this 

 species. 



I now arrive at the grandest of all our Pines proper, Pinus 

 Lambertiana, Douglas (Sugar Pine, Lambert's Gigantic Pine, 

 &c.). — This species is even more sub-alpine in its choice of 

 location than P. ponderosa, and, as a natural consequence, is 

 entirely hardy with us. The sight of these great trees rising 

 in the air to the height of 150 and 200 feet, with a clean shaft 

 of 75 or 100 feet without a limb, presents a grand spectacle. 

 I measured a large number of speoimens, varying from 20 to 

 25J feet in circumference, and it was no uncommon eight to 

 see several of this size standing close together. The ground 

 beneath was usually covered with huge cones, which were often 

 at least 20 inches in length. The leaves are not unlike those of 

 the P. Strobus (White Pine), excepting that they are more 

 rigid, and of a darker green in colour. 



Pinus monticola, Douglas (Short-leaved Weymouth Pine, 

 Mountain Pine)^Also closely resembles our White Pine, but 

 has a larger cone, and rather shorter leaf. It grows to a large 

 size, and is entirely hardy in our climate. I only noticed it in 

 localities where the preceding species was growing. 



Leaving the Pines, we now pass to the next genus of im- 

 portance — the Abies or Spruce family. Soon after commencing 

 the ascent of the mountain ranges, we find specimens of Abies 

 Douglasii, Lindley (Douglas's Spruce), andas we rise still higher, 

 a large portion of the forests are composed of this tree. The 

 younger specimens are really charming ; not only on account 

 of the rich glossy green colour of the foliage, hut more particu- 

 larly for the graceful drooping habit of the branches. As to 

 their size, I measured many trees whose bodies were from 

 15 to 18.J feet in circumference. 



Abies amab His, Lindley (Lovely Silver Fir) — Is justly named, 

 for the most indifferent observer of trees could not possibly 

 pass through the great forests of this species which clothe the 

 summits of the Sierra Nevada without experiencing a feeling 

 akin to awe. So dense is the verdure and so numerous the 

 trees, that the darkness on our path induces the belief that the 

 dusk of evening is near at hand ; and yet, as we emerge from 

 these vast clumps into a cleared space, where the bright sun- 

 light glances through the foliage, the effect changes, almost like 

 a kaleidoscope, into the most brilliant tints of blue and green. 

 Such is the aspect of the Lovely Silver Fir. In size I may say 

 they form no exception to the neighbouring trees, for I saw very 

 many that were from 20 to 23 J feet in circumference, and with 

 a naked body of 100 feet in height, the foliage branching out 

 in a dense mass at the summit. 



Abies grandis, Lindley (Great Silver Fir) — I found in the 

 same localities as the preceding, and about equal in size and 

 number. Well does t merit its name ; and had I even the 

 time to give you a perfect description of its surpassing beauty 

 and grandeur, I could not do it simple justice. It differs from 

 A. amabilis in having the leaves arranged strictly in two rows, 

 long, and slightly incurved at the extremities. The colour is 

 pale green, but the great height of the old trees — 200 feet and 

 upwards— leads one to believe that the foliage is exceedingly 

 dark. The odd-looking eonea stand erect on the summit, and 

 are rarely seen on the younger plants. 



The only Juniper I noticed in California was the really beau- 

 tiful Juniperus occidentalis, Hooker (Rocky Mountain Juniper). 

 A specimen is found on one of the highest peaks near the 

 To Semite Valley, where the bleak winds and cold storms for 

 many years have not marred its symmetry. The silvery foliage, 

 thickly interspersed with purplish-brown berries, presents an 

 agreeable picture to the lover of trees. I am happy to say it 

 succeeds well in our Eastern collections. 



One of the largest trees to be found in California, excepting 

 only the Sequoia, is undoubtedly the Libocedrus decurrens, Tor- 

 rey (incorrectly White Cedar, in its native locality). Many of 

 you will doubtless recognise it as the Thuja gigantea of foreign 

 nurseries and authors, and as such introduced into our collec- 

 tions from abroad. I found vast numbers of it on the steep 

 mountain sides at high elevations, and especially in the vi- 

 cinity of the Yo Semite Valley. The trees, when young, are 

 very handsome, forcibly reminding one of a fine specimen of 

 Arbor- Vitoe, but much more glossy, and lighter in colour. The 

 finest specimen I saw was 25 J feet in circumference, and over 

 200 feet in height. 



Taxus brevifolia, Nuttall (Short-leaved Yew) — Forms but a 

 small shrub in California, although further north it assumes 

 the proportions of a tree. In foliage, it approaches more nearly 

 the handsome T. adpressa, of Japan, than any other species. 

 The brilliant scarlet fruit, scattered thickly over the plant, con- 

 trasts charmingly with the dark glossy-green of the leaves. 



Torreya californica, Torrey (Ualifornian Nutmeg Tree) — Is 

 quite rare ; but I was fortunate in finding a very fine specimen ■ 

 on the cliffs at the foot of the Yo Semite. It is Yew-like in 

 character, forming a medium-sized tree, with long, dark-green 

 glossy leaves, very sharp-pointed. The fruit, as its name 

 suggests, is not unlike a nutmeg in appearance, but totally 

 unfit for use. I am afraid it will not prove hardy here ; but 

 should it do so, we may anticipate much pleasure in its in- 

 troduction. 



I close my descriptions with the most majestic of all our 

 native trees, the Sequoia gigantea, Torrey (Great Tree of Cali- 

 fornia), and popularly called " Washingtonia " and " Welling- 

 tonia." During my journey over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 

 I had the pleasure of visiting the extensive group known as 

 the Mariposa Grove, embracing the largest trees to be 

 found. I shall not soon forget my feelings, when, after having 

 ridden all day through forests of great Pines and Firs, I 

 emerged suddenly into a little valley, and found myself sur- 

 rounded by these wonderful trees. The abrupt change in 

 character was so new, and almost incomprehensible, that I 

 lingered among these strange forms until the quickly passing 

 hours warned me I should once more be obliged to resume my 

 journey towards civilisation. The casual observer cannot at 

 first comprehend their immensity ; but standing close by their 

 sides, and looking steadily up into their great shaggy tops, the 

 vastness and sublimity of their proportions almost impercep 

 tibly steal upon the senses. — JosiAn Hoopes, Westchester, 

 Pennsylvania.— {American Gardener's Hontidy.) 



MYATT'S FILBERT PINE STRAWBERRY. 

 I doubt whether Mr. Creed (page 58) has the true variety. 

 Mine, which came from Mr. Turner, instead of coming into 

 bearing with Black Prince, are decidedly late, as pointed out in 

 Dr. Hogg's "Fruit Manual," and runners, so far from being 

 plentiful, are late and scarce. Indeed, it is probably from this 

 latter oircumstance that so high-flavoured a variety is seldom 

 seen in cultivation. — G. S. 



LAWN MOWERS. 



I think all who have worked the Archimedean lawn mower will 

 agree with me that " Vitis," in writing about it (see page 25), 

 rests too much on its inferiority to Green's machine. I cannot 

 speak ill of the latter, nor do I give the Archimedean the pre- 

 ference, but who can say a 14-inch Archimedean is hard work 

 for two strong men? I have one of that size here, and can 

 testify as to the small amount of exertion required to use it ; 

 and more, I can confidently and truthfully say that there is no 

 other machine to approach it for ease in working. As to its 

 cutting long grass, it does it well, and with comparatively little 

 labour, although it is a quality not much needed, as a lawn, to 

 look well, ought never to be allowed to grow more than a week 

 without mowing. With regard to the machine clogging quickly, 

 I have never found it do so, not even when the grass was 

 very wet. What machine has cutters capable of withstanding, 

 without being notched, contact with stones ? As to a small 

 stick, I think it would have but little effect. If the blades of 

 the machine "Vitis" has are notched and look like a saw, his 

 lawn must be extremely stony. I never sweep after mowing, 

 nor is it necessary, as not a trace of cut grass is to be seen 

 after a few hours. 



I agree with "Vitis" as to the Archimedean not cutting 

 close to a flower bed, and the shorter the curve the greater the 



