114 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



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and its Chinese relative (Glyptostrobus), all Conifers 

 are evergreen; and it is this character, together with 

 their noble aspect, that makes them horticulturally 

 of such supreme importance. No other tree or shrub 

 gives quite the same effect or adds so much restful 

 dignity to northern landscapes. Although the fam- 

 ily is so universally distributed, many of its members 

 are fastidious in their requirements and only a lim- 

 ited number thrive in the rigorous climate of New 

 England, where hot dry summers and cold winters 

 are the rule and where, in March, hot sun and drying 

 winds by day are followed by low temperatures at 

 night. Such conditions are most inimical; neverthe- 

 less, the White Pine (Pinus Strobus) and the Hem- 

 lock (Tsuga canadensis), two of the handsomest of 

 coniferous trees, are native of that region, and where 

 these thrive the lovers of evergreen trees need not 

 lack material for their plantations. 



In the early days of horticulture in this country 

 it was customary to import from Europe nearly 

 everything required — even trees and shrubs native 

 of this country. On the whole this experiment has 

 not proved a success and in the matter of hardy trees 

 (especially Conifers) has occasioned much disap- 

 pointment. However, the failures and successes of 

 the past are, if rightly appreciated, a wholesome 



