194 A MANUAL OF THE CONIFEEiE. 



to be very scarce in England; seed could not be obtained, and the 

 small quantity that reached this country from time to time, failed to 

 germinate. It was not till 1844 that Mr. William Lobb, while collecting 

 in South America for our Exeter firm, succeeded in penetrating the 

 Araucaria forests, and thence brought home the first large supply of 

 seed received in England, and, from which, very many of the, fine 

 specimens now growing in various parts of the country originated. 



It is worthy of note that Araucaria imbricata is the only Conifer yet 

 introduced from the southern Hemisphere that has attained a timber- 

 like size in England.* Its powers of endurance were severely tested in 

 the memorable winter of 1860-1, when many fine trees were killed, 

 but the casualties occurred under such a variety of circumstances, that 

 it is difficult, if not impossible, to deduce any special law affecting 

 the hardiness of the tree. The following conditions are essential to 

 ■ securing fine free growing specimens : — The soil must have a thorough 

 drainage, either natural or artificial, to prevent the stagnation of 

 water at the roots ; the trees should be planted in full exposure to 

 sun and air, and if in an elevated situation, so much the better, a 

 free open space being more conducive to their progress and well being, 

 than a confined and sheltered one. In very dry soils, the Araucaria 

 lives, but it loses its lower branches at an early age ; the branches 

 are slender, and frequently become flaccid, and the plant has a .thin 

 starved appearance; it also loses its lower branches early when in a 

 confined space, or in contact with other trees or shrubs, or when its 

 roots penetrate into an ungenial sub-soil; it languishes if within the 

 influence of the smoke of towns ; and the foliage takes a yellowish 

 sickly tint, if the roots enter and remain in stagnant water, or water 

 logged soil for a lengthened period. On the western slopes of the 

 Chilian Andes, the native home of the Araucaria, the rainfall is far 

 more copious than in England, and the trees are also within the 

 influence of the southern region of prevalent westerly winds blowing 

 across the Pacific Ocean. Hence it is, that in Great Britain they 

 thrive best where the rainfall is greatest, and the soil porous enough 

 to carry off the water freely. 



The aspect of Araucaria imbricata is dark and massive, and large 

 healthy specimens furnished with tiers of branches from the ground to 

 the summit are even grand and strangely impressive. Whether solitary, 

 or planted in avenues, it is the most effective of all Conifers for 

 contrast. The Akauoaria Avenue at Bicton, belonging to the Eight 

 Hon. Lady Eolle, presents one of the most striking and remarkable 

 arboricultural effects that can be seen in this country. Isolated 

 specimens, imposing as they are, convey but a faint conception of the 

 magnificent vista produced by a double row of these strangely wonderful 



* One or two Dacrydiums, natives of Tasmania and New Zealand, that have attained 

 some height in particularly favoured spots, can scarcely be called exceptions. 



