114 TREES AND SHRUBS 



biloba (the Maidenhair tree), which is propagated 

 from seed — the plant is deciduous and slow grow- 

 ing ; Cephalotaxus and Torreya are propagated by 

 seeds, cuttings, or layers. 



Taxus (the Yew). — There are only three or four 

 species of Taxus, but there are a great many varieties 

 of the Common Yew, many being very handsome. 

 The species are easily raised from seeds, layers, 

 or cuttings. The first two methods are the best, 

 cuttings being very slow in growth, but as seed 

 is very plentiful in most years this is the quickest 

 and best means of propagation. Some of the 

 varieties will come true from seed ; the Irish Yew, 

 however, must be struck from cuttings, as seedlings 

 never come true. The more highly variegated Yews 

 grow quickest when grafted on the Common Yew, 

 and as they always keep good in after years this 

 method can for once be recommended. 



Propagate Prumnopitys and Saxegothea by 

 seeds, cuttings, or layers. 



Conifers at Murthly Castle, Perthshire 



The following account of a great Conifer garden 

 in Scotland is important, as showing how certain of 

 the better-known species have behaved during the 

 last fifty years or so. It is taken from the Garden of 

 May 19, 1900 : — 



The second quarter of the present century saw 

 the introduction of a large number of Conifers 

 hitherto unknown to English gardens. Their culti- 

 vation was eagerly taken up, and especially in Scot- 



