480 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Conifers. 



Abies (Silver Firs). — The Silver Firs comprise some of the 

 most beautiful Conifers for park decoration. Although perfectly 

 hardy, shelter from piercing winds should be given, and a good 

 loam enriched with vegetable matter is the soil that suits them 

 best. Good drainage is essential. 



A. amabilis (Picea amabilis) is a charming and uncommon 

 Fir. It is of noble outline, somewhat similar in appearance 

 to A. Nordmanniana, with spreading branches and deep bluish- 

 green leaves arranged closely together and powdered with 

 white on the under-sides. A. balsamea (Picea balsamea), well 

 known as the Balm of Gilead, forms a medium-sized pyramidal 

 tree in the way of A. pectinata. It is well supplied with light 

 green leaves, and its dark purple cones are borne freely. As 

 it is apt to start growth early in spring, it should only be planted 

 in positions not likely to encourage early growth. A. brachyphylla 

 is a remarkably fine Silver Fir from Japan, and is a valuable tree 

 for park decoration. It is perfectly hardy, exceedingly handsome, 

 with an erect stem, horizontal branches down to the ground, 

 and clothed with rich green leaves having white lines on the 

 under-sides. It prefers a moist soil, and is seen to better 

 advantage when screened from east winds, A. bracteata 

 (A. venusta, Picea bracteata) is a North American species, with a 

 straight, rather slender trunk, and pyramidal habit, the branches 

 being clothed with handsome thick dark green leaves closely 

 set together. Its distinct and beautiful cones are about 4m. 

 long and 2in. in diameter, with long, narrow, leaf-like bracts, _ 

 which give additional beauty. An exposed situation should be 

 selected for this Fir, as it has a tendency to grow early in 

 spring, and generally suffers from late frosts. 



A, cephalonica (A. panachaica, Picea cephalonica), frequently 

 called Grecian Fir, forms a good-sized tree, of distinct appearance 

 and free growth. Its branches are horizontal and clothed with 

 stiff deep green leaves, silvery on the under-sides. Although 

 hardy, it is liable to disfigurement by sharp spring frosts unless 

 planted in exposed positions. Large trees bear great quantities 

 of rich velvetyrbrown cones, and are very beautiful. A. concolor 

 {Picea concolor) is a handsome, very hardy North American Fir, of 

 free growth on exposed, well-drained soils. It has a straight 

 trunk, spreading branches, close habit, and pleasing glaucous 

 green leaves. A. c. violacea (Picea concolor violacea) is a 

 remarkably beautiful variety, and one, of 'the most charming of 

 its class — thoroughly hardy, free in growth, and quite distinct, 

 with bluish glaucous leaves. A. firma (A. bifolia, A. holophylla), 

 a Japanese Silver Fir, was introduced to this country' by Mr. 

 J. G. Veitch, in 1861. In habit it bears some resemblance to 

 the Common Silver Fir. Its trunk is erect, and the branches are 



