502 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



happily less so now. The seed may be sown in well pulverised 

 soil, and when a few inches high the seedlings should be pricked 

 off into nursery rows. As the Larch commences to grow very 

 early in the spring, autumn planting is preferable. 



Libocedrus chilensis (Thuya chihnsis) (Fig. 318) deserves a 

 sheltered corner, as it is a very ornamental and distinct tree. 

 It was introduced about fifty years ago from South Chili, where 

 it forms a much-branched tree, 50ft. high, and of close, compact, 

 pyramidal outline, its branches being clothed with glaucous green 

 leaves. A rich, moist, well-drained soil and sunny spot suits 

 this rare Conifer best. 



L. decurrens (Incense Cedar) is the hardiest and most vigorous 

 of the genus. It forms a tree about 100ft. high, with a straight 

 trunk and short branches of close habit, and it is suitable for 

 planting in gardens of limited extent. L. d. compacta is a much- 

 branched variety of neat growth. L. d. glauca is of similar 

 habit to the type, quite hardy, and very beautiful; its leaves are 

 of a bluish-green shade. 



Picea (Spruce Firs). — P. ajanensis, from Japan, is a pretty 

 Spruce, of sturdy growth, with horizontal branches, flat branchlets 

 and narrow leaves, which are deep green above and silvery-white 

 on the under-sides. It is quite hardy, very effective, and bears 

 an abundance of small cones. P. Alcockiana (Abies bicolor, 

 A. acicularis), also indigenous to Japan, is an attractive species, 

 introduced about forty years ago. It is of pyramidal habit, and 

 is often confounded with P. ajanensis; it is, however, more, 

 rapid in growth and later in commencing to grow in spring. 

 Although P. Engelmanni has been grown in English gardens 

 since 1864, it is even now by no means plentiful, con- 

 sidering its value as an ornamental tree. It is erect, with 

 spreading branches and long rich green leaves. P. E. glauca is 

 a handsome variety, similar in habit to the type, but differing in 

 its bluish-grey leaves ; it is very hardy, and a fine lawn tree. 

 The origin of P. ericoides seems veiled in obscurity; it is, 

 nevertheless, a distinct and pretty Fir. It is of pyramidal 

 outline, and forms a densely-branched small tree, with slender 

 branches and short pale green leaves. It is rather slow 'in 

 growth, but pleasing in appearance, and deserves wider recognition ; 

 useful for small gardens. 



P. excelsa (Norway Spruce) is a well-known tree seldom 

 planted for ornamental purposes, but it makes an excellent shelter 

 to tender shrubs. It flourishes in all soils, but delights in a 

 moist one, as its growth is then much more rapid and the tree 

 more shapely than when planted in dry ground. There are 

 numerous varieties of the Norway Spruce, differing in habit, 

 vigour, leaf colour, &c. The following is a selection of the most 

 meritorious : P. e. aurea, a golden-leaved, showy variety, needs 



