ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 515 



when planted near the drip of trees, or on cold, wet soil, and 

 cannot be recommended for planting in towns, as it dislikes a 

 smoky atmosphere. It is of conical outline, with a straight trunk, 

 rather short branches, and small, spirally-arranged, scale-like, 

 glaucous leaves, and as the young growths are decidedly glaucous, 

 its beauty is much enhanced. The Mammoth tree is best pro- 

 pagated from seeds, as plants raised from cuttings do not make 

 such good leaders as those raised from seeds. S. g. aurea is 

 not so vigorous as the type, and as the yellow variegation is not 

 constant, it cannot be recommended for general planting. 



5. sempervirens (Taxodium sempervirens) (Fig. 327). — -This is the 

 Californian Redwood, and as regards size 

 ranks next to S. gigantea. Its erect trunk, 

 covered, with brownish-red bark, and its 

 rather long, drooping branches, with flat 

 deep green leaves, are both distinct and 

 pleasing. It has the somewhat objection- 

 able habit of growing rather late in the 

 season, consequently the 

 young growths are some- 

 times unable to withstand 

 early sharp frosts ; it is of 

 fairly rapid growth in most 

 soils, and forms a charm- 

 ing tree of pyramidal habit 

 for the park. >S. J. albo- 

 spica, though not so free 

 in growth as the type, 

 is distinct ; it is of more compact habit, 

 and has glaucous leaves ; the young 

 branchlets, as well as a proportion of the 

 leaves, are speckled with creamy-white. 

 S. s. gracilis differs from the foregoing in 

 its more elegant and compact habit, the 

 branches being horizontal, with numerous 

 drooping branchlets and rich green leaves; 

 it is very distinct, and a beautiful tree for ' sempervirens 



the lawn. var. 



Taxodium distichum (Cupressus disticha). 

 — This is a lofty North American tree, and well known as the 

 Deciduous Cypress. It has a straight trunk, and slender, feathery 

 branches, clothed with soft green leaves, which towards autumn 

 assume a dull red shade, and at that season the tree is very pic- 

 turesque. The highly-coloured bark imparts a distinct appear- 

 ance, even in winter. The Deciduous Cypress is quite hardy, 

 rather slow in growth, and delights in a cool, moist soil. It is 

 admirably adapted for planting by the margins of lakes and 

 streams, but shelter from cold winds should be afforded, 



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