CONIFEBS 973 



seeded plants or Gymnosperms. And as a rule when the seed germinates 

 there are apparently more than two seed-leaves or cotyledons. A feature of 

 the wood of the plants in this group is that it has no rays (called medullary 

 rays) radiating from the centre to the circumference, as may be seen in the 

 woods of plants previously described. The flowers also, instead of being 

 fertilised by bees and other insects, have this important office performed by 

 the wind. When the stamens or male flowers are ripe, the pollen may be 

 seen blown about in dense golden clouds. 



The cone-bearing trees and shrubs are natives, for the most part, of 

 temperate and mountainous regions. There are about 300 species altogether, 

 and of these about one-half are in cultivation, those indigenous to the 

 British Islands being the Scots Fir {Pinus sylvestris), the Juniper {Juniperus 

 communis), and the Yew Tree {Taxus baccata). 



There are few families of plants at once so useful and so ornamental as 

 the Conifers. This work is chiefly concerned with their value as decorative 

 plants, and the most ornamental kinds will be found described below. The 

 charge is often made against Conifers that they are much too sombre to give 

 a cheerful aspect to the landscape. Doubtless this is true where they have 

 been planted injudiciously to the exclusion of other ornamental and brighter- 

 foliaged trees. But where they have been planted with taste and judgment 

 so as to harmonise or contrast with the surrounding vegetation, their effect 

 is at once handsome and picturesque. Owing to their size and habit, 

 Conifers are mostly suited for the embellishment of large gardens, pleasure- 

 grounds, and parks. Some, like the Deodar, the Cedar of Lebanon, and the 

 Atlas Cedar, are beautiful lawn-trees, as are also many of the Abies and 

 Piceas ; others make fine groups or avenues, and some lend a charm to large 

 rock gardens ; while others, again, make charming hedges. As a general 

 rule. Conifers are unsuitable for what may be termed shrubberies, although a 

 Pine here and there in such places often has a grand effect. To see them to 

 perfection they must have plenty of space to develop their elegant and usually 

 symmetrical forms, and this cannot be done where they are surrounded and 

 choked with undershrubs. 



It must not be thought that the Conifer family are all of a sombre green 

 colour. Although green is the prevaihng tint, there are so many shades of 

 it — some light, some dark, some fresh, some sombre, some covered with a 

 beautiful Plum-like bloom — that there is a vast and pleasing variety. The 

 cones, too, of many of the species are wonderfully beautiful, and a collection 

 of them is very interesting. The bracts of some open readily when ripe, but 

 others require roasting before they will separate. 



Soil and Situation.— The soil most suitable for the great majority of 

 Conifers is a Hght or fairly heavy, deep, rich loam on a gravelly subsoil. 

 Stagnant water and damp, low-lying spots are injurious and often fatal. The 

 plants in such places never thrive, and cannot make or ripen their growths 

 sufficiently well to withstand the rigours of a severe winter. Many of the 

 Japanese, Mexican, and Californian Conifers require to be sheltered from the 



