(i54) 



The yew family (Taxaceae) is represented by three 

 genera. Of the true yews (Taxus) there are: the American 

 yew, or ground hemlock; the English yew and several of its 

 horticultural varieties, the wood of which was highly 

 prized in ancient times for the manufacture of bows; and 

 the Japanese yew. The last is by far the best for this 

 climate, standing well the dry summers and cold winters; 

 there is a dwarf form of this known as variety nana, which 

 is an especially desirable evergreen for decorative planting. 

 The cluster-flowered yew (Cephalotaxus) is represented by 

 two from China and Japan. The Japanese Torreya 

 (Tumion nuciferum) represents this genus. Another spe- 

 cies, Tumion taxifolium, of Florida, is not hardy in our 

 climate; it will be found in house 14, conservatory range 2. 

 Still other representatives of the yew family are in the 

 central display house and house 14 of conservatory range 2. 



To the north of the economic garden will be found speci- 

 mens of the umbrella pine, not a true pine, however, but 

 belonging to the genus Sciadopitys, a native of Japan. 

 Another tree here is the Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria 

 japonica, with several horticultural varieties; this will 

 stand our winter climate only in sheltered situations such 

 as this; the variety Lobbii is more hardy and therefore 

 better suited to this climate. 



On the westerly corner of the conservatory terrace and in 

 the immediate vicinity are located the retinisporas, which 

 are so commonly cultivated as decorative plants. There 

 are many horticultural forms here represented, but they 

 are all variations of two Japanese trees: the Sawara cypress 

 {Chamaecy parts pisifera); and the Hinoki cypress (Cham- 

 aecyparis obtusa). The latter species is frequently used by 

 the Japanese in their dwarfing process. The names borne 

 by the various horticultural forms have been suggested by 

 some peculiarity in coloring or in manner of growth. 

 North American species of the genus Chamaecyparis will 

 be found in the low ground along the south walk, not far 

 from the south gate. 



