ox TREES AXD SHRUBS. 483 



a handsome tree, 70ft. high, of pyramidal habit, with short, 

 sharply-pointed, bright green leaves arranged all round the 

 branches. The cones, which are abundantly produced on large 

 trees, are very handsome, about 6in. long and 2^in. broad. This 

 tree should be allowed plenty of room to display its beauty. 



^4. Veitchii {A. Eichleri^ A. itephrolepis, Pice a Veitchii) is a 

 beautiful species from Japan, with a slender trunk covered with 

 greyish bark. The spreading branches are clothed with light 

 green leaves covered with silvery-white on the under-sides. It 

 is quite hardy in the British Isles, vigorous in growth, decidedly 

 attractive, and well adapted for either the lawn or the pleasure- 

 ground. A. Webbiana (A. chiIoe?isis, Picea Webbiana ) is a 

 vigorous - growing species of pyramidal habit, with deep green 

 leaves having silvery lines beneath. Its cones are about 7 in. long, 

 and very beautiful. This uncommon Tir has suffered somewhat 

 by injudicious planting. It breaks into growth rather early in 

 spring, and occasionally becomes disfigured by late frosts. This 

 can be overcome by planting on a cold soil and in exposed 

 situations. A. IK obovata is a charming but little known Silver 

 Fir. In habit and general appearance it is similar to the type, 

 but differs from it by reason of its conspicuous snowy whiteness 

 on the under-surface of the deep green leaves. 



Araucaria. — Practically only one species of Araiicaria is 

 sufficiently hardy to withstand our winters out of doors, and that 

 one is the distinct and well-known Chili Pine and ^.tonkey 

 Puzzle, A. mibricata, from Chili. ^^lagnificent specimens of this 

 Conifer are scattered over the British Isles, and those at 

 Dropmore, near Maidenhead, are perhaps the finest of all, one 

 tree — about 70ft. high, its lower branches sweeping the ground — 

 having a spread of nearly 40ft. in diameter. A rich and moist 

 (but not very wet) loamy soil, thoroughly well drained, suits it best, 

 as then its growth is fairly rapid, and the leaves are of a deeper 

 green than when planted in dry soils. This species should not 

 be planted, as is unfortunately too often the case, in gardens 

 where room is restricted, as it requires plenty of head-room to 

 display its beauty. AVhen planting as a specimen, at least 30ft. to 

 35ft. apart should be allowed. It should not be planted in smoky 

 atmospheres, and it cannot be recommended for town gardens. 



Biota orientalis and its varieties. — See Thuya. 



Cedrus. — For ornamental planting the Cedars are well adapted, 

 and they add grace, distinctness, and beauty to the landscape. 

 They are all hardy, but the Sacred Cedar and its elegant 

 varieties are liable to get damaged in spring, especially if planted 

 on low-lying and insufficiently drained land. A rather sandy soil 

 suits them best. 



C. atlantica (Atlas Cedar) (Fig. 309), a species from Northern 

 Africa, makes a beautiful park tree, and thrives on poor soils, and 



212 



