496 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



is another graceful variety, of rather dense growth, with short 

 spreading branches clothed with lovely glaucous leaves. It is a 

 beautiful lawn tree. 



C. sempervirens (upright Roman Cypress) is common in the 

 Mediterranean region, whence it was introduced upw^ards of 350 

 years ago. In habit it bears some resemblance to the Lom- 

 bardy Poplar, but is less vigorous and not of such rapid growth. 

 It is commoner in the South of England than in the North, 

 and prefers a rather warm soil to a cold, wet one. The Romans 

 planted this Cypress extensively around their residences, and 

 on account of its habit, and the great age to which it lives, it 

 has long been a favourite tree for burial grounds. C. s. fastigiata 

 (C. pyramidalis) is even of closer growth than the type. 

 C thyoides (White Cedar) was discovered in 1736 in the 

 Eastern United States, where it forms a pyramidal tree of close 

 habit, 60ft. high. It grows best when planted in moist soil, but 

 makes little progress in a dry, sandy one. C. t. giauca is 

 ■quite distinct from the type, being ot more compact habit, 

 while the leaves are of a pretty glaucous tint. C. f. variegata is 

 a very desirable golden-leaved form. C. torulosa (C. Tournefortii) 

 is a pyramidal tree with slender horizontal branches and 

 drooping branchlets. In Northern India it growls to a great 

 height, but in the British Isles is only a success when planted 

 in favoured parts, as it is somewhat tender. Where it succeeds, 

 however, it is very beautiful. C. t. majestica is vigorous, hand- 

 some, and hardier than the type. 



Propagation may be effected by means of seeds and cuttings 

 The former germinate freely if sown in sandy soil m shallow 

 boxes or pans, and stood in a gentle heat. The seedlings 

 should be pricked off and later on removed to a cold frame ; 

 when large enough they should be planted out in nursery rows. 

 Cuttings emit roots if pieces 3in. to 4in. long are taken off 

 in August and dibbled in light soil in a cold frame; they 

 should be watered occasionally and shaded from the sun. 



FiTZROYA. — The only member of this genus generally cultivated 

 in British gardens is the Patagonian Cypress, F. patagonica, intro- 

 duced to this country by Mr. W. Lobb from the mountains of 

 Western Patagonia fifty years ago. In its native home it varies 

 in height from 50ft. to 70ft., but in England is generally seen 

 as a small tree or bush of rather slow growth. It is quite distinct 

 from any other Conifer, and a vigorous, healthy specimen, with 

 its numerous branches and elegant drooping slender branches, is 

 very attractive. Unfortunately, it only makes satisfactory growth 

 in sheltered situations, but even in cold localities it is worth 

 growing in unheated glass structures. A soil composed of rough 

 peat, leaf-mould, and loam in equal proportions forms a suitable 

 compost for planting it in. x\mple drainage should be provided, 

 otherwise the plant wall make little headway. Cuttings taken off 



