ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



a warm soil and a sunny situation to bring out its true leaf- 

 colouring. P. e. ciiici7i7iata is a vigorous variety having 

 horizontal branches, drooping branchlets, and rich green 

 leaves. It is free in growth, distinct, and uncommon. 

 P. e. Clanbrassiliaiia, popularly known as Lord Clanbrassil's 

 Spruce, originated on his lordship's estate near Belfast 

 towards the close of last century. It is of dwarf, compact habit, 

 and on account of its slow growth deserves a place in the rock 

 garden. P. e. compacta is, as its name implies, compact in habit ; 

 it is also very attractive and quite distinct. P. e. diffusa belongs 

 to the dwarf-growing group, and is well adapted for rockeries. 

 P. e. dmnosa is a neat, much-branched, pyramidal, low tree, 

 rather slow in growth, and worthy of recognition. P. e. finedon- 

 ensis is a pyramidal, much-branched, elegant tree, having fan- 

 shaped branches clothed with greenish-yellow leaves, varying to 

 brown ; distinct and handsome. P. e. Gregoryana is a dwarf, 

 sturdy-growing Spruce, having spreading branches clothed with 

 short, stiff, rich green leaves ; it is of conical habit, and well 

 adapted for the rock garden. P. e. pygmcea^ like the last-named, 

 forms a conical bush ; it is the dwarfest of Spruces, and useful 

 for the rockery. P. e. pyramidalis, an ornamental tree, is 

 decidedly more important than the type. It is vigorous, with 

 branches of rather upright growth, and deserves wider culture. 



P. nigra Doumetti^ although not so vigorous as the North 

 American Black Spruce, forms a handsome specimen, with 

 numerous short branches and small leaves, and is of compact, 

 bushy habit. P. Omorika (Servian Spruce) is distinct, free in 

 growth, and of pyramidal outline. It has an erect trunk and short, 

 spreading, fan-shaped branches, clothed with rich green leaves. 

 Its short cones are attractive, and borne freely ; a pretty and 

 uncommon lawn tree. P. orientalis {Abies Wittmajmiana) is a very 

 ornamental Conifer, introduced into this country about sixty years 

 ago. In a moist, rich, well-drained soil its growth is fairly fast, 

 but in dry ground it is rather slow. It is distinctly pyramidal in 

 outline, with fan-shaped branches, and in spring its young leaves 

 are soft yellow, varying to deep green as the season advances. 

 It succeeds in exposed situations, and may be recommended as 

 a good lawn tree. P. polita {Abies Tora7io), the Tiger-tail Spruce, 

 was introduced from Japan about forty years ago. It is a distinct 

 and handsome Spruce for the park and lawn, as it is perfectly 

 hardy and of good growth. It is of conical, sturdy habit, the 

 horizontal branches being clothed with stiff, rich green, sharply- 

 pointed leaves. When the tree has reached a certain size the 

 branchlets droop gracefully. It is scarcely ever injured by spring 

 frosts, as it is late in commencing to push forth new growths. 

 The pendulous cones are about 4in. long, and are borne at the 

 ends of the branches. P. pungens {P. Pa7'?ya?ia) is of vigorous 

 growth, having an erect stout trunk and rather flat, short branches, 



