CONIFERS. 



447 



need any description, being remarkable among Coniferoe 

 from its deciduous character. In spring, when the young 

 leaves are just pushed forth, few trees are more charming 

 and fragrant. Pendula, which has quite graceful branches, 

 weeping and of great length, is the most interesting 

 variety. 



L. Ksempferi. — This is now called Psettdolarix Keempferi, 

 and is a moderate-growing tree of pyramidal habit, and 

 as far as branches are concerned il greatly resembles the 

 common Larch, the leaves also being lulled in the same 

 way. They are, however, much lunger and broader, and 

 when first expanded are <>| a light vellowish green, which 

 deepens as the season advances, and in autumn tliev 

 change to a golden yellow. Other species of Larch are : 

 Griffithi, leptolepis, occidentalis, and pendula. 



LibOCedrilS Chilensis. ■ — An extremely beautiful low- 

 growing tree of pyramidal outline, but sometimes rather 

 narrow at the base. Il is remarkable for the beautiful 

 glaucous hue of the foliage, but it is only hardy in the 

 more favoured districts ol England. 



L. decurrens. — A North American tree that reaches a 

 height of over IOOlt., and is there valuable for its timber. 

 In this country, however, it is grown only for ornament, 

 and is worthy of it, being very distinct from anything 

 else. It is in good soil ol a dense columnar habit of 

 growth, and remarkable for the rich deep green hue of 

 its foliage. Glauca and compacta are varieties. 



Pieea, True (Spruce F/rs). — P. alba, P. Alcocldana, 

 P. Engelmanni and variety glauca, P. ericoides, P. excelsa 

 and numerous varieties, J', Olehni, 1'. Maximow ic/i, 

 P. Morinda, P. nigra, P. obovata, P. orientalis, 

 P. polita, P. pungens, and P. rubra. 



Pine. — See Pinus. 



PinilS. — The true Pines form an extensive group, and 

 include some of the most valuable timber trees, and also 

 many that occupy a prominent position for their striking 

 aspect. The following are well worthy of especial 

 mention : 



P. aUStriaea. — The Black or Austrian Pine is a 

 quick-growing tree, with dense dark green leaves, so that 

 it is ol an unusually sombre appearance. It is valuable 



COMFERA FORSY THIA —AN EXAMPLE OF WROAG PLAN! I KG, 



for planting as a nurse tree, for forming screens or similar 

 purposes, while it is very ornamental, and is uselul to plant 

 in exposed places near the coast to shelter gardens. 

 Il is not only rapid in growth, but unrivalled as a shelter 

 by sea, and even in large tow ns, w hilst its deep colouring 

 is alwavs enjoyable. 



P. Cemb'ra f.SWu Slon,- 1'ine). — This forms a tall, dense, 

 narrow pyramid, with leaves of a dark green hue, and 

 marked w ith silver)' lines, I bus imparting a greyish hue 

 to the specimen. Il is thorougly hardy, well furnished 

 with foliage, ami owing to I he shortness ol its branches 

 does not require so much space if planted as a single 

 specimen as in the case of many other Firs. The wood 

 o Pinus cembra is much valued in the Alpine region,, 

 bui in this country it is planted solely as an ornanieiii.il 

 tree. There is a curious dwarf variety (pumila), which 

 bears cones freely when not more than iyd. high. 



P. COntorta. — -A native of California and Oregon, and 

 perfectly hardy in this country. As a tree from I2lt. to 

 Jolt, high it is ornamental, being of dense, compact 

 growth, usually of pyramidal shape, and clothed with 

 rich green foliage. Il is suitable lor planting singly on 

 small lawns. 



P. excelsa (Bhotan Pine). — This belongs to the same 

 group as Pinus cembra, and this Himalayan species is in 

 many respects widelv removed therefrom. 1 1 forms a 

 free-growing tree, with regular, w ide-spreading branches, 

 upturned at the points. The leaves are long, slender, 

 dioop ng, and of an ashen green tint. This drooping 

 character is particularly noticeable at the tips ol the 

 branches. The bark on the young shoots is of a pale 

 greyish tint, and the cones, which are Sin. or ojn. long, 

 are freely borne, and quite pendulous. It succeeds best 

 in light well-drained soils. 

 P. insignis. -This beautiful and distinct Fir is hardy only 

 in the more favoured districts of the country. It forms a 

 w ide-spreading tree, distinguished by the rich grass green 

 hue of its ample foliage. It must in any case be planted 

 in a sheltered spot. 

 P. Larieio (the Corsican /'ni, ). — One of the least fastidious 

 of all the Pines, succeeding in good soil or on bleak ex- 

 posed hill- 

 sides. Il is 

 a valuable 

 timber tree, 

 and is 

 largely 

 planted for 

 shelter, or 

 as a nurse 

 p 1 a n t 

 to more 

 delicate 

 subjects. 

 Standing 

 singly it 

 forms a tall 

 straight 

 tree, with 

 rather short 

 branches, 

 so that it 

 does n o I 

 cover so 

 much space 

 in propor- 

 tion to its 

 height as 



others. It 

 is pleasing 

 to k n o w 

 t h a t this 

 fine Pine is 

 being more 

 largely 

 planted in 

 gardens. 



