482 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
can be no doubt of its value under favourable conditions. The 
tree is exceedingly variable, and no doubt its hardihood and the 
quality of its timber vary also according to the particular variety 
and the locality where it grows. If grown in exposed situations 
the leader is apt to be broken by the wind, and a too portly rook 
might cause similar injury. Such mutilation, however, would 
be of less consequence than in a true Pine, as a new leader 
readily forms. The tree is a quick grower, and produces excellent 
timber, but it is not suitable for chalky soils nor for very wet 
marshy places. The Douglas Fir, though only introduced about 
1824, has already grown into a timber tree, and won the suffrages 
of experts.* 
Incidentally the speaker alluded to the splendid services 
rendered by Douglas as an officer of the Society in introducing 
valuable plants, and expressed a wish that the Society might 
again exert itself in this direction. The absence of any portrait 
or other memorial of Douglas or of Fortune in the Council 
Room was also commented on. 
Menzies' Spruce, Picea sitchensis, also introduced by Douglas, 
grows in a cold moist climate, stretching along the low coast 
from Alaska to California. It is quite hardy in this country, 
grows rapidly, and produces excellent timber. The speaker 
alluded to a small plantation in East Kent, planted by his 
father about sixty years ago, composed entirely of this Spruce, 
which had attained fine proportions on a loamy soil overlying 
chalk. 
The Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, introduced by Hartweg, 
another of the Society's collectors, is a near ally of the Welling- 
tonia {Sequoia gigantea), but produces good sound timber. It 
would be valuable for hop-poles, as it sends up numerous shoots 
from the cut stump, a peculiarity not shared in by other Conifers. 
It is believed that the tree has been used for this purpose in 
East Kent. It likes moisture, grows fast, and would be suitable 
for coppice. In places, however, it is tender, and the young 
shoots are apt to be injured by spring frosts. 
* See Report on the plantations of this tree on the Earl of Manstiold's 
estates in Perthshire, as quoted from the Perthshire Constitutional in the 
Gardener's Chronicle, October H, 1HS7, and November 11), 1H87. See also 
Dr. Schlich's Comments on the same tree, U, c. IH. In the Journal of 
tlis Society of Arts, December 21, 1H94, is a paper of General Michael on 
Forestry, in the course of whicli lie alludes to a newly formed plantation 
f)f l)ou{j;las Fir at IJalmoral, where it outstrips Larch, Scotcli. and Spruce. 
