ON CONIFER!-' 



323 



one batch of fertile seeds was received for some years, hence the 

 trade was obliged to resort to other modes of propagation. I do 

 not condemn grafting in toto, as some of our finest Picca nobilis 

 and deciduous trees are grafted, but for the benefit of the 

 uninitiated I would say go to a reliable source for stock which 

 will be sure to give satisfaction. My second note of warning 

 was drawn from the fact, that the majority of the specimens 

 planted on low ground for safety were killed, whilst the same 

 species above a certain level were left intact or but slightly 

 injured. In this way and from these causes the earliest planted 

 collections were thrown back ; but, profiting by experience, 

 death traps in the future were avoided, nurserymen gave up 

 potting. The first to arrive at this intelligent decision was the 

 late James Veitch, of Chelsea. A few gentlemen were deterred 

 from planting, but the fever simply allayed broke out again, and, 

 thanks to the late J. Gr. Veitch, Fortune, and others, who 

 ransacked Japan, the country was soon filled with magnificent 

 Abies, Piceas, Cryptomerias, Umbrella Pines, and Retimosporas, 

 which no spirited planter could withstand. A fresh race of 

 planters sprang up, and, in accord with the keen-sighted 

 nurseryman who had sent pots to the rightabout, commenced 

 increasing the already rich arborescent beauty of this country. 



Site. — The site for a Pinetum or selection of choice Conifers 

 is generally dependent upon the position of the house and the 

 grounds surrounding it. In many instances there is very little 

 choice in the matter, as the trees must be planted either on 

 surrounding lawns or by the sides of carriage drives. Upon 

 large estates, especially if they be of a hilly nature, large 

 collections of the Californian giants which form the main lines 

 or ground colour of the picture should be kept well away from 

 the mansion ; and each tree should have room for the fullest 

 development. Too much dotting should be avoided, glades and 

 open spaces being indispensable ; and the existence of a few line 

 old deciduous trees should be hailed with delight by those who 

 fully appreciate England's arboreal grandeur. Builders of man- 

 sions in former times frequently selected a valley, possibly for 

 shelter and security, so that planting naturally ranged low upon 

 deep, rich soils, favourable to strong late growth which never 

 ripened properly. Ordinary deciduous trees, Cedars, Spruces, 

 Silver Firs, and the still unbeaten Scotch Fir, formed the 



