ON CONIFERS, 



327 



Arrangement of Conifers. — As previously remarked, the first 

 steps to be taken in the preparation of ground for these trees are 

 draining and trenching, to a moderate depth, for notwithstanding 

 the fact that Loudon leads us to the inference that a shallow 

 soil answers every purpose, the great experience gained since his 

 day justifies the assertion that the finest specimens are found on 

 the best ground. 



Another important matter is the rainfall, as we find nearly 

 double the growth in our moist, warm, western counties, and in 

 Ireland, as compared with the east and north-east sides of the 

 kingdom. This being so, with our eyes still on the drainage, the 

 quantity and quality of the soil should be increased as the rain- 

 fall decreases. In my own county, Herefordshire, where the soil 

 is suitable, but by no means rich, Pinus insignis, fully exposed 

 to the western wind, has made a leader five feet in height, and a 

 Wellingtonia over three feet in one season. On the east sides 

 of hills, and where the roots of large deciduous trees rob them 

 of a great deal of moisture, although the ground may be equally 

 good or better, they do not make more than half the growth in 

 any one season. 



As very few planters commence and finish the arrangement 

 in one year, but, like the connoisseur in pictures, form the 

 nucleus and add gems by degrees, they derive infinite pleasure 

 and healthful occupation from the ever-increasing collection. If 

 they have studied Loudon and other writers upon Conifers, they 

 will have learned that Junipers, Cypresses, and Silver Firs should 

 occupy the deepest, the richest, and possibly the lightest ground, 

 although in every tribe there are some species which must have 

 an elevated and at the same time a sheltered position. The 

 Spruces and Pines from low altitudes, especially if near the sea, 

 must be kept well up, and if possible sheltered from cutting 

 w T inds. Knight and Perry, in their handy Synopsis, advise keep- 

 ing the different kinds of Pines, Firs, and Junipers together ; an 

 arrangement which smacks too much of the Botanic Garden, and 

 does not fall pleasantly upon those who have been used to a 

 natural blending of species. Groups or clumps and avenues of 

 any particular variety, as of Wellingtonias at Coombe Wood, or 

 Araucarias at Bicton, are admissible and pleasing ; but for em- 

 bellishing or reproducing our natural English woodland effects, 

 each tree, be it a Pine or a Cypress, should have the altitude 

 and aspect most likely to suit it. 



