BROAD ROUND-HEADED TREES. 



141 



house and terraces, and seems to repeat them in aerial 

 perspective. It contrasts well with all other sorts of 

 trees; it also makes up striking groups in the park 

 and dressed grounds. "We regard it as a matter of 

 regret that, in many districts of the country, the cedar 

 has been so sparingly planted. 



Not inferior to the preceding, perhaps we might 

 even say superior, is the Deodar or Indian Cedar, a 

 native of the Himalaya mountains, and unquestion- 

 ably the most important addition made of late years 

 to our collections of hardy trees. As it nourishes in 

 its native clime, it is thus described by Dr. Hoff- 

 meister : " It is the most beautiful of the fir tribe that 

 exists in any part of the world. It shoots up with a 

 tall, straight, taper stem, often a hundred feet in height, 

 and not unfrequently forty feet in circumference. The 

 branches grow in stages, at regular intervals, and 

 spread out like overshadowing roofs." As it is appa- 

 rently hardy, it is to be hoped that its growth may not 

 be arrested "in mid career" by some peculiarity of our 

 climate, as has been the case with the hemlock spruce, 

 and some other firs. In its youthful state, in which 

 alone it is yet known to us, its reclining leading shoot 

 erecting itself continually in its second year's growth, 

 its drooping, tress-like branchlets^ and its light green 

 color, combine to make it a peculiarly graceful object. 

 It may be strongly recommended for both the park 

 and the pleasure-grounds. In the latter, it should be 

 planted where it has room to develop its natural char- 

 acter. In the park, it should be put down in groups 

 of some half-dozen trees. We have already adverted 

 to its use in avenues. As it is at present a fashionable 

 tree, it is introduced into all sorts of little flower-gardens 



