THE CONIFERS OF JAPAN. 



27 



colour of its young cones, which are produced very freely, even 

 in the early age of the tree, and in the silvery whiteness of the 

 underside of its leaves, surpassing in this respect every other 

 Spruce Fir. 



Abies Alcockiana — or perhaps it will be more correct to say 

 the tree at present known under this name — is evidently not 

 destined to receive so great an amount of favour among planters 

 as the preceding species. It has also a formidable competitor in 

 the recently introduced A. Omoriha from South-eastern Europe. 

 A. Alcockiana grows on the higher slopes of Fusi-yama, along 

 with A. Veitchii and Larix leptolepis, where it is less common 

 than our ajanensis. 



Abies Tsuga, the Japanese Hemlock Spruce, is a more orna- 

 mental tree than the Canadian species ; its foliage is of a brighter 

 and more attractive colour. Thirty years' experience of it in 

 this country has proved its hardiness in the southern, western, 

 and midland counties, and probably further north. In its native 

 country it spreads as far south as Kiusiu, often mixed with 

 il. and attains a height of 100 feet. A second species, 



called by Maximo wicz and Mayr diver sifolia, but known in 

 British gardens as Tsuga nana or Tsuga Sieboldii, for there 

 is, I think, but little doubt that they are the same, is an alpine 

 tree growing near the upper limits of the timber-line on the 

 central mountains. In this country it grows slower than 

 the typical , Tsuga, to which as an ornamental tree it is quite 

 subordinate. 



Larix leptolepis differs from the European Larch in its 

 longer leaves, which are glaucous when first developed, in its 

 differently shaped cones, and in other details ; it grows much 

 more slowly, and hence is more suitable for decorative than for 

 economic use. Its ornamental qualities are well developed at 

 Tortworth, where there is a fine specimen in front of the 

 mansion. This tree has a more spreading habit than the 

 common Larch ; its aspect is light and open, and affords an ex- 

 cellent contrast to the broad-leaved trees standmg around it. In 

 its native country Larix leptolepis is an alpine tree ascending in 

 places to near the snow-line, where it is often distorted by the 

 wind ; at the lower limits of its vertical range it attains the 

 dimensions of the European Larch. 



We now come to the true Pines, of which there are five 



