S70 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY* 



P. L. austriaca, Endl, Syn. Conif. 179. P. Laricio y nigricans^ 

 Pari, in DC. Prodr. xvi. 2, 387. P. austriaca, Hoss. Monogr. 

 der Schwarzfohre, Wien, 1831. P. nigricans, Host. Fl. Aust. ii. 628. 

 P. nigra, Lk. in Abhandl. d. Berl. Akad. 1827, 173. P. Pinaster, 

 Bess. Fl. Galiz. ii. 294. P. maritima, Koch, Syn. ed. 1, 667. P. 

 dahnatica, Wis. Fl. Dalmat. i. 129. P. silvestris, Baumg. Fl. Transylv. 

 ii. 203. 



This tree has of late years attracted considerable attention, not 

 only from its perfect hardihood, but from its ornamental appearance 

 and the shelter it aflbrds to other less hardy kinds. As an ornamental 

 tree it is certainly not behind many of its neighbours, with its wealth 

 of dark, glossy, and shaggy foliage and pleasing contour. For planting 

 in clumps or masses it is particularly well suited ; indeed few Pines 

 form a more striking feature in the landscape than this tree does when 

 arranged in irregular clumps. Single specimens, when allowed plenty 

 of room on the greensward, are highly attractive, and produce in a 

 short space of time masses of the richest green foliage, which contrast 

 well with other Conifers of a light or silvery appearance. 



As a timber tree it is not without value, and several experiments 

 made with the wood prove that it is very durable, and one of the few 

 kinds that may be used where it is subjected to wet and dry alter- 

 nately. Seven years ago we cut up two large trees of this Pine, and 

 placed the planks side by side with those of the Scots and Spruce Firs 

 to hold up the sliding banks of a river, each being marked and noted 

 for future observations, and on examining these a year ago the Aus- 

 trian Pine seemed quite sound, but a lighter colour than when placed 

 in position. Sufficient time, however, has not elapsed for us to speak 

 with any amount of assurance as to the superiority of the wood of this 

 tree over that of either the Spruce or Scots Firs ; but from, the present 

 appearance of gates, stiles, and posts manufactured some years ago, 

 there can be little doubt that it will, so far as lasting qualities are 

 concerned, be quite equal to either of the other two. It is remarkably 

 strong, tough, coarse of grain, very resinous, works well, and takes a 

 good polish. A native of Austria, and introduced into Great Britain 

 in 1835 (Trans. Scot. Arb. Soc. xii. pt. 2). 



P. L. austriaca, in Danish gardens, has attained a height of 

 about 70 feet. Plants about fifty years old measure 60 feet high and 

 more ; but among plantations, especially in poor soil, they have been 

 a failure, as the plants, after some years of good growth, have died. 

 It suffers much in many places from Lophoderminm Pinastri. 



P. L. austriaca is to be found planted here and there in Norway, 

 e.g. at Christiania, Drontheim (Trondhjem), Stenkjor, and even aa 

 far north as Kabelvang, in Lofoten (68° 12'), where it has done well 

 for several years. The largest tree I have seen in Norway stands in 

 the Botanic Gardens at Christiania. It was planted in 1842, and was 

 then about a foot high (31 cm.), it being now about 47 or 48 years of 



