STATISTICS OF CONIFERS IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 



485 



General Eemarks. — All the Conifers named in the above list are growing 

 here in vigorous health (except Pinus excelsa, which is exposed to every wind that 

 blows, and suffers in consequence), and finely feathered to the ground with 

 branches, the picture of luxuriant growth. Besides those in the list, many kinds 

 of beautiful ornamental Conifers have been planted, including numerous fine 

 varieties of Retinosporas, Junipers, Thuyas, Cypresses, and Yews, which all thrive 

 well in our humid climate, the average rainfall being nearly 60 inches in the 

 year, and the number of wet days 150, often more I As an instance of the rapid 

 and vigorous growth made by some of our Conifers, it may be mentioned that a 

 tree of Abies noMlis raised here from seed 22 years ago, is now 48 feet high ; 

 6 feet 11 inches in girth at 5 feet up; with a spread of branches 26 feet in 

 diameter ; growing in a heavy loam. 



Lest the description of the soil given in the table may mislead (although 

 correct), it may be as well to state that in addition to the natural soil, a special 

 preparation was made for each individual tree, by taking off the surface loam 

 about ten inches deep and ten feet in diameter, and adding to it about one- 

 fourth of rich peat and a substance obtained from the garden furnaces. This 

 substance, before it is used for fuel, is made from about two-thirds of coal, 

 reduced very fine in the process of digging the anthracite coal, and one-third of 

 clay, properly mixed and dried for burning. Before mixing it with the loam and 

 peat, it is passed through a fine sieve, and then the whole is thoroughly mixed 

 and returned into the circular hole — having previously broken up the bottom, 

 composed of the upper strata of the Silurian rock — and the compost made very 

 solid by firm treading. In this mixture the Conifers make an excellent start, and 

 grow with great vigour ; but doubtless they have now taken full possession of the 

 natural soil, and they are thriving with undiminished vigour. 



CAENARVONSHIRE. 



Penrhyn Castle. Lord Pbnrhyn. 

 Correspondent : Mr. Walter Speed, The Gardens, Penrhyn Castle, Bangor. 



Botanical Xame 



Age 



Height 



Diameter 

 of 



Branches 



Remarks 





Years 



Feet 



Feet 











60 



14 



Fine 



healthy tree. 







60 



34 



Very 



fine specimen. 





40 



70 



15 



j> 



)i 







72 



14 



>> 



n 







70 



19 



If 



>> 







70 



21 



Fine 



specimen. 





40 



58 



13 



ii 



>> 







40 



13 



j» 







40 



54 



13 



Very 



fine specimen. 







40 



12 





>> 







52 



16 



Good 



specimen. 







50 



15 









42 



9 



Very 



good specimen. 







40 



14 



Good 



healthy specimen. 







35 



11 



)> 







48 



60 



15 





» 







72 



35 



Very 



fine ,, 







35 



12 







35 



70 



15 



i> 





General Remarks. — The particulars given in the table refer to some of the 

 best specimens of these Conifers grown at Penrhyn, where in general they are 

 very healthy and vigorous. 



