Cultivation of Coniferous Trees. 
147 
of climate, and thriving in Great Britain, rather than give indi- 
vidual returns of their growth and progress, which we might do 
from the mass of information obtained and tabulated from many 
stations in all parts of the kingdom, in not a few of which 
instances we found that many of the species had already attained 
to what may be termed "timber yielding" dimensions, and are 
thriving vigorously. 
There are four difficulties to be contended against in relation 
directly or indirectly to climate, in the introdliction and cultiva- 
tion of the newer coniferae in this country, viz. : — 
1st. The tendency in many of the species to push forth their 
young buds early in spring, and to continue growing on late in 
autumn. 
2ndly. The variable character of the temperature of the climate 
inducing uncertain growths, and stimulating in an unequal 
degree in one season the strength and secretions of the plant. 
3rdly. The fogs or hoar frosts to which we are so liable in 
spring and autumn, especially in the lower elevations, keeping the 
young wood and buds damp and unripened, and apt to suffer 
from the moisture becoming congealed into ice upon the 
branches and terminal shoots, which are thereby ruptured. 
4thly. Wind exerts a very pernicious effect upon many of the 
newer conifers, especially in a climate and soil untried by them 
hitherto. 
In reference to the first of these difficulties which planters in 
this country have to contend against, we may remark that the 
growth which many of the varieties referred to — such, for 
example, as Wellingtonea girjanfea, Abies douq/assi, Pinus in- 
siffnis, and in some situations Picea nohilis — make in one season, 
is really marvellous. We have repeatedly seen from three to 
four feet of terminal shoot formed in a single year, and this 
rapid growth, at one time nipped by the frosty winds and nights 
of spring, and again suddenly checked by the cold of autumn, 
when in an unripened state, runs considerable risk of total 
destruction. Happily, however, this habit is lost to a great 
extent as the plants acquire stature and robust form, and if a 
little care be taken to shelter them amongst other trees as 
nurses, until their heads are reared above the deiv-ltne, or hoar 
frost level, most of the species will withstand with comparative 
immunity the other extremes of our climate. The pines most 
addicted to early growth in spring, and to late growth in 
autumn, are the Abies moririda, Finns cephalonica, Piiius pinsapo, 
Pinus macrocarpa, and Pinus lamb^rtiana. 
With regard to the second difficulty mentioned, namely, the 
variable character of the temperature of Scotland inducing un- 
certain growths, and exciting in an unequal degree in the same 
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