436 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
as a specimen tree for lawns it also makes an excellent hedge. 
For this purpose it should be planted i to 2ft. apart, when 
not more than 3ft. high, in deeply trenched soil, and the 
sides be annually trimmed in April or September. There are 
several varieties of this species which make good lawn trees. 
The best are : Albo-spica, terminal leaflets, creamy white ; 
aureo-variegata, branchlets bright yellow ; and erecta viridis, 
habit tapering and foliage a bright green. The other species 
worthy of mention is C. nootkatensis (Syn. Thuiopsis borealis), 
a very hardy kind with slender drooping branchlets. The Coni- 
fers, generally known as Retinosporas, strictly belong to this 
genus, and as they require the same cultural conditions we deal 
with them here. The principal species are C. obtusa (Syn. Reti- 
nospora obtusa), C. pisifera (Retinospora pisifera), and C. 
thyoides (Syn. Retinospora ericoides). Of C. obtusa there are 
a number of varieties, as plumosa argentea, plumosa aurea, 
plumosa albo-picta, aurea, filicoides, and gracilis aurea. Simi- 
larly of C. pisifera, filifera, plumosa and squarrosa are well- 
known varieties. All this section are natives of Japan, and 
form handsome trees for growing singly on the lawn. Filifera 
has thread-like branches and plumosa feathery branches ; both 
very elegant trees. The cypresses require a damp soil. These 
conifers are best planted in September or October, or in April. 
In planting dig out a good wide hole and well break up the 
subsoil. Do not add any manure, but if the soil is heavy 
incorporate plenty of leaf-mould with it. Increased readily 
by cuttings of little branchlets 2 to 3in. long, and removed with 
a heel, then inserted firmly in sandy soil in a cold frame in 
autumn. The cuttings should not be disturbed for two years. 
Dansea (Alexandrian Laurel). — D. laurus, also known 
as Ruscus racemosa, is a hardy evergreen shrub, growing 
2 to 3ft. high, and specially suitable for carpeting the ground 
under the shade of trees. This shrub has no true leaves, only 
flattened leaf-like branches. It bears greenish-yellow berries 
in May, succeeded by round red berries. A native of Portugal 
and a member of the Lily family (Liliacese). Plant in early 
autumn. Increased by suckers and layers. 
Daphnlphyllum. — D. glaucescens is a hardy deciduous 
shrub, growing 4 to 8ft. high, and chiefly grown for the sake 
of its foliage. It will thrive in ordinary soil. Plant in autumn. 
Increased by layers. 
Elseagnus (Oleaster). — Hardy evergreen and deciduous 
ornamental-leaved shrubs, belonging to the Nat. Ord. Elaeag- 
naceae. The best known species are : E. angustifolia (Oleaster), 
a South European deciduous species, with leaves clothed with 
silvery scales, and yellow fragrant flowers followed by red 
