HARDY ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 443 
and plant the shrubs i8in. apart in September. The sides 
may be trimmed in April. Increased by cuttings of small 
shoots or branchlets inserted in a bed of sandy soil in a cold 
shady frame in late summer or early autumn. 
Larix (Larch). — The Larches are hardy deciduous trees, 
and, with one exception, more suitable for woodlands and 
hilly places than for oroinary gardens. The Common Larch 
(L. europaea) is a native of Europe, and a rapid-growing tree. 
In large shrubberies a few may be planted to serve as nurses 
to choicer shrubs and to form a screen quickly, the trees being 
cut down when the other shrubs are well advanced in growth. 
The Japanese Larch (L. leptolepis) is a less vigorous grower, 
and not so liable to canker as the common kind. For gardens 
the Chinese Golden Larch (L. Kaempferi), a handsome species 
of pyramidal growth, with yellowish-green foliage in spring 
and bright golden foliage in autumn, is the most desirable kind 
to grow. This makes a fine tree to grow on a lawn. The 
Larches do well in ordinary garden soil, and should be planted 
in autumn. Increased by seeds sown iin. deep in sandy 
soil in November, transplanting the seedlings when two years 
old. 
Laurus (Sweet Bay; Poet’s Laurel; Victor’s Laurel).> — A 
favourite old evergreen shrub in British gardens, the fragrant 
leaves of which are much in request for flavouring purposes. 
L. nobilis is a native of S. Europe, has dark green serrated 
leaves, is of a compact habit of growth, and grows 15 to 20ft. 
high. In warm sheltered districts it forms a very handsome 
shrub, but in exposed positions in severe winters is apt to be 
injured by frost. It make a good specimen for a lawn, does 
well in the mixed shrubbery, also makes an excellent shrub 
to grow as a standard or pyramid in large pots or tubs. Such 
specimens are often to be seen in London. It thrives best 
in a sandy or gravelly soil. Plant in September or May. If 
to be grown in tubs, plant in September. This shrub may be 
trimmed into shape in April. When grown in tubs, see the 
roots are well supplied with water. Increased by cuttings of 
the young shoots inserted in sandy soil in a cold shady frame 
in July. It belongs to the Bay Laurel order (Lauraceae). 
Libocedrus (Incense Cedar). — This is a genus of 
coniferous trees, one species only of which is adapted for 
outdoor culture in this country. L. decurrens is a native of 
California, and a very handsome tree for growing on the 
lawn. It grows from 50 to 60ft. high, and is of a columnar 
habit of growth. It requires a well-drained sandy loam. Plant 
in September. Increased by seeds sown in slight heat in 
spring. 
