510 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
strange to say, it is somewhat capricious in the United States, 
and among our returns, we find in many places it is apt to lose 
its leader. This we believe, however, only takes place in 
young, and consequently succulent plants, which, as they 
advance in age, acquire a habit of solidifying, as it were, their 
growth, and escape injury. We have specimens fifteen to 
eighteen feet high, which are very perfect, and never suffer. 
The finest specimen we know in the country is one near 
Germantown, Pa. (Fig. 37.) 
P. j oectinata pendula (Weeping Silver fir) — Is a dis- 
tinct and very rare variety of the Common Silver fir, which 
we had for many years — perfectly hardy, with peculiarly droop- 
ing branches. It is of French origin, we believe. 
P. pedinata variegata (Variegated Silver fir) — Is very 
similar (though distinct) to the P. Fraseri variegata ; hardy. 
P. pedinata nana (Dwarf Silver fir) — A pretty little shrub, 
quite hardy, and only growing two or three feet high. 
P. grandis (Great Silver fir). — Another of the grand dis- 
coveries of Mr. Jeffrey, on Fraser’s River — a superb tree, 
growing to the height of two hundred and eighty feet, and 
resembling in its character and habits the Common Silver fir, 
but much finer and more gigantic. Our specimens are only 
eight to ten inches high, and we do not know of any others in 
the country any or much larger ; and although from its des- 
cription we have every reason to suppose it will prove hardy, 
still we have no authority for saying so. The tree is still too 
young and costly (two guineas each), to make the attempt 
quite yet. The only report of it is from Washington, where 
there are plants in Mr. Corcoran’s grounds, two feet high, per- 
fectly hardy. 
P.pichta (Pitch or Siberian Silver fir). — Although this tree 
Sy7l ' does not become so majestic as the preceding, 
p. siberica. yet it is a remarkably fine variety, and well 
worthy extensive cultivation. It is perfectly hardy, and has a 
superb luxuriant growth, which is most refreshing. It is not 
very unlike a very fine Balsam fir, though much denser, softer, 
and deeper foliage. It is found in the mountains of Siberia 
and Altai, and rarely exceeds twenty-five to thirty feet. There 
