CEDRUS LIBANI 
5i 
effects of such an avenue, even in its early stage, may be seen at Dropmore, where one not much more 
than forty years of age is composed of trees already upwards of 36 feet in height. Another striking 
example of the effect produced by the Cedar, and of the beautiful forms which it assumes when left to 
itself, may also be seen in the trees on the margin of the lake at Elvaston Castle, an engraving of which 
appears in the Gardeners Chronicle of 27th July 1878. 
It does not seem to be particular as to the geological formations on which it grows. It thrives on the 
chalk and oolite, as does the Deodar, but does not affect them more than any other formation. 
It has the advantage of being very free from insect enemies, and rabbits do not care for it. 
Like other Conifers, the Cedar cannot bear pruning, as is well illustrated by the evil effects narrated 
by Miller to have followed the cutting-in of the lower branches of two of the Chelsea trees, to give light 
to an orangery. 
It seems also to be subject to few diseases. Almost the only one which it has been said to be 
peculiarly liable to, is the attack of root-fungi. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley ( Gardeners Chronicle , 12th 
Jan. 1867, p. 26) has recorded instances of death of Deodars, Cypresses, Scotch Firs, &c., from this 
cause; and the Earl of Shannon corroborates his statements from his own experience in the south of 
Ireland. He says :— 
“ I have within the past thirty years planted large tracts of land, much of which had been previously occupied by trees. In all varieties of 
soil, whether on limestone, or red sandstone, or clay, or dry or wet land, I find the same tendency. But what is mysterious to me, is that the 
disease seems to attack only particular varieties. I find the Scotch Fir, the Cedar, and occasionally, but very rarely, the Silver Fir, suffer. I 
have never yet succeeded in detecting a death of the Spruce Fir, nor of any of the hard-wood trees, such as Oak, Ash, Elm, and so forth. 
Shrubs also appear to escape entirely. It seems to be wholly confined to the Pinus tribe (as I find Pinus insignis to suffer severely), and to the 
Cedars of all sorts, and Larch. I cannot assign any reason why the Fungus should attach more to these kinds than to others. The result of 
my own observation is, that the mischief invariably arises from the roots of former trees being decayed, and I find that it is always worst where the 
previous plantations have been old and decaying, than where the trees were young and vigorous. I rarely see it on land not previously planted, 
and where it does exist, I suspect it to have come on the roots of the newly-planted trees. I remark, too, that I seldom or never observe it to 
arise from the roots of a growing tree, cut down to make room for younger plants.”—“ (Gardeners Chronicle 24th Jan. 1867, p. 78.) 
In propagating the seeds they should not be taken out of their cones until they are to be sown. In 
the cones they will keep for five or six years. If they have been taken out, however, they will not sustain 
much damage if they are kept in a dry airy place. 
M. Loiseleur-Deslongchamps gives full instructions for extracting the seeds from the cones, when 
pulled before they begin to open voluntarily—such as splitting up the axes with an iron spike, drilling a 
hole through the middle, and such contrivances. The simplest and easiest mode of opening them, as well 
as the cones of all other Pines which are close, is to steep them in water over night, and lay them before 
the fire the next day, taking the precaution, however, not to steep and open them until they are ready to 
be sown. 
The seed should be sown about the middle of February in common loam, and covered with dry soil 
about half an inch deep. If the soil is sandy, it should be pressed down firmly on the seeds after sowing, 
and no water should be given until they come up, and for a short time after. If the ground seems dry, 
rather shade it than water. It is when the root first begins to perform its functions that caution should 
be specially used in giving water. It is of less importance while the young plant can still depend upon the 
nourishment supplied by the seed ; but when it solely depends on the young root, water in place of nourish¬ 
ment is absorbed by the root, and the plant becomes weak and damps off. The best soil for the Cedar is 
a light loam. It grafts and inarches readily on the Larch and Deodar, and also, it is said, on the Silver 
and Spruce Firs ; but we have no proof of this latter statement. 
The Cedar shews considerable variety, not only in the habit of the tree, but also in the colour and 
character of its foliage. These have been noted by horticulturists, and have received designations corres¬ 
ponding to their peculiar character. There is a dwarf variety known as Cedrus Libani nana; a silvery 
blue variety named Cedrus Libani glauca; a pyramidal variety, Cedrus Libani fiyramidalis; a weeping 
variety, 
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