\ 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Jakuaey 6, 1858. 
of the dressed ground only. Many others might be named in 
like manner. But there is one exception to this rule, and that 
is in the Cedar of Lebanon, which, though not a native here, 
is certainly so far acclimated as to give hopes of its becoming 
one of our longest-lived trees ; while, for appearance and 
general utility, it is second to none that has ever been in¬ 
troduced: and the many fine examples there are of it in England, 
attest how well it is suited to the soil and climate. 
Now, though collections of Pinuses, taken as a whole, pre- 
I sent no striking features when seen a mile off, (and probably, 
many of them never will look well at that distance, if they 
thrive ever so well); still, there are points of beauty about 
them, when examined more closely, which the most careless 
cannot but be interested in, and differing widely in outward 
form and appearance. There are intermediate links which 
unite them in one vast family : but some strange characters 
of close relationship exist amongst them. The Abies Clan- 
brasiliana, and Spruce Mr, are supposed to be derived from 
j the same parent stock; while the height of the latter is 
something like a hundred-fold that of the former. The 
Araucaria imbricata , and A. excelsa, , are also widely different 
[ hi appearance, as being from countries separated by thousands 
of miles of ocean. Others present similar features : but the 
wide range of genera, into which the great family of Pinus 
has been subdivided, is certainly a matter useful only to 
botanists ; and the sooner a simpler method of classing them 
is devised the better. As authorities on such matters seem 
far from agreed upon the best system to be applied, they must 
not find fault with their conflicting nomenclature being 
disregarded in many cases. 
Having already extended this paper to a greater length 
than I intended, I can only finish by noticing a few of the 
i more remarkable species, as being the types of their respective 
kinds ; observing, at the same time, that general features are 
only alluded to. 
Cedar. —The Deodar, and Cedar of Lebanon, differ so 
widely, that both are good and useful in their way. The 
graceful, pendulous habit of the one contrasts with the rigid 
sturdiness of the other. They are both deserving of attention. 
Pinuses, with deep green foliage. —The most striking in this 
way, is insignia, and it is one of the most rapidly growing ones 
we have. The habit is more bushy than tapermg, which is 
not the case with Austriaca, also in this class. 
Pinuses, with long, slender , silvery foliage.—Excelsa is, 
I perhaps, the most conspicuous in this class ; its foliage having 
a drooping horse-mane or hair-broom-like appearance. This, 
however, is rather tender in many places, as well as some 
allied species: nevertheless, such species as B. macrocarpa 
or Sabiniana, are very hardy, but they lack that fine hair-like 
character wdiich distinguishes excelsa and others. Besides, 
they do not droop in that graceful manner in winter, which the 
more delicate-foliaged kinds do. The Weymouth Dine belongs 
to this class ; and though its leaves, or spines, are short com¬ 
pared with many others, still it has the same tendency to 
droop in winter that they have. 
Pinuses, with strong vigorous foliage. —There are many 
sturdy varieties in this way. P. pinaster , P. ponderosa, P. 
Benthamiana, the Stone Bine, and others, and Sabiniana and 
| macrocarpa, might more properly be classed here likewise. 
; Trees of this class are generally vigorous, strong growers, 
presenting more of an expanded head, than a tall tapering 
form. They like a dry soil, but are not the best to withstand 
a blast, especially those that have been planted out of a 
flower pot, without disentangling the roots—a matter of the 
utmost importance to all Pinuses, even if it be at the expense 
of a yeai*’s growth, or more. 
The Silver Eir Tribe. — The handsomest that I am 
acquainted with in this class, is Bicea nobilis; but pectinata, 
Webbiana, and one or two more bearing a purple cone of 
large size, are also pretty. P. Douglasii is also good ; but in 
general appearance it does not excel the ordinary Silver Fir , 
and has not attained a sufficient altitude yet to compete with 
that monarch of our forests. Little can be said about it, 
except that it promises well. This class likes a rather damp 
soil. 
The Spruce Fir, and its allies, called Abies , vary more in 
them habit of growth than in their foliage; although much 
dissimilarity exists in the latter as well. A. Morinda , and 
Smithiana, having long leaves of a deep green, while A. ccerulea, 
213 
and some others, have shorter foliage of a brownish blue 
colour. As a class, this is generally more dense in foliage 
than most others. 
An intermediate section between the Silver and Spruce Firs, 
might consist of P. Cephalonica , Binsapo, and others, with 
short round leaves inserted on all sides of the stem or branch. 
These are very handsome and compact; but are slow of growth, 
and somewhat liable to lose their leading top in early spring. 
Cypress Tribe.- —This is too varied to class under one 
general head; but, in a general way, they like a deep rich soil, 
not too dry. The old Italian Cypress is still one of the most 
handsome ; but Cupressus Lambertiana is more rapidly grow¬ 
ing, but perhaps more loose. They are all generally pretty; 
but I have not seen anything in the C. funebris yet, that 
resembles the description given of older trees of it, bv its 
introducer. 
Cryptomeria Japonica would be one of the finest and 
most ornamental species we have, if it did not turn so brown 
in winter : as it is, its habit is slender and tapering, more 
so than any kind I know of, without its top consisting of a 
multitude of leaders, each struggling for the mastery. This 
only furnishes one; and the branches have rather a tendency 
to droop than to rise upwards, their tips only tinning that 
way. 
Araucarias. — A. imbricata seems the only really useful 
one we have; although, at this place, we have A. Brazilliana, 
upwards of twelve feet high, and as many wide, standing out 
for many years ; but its growth has been slow. These are so 
widely dilferent from any other species of Pinus we have, that I 
cannot well rank them as other than fit occupants of the 
dressed ground only. 
Besides the above, other classes, embracing the Libocedrus 
and Arbor Vitae, might be found as well as the dwarfer 
species of Savin; but these are more in the character of 
pleasure-ground shrubs then forest trees, and not included 
here. The reader must also bear in mind, that the above classi¬ 
fication is merely one that would suggest itself to any one, by 
a mere cursory look at the various kinds, and not in accordance 
with the botanical character of the trees in question.— John 
Robson. " 
FIXBY HALL. 
This was long the seat of the Thornhills, and is now the 
property of Archibald Thornhill, Esq.; but, at present, is the 
residence of J. P. Edwards, Esq., who has lately added a new 
whig to the south front, finished in the same style of archi¬ 
tecture in wdiich ftie Hall was first built. Its situation is on 
the acclivity of a rising ground to the south and west, and near 
the centre from the railway stations of Huddersfield, Bridge 
House, and Elland, which are in triangular form, about two 
miles’ distance from the Hall. 
The park and woods, which occupy from four hundred and 
fiftv to five hundred acres of rich land, are bounded on the 
south-west and north by a deep and an extensive valley, afford¬ 
ing many pleasing vistas. 
The park was formerly entered by four principal gates, so 
situated as to point to the four aspects. That on the south, 
however, has long been out of use. The lodge, the fine heavy 
stone piers, and the gate, are still standing, and in good repair; 
but the carriage-drive is broken up. 
The entrance on the east is situated at right angles with 
the old high road between the market towns of Huddersfield 
and Bradford. The gates are substantial, and ride between 
massive stone piers. The lodge is a spacious, comfortable 
dwelling, placed on the right hand inside the gates. Both 
are embosomed in wood. This entrance gives the idea of its 
connection with a residence of wealth, which loves to dwell 
in security and seclusion. From the gate the carriage-road 
passes a dense and lofty grove of forest trees, whose boundary 
on either side is discernible, giving the idea of confinement, 
which, under all circumstances, is irksome to a stranger, who 
eagerly wishes to catch every new and interesting view that 
the ground or country over which he is travelling affords. 
While in this tedious suspense, he gradually emerges from the 
deep shade of the woods into open day. From this point a 
most beautiful prospect opens out to the eye. The scene is 
richly varied. Fine masses of wood hang upon the slopes, 
i 
I 
