560 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 2, 1891. 
the ground, to which the branches were drawn down. 
By slow degrees the tree recovered, and last summer 
was again in good form ; so I trust in the course of 
time it will again resume its health and beauty. Some 
little trees in another part of the grounds, planted 
about five years ago, do not appear to have suffered so 
much. Neither of the trees I have mentioned produce 
the wood used in the making of pencils, which causes 
the name of Cedar to be so familiar to the world at 
large. This wood is obtained from the Bermuda Cedar, 
a species of Juniper, and also from the Juniperus 
Yirginiana of North America. 
The genus Pinus is considered, as a rule, a short¬ 
lived tree about this district, generally from the land 
being too fertile and favourable to too free a growth in 
jts early days ; to this rule, as in every case, there are 
exceptions, and one of them is the Swiss Stone Pine 
(Pinus Cembra), a very handsome species, forming fine, 
upright pyramids of a very deep green, and a pleasant 
contrast to most others. It is a slow-growing tree, 
branching densely from the ground up to its leader, and 
is said to do well in almost any situation. It has been 
introduced about 150 years, but although much valued 
in Switzerland for its timber, where, of course, it is 
plentiful, it is too slow to be grown in this country, 
except as an ornamental tree. 
The Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is indigenous to 
Britain. The distinct character of this tree, both in 
its growth and durability (even the rugged red bark of 
an old tree being to my mind very attractive), makes 
it a desirable kind wherever space will permit. The 
wood of some of its varieties, when grown in suitable 
soil and situation, is one of the most valuable of British 
timbers. Pinus Larieio or Corsican Pine does well on 
a rich soil. In the grounds of Chiswick House, a large 
and peculiar cluster of branches is growing on a tree of 
this variety, forming a dense mass, hanging pendent 
among the boughs like a large swarm of bees. It is 
evidently the result of the work of insect agency. 
The cluster is veiy dense, and measures some 6 ft. 
through, and rather more perpendicularly. Pinus 
Pinea produces seed, edible and pleasant in flavour. 
P. Strobus and P. ponderosus, planted in 1830, are 
growing near, but do not look so flourishing. P. 
austriaca, known as a good species for planting in a 
smoky district, looks moderately well, but was until a 
few years ago choked up with Ivy ; this was doubtless 
very much against its well-being. Pinus Pinaster and 
P. Lambertiana are also doing fairly well. Picea 
orientalis forms a nice pyramid ; it is spoken of as 
growing dense and lofty. The largest tree of this kind 
at Chiswick House has unfortunately from its earliest 
days been allowed to grow up with two leaders, which 
has spoilt its form. It is true to its character in being 
dense, but without the loftiness. 
The Hemlock Spruce is a distinct and graceful tree, 
usually known by the name Abies canadensis, but 
Nicholson’s Dictionary of Gardening describes it under 
the Japanese name of Tsuga. It has a flat form, of 
branching habit; and its deep green leaves are silvery 
beneath. It has grown but very slowly at Chiswick, 
judging by a tree that has been there many years ; and 
several young ones I had planted some five years ago 
have not, as yet, made much progress. This may also 
be said of a few young plants of A. Nordmanniana, 
a very distinct kind introduced from the Crimea in 
1848 ; a tree planted in 1859 has done very well, but 
is badly situated, being overshadowed with a large 
Elm, and also two Cedar3 of Lebanon, so I fear it will 
not continue flourishing for many years. A. Pinsapo, 
planted in 1847, died away, having grown vigorously 
for some years, as was also the case with A. nobilis and 
A. cephalonica ; both these varieties grew quickly for a 
time, but in very damp and overshadowed positions. 
For the common Yew I have always entertained a 
special regard, as being a true Briton, it is reliable at 
all times, and in almost any situation. You may have 
it as a tree or a shrub in every shape or form. It 
has endured our severest winters and hottest of 
summers, and yet always appears fresh and bright. 
It is an excellent subject for transplanting, moving 
well at any reasonable age or size, and rarely failing ; 
and will bear cutting or pruning better almost than 
any other subject. I have seen many specimens of the 
common variety cut hard back to the stump, and some 
broken off by other trees falling on them, and never 
knew one to fail in sending forth new signs of life, 
unless indeed the tree was already passing to decay. 
However, one variety, namely, Taxus baccata adpressa, 
which it was found necessary to have headed back 
some four or five years ago, I hoped and expected 
would behave like an ordinary Yew, but was doomed 
to disappointment, for it remains a bare stump until 
this day ; possibly some person present has had expe¬ 
rience with this variety. The upright form of T. 
baccata fastigiata or Irish Yew is very distinct and 
pleasing when placed in contrast with other shrubs. 
In planting Yew hedges, care should be taken to avoid 
their becoming overshadowed by large trees, or placing 
them in too dry a position. I would prefer the pyramid 
or tapering to the perpendicular form, thus giving the 
lower branches a chance of continuing in good growth 
by their getting rain and more light than when cut 
straight up. 
Of the Junipers, I have already spoken of two species, 
namely, Juniperus bermudiana and J. virginiana, which 
are valued specially for their pleasantly scented and 
free working timber, of which, as before mentioned, the 
wood is obtained and used in making the Cedar pencil. 
The Bermuda Csdar, according to Nicholson, is rarely 
seen growing in England. The J. virginiana is more 
hardy, coming as it did from the United States of 
America in 1664. Of this species there are several 
varieties. J. communis is found in, or as its name 
implies, is common to Europe, Asia, and America, and 
of this also there are many varieties, one, the Irish 
Juniper, beiug spoken of as the most handsome. Of 
the Chinese Juniper, there are two good trees at 
Chiswick House, one male and one female, very 
distinct in their appearance. J. Sabina, known as the 
Savin, a low-growing bush, was severely attacked 
with a parasitical fungus some six or seven years ago, 
which nearly destroyed it. I produce a branch in 
which you will see the gouty effect caused by the pest. 
Another selection from the Conifer®, and one that is 
deservedly an universal favourite—namely, the Cu- 
pressus Lawsoniana, was introduced from California in 
1853, where according to Nicholson, it forms a tree up 
to the height of 100 ft. Since its introduction it has 
been propagated to an enormous extent, being freely 
raised from seed ; but when so propagated, it of course 
varies much in form and habit, some growing away 
very tall and free, others dwarf and compact, so that if 
uniformity is desired, it is necessary to select them from 
the nursery rows. There are many forms or varieties 
of this species, and these are usually increased by 
grafting on seedling stocks. 
Araucaria imbricata, commonly known as the Monkey 
Puzzle, is an evergreen of singular and striking form. It 
was introduced from Chili in 1796. According to 
Loudon’s work, the female tree was found to be three 
times the height of the male, in its native place, the 
former Teaching a height of 150 ft., the latter from 
40 ft. to 50 ft. The leaves or scales which cover the 
branches in an imbricate form are retained for an 
indefinite term of years, varying according to the age 
or position of the tree. 
The Taxodium, or rather Sequoia sempervirens, or 
Evergreen Redwood, of Californian origin, is a distinct 
ornamental tree, with deep bright green leaves, and the 
bark very singular, being of a soft woolly nature, and 
of a deep reddish brown colour. The specimen at 
Chiswick House is rather drawn and spindly by 
reason of its too close proximity to a Cedar of Lebanon. 
Cryptomeriajaponica or Japan Cedar is a particularly 
graceful form, rather slender and brittle, and therefore 
benefited by protection from very severe hurricanes. 
A tree of Thuja pendula or weeping Arbor-vit®, planted 
in 1847, is the only form of any merit of this genus at 
Chiswick House ; several young plants of other varieties 
have been planted in recent years, but rabbits seem to 
have considered them specially placed there for their 
benefit. The variety I have mentioned is a peculiarly 
distinct form, with long pendent branches, and was 
introduced from Japan in 1S28. The Wellingtonia or 
Sequoia gigantea, of California, arrived in England in 
1853. The largest at Chiswick House was planted in 
1859 and has made a tall tree, but no longer approves 
of the atmosphere of this neighbourhood. The 
leaders and tips of many of its branches die back, and 
after every winter it looks brown and shabby until 
midsummer, or rather until new growth is completed. 
Several young trees planted of recent date, have the 
same tendency to lose their tips and leaders and to die 
off. They all seem to say, “We are not happy.” 
Whether we have a dry summer or a wet one, a severe 
winter or a mild one, still they are not happy. This 
I think must be attributed largely to the poisoned 
atmosphere which assails us and them in dense choking 
fogs, more so than to soil and situation. 
We will now look for something which will thrive 
and endure for a longer period, and for a large ever¬ 
green we cannot do better than give our attention to 
the Evergreen or Holly Oak, Quercus Ilex, introduced 
from Southern Europe some 300 years ago. This, in 
the locality, seems to delight in the situation, and for 
that reason is an excellent subject to plant, or better 
perhaps to sow; but to transplanting it certainly has 
great objections. I have at times transplanted self-set 
seedlings, and if they even lived they have not made 
much headway in their new position. I have found 
the Evergreen Oak will stand severe pruning. Two 
middle-sized trees having overgrown their position in a 
narrow belt of shrubs which it was desirable to keep as 
a division between two paths, they were headed back, 
and have since made new growths. An old tree that 
was broken off very low down during a storm has made 
new shoots from the old stool, and is now forming a 
dense shrub. I would not advocate cutting such trees 
unless for some very necessary purpose, but occasionally 
a sacrifice has to be decided upon where thick planting 
has to be carried out. I have particularly noticed 
large trees of the Evergreen Oak, when in young leaf 
and flower, have a very curious effect if viewed at some 
distance with the sun shining on them ; they appear to 
wave and glisten with various shades of bronze and 
silver tints. This is doubtless more noticeable in a 
group than otherwise, as the trees are rarely just of 
the same shade, or of a like state of development. 
The Holme Bush or Holly is well known to all in 
the common form of Ilex Aquifolium. The name 
“Holly” is considered to be a corruption of the word 
“ holy,” by reason of its general dedication as the chief 
of evergreens used in Christmas decorations. Itis indi¬ 
genous to Britain, and is also found over wide areas of 
Europe, Asia, and America. The common form is 
raised freely from seed, but as is usual in that case, the 
seedlings vary greatly in habit and foliage ; but they 
form stocks whereon to graft or bud the choice varieties. 
It is a somewhat difficult subject to transplant, the best 
times being early in the autumn or late in the spring, 
and then much will depend on the atmosphere following 
their transplanting. Every care should be taken to 
obtain as much ball as possible, to plant firmly, and to 
keep them well watered ; but occasionally, when every 
care has been bestowed, I have seen failures if adverse 
weather has followed immediately. This would of 
course be drying winds and bright sunshine. With 
favourable weather I have had self-set plants of four or 
five years’ growth taken up (and they usually do so 
without any ball) ; these have been planted to take 
their chance, and have often succeeded, evidently 
because the moist atmosphere kept the foliage refreshed 
until root action re-commenced. The species are very 
numerous ; Nicholson puts them at 145. Some are 
widely distinct from the common type, one of the 
finest being Hodgin’s Holly, forming large pyramidal 
trees, with broad, well-formed leaves. Then there is 
the opposite form, I. Aquifolium tortuosa, or twisted 
leaf. Then there is the smooth form of Hendersoni, 
with broad, oval leaf, without spines, as also Bessonii, 
with leaves lanceolate or long ; I. A. crassifolia, with 
deep cuts and spines, regular, like a saw. I. A. ferox 
has prickles covering the upper surface of the leaf, and 
is called the Hedgehog. A singular form is I. A. 
hastata, also known as I. A. latispina. 
The Sweet Bay, Laurus nobilis, shows signs of 
having felt the late severe winter. Although here the 
frost seems to have shown partiality, some trees being 
very brown, others only a few yards distant are not 
more so than is usual after an ordinary winter. The 
Laurustinus has not felt the effects to such an extent as 
the Bay, although coming from the same home—namely, 
the south of Europe, both having been in this country 
about 300 years. The Laurustinus was at first con¬ 
sidered as a relation to the Bay, hence its name Laurus, 
but it is now classed in the genus Viburnum, which 
includes the beautiful Guelder Rose. 
Where a large group or belt of shrubs is desired, and 
for planting under partial shade, nothing can be better 
than the common Cherry Laurel, of which there are 
several forms, some catalogued as withstanding our 
winter better than others ; but it is a severe winter 
that will kill any of them. I prefer irregular masses to 
the formal banks cut to a uniform level, but cutting 
down or cutting back must occasionally be resorted to, 
because if left quite unchecked for a long time they 
grow very straggling, and get broken down by wind and 
snowstorms, besides getting bare, and not fulfilling the 
purpose for which they are usually planted—namely, to 
form a blind, or screen. If dwarf banks are required, 
I would prefer to make another selection, and use 
Cheiry Laurels where they could have more freedom. 
The Portugal Laurel is a magnificent evergreen of 
deeper shade and more compact than the common 
Laurel. This may also have special praise as a flowering 
shrub, for when it has been allowed to grow into grand 
clumps in good open positions, it will put forth quite 
a wealth of blossom. 
