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Coniferae (Hardy evergreens The present)

Hardy evergreens. The present genus ranks extremely close to Cupressus, the principal distinction between the two being the more numerous ovules beneath the fertile scales of the latter. They are very pretty, and thrive best in a moist soil, in a rather protected situation. Propagated freely by seeds; but mainly by cuttings, put in during October. Select young side shoots, with a heel; insert in well-drained pots of sandy soil, and place in a close cold frame, keeping fairly moist through the winter. In February, they will be calloused, and should be placed in gentle heat; they will then root freely. This genus, like most others of the same order, is overloaded with synonyms, and more varieties are often elaborated into species--most of them known in gardens under the name of Retinospora, others as Cupressus. C. Boursierii (Boursier's). A synonym of C. Lawsoniana. C. decussata (decussate). A synonym of C. ericoides. C. ericoides (Health-like). l. linear, spreading, densely arranged in four ranks on the slender branchlets, somewhat rigid and acute; bright green above, glaucous beneath, assuming a ruddy tint in winter. Branches very numerous, furnished with short branchlets. h. 3ft. to 4ft. A well-known dwarf, compact, conical bush, of garden origin. SYNS. C. decussata, Retinospora decussata and juniperoides.

C. filicoides aurea (golden fern-like). A synonym of C. tetragona aurea. C. filifera (thread-bearing).* l. subulate, pointed, distant, in alternate pairs, fulvous-green colour. Branches spreading; secondary ones alternate, long, distant, furnished, on one side principally, with numerous thread-like pensile branchlets of various lengths; terminal ones longer, filiform. Japan, 1867. A dwarf tree, with irregular outline. SYN. C. pisifera filifera. C. Keteleeri (Keteleer's). A synonym of C. obtusa.

C. Lawsoniana (Lawson's).* fl., male catkins bright crimson, terminal, numerous, produced when the trees are in a young state. l. dark glossy green, more or less tinged with a glaucous hue, very minute and closely imbricated, obtuse or acute, usually furnished with an obscure tubercle towards the apex, cones about the size of large peas, and produced in great profusion. Branches short, and spreading; branchlets crowded. pendulous, fern-like, and feathery. Trunk comparatively slender. h. 75ft. to 100ft. North California, 1853. A very splendid hardy evergreen tree, usually known in gardens under the name of