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CHAPTER XIV.

THE PINETUM.

Remarks on Special Collections of Trees.-The Pinetum.-Materials and Arrangement.-Enumeration of Species, with Observations on the Groups.-Effects of Climate.-Soil.-Early Cultivation of the Plants.-Planting of the Pinetum.—Pruning of the Trees.-Decorative Treatment of the Pinetum.

MANY persons, whose limited domains do not permit, or whose scientific zeal does not incite them to plant an Arboretum, may yet be induced to form extensive collections of a few particular genera. A botanist, for example, may begin by cultivating a few willows in order to study their characters at his leisure, and he may add to his stock till it swells out to a magnitude approaching that magnificent Salicetum existing at Woburn Abbey. So a lover of wild roses may extend his attention and predilection to the whole of the species and numerous varieties of that beautiful family; and such has been the origin of many fine Rosaries. We should like to see this method of special culture more frequently exemplified. We have observed a long walk in a pleasure-ground, skirted by a row of oaks, exhibiting many diversified seminal varieties, if not distinct species,

and the thought occurred that it would be a fine thing to have a broad ride bordered with oaks in the sunny expanse of a wide park or in the open glades of a sheltered forest. We are assured that a quercetum, an aceretum, and various other analogous collections, might be formed, possessing great value in themselves, and imparting a decided character to a place which, from its limited extent or other circumstances, might be naturally uninteresting.

The Pinetum is unquestionably the most important of all the special collections of trees, whether as a member of a general arboretum or as planted by itself; and accordingly it is deservedly receiving increasing attention throughout the country. From the low banks of the Thames to the subalpine slopes of the Grampians, it is year after year more frequently planted. This very interesting collection of trees is composed of the natural families of pine, cypress, yew, and other kindred races, or what, in popular, though not very accurate language, are called Conifers. At present there are in cultivation about twenty hardy genera, and nearly 280 distinct species and varieties, which, with the exception of about fifteen, are evergreen. From a fourth to a third of the whole may be considered sub-hardy in many localities. A number of them are shrubs; but the most are tall trees, even in this country, and in their native habitats some attain a prodigious altitude. Deducting the low and bushy sorts, there still remain a sufficient number, when one of a species or variety in the extensive genera, and one or two in the smaller are employed, especially if well arranged in generic and subdivisional order, to furnish an evergreen arboretum of several acres, room being allowed for the full development of the trees.

In order to render our observations intelligible, as well as to have an opportunity of conveying useful information, we deem it needful to give an enumeration of the species which have been ascertained, or may be expected, to live and thrive in our climate. We adopt the scientific arrangement and nomenclature of Endlicher, as best suited to our present purpose*. To the several groups and subdivisions we shall append brief remarks on their respective characters, or on other matters connected with them worthy of notice. At the end of the chapter we shall offer some general observations on the influence of soil and climate in relation to these trees, and on the pictorial arrangement of the Pinetum as a whole. The reader is requested to remember that when no indication is given the species is known to be hardy;-that h? denotes that this character is doubtful—sh means sub-hardy-and that the figures attached to the right of the specific names mark the average or probable height in feet. An asterisk is prefixed to a few species not yet introduced into this country.

* It will be observed that the arrangement of Endlicher, taken from his Synopsis Coniferarum,' and corresponding to the class and alliance Gymnogens of Lindley, differs in the order of sequence from that given from The Vegetable Kingdom,' in our Synopsis of Orders in the chapter on The Arboretum. We do not profess to adjudicate on their respective scientific merits. Perhaps the latter is better adapted to express the external relations of the Order in a general system. In a detached Pinetum we should prefer Endlicher's subdivisions. The reader may adopt either as it suits his convenience.

Much valuable and interesting information, regarding pines and the kindred genera, may be found in Messrs. Lawson and Son's List of Plants of the Fir Tribe,' and in Messrs. Knight and Perry's 'Synopsis of the Coniferous Plants grown in Great Britain.'

In this group, none of the sorts reach the habit of trees. The foliage of 2, 7, 13, is of a light green, with a glaucous hue; 10 and 11 are of a deep green. Those of an erect form, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, group well with spreading shrubs, 12 has fine drooping branchlets; the others are suitable for rockworks or for covering bare sandy knolls.