63 feet by 5 feet 3 inches, and proves that the tree will thrive on good soil even in the east of England.
At Williamstrip Park, Gloucestershire, the seat of Lord St. Aldwyn, there is a tree 45 feet by 5 feet, probably one of the first introduced.
At Penrhyn, North Wales, there is a fine tree, 64 feet by 5 feet 5 inches.
The best example I know of the growth of Cryptomeria as a forest tree is at Tan-y-bwlch, in Merionethshire, the property of W.E. Oakeley, Esq., where a large number of seedlings were raised about 40 years ago from a tree which is now 62 by 6 feet, and has apparently not grown much lately.
The best of its progeny, growing on a slate formation where rhododendrons flourish exceedingly, near sea level, is already 53 by 4½ feet, and many others average about 40 by 3½ feet. Some are growing among beech and oak, others in a plantation of larch and Corsican pine facing north. In the latter the average girth of 8 trees was 3½ feet, whilst larch of the same age was little over 2 feet, and Corsican pine about the same. Mr. Richards, forester to Lord Penrhyn, who saw this plantation shortly after it was made, agreed with me that its success would amply justify planting Cryptomeria on a large scale in North and West Wales in sheltered places on good land up to about 300 feet above the sea. But, judging from a large board sent me by Sir John Llewellyn, grown in South Wales, the timber is much lighter and softer than it is in Japan, and perhaps will not be equal for outside work to that of Douglas fir grown on similar land.
At Dynevor Park, in Caermarthenshire, the seat of Lord Dynevor, there are some well-grown trees, the tallest of which is 56 feet by 6 feet 10 inches.
At Belshill, Northumberland, the property of Sir W. Church, there is a tree 50 feet by 4 feet 8 inches, which is about 50 years old and quite healthy.
In Scotland the tree seems quite hardy, and at Keir, the seat of A. Stirling, Esq., a tree planted in 1851 has increased from 42½ feet in 1892 to 52 feet by 8 feet girth in 1905. It has the trunk covered with burrs. At Castle Kennedy, the seat of the Earl of Stair, there is a tree 56 feet by 6 feet i inch.
In Ireland there are several fine trees. At Coollattin, Wicklow, the property of Earl Fitzwilliam, a tree measured 63 feet high by 6 feet in girth in 1906. At Woodstock, Kilkenny, a tree of the variety Lobbii, which was planted by Miss Tighe in 1857, is now (1904) 67 feet high by 6 feet 7 inches in girth. Close by this tree is a wonderful group of Cryptomerias, which have been produced by natural layering. The parent tree in the centre is about 50 feet high, and around it are over 20 trees, with straight stems, which are themselves layering, so that in course of time a grove may be produced.
At Fota there are many examples of Cryptomeria and its varieties. The form spiralis is about 15 feet high. The variety araucarioides is 31 feet by 3 feet 8 inches in girth, very compact in habit. Elegans is 42 feet by 4 feet 9 inches. The variety Fortunei measures 72 feet high, with a girth of 8 feet, a beautiful pyramidal tree, displaying the stem below with its characteristic stringy bark. This tree was planted in 1847.(H.J.E.)
