Some one having stated in the Gardeners' Chronicle that coniferous trees were monotonous, Mr. D. T. Fish comes to their defence, and says: "Monotony of color indeed ! It is all very well to bring this charge against Conifers in the autumn or winter, when their leaves have reached maturity or have begun to enter the sere, if not yellow stage. But not our best deciduous trees can rival the rich interest and variety of Conifers in the springtide. Take for example such a Silver Fir as P. Pinsapo; its catkins glow almost with the brilliance of coral, and its grey shoots are soft and rich with verdure that must be seen, as it is beyond description. Then such Spruces as the Smiths and Douglas are of the richest shades. The cones, too, of these and many other trees, such as Pinus excelsa and others, add a new feature of interest and beauty. These added to the catkins, the showers of golden pollen, the curious growing points of the wood, soft and apparently as succulent as juicy Asparagus at times, also, as in the case notably of P. Sa-biniana, contrasted with the brown-grey masses of sere and falling leaves, form a combination of light and shade, interest and beauty, that can scarcely be found among deciduous trees.

And the odors given out by Conifers are among the sweetest, and perhaps the most wholesome in nature."

Mr. Fish's point is a very good one. The purple male flowers of Table Mountain Pine, and the red or scarlet of the Lawson Cypress are very attractive, while the reddish brown of the new growth of Alcock's Spruce may truly be characterized as gay. There are few flowering plants more beautiful.