Thuya.—These are propagated in much the same way as the Cupressus, viz., the species by seeds, and the varieties by cuttings or by grafting in the case of the one or two highly variegated forms. Some of the green or glaucous varieties of both Cupressus and Thuya will come fairly true from seed, from 40 per cent. to 70 per cent. being the usual quantity of seedlings true to name. Variegated forms from seed either come green or a mongrel mixture of green and variegated.
Libocedrus.—This should be raised from seed, as when grafted on Thuya orientalis—a too common method of propagation—it makes a miserable specimen. The middle pair of scales in the cone of Libocedrus alone contain fertile seeds. L. doniana is a tender species.
Sciadopitys and Taxodium.—These can only be propagated by seeds, and the young plants should have a fairly moist position with plenty of leaf-mould or peat to grow in afterwards.
Sequoia.—The two species of Sequoia should be raised from seed, and the three or four varieties be grafted on the type species.
Cryptomeria.—This only contains one species, viz., C. japonica, which can only be obtained from seed, or by cuttings; and the varieties root readily as cuttings, though one or two of the weaklier ones do better if grafted on C. japonica.
Araucaria.—Propagate by seeds, which, though sometimes difficult to obtain, germinate freely and quickly.
Tsuga.—The Hemlock Spruces are easily and quickly obtained from seeds, and one or two will strike from cuttings; the varieties do best when grafted on the species they belong to, though T. pattoniana var. glauca, more commonly known as Abies hookeriana, will come fairly true from seed, about 75 per cent. being the usual quantity if the seed is obtained from good plants.
Picea.—This genus has been mentioned before as being commonly grafted on P. excelsa (the Common Spruce), which is an easy way of obtaining young plants, which, however, cannot be recommended to form good specimens in after years. The species of Picea should all be raised from seed, and the many named varieties of P. excelsa should be grafted on the parent species. At least one-half the plants of P. Engelmanni var. glauca and P. pungens var. glauca (the Californian Blue Spruce) will be found true to name when raised from seeds, while their superiority afterwards over grafted plants is evident.
Cedrus, Larix, and Pseudolarix.—It should always be remembered that these three are quite distinct genera, and for purposes of propagation should never be used in conjunction with each other, the first being evergreen and the two latter deciduous. The species of all three should be raised from seed; the varieties of Cedrus should be grafted on that genus, the forms of Larix on the Larch, though the geographical forms of the Common Larch, such as var. rossica and var. sibirica, usually come true from seed. Larix leptolepis (Japanese Larch) is one of the most beautiful trees ever introduced from Japan; it is charming both in summer and winter. Pseudolarix Kæmpferi (Golden Larch), the only representative of the genus, must be raised from seed; it is generally raised by grafting in February under glass on stocks of the common Larch.
Abies.—In this genus some of the most handsome Conifers are found, and also some of the most difficult to grow. All the Abies should be propagated by seeds, but if seed of the varieties cannot be obtained then they must be grafted on the parent species.