The remarks concerning the above species certainly do not apply to the Japanese species, Chamaecyparis obtusa. This has produced a wealth of first-class offspring which are the favourites of dwarf and slow-growing conifer enthusiasts throughout the world. The species is seldom available today but a wide range of its numerous cultivars are much to the fore in nurserymen's catalogues, particularly specialist lists. Beginning with the taller cultivars, 'Crippsii' is a first-rate golden form, indeed, probably the best golden chamaecyparis for the smaller garden. Typical of the species, it eventually grows to a height of 3oft(cim) or so. For something different-and many of the obtusa cultivars are different-'Filicoides', when well grown, is distinctive and quite beautiful. The branches are presented in fern-frond style, the foliage is deep green and the ultimate height is i5ft(4.5)m. Although the name suggests "dwarf", 'Nana Gracilis' will eventually attain ioft(3m) in height. This outstanding form with dark green foliage held in neat shell-like sprays should, without doubt, be represented in every garden and conifer collection. Turning again to golden foliage, 'Tetragona Aurea' is an exciting form of great merit. The branchlets have a close, mossy appearance and are borne on a large shrub of up to 2oft(6m) in'height in a most attractive manner. The really true dwarf forms of c. obtusa are numerous and many are collector's pieces. Most are best suited to alpine house conditions, winter wet playing havoc with the close, tight, mossy foliage. Of those suitable for the garden 'Kosteri' is a distinctive deep green form; 'Nana' is superb, but be sure to obtain the true form and not the much faster growing 'Nana Gracilis'; 'Pygmaea' takes on an attractive winter mantle of bronze, and 'Repens' is a particularly well-named, spreading form. Again, a range of coloured forms of c. obtusa are in commerce. 'Mariesii' is heavily variegated with white and a very pretty, slow-growing shrub; 'Nana Aurea' is a superb golden dwarf; 'Nana Lutea' a paler clear gold; 'Pygmaea Aurescens' bronze-gold, darker in winter and a most interesting recent arrival from New Zealand; and 'Fernspray Gold'-also from New Zealand-is well named. A large number of forms of Chamaecyparis pisifera have been named. This is yet another species from Japan and again it is extremely variable. Neither this nor its cultivars are as important as those previously described but one dwarf domed-shaped cultivar of real value is c. pisifera 'Nana' (illustrated on p. 57). CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA (Japanese cedar) Cryptomeria japonica is too large for the smaller garden, and again there are many forms both large and small. The named tall forms are as unsuitable as the species for growing ina limited space, with the possible exception of the juvenile-foliaged 'Elegans', which is always attractive. The red-bronze winter colouring provides a fine addition to the winter scene.