136 PLANT LIFE OF ALABAMA. 
abundant crops of its luscious fruit, which ripens early in the spring. 
This tree has, however, during the past few years been threatened with 
destruction by the same blight which has proved so disastrous to the 
pear orchards throughout the region. Under the care of experienced 
cultivators, the raising of peaches as well as of the finer kinds of 
grapes is of much promise. The fig produces abundant fruit, which 
is consumed fresh or used for preserves; and the scuppernong grape 
yields its crops year after year with regular abundance. The cultiva- 
tion of the fine kinds of pecan nut has greatly increased during the past 
15 or 20 years, and the increasing crops of fine nuts are now seeking 
an outlet to distant markets. 
Exotic subtropical arborescent flora.—Vhe mildness of. the climate 
of the coast region is most fully attested by the luxuriant and varied 
growth of woody exotics from subtropical and tropical regions of the 
Old and New World, which adorn our gardens and grounds, and which 
furnish many of the trees that shade our streets and dwellings. Of the 
shade trees are to be mentioned the China tree (Melia azedarach), the 
most frequent, and its variety of lower growth known as the umbrella 
China tree; also the paper mulberry (Broussonetéa papyrifera). Of 
smaller-sized trees conspicuous by their profusion of flowers the crape 
myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) takes the tirst place; to which are added: 
Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet). Alhizzia julibrissin (silk tree). 
Cinmmamomiun camphora (camphor tree). Acacia farnesiana (sweet opoponax), 
Punica granatum (pomegranate) . Osmanthus fragrans O.major, (sweet olive). 
Jatropha carthaginiensis (large cassava Michelia (Magnolia) fuseata, 
tree). Viburnum odoratissimum (Chinese vibur- 
Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree). num). 
Of evergreen coniferous trees the deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), 
Chinese cunninghamia (Cunninghamia chinensis), Chili pines (Arau- 
caria spp.), the somber cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) of Mediterra- 
nean Europe, and the weeping cypress (Cupressus funebris) trom Asia 
not rarely adorn the grounds about dwellings throughout the Lower 
Pine region, Of the large number of hardy shrubs, only the most fre- 
quentand prominent can be mentioned, the hybrid Indian azaleas taking 
the first place. These shrubs, loaded with a profusion of flowers run- 
ning from pure white through all shades of dazzling flame-color, ver- 
milion, pink, and purple, are produced from the beginning to near the 
close of spring in a perfection scarcely ever surpassed. Many of these 
plants grow to a height of from 6 to 8 feet, covering square yards of 
ground with their low, wide-spreading branches. The single-flowered 
Camellia japonica, of almost tree-like growth, puts forth its abun- 
dance of flowers from the middle of January through the winter, as do 
several kinds of laurestines. The more tender varieties of the former, 
with double tlowers, need for their perfect development a slight pro- 
