THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 29 



very noble habit of growth ; foemina macrophj'lla, undoubtedly the finest of all, 

 the leaves being of great size and handsome form, deeply notched, and a rich deep 

 green colour; mascula elegans, a finely variegated form of the male, the leaves 

 richly blotched with gold ; and mascula elegantissima, another fine form of the 

 male, the leaves of which are striped and spotted with gold. It is but right in this 

 connection to mention the name of Mr. Wiiliam Bull, of Kings Road, Chelsea, for 

 to him the public are indebted for the best exhibitions of aucubas, shovving tiieir 

 various characters of leaf and berry, of any that have been attempted since the 

 plant acquired its present importance, and became productive of berries on British 

 soil. Aucuba Himalaica is a beauiil'ul Indian species, with dark green leaves and 

 berries, which are pai'tially coloured coral-red and yellowish-green. It is a grand 

 conservatory shrub, and may lieteafter figure in our own shrubberies — if not every- 

 where, at least in some of the most sheltered districts of Britain. It is not an 

 agreeable task, perhaps, to have to introduce a skeleton at a banquet, but at tliis 

 feast of berries I feel constrained to obtrude a m.elancholy consideration. It is this: 

 that probably, after all we have hoped and all we have said, the aucuba will never 

 acquire any great importance as a berry-bearing shrub in our gardens; because 

 though it may produce berries in plenty, they will perhaps be so concealed by the 

 leaves as to be scarcely visible, unless we lie on cur backs to survey the wondrous 

 scene. I will not venture to say that the aucubas that have been exhibited with 

 berries have been prepared for exhibition by a skilful removal of some of their 

 leaves, so as to bring the berries into view conspicuously; in truth, I never thought 

 at the right moment of examining one with the object of determining that point, 

 but the thought has occurred to me with some force, and if you bear in mind that 

 it is the habit of the tree to throw up the new growth in the midst of the flowers, 

 when these latter are in perfection, I daresay you will share with me the fear I 

 entertain. 



English and American Thorns are well known to be as grand in their appearance 

 when covered with berries as when they bear their blushing honours luxurious with 

 perfume in the merry month of May. I do not intend to enlarge upon the merits of the 

 Crataegus generally as a bearer of berries, because the subject would so properly and 

 necessarily lead to the consideration of ornamental trees and shrubs, without regard 

 to berries. But I would take advantage of the mention of the genus to remark, 

 first, that the species of Crataegus are eminently adapted for the embellishment of 

 suburban gardens; to press the matter closer, I will venture to say that they are 

 amongst tlie best of all the town trees we have. The plane for grandeur, and the 

 thorn for beauty, and every London garden or square may have superb furniture. 

 These, at least, are able any day to Ijring the country into the town, whatever else 

 may fail; and those who want to make sure of some success in planting in towns, 

 should plant plenty of them to begin with. The best collection of thorns I can 

 refer you to as always accessible, and except in the depth of winter always worth 

 seeing, is to be found in Victoria Park, where, under the skilful management and 

 constant care of Mr. Prestoe, good trees attain to respectable proportions, and show 

 their true characters, though so near the great metropolis. At Battersea Park there 

 are interesting trees without number, but I have not noticed so many fine examples 

 of Crataegus there as at the other park I have named. In quitting this part of the 

 subject, I would call your attention to a remarkable specimen of Crataegus crus-galli, 

 the Cockspur thorn, with a great tabular head, which stands beside the lake near 

 Llanover Gate, in Victoria Park. Near the same spot are equally characteristic 

 examples of other species. In case any of our friends should need a hint as to the 

 species it is desirable to plant in every garden, I would name the common hawthorn, 

 C. oxycantha, and its yellow-berried varieties aurea and aurantiaca, the double- 

 flowering dark-red puniceus flore pleno, and the single crimson-flowered rosea 

 superba. Tlie American C. coccinea, C. crus-galli, C. flava with pear-shaped yellow 

 berries, and C. heterophjdla with red berries, are all fine. 



For a last word, I call your attention to the well-known evergreen thorn C. 

 pyracantha as one of the best of all known berry-bearing shrubs to grow in pots 

 for the plunging system. I think you will admit that it is something new to fruit 

 this fine shrub in seven-inch pots, the plants tvvo feet high and branching freely, 

 every branch loaded with bunches of its showy orange-red fruit. It is one of the 

 easiest of things to manage in this way, and the doing of it may be described in a 

 word. Layer the shoots into pots, cut them away when well rooted, and prune a 

 little to give them shape. They will bear berries the next eeasou. The specimens 



