128 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [ Jone, 



ing the walks in stately lines of regular forms, originate that peculiar satisfaction 

 which the consciousness of order and design never fails to impart. Of the charm. 

 of perfect cleanliness and complete health it is needless to write ; but this I will 

 say, that there is more real pleasure in looking at a cabbage brake in health, 

 cleanliness, and order, than upon a bed of flowers distinguished by the absence of 

 such qualities. 



These may be said to be the commonest elements of beauty, everywhere pre- 

 sent, and accessible to all ; but much higher ground than this may be taken in 

 approaching fruit trees on their ornamental side. It may be boldly affirmed that 

 looked at simply as ornaments they have no rivals, and few equals. During 

 the flowering period our kitchen garden walks lined with conical apple and 

 pear trees were preferred by visitors to houses full of Azaleas or tropical plants, 

 or to spring borders alive with beauty, and robed with fresh life. The only spots- 

 that competed with the trees in attractiveness were banks clothed with masses of 

 forget-me-nots, rivalling the blue sky itself in their long sheet of colouring, set off 

 with counter masses of Arabis, Primulas, Aubrietias, violets, &c. Pear trees are 

 in some respects more striking than Apples for this purpose, inasmuch as the 

 different varieties flower more together, and their blossoms are all white. 

 Cherries or Plums are indescribably effective, and Peaches and Apricots are 

 almost as much worth growing for their blossom alone, as Almonds. In the 

 South and West of England many Peaches or Apricots might ripen fruit as 

 standards or conicals. 



Though the Apple does not produce such a dazzling effect all at once, it ha& 

 more variety of colouring, and continues longer in blossom than almost any other 

 fruit tree. In colour it reaches over the entire distance, through an endless 

 series of the most exquisite pinks, from scarlet to the most spotless white ; and in 

 form, substance, and colour it has no rival in beauty among fruit trees, nor 

 scarcely among flowers. I am told that a large Devonshire orchard in blossom 

 is a sight never to be forgotten, and I can readily believe it. But while com- 

 paratively few can enjoy such a sight, we can all have the satisfaction of behold- 

 ing much beauty at home, if our eyes are only opened to see it, and our taste 

 educated to dispose of the material at our command to the best advantage. 



Nor does the ornamental character of these trees end with their blossom. 

 Most of them may be classed among fine-foliage plants. It is most absurd to 

 limit this term to plants distinguished either for the magnitude or gay colouring 

 of their leaves. All leaves are beautiful, though not all alike so. And then 

 are not fruits likewise ornamental ? We grow useless Solanums, and Tomatos- 

 and Capsicums of but little value, solely for ornamental purposes, and fail to 

 appreciate the higher claims of Apples, Pears, Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, 

 Plums, aye, even Gooseberries, Currants, Baspberries, and Strawberries, to 

 admiration for their exquisite beauty of form and colour. Yet what pen or 

 pencil has ever done full justice to the intrinsic grandeur, delicacy, or 



