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GARDEyERS' CHRONICLE 



way in which one or two strong branches shoot out from 

 the main trunk leaving the rest of it practically bare. As 

 the trees become older a more symmetrical appearance is 

 gained, but without the loss of the straight, rigid, ramrod- 

 like effect of the branches arising at a fairly acute angle 

 from the trunk. The Sweet Gum, Liquidainbar styraciflua, 

 is another of our striking trees — especially those forms 

 which have peculiar corky ridges along the twigs. Its 

 buds possess a high polish, even when growing in thickly 

 populated centers where they might be expected to be 

 overlaid with city grime. Its pendent fruits remind one 

 of the spiked ball maces used with murderous intent dur- 

 ing the middle ages. 



Those wishing to delve farther into this fascinating 

 subject will find that "Studies of Trees in Winter." Hunt- 

 ingdon, or "Trees in Winter/' Blakeslee and Jarvis, are 

 useful aids to observation. 



Nature in some of her meteorological manifestations 

 adds much to the beauty of vegetation in Winter. 

 Amongst the phenomena that compel the admiration of all 

 beholders is the ice storm which coats every exposed thing 

 with a sheet of ice. What an alluring place the garden is 

 when the sun breaks through immediately after one of 

 these ice storms ! Every twig, every leaf, encased in glit- 

 tering ice which emits a musical tinkle and crackle as the 

 branches are swayed by the breeze. Although these 

 storms are a feast for the eyes, yet they awaken much 

 trepidation in the heart of the gardener, for, should a 

 strong wind spring up whilst the trees and shrubs are still 

 shrouded in the heavy covering considerable damage may 

 be caused by snapping of the overweighted branches. 

 Much has been written of the surpassing loveliness of 

 snow-laden trees. Here the evergreens possess an ad- 

 vantage over their deciduous brethren in their ability to 

 make an entrancing picture. It can almost be said that 

 no two snowstorms are alike in their efifect on the garden 

 landscape. The trees and shrubs exhibit an entirely dif- 

 ferent appearance after a snowstorm accompanied by 

 wind and a low temperature, and after one of those quiet 

 storms, with the temperature just above freezing point, 

 when the snow is heavy and stays just where it falls. 

 Storms of the latter type are often the cause of serious 

 damage to our cherished evergreens when the snow lodges 

 on their branches and by sheer weight breaks them. 



Some ten years ago there was an interesting article in 

 the Gardeners' Chroniele (London) on hoar frost and 

 snow in the alpine garden. The article was illustrated 

 with photographs which clearly showed the enchanting, 

 fairy-like effects produced when Jack Frost has his way 

 with the denizens of the alpine garden. The pictures 

 showed seed heads of Scdum spectahilis transformed into 

 powder-puffs of snow, and Scmperinviim and other al- 

 pines with leaves rimmed with hoar frost. The writer 

 stated that he made a practice of leaving seed stalks on 

 many plants, so that he might enjoy their beauty when 

 transformed by frost or snow from dried-up rubbish into 

 objects of beauty. 



The shrulis in general are not particularly noleworth>- 

 for their Winter appearance, but there are some that are 

 so .strikingly distinct that they cannot be overlooked. The 

 shrubby Dogwoods with colored stems ought to receive 

 much more attention than they do. .\ group of Cornus 

 alba provides a most pleasant touch of color which is 

 greatly enhanced when the blood-red stems have the snow- 

 covered ground as a foil. C. stolonifcra. a North Ameri- 

 can species, similar in appearance to the preceding, which 

 is Asiatic in origin, has a variety, iiaviramea. with bright 



yellow stems which can be effectively used associated with 

 the red-branched forms. This genus contains several 

 other species with colored twigs ; notably C. amuniuiii, 

 purple ; C. Beileyi, with reddish stems, and C. sanguinea, 

 red. There is a variety of the latter, z'iridissiina, with 

 green branches. A most interesting and beautiful plant- 

 ing for Winter effect could be formed by the use of vari- 

 ous species of Coniiis alone, but we are not by any means 

 restricted to this genus. 



In sections where very low temperatures are not expe- 

 rienced the pale green stems of Kerria Japoniea are very 

 effective. Here in Brooklyn the Winters are usually suf- 

 ficiently severe to kill back the tips, which causes them 

 to turn brown and spoils their appearance. 



Many Chinese specimens of Ritbits introduced to culti- 

 vation Ijy E. H. Wilson are unique amongst shrubs in 

 their winter garb. The canes of many of this group 

 exhibit a bluish-white, or white appearance, caused by a 

 waxy exudation on the bark. This is so pronounced in 

 some species as to make them appear as if whitewashed. 

 These are not in general cultivation in America and we 

 need to know more of them as to their hardiness and 

 adaptability to our climate. To many the effects of a 

 clump of these ghastly canes is bizarre rather than pleas- 

 ing, but to others they are interesting and well worth 

 growing. R. Giraldianus, a strong growing species, is 

 amongst the most effective of these white-stemmed Rubi. 

 This has the merit of being particularly graceful, as many 

 of the strong canes arch over so that the tips touch the 

 ground. 



Many of the Willows exhibit striking coloration of the 

 young twigs, which is usually intensified towards the close 

 of Winter. Indeed, this brightening of their color may 

 almost be taken as the first sign of the coming of Spring. 

 .Vlthough some of these Willows could more properly be 

 considered as trees rather than shrubs, yet, when they are 

 grown for Winter effect, it is sometimes desirable so to 

 prune them as to cause them to assume a shrub-like habit. 

 Two varieties of Salir vitellina are desirable forms. One, 

 var. aiirca, has yellow .stems, and one, var. britcensis, has 

 red stems. 



Judicious pruning is advisable with all shrubs grown 

 for twig coloration, as it is the young growths that exhibit 

 it in greatest perfection. Pruning therefore should be 

 carried out with the idea of securing an abundant supply 

 of strong young growth and, of course, should be per- 

 formed in spring before growth starts. 



With the many opportunities of providing interest and 

 beauty in the outdoor garden during the \\'inter, is it not 

 worth while to endeavor to grasp them and to avoid, as 

 much as possible, marring the eft'ect by unsightly Winter 



There are two kinds of men in the world : those who 

 sail and those who drift ; those who choose the ports to 

 which they will go, and skilfully and boldly shape their 

 course across the seas with a wind or against it, and those 

 who let winds and tides carry them where they will. Suc- 

 cess of the real kind is always in the man who wins it, 

 not in conditions. No man becomes great by accident. A 

 man gets what he pays for. in character, in work, and in 

 energy. 



The only road to advancement is to do your work so 

 well that vou are always ahead of the demands of your 

 position. Keep ahead of your work and your work will 

 push your fortunes for you. 



Our emplovers do not decide whether we shall stay 

 where we are or go on and up. We decide that matter 

 ourselves. — Hamilton D. Maine. 



