i*97. 



• GARDENING. 



211 



THE UMBRELLA TREE 



that we would when questioning the 

 hardiness of a tea rose, or any semi-hardy 

 tree. There are some trees and shrubs 

 that are quite tender when young, mak- 

 ing a more vigorous growth than thev 

 can ripen sufficiently to stand the cold 

 subjected to, that when sobered down by 

 age make less annual growth, ripen it 

 and prove hardy. 



In the case of young cut-leaved birches, 

 all seem hardy even out to the terminal 

 buds. Under these conditions one would 

 not look for them to develop any degree of 

 tenderness as they advanced in age. Un- 

 doubtedly this tree is hardy in other sec- 

 tions as cold in winter as here, and prob- 

 ably colder. It was this feauture of the 

 question that has caused me to open the 

 subject again, as I feared that some 

 intending planters in similar climates as 

 regards winter temperature might dis- 

 card it. 



It is a question in my mind if the soil 

 plays any part. AtWaukegan and High- 

 land Park it is a yellow clay loam. At 

 Graceland, where Mr. Simonds had his 

 experience, and at where those Mr. Pet- 

 tigrew mentioned were planted, it is de- 

 cidedly sandy and I think that the soil at 

 Elmhurst is still of a different character. 

 I imagine that the cold winds from off 

 our lake in the spring exerts some unex- 

 plained influence, an influence that young 

 and vigorous birch trees seem able to 

 combat. 



I have noticed that where careful cul- 

 ture is given they hold their vigor at the 

 top longer than neglected specimens. We 

 often have late cold winds from the lake 

 that even defoliate native oaks. Some 

 coming earlier often injure the leaf buds 

 if preceded by a warm spell, but as far as 

 I have noticed the young cut-leaved 

 birches escaped much damage. As yet I 



cannot attribute the failure of this tree 

 to the degree of cold thev have to endure 

 here. W. C. Egan. 



Chicago. 



THE UMBRELLA TREE. 



Our illustralion represents a very beau- 

 tiful specimen of the Umbrella China Tree 

 (Alelia Azedarach var. umbraculifera) . 



The China tree, or Pride of India, as it 

 is sometimes called, is a common shade 

 tree in the southern states, especially in 

 towns and cities, and it also is widely 

 grown in the West Indies and southern 

 Europe. As its name implies it is of Asi- 

 atic origin, but it now is widely natural- 

 ized wherever grown in this country. It 

 is not hardy in the northern states. 



It belongs to the same family of plants 

 as does the mahogany and although not 

 a tree of great proportions, seldom 

 attaining a height of morethan40 feet, it 

 is very fast growing and it is easily raised 

 from seed. The common China tree has 

 rather an open habit, but the form here 

 illustrated and known as the Umbrella 

 China tree has an exceedingly dense head 

 and not only is it the most desirable of 

 all melias as a shade tree, but one of the 

 best shade trees of any kind. It origi- 

 nated in Texas and is often known as the 

 Texas Umbrella tree. 



Apart from these melias being fine shade 

 trees they are exceedingly free blooming, 

 bearing large panicles of fragrant lilac 

 colored flowers early in spring. One 

 variety in particular, namely, floribvnda. 

 is highly desirable for its flowers. It is of 

 somewhat dwarf, compact form and its 

 flo wers are larger and whiter than those 

 of the common China tree and it blooms 

 when quite small, indeed it is often grown 

 as a pot plant in northern conservatories 

 where its delightfully fragrant flowers are 



muchesteemed. They areof no use forcut- 

 ting, however, as they wilt so soon after 

 being severed from the plants. 



The foliage is smooth, deep green, twice 

 pinnate, ovate and pointed toothed leaf- 

 lets and is quite suggestive of the leaves 

 of Koslreuteria paniculata. 



Landscape Gardening. 



PLAN FOR A COUNTRY PLACE OP TEN 

 ACRES. 



The country house and grounds of 

 which the accompanying plan will give 

 some idea, are situated about 30 miles 

 north of New T York on one of the chain of 

 lakes from which the city draws its water 

 supply. It is a region of high rocky hills, 

 rich pasture lands and broad stretches of 

 forest encircled lakes. 



In working out a fitting landscape 

 design in such a locality the dominant 

 motive in the treatment of ground sur- 

 faces, drives and plantations has been to 

 accentuate the expression which these 

 surroundings convey, and to increase the 

 apparent breadth and extent of the home 

 grounds proper. 



The house is situated on high ground 

 which slopes away gradually to the right 

 and somewhat more rapidly in front and 

 to the left, the level at the street being 

 about ten feet below that of the founda- 

 tion, and the lake (300 yards farther) ten 

 or fifteen more. 



The driveway is rather compelled to its 

 somewhat circuitous course at the 

 entrance, its location being determined 

 by the only opening through the heavy 

 clump of large trees. For the rest it makes 

 no attempt at balance of parts, in this 

 respect in keeping with the unconven- 



