116 
Autumn Tints—continued. , 
Sprays or leaves are effective when used in con- 
junction with flowers for table decorations. 
Two Leucothoés are deserving of recognition—L. 
Catesbxi (Andromeda Catesbexi), hearing long, sharp-pointed, 
bronzy-purple leaves throughout the winter, and L. 
recurva, with purplish-searlet leaves in autumn. Gavwl- 
theria procumbens (Partridge Berry) is a cheerful-looking 
evergreen, with leathery leaves heavily shaded with bronze 
and crimson in winter. 
Now as to climbers. These should include Achinidia 
Kolomikta, an uncommon free-growing climber, which gives a 
good account of itself in autumn, as the decaying leaves are 
heavily shaded with yellow, thus forming a good contrast 
to the reddish-coloured footstalks. Although usually 
accommodated in unheated plant-houses, Akebia .quinata is 
hardy—in the temperate parts of these isles, at all events. 
In a young state its leaves are glossy green, but with age 
bécome suffused with brownish-purple. There are perhaps 
no more popular climbers for draping ugly walls than the 
Virginian Creepers, which in October are the admiration of 
everybody by reason of the superbly varied leaf-colours. 
Certainly no climbers are grown so extensively in town 
gardens, notwithstanding that they are bereft of foliage for 
a considerable portion of the year. Vitis quinquefolia 
(Ampelopsis hederacea) and Ampelopsis Veitchii, now 
recognised as Vitis inconstans, are unquestionably the finest 
of self-clinging deciduous creepers. The leaves vary in 
both shape and size, but the autumn colouring is always 
brilliant—shades of crimson, chocolate, and orange. 
V. Coignetiz, which has received a great deal of notice 
during the past few years, and V. Thunbergi are both 
glorious in their autumn dress. V. Teintwrier, a purple- 
leaved form of V. vinifera, is very beautiful, and deserves 
special mention. 
Tvies possess considerable autumn beauty when judiciously 
used. Hedera Helix atropurpurea (H. nigra) in the early 
stages has glossy green leaves, but as winter approaches 
the colour changes to a lovely shade of bronzy-purple, in 
which condition it remains until the following spring. 
Conifers form an interesting group. The colour of some 
intensifies in autumn and winter, and Cryptomeria japonica 
elegans will at once occur as a typical example. Then 
there is Retinospora ericoides—now merged into the Thwia 
group—whose small sharply-pointed leaves are heavily 
shaded with violet from autumn to spring. The majority 
of the Biotas and Thuias also arrest attention in winter on 
account of the variously-coloured foliage. 
Two deciduous sorts stand out prominently amongst 
autumn-coloured trees—the Golden Larch (Pseudolarix 
Kempferi), with clusters of soft green leaves which change 
to golden-yellow in the early part of October, and 
Taxodium distichum (deciduous Cypress) which, from a 
colour point of view, is most conspicuous in its autumn 
dress, although it is very elegant in spring, when its 
feathery foliage is being moved by a gentle breeze. Before 
the leaves fall the colour becomes dull red and yellow, and 
if near enough to be reflected in water on a sunny day the 
effect is superb. 
AVENUES. In forming an Avenue among the chief 
mistakes made are planting the trees in unsuitable soil, and 
not giving sufficient space between each specimen to allow 
of its individual character being displayed to advantage. 
Every Avenue should, if possible, be terminated with 
some definite object—for instance, a pagoda, tower, open 
scenery, &c. Then, again, the width of the Avenue, as 
well as the amount of room between the trees, should 
be well considered beforehand. The kind of tree employed 
must of course decide this, as it would be absurd to allow 
such things as Robinias (Acacias) the same amount of 
space as Limes, Chestnuts, or Elms. On low-lying wet 
soils it would be an advantage to plant on slightly-raised 
mounds, providing for drainage by means o: broken 
bricks, stones, and such-like material. 
* 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Avenues—continued. 
The value and beauty of the Horse Chestnut as an. 
Avenue tree have been exemplified on many estates in this 
country, and the noble examples in Bushey Park, near 
Teddington, are of world wide repute. Although hardy, it 
should always be planted in sheltered positions, as its 
branches, being very heavy, are apt to split and fall off in 
rough weather. Fagus sylvatica, although not largely 
employed as an Avenue tree, deserves mention. It stands 
boisterous weather well, succeeds best in moist soil, and 
an Avenue of shapely trees is effective. It is an advantage 
to transplant the Beech frequently in a young state, so as 
to encourage as many fibrous rootsas possible. An Avenue 
of the purple-leaved variety would not be so attractive 
as one composed entirely of the type, as the colour seen in 
the mass would be too heavy. Used with discretion in the 
park, it is, however, capable of producing splendid effects. 
The fragrant Lime is a cherished Avenue tree; and 
rightly so, for it is well adapted to such a form of culture. 
A moist, well-drained soil answers admirably, as when 
planted in very dry land it loses a large number of leaves 
prematurely, especially in hot, dry seasons. The autumn- 
tinted foliage is very attractive. The Plane-tree (Platanus 
acerifolia) is familiar to everybody as the best of all 
trees for town planting. Vigorous, free in growth, and 
thoroughly hardy, it succeeds in all soils and positions. 
The Acacia is also a grand tree for towns, but 
unfortunately not used so much as it might be. 
In some respects it is superior to the last-named, 
as it is not so vigorous, stands hard pruning better, 
and may be employed with better effects in re- 
stricted areas. The foliage is a rich and pleasing shade 
of green. For small Avenues, Acer Negundo is well 
adapted, and Liquidambar styraciflua also merits attention 
for Avenues where the larger-growing sorts would be 
out of place. Liriodendron tulipifera grows freely, and 
forms a noble tree with a tall erect stem, and spreading 
branches supplied with deep green four-lobed leaves. 
Several Elms (Ulmus) are’serviceable Avenue trees, and 
the large-leaved English is one of the best. The upright- 
habited variety is worthy of extended culture. For general 
purposes the Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is much 
better and hardier than C. Deodora, which is often 
employed as an Avenue tree. ; 
For long and very broad Avenues Quercus Ilew answers 
well. The best specimens are produced in moist, deep 
soils, and when thoroughly established they grow freely. 
Q. Turneri is another ornamental Oak of free growth. 
Abies brachyphylla, a somewhat rare Japanese species, 
makes a handsome Avenue tree, but it requires good soiland 
shelter from north and east winds. A. Nordmanniana is 
perbaps the best of all the Silver Firs for decorative 
purposes; it succeeds in all soils and exposed situations. 
A. Douglasii, now botanically recognised as Pseudotsuga 
Douglasii, is a grand tree, with its tall stem, horizontal 
branches, and lovely foliage. Picea pwngens glauca is a 
particularly showy and thoroughly hardy Conifer. It is of 
excellent growth in good soil, with an erect stem and 
stout branches. 
Cryptomeria japonica is an upright-growing tree, whose 
stem is covered with rough brown bark. Protection 
from biting winds and an open soil should be secured 
for it. Thuwia gigantea, a vigorous North American 
Conifer, also makes a suitable Avenue tree. It has an 
erect trunk, short branches, and deep green leaves. Pinus 
excelsa, P. Strobus, and Wellingtonia gigantea (under 
favourable conditions) are also serviceable Avenue trees. 
Araucaria imbricata has been planted extensively as an 
Avenue tree, as welt as a lawn and park tree. It is 
sometimes made to cut ridiculous figures in the front 
gardens of many suburban villas. To see the true beauty 
of this peculiar tree, rich soil and a clear atmosphere are 
necessary. Its value as an Avenue tree has, however, been 
over-estimated. 
