THE ARBORICULTURAL ADORNMENT OF TOWNS. 397 



Conifers. — Given shelter, there are few of the Conifers that 

 would not do well with us, which shows that we do not suffer so 

 very much from smoke. 



I am thoroughly convinced that the cold to which we are 

 liable is not nearly so great an element of danger to trees and 

 shrubs as is commonly supposed. The fatal thing is wind in cold 

 weather, and fche wind is so fatal because it increases the loss 

 of water by transpiration from the plant, and this cannot be 

 replaced from the soil in sufficient quantity. Given shelter, we 

 could grow here a large number of trees and shrubs. The want 

 of sun-heat has no doubt an influence in preventing the fine 

 changes of colour in the leaves, and it also leaves the young wood 

 often unripened, and thus there is a want of free flowering in 

 many of our trees. And further, the shoots are more liable to be 

 injured by loss of water through the influence of wind. I do not 

 think that the want of sun-heat is directly a cause of our not 

 being able to grow well many temperate trees. 



I do not know whether I have been definite enough in the in- 

 formation I have given you, but it is extremely difficult to select 

 individuals where so many are available, and I know I have 

 omitted in this currente calamo story a number of plants that I 

 might have mentioned to you. I quite agree with you that elms 

 — especially the wych elm, so abundantly planted — are not 

 always elegant objects. 



If you think I can give you more detailed information upon 

 any individual point, I shall be very pleased to do so. 



Believe me to be, 



Yours very truly, 



Isaac Bayley Balfour. 



