98 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



this country, and have proved perfectly hardy, growing freely in 

 most soils, and forming splendid park trees. 



There are few or no really distinct varieties, but all of the 

 species are worthy of a place in any arrangement of decorative 

 trees. 



The Chestnut (Castanea). 



The only one of thi.s family which we would select as an oi"na- 

 mental tree is C, vesca, the Spanish Chestnut, a well-known and 

 much appreciated hardy tree. It is a native of Asia Minor, where 

 it attains to a height of from 50 to 60 feet. It is of rapid growth, 

 perfectly hardy, and, when allowed plenty of room, forms a 

 handsome spreading umbrageous tree, densely furnished with its 

 ol)long shining leaves. 



Of this fine tree there are numerous very striking vaiieties, 

 most of which are probably of European origin, and all of them 

 vei-y desirable as ornamental trees. 



The Catalpa (Cataljm). 



Indigenous to Cai'olina, Georgia, and Floiida, this fine tree, 

 Catalpa syrinyfcfulia, is only equal to the climate of Scotland in 

 favoured situations. It stands well, however, in many parts of 

 England, where it is seen as a broad spreading tree of some 30 feet 

 in height. The leaves are cordate — from 5 to 6 inches across — and 

 of a bright green tint. Where this tree thrives — and we have 

 seen it in perfection in the southern and midland counties of 

 England — it produces its large terminal panicles of white flowers, 

 spotted with purple and yellow, in great profusion. 



The variety " aurea " is one of the finest of golden-leaved 

 trees. 



The Laburnum (Cytisus). 



So far as trees are concerned among this family, the well-known 

 plants called " Laburnums " are the type. Two species are 

 cultivated in this country, the one, Cytisus alpinus — a native 

 of the Apennines — and popularly known as the " Scotch Labur- 

 num ; " and the other, Cytisus Laburnum, a native of Germany, 

 but popularly called the "English Laburnum." They are very 

 showy in the early months of summer, when clothed with their 

 l)eautiful golden blossoms, and both have claims of a special kind 

 upon the attention of planters of ornamental trees. 



