148 PAKKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



the genial climate of the south, it attains to the size 

 of a niediura tree, and combines singularly well with 

 laurels, which, in small groups, are very beautiful 

 when overtopped by a fine weeping willow. Its most 

 effective position is in connection with water, over- 

 hanging, like a green vail, a stream or lake. The 

 Fine-leaved AsTi is an elegant tree, of a broad shape, 

 with small foliage and pendulous branches. The 

 Common Weejnng Ash is fit only for forming an ar- 

 bor ; as a tree, it is devoid of all grace. There is a 

 variety in Wellhall, in Lanarkshire, which is much 

 finer, being intermediate between the weeping and 

 the common ash. 



The Chinese Weejnng Cypress is an evergreen weep- 

 ing tree, one of the recent importations from China, 

 and if we may judge from the description given by 

 Mr, Fortune, who introduced it — for we have seen it 

 only in a young state — it is one of the finest of its 

 class. In his interesting work on " The Tea Districts 

 of India and China," he says, " It is a noble, fir-like 

 tree, about sixty feet in height, having a stem straight 

 as a Norfolk Island pine, (Araucaria excelsa,) and 

 pendulous branches like the weeping willow. The 

 branches grow at first horizontally with the main stem, 

 then describe a graceful curve upward, and drooping 

 again at the points. From these main branches, 

 others, long and slender, hang down toward the 

 ground, and give the whole tree a weeping and grace- 

 ful form." This tree appears to be hardy, and if it 

 maintains that character, it will be an interesting 

 addition to the scenery of the park and pleasure- 

 ground, and should be planted wherever its form is 

 admissible. Avenues composed of it would have a 



