62 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. 



rich soil. The foliage, which is small and usually two 

 and three-lobed, is of a soft texture and has a warm green 

 color. There is a peculiar beauty in the soft outlines, 

 and lights and shades of this tree, that renders it quite 

 distinct in appearance. 



AMELANCHiER. MespUuSy Medlar. B.-F. 



To simplify matters, I bring together here the orna- 

 mental species of the kinds above named in the head. 

 They are all closely related to, and somewhat resemble, 

 the apple and thorns in leaf and forms of growth. 



Service-berry, Snowy Mespilus, Shad-flower 

 AND June-berry, are names used in different localities 

 for Amelanchier Cariadensis. A small native tree, which 

 is especially variable in size, character of its leaves, and 

 abundance of its flowers; the var. Botryapium is one of 

 the most pleasing, and in spring is covered with a pro- 

 fusion of snow-white* flowers. The Common European 

 species {A. vulgaris) is sometimes cultivated. It has 

 smooth leaves and small, white flowers. 



The Medlar {Mespilus Germanica) is a small tree 

 with curious tortuous branches, and large, Avhite flowers. 

 It is sometimes grown in hedges in Europe, and produces 

 a fruit of little value, C. 



ORNAMENTAL CHERRIES, PLUMS, ALMONDS, AND PEACHES. 



Prunus. B.-F. 



Eormerly the Cherry, Plum, Almond, and Peach were 

 placed in' different genera. Sometime ago, botanists 

 united the Cherry {Cerasus) with the Plum under 

 PrunuSy and the more modern authors have placed the 

 Almond {Amygdalus), the Peach {Persica), and Apri- 

 cot {Armeniaca) all under Prunus. All of these have 

 double-flowered varieties, which are highly ornamental 

 and deserve more attention from planters than they have 

 yet received. 



