ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 135 



The common walnut disfigured in England by spring frosts, coming late 

 into leaf, and losing the whole beauty of its foliage prematurely in autumn 

 cannot be termed picturesque here, whatever it may be in the warm 

 valleys of Switzerland and Upper Italy ; but we hardly know a more 

 picturesque tree than the black American walnut (Juglans nigra), which, 

 in North America, is one of the most stupendous inhabitants of the forest. 

 It is quite hardy, and of moderately quick growth, but certainly possesses 

 the fault with which we have just reproached the common walnut, of tardy 

 leafage in the spring. Its pinnated foliage is much more dense and 

 tufted and of a livelier colour than that of the common ash. With the 

 remaining American species we are not acquainted, but it would appear, 

 from the statements of travellers, that none of them are trees of great 

 beauty. 



Several species of MAPLE claim the attention of the ornamental planter ; 

 a few are large trees ; the greater portion are of small growth, and upon 

 that account are, in our opinion, of great value in the creation of park 

 scenery, where the object being to produce much effect in moderate 

 space, it is frequently desirable to impart artificial height to small eleva- 

 tions, by crowning them with high trees, and, at the same time, to occupy 

 the low grounds and middle distances with trees of humbler stature. 

 It is in this point of view that the genus Maple, of which we are treating, 

 is of importance. The common maple (Acer campestre) is rarely 

 planted, and comparatively unknown as an ornamental tree, though few 

 objects are more beautiful than it is when old, and arrayed in its bright 

 yellow autumnal livery. The Norway maple (A. platanoides) excels 

 the common maple but little in height, and is rather remarkable for its 

 sturdy formal character. In early spring, just before the appearance of its 

 leaves, it is covered with a multitude of yellow flowers ; in autumn, when in 

 incipient decline, few trees can contend with it in beauty ; its leaves assume 

 decided but various colours, singularly effective, owing to the distinct 

 masses in which they are apt to arrange themselves. Whilst the greater 

 part of the tree remains green but little faded, a whole branch suddenly 

 becomes dull red, then another mass bright yellow, a tint which, gradually 

 creeping over the whole foliage, is the forerunner of its fall. The ash- 

 leaved maple (A. negundo), somewhat loftier than the Norway maple, 

 and not possessing its formality, requires especial notice. Hardy, free 

 growing, and graceful, when placed, as we are in the habit of seeing it, 

 near trees of sombre hue, the very vivid green of its light foliage stands 

 out distinct and brilliant, offering one of the best examples of the great 

 beauty to be attained, by bringing into contrast trees of different tints. 

 Several of the American maples are beautiful small trees; the sugar maple 

 is of large growth, and curious from its valuable economical properties; 

 but the most interesting species of this genus is A. macrophyllum, a 

 huge tree, with broad leaves and most valuable dense timber, which has 

 been lately introduced from the banks of the Columbia in North Western 

 America, a region of stupendous vegetation, by Mr. David Douglas, the 

 enterprising collector of the Horticultural Society of London. A. cir- 

 cinatum of the same country, also introduced by him, is a very handsome 

 small tree, with deeply incised leaves, the graceful habit of which very 

 much attracted his attention during his investigation of these countries. 



The merits and demerits of the common BEECH, its peculiar adaptation to 

 calcareous and dry gravelly soils, and the great bulk it attains upon them, 

 its somewhat formal and little varied outline, its heavy autumnal tint, are 

 too well known to detain us here ; but we must not pass, without notice, 



