DECIDUOUS FLOWERING TREES 39 



exceptionally favourable conditions the tree will reach 

 a height of over thirty feet ; but it is of small growth, 

 and specimens from fifteen to twenty feet are the most 

 general. The flowers are snow white, and produced 

 in short racemes during April. The trees may be 

 arranged in small groups or as single specimens, on the 

 lawn or in the shrubbery, but they should have a 

 sheltered position, as the keen easterly winds so damage 

 the flowers as to shorten their period of beauty. A 

 moderately rich soil is advisable. 



AMYGDALUS. The Almonds and Peaches comprise 

 some of the most beautiful of the small growing 

 deciduous trees, and they are of much value because of 

 the early period of the year at which they bloom. They 

 are indeed so precocious that they produce a welcome 

 display of colour in the garden well in advance of the 

 other trees. They commence flowering at a very early 

 age and continue for an almost indefinite period, in- 

 creasing in effectiveness concurrently with the increase 

 in age and size. Well developed specimens range from 

 fifteen to twenty-five feet, and from their peculiarity of 

 growth they appear to the best advantage when arranged 

 singly or in small groups in the shrubbery. As far as 

 practicable they should be planted where they will be 

 sheltered from the easterly winds. 



The Common Almond (A. communls) is the earliest to 

 bloom and has bright pink flowers and with its double 

 variety (A. communls flore pleno) is most desirable ; the 

 double form is the most effective. The Sweet Almond 

 (A. dulcls) is extremely beautiful during its season of 

 flowering, and should be generally planted. Most 

 desirable also are its varieties. Purpurea, bright red, 

 macrocarpa, the flowers white tinted with pink and very 

 large, and pendula which has a pendent habit. 



The White Chinese Almond (A. Davidiana) which 

 has pure white flowers, and the Pink Chinese Almond 



