Magnolia. 81 



cratczgus spathulata. It has bright scarlet fruit which 

 hangs on during the winter among the purplish, persistent 

 leaves, making it a very ornamental plant. 



MAGNOLIA. 



THE magnolias constitute an interesting family, and 

 as a whole are unsurpassed among hardy trees in 

 beauty of foliage and flower. They are widely 

 distributed both in the Old World and the New, and in 

 higher and lower latitudes, some being deciduous and 

 others evergreen. As classified by the botanists there are 

 about twenty species and an equal or greater number of 

 varieties known in cultivation. Some are natives of tropical 

 Asia, and others of the colder portions of the temperate 

 zone. A few are found in the West Indies, New Zealand, 

 and Australia, and a much larger number come from China, 

 Japan, the Crimean and Himalayan Mountains. Several 

 are natives of North America and indigenous to the 

 United States. But, wherever found, their attractions 

 have been such that the better sorts have become common 

 property throughout the horticultural world. 



A large number of species and varieties blossom in 

 early spring before the foliage appears. In this case the 

 flower-buds are formed and fully grown the previous 

 summer, and so are ready to respond to the first genial 

 breath of spring. It is astonishing how quickly these 

 trees are clothed with flowers as the winter wears away, 

 and how fully the promise of the last year's growth is 

 fulfilled. None of the American species are of this class, 



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