96 FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE OF SUMMER. 



the most tropical-looking tree of the lawn, the great massive 

 leaves assuming the gigantic proportions of three feet long 

 and a foot broad. These leaves are, moreover, rich and 

 shining in color and striking throughout the summer. A 

 conspicuous position and abundant room at some distance 

 from the house should be accorded this magnolia for the 

 attainment of its fullest effect. Its shade is delightful, and 

 as a summer tree its rank is in every way high. 



But let us turn to a group of summer trees that rank 

 on the lawn only second to the beeches. There are so 

 many fine varieties in the richly endowed genus of oaks 

 that I am in doubt which to select for special notice. They 

 are all fine summer trees, and the American varieties per- 

 haps most of all. When we lament our inability to grow 

 the perfect evergreens seen everywhere in England, we 

 have only to turn to our grand native oaks and feel com- 

 pensated by our richness in that deciduous genus alone. 



Among American oaks there is the chestnut oak, com 

 bining the fine outline of leaf of the chestnut and all the 

 grandeur and shining qualities of the true oak type. For 

 an oak it grows with much vigor and symmetry. Then 

 there is the white oak, also of noble proportions, as well 

 as the red oak. The scarlet oak is somewhat smaller. 

 Among American oaks there is no finer at any time, and 

 especially in summer, than the pin oak ( Quercus palustris). 

 Its drooping, yet vigorous and shining foliage make one 

 of the most striking features of any summer landscape. 

 A fine species for this season of the year is the willow 

 oak (Quercus phellos), with light gray, curious, narrow 

 leaves. Originally growing in a more southern climate 



