154 THE PAliKS AN1> GAIJDEXS OF PARIS. [Chap. X. 



developed tree would be sufficient. Often the Planes may be 

 seen running up before the tall bouses in the finer streets with a 

 stem before every window. Tlic Plane-trees in our squares are 

 far finer than any in Paris, owing to the fact that they had room 

 to grow and were let alone. Pruning, to throw the strength 

 of a tree or shrub into fruit or flower, or into some shape 

 desired by the cultivator, is a rational process, but nothing of 

 the kind can be said of the pruning of any grown forest or 

 ornamental tree, to prune which is in fact to destroy its beauty, 

 individuality, and dignity. In Paris, pruning into a miserable 

 uniformity is carried out to a deplorable extent. These remarks 

 apply to trees in open spaces as well as in the street, which are, 

 however, often wide enough to admit of fair development. If this 

 system is to go on, it will be wise of the educational powers now 

 doing so much for young France to plant a few acres with native 

 and hardy trees to be allowed to assume their full size and natural 

 development. One does now and then see in the etchings in the 

 shop-windows a portrait of a fine tree, but it is desirable to have 

 living examples. It has been said to the writer that fine trees 

 cannot be grown in Paris ; but that this is not the case is proved 

 by the existence of occasional good specimens in courts and small 

 gardens, which the municipal pruners did not visit. Here and there, 

 when " demolitions " are in active progress, a tine old tree may 

 sometimes be seen as the houses are taken down around it. In 

 such positions the conditions are by no means so favourable to 

 tree-growth as in the many open streets and wide avenues. Along 

 the quays, too, where the trees might throw their arms over the 

 water on one side, and over a wide road on the other, they are 

 just as prim and as unlike fine trees as they are anywhere else; 

 no doubt, in some narrow streets very wide-spreading trees are 

 not desirable, but in such cases the right way is to select species 

 and varieties which will suit the position without needless 

 mutilation. 



So»ie Trees for Cities. 



The best of all trees for European cities is the Western Plane 

 (Platanus occidentalis). It may be seen in many places in towns, 

 from the heart of the city of London to the shores of the lakes of 



