FLOWERING AND ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS, 43 



Boras early, and sometimes bears fruit, but it is cultivated 

 entirely for its beautiful blossoms. A few trees of the Chi- 

 nese double flowering Apple (Pyrus spectabilis) have also a 

 beautiful effect. 



Rhus cotinus, Venetian Sumach, Aaron's Beard, sometimes 

 called fringe tree, is a fine shrub, calculated for the centre 

 of the clump or shrubbery. Its large branches of fringe 

 remain all the summer, and give it a curious and striking 

 effect. 



Ribes JMissouriensis, or Missouri Currant ; there are two 

 species of this very ornamental shrub from Missouri, intro- 

 duced by Lewis and Clarke ; they are quite hardy, and flower 

 profusely from April to June. 



Robinia glutinosa, and Robinia hispida; the former a pretty 

 large shrub, producing fine bunches of flowers in great 

 abundance throughout the summer ; the latter is a smaller 

 shrub ; both of them are, however, worthy of a place in 

 large collections. 



Robinia pseudo-acacia ', or Yellow Locust Tree* This is 

 superior to any other kind of wood for ship-trunnels, mill- 

 cogs, and fence-posts, as well as for various other purposes. 

 Its culture is very easy, arid may be propagated in great 

 abundance, by sowing the seed in March, April, or May, in' 

 a bed of good sandy loam, which is its favourite soil, and 

 covering them half an inch deep. Previous to sowing, put 

 the seed in a basin, pour on scalding water, and let it stand 

 all night ; pick out such seed as are swollen, and plant them 

 immediately; next evening repeat the same process with 

 such as did not swell the first night, mix the whole and sow 

 them ; they will come up in the course of the following 

 month numerously ; for no seed grow more freely, notwith- 

 standing what some say to the contrary. When the plants 

 are a year old, transplant them out of the seed-bed into nur- 

 sery rows, four feet distant, and plant from plant one foot. 



* This tree is introduced here, rather on account of its usefulness than 

 beauty, though the latter is very considerable. 



