ORNAMENTAL DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 93 



for particular and partial inspection. Boldness of design, 

 which seems to be more the offspring of nature and chance 

 than of art and study, should be attempted ; but though bold- 

 ness is what the planter should aspire to, all harshness or too 

 great abruptness must be avoided by a judicious mixture of 

 plants whose colors will blend easily with one another." The 

 most beautiful shrubs should of course be planted in the most 

 conspicuous places, and the whole with respect to evergreens so 

 arranged as to contribute in making bright the gloom of 

 winter; in reducing and softening the glare of summer, and 

 assist in lengthening the season by their early flowers in spring 

 and their ripening berries in autumn. 



The Acacia Robinia. The rose acacia {Robinia hispida) is 

 an old shrub commonly well known, but latterly little planted. 

 Its large clusters of rose-colored flowers in July are extremely 

 beautiful, and as it commences flowering when only some two feet 

 high, rarely rising above four or five feet, there are many places 

 where its introduction in the foreground is productive of 

 pleasing effects. The objection to it has been its tendency to 

 throw up numerous suckers from its long, straggling roots ; but 

 these may easily be kept in bounds by regular cutting back 

 with a sharp spade in August. It can be grafted on the stronger- 

 growing varieties of the locust, when it forms a small, very 

 pretty, and ornamental round head, quite well suited to position 

 on some small lawns. 



The Clammy Barked Locust Robinia viscosa grows to a 

 height of ten or fifteen feet, and has a gummy substance over its 

 branches that makes it unpleasant to the touch. It has larg 

 pale pink flowers, and in forming large clusters of shrubs and 

 second-class trees it is often desirable. There are a number of 

 other varieties, such as inermis, tortuosa, grandiflora, etc., all 

 more or less beautiful when placed in large groups, but not of 

 themselves sufficiently ornamental for single positions in small 



