48 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1896. 



sioiial clump of the smaller growing varieties near the dwelling, will be 

 all that is needed. The great tendency is for overcrowding rather than 

 the reverse, where there is so large a variety of beautiful shrubs and 

 plants that can be utilized in this decorative woi'k. 



Some of these, like the Lilac, Syringa, Spirea, Weigela, Deutzia, 

 Forsythia, Althea, Snow Balls and the like, in their great variety, 

 although in common use for many years, still remain in favor for 

 grouping or single planting. The Japan Snow Balls, Hydrangeas, 

 Variegated-leaved Cornus, Golden-leaved J^lder, Golden-leaved Syrin- 

 gas, and Spirea, Purple-leaved Hazel, Purple-leaved Berberry, Purple- 

 leaved Plum, the Japan Rosa Rugosa, with its glossy leaves and show}^ 

 buds, and an abundant variety from which to make our selections. 



There are many trees of medium-sized growth at maturity that are 

 possessed with peculiarly striking foliage, either in the color of their 

 leaves or the wide range in their form and size. Our largest leaved 

 tree is the Catalpa Speciosa, often producing a leaf a foot or more in 

 diameter. This tree is a very rapid grower and produces a very 

 showy, large-sized, white flower. The Magnolia Tripetala gives us the 

 longest leaf, sometimes reaching from twenty to twenty-four inches in 

 length and from eight to ten inches in width. 



The Oak-leaved Mountain Ash has a very clean and symmetrical 

 form of growth, and the flowers and berries that follow, make it an 

 attractive tree. This tree and the Linden family seem to be disturbed 

 by the action of borers more than any other ornamental tree that I am 

 acquainted with, but notwithstanding this, they are worthy of giving a 

 little attention l)y eradicating this pest as it may appear. The Laurel- 

 leaved Willow has a very showy, glossy leaf peculiar to itself, while 

 the Golden-bark Willow produces a very showy effect in the winter 

 season, when the leaves have left the branches. The Maiden's Hair 

 tree, or Salisburia, possesses strikingly unique fan-shaped leaves, and 

 has a good habit of growth. The Sweet Gum or Liquid Ambar, found 

 so abundantly in the Southern States, bears transplanting to our 

 northern clime well and has an attractive form of leaf, which becomes 

 very highly colored in the autumn season. The Tulip tree or White- 

 wood of the West, is worthy of a place in our collection, both on 

 account of its peculiar shaped leaf and its tulip-shaped flower. Ex- 

 perience with this tree proves that to transplant it safely, we must take 

 trees of small size in every instance. 



These are but a few of the desirable trees for ornamentation of our 

 home grounds. The list could be extended almost without limit, 

 would time and space allow. The same may be said of the hardy 



