218 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



our sun. The variety atro-piirpureum has been the most vigorous 

 and hardy witli me ; and its groat beauty justifies any amount of 

 care in its culUvation. 



Prunns Pissardi has been received from Persia within a few 

 years and has leaped at once into favor. Unlike the purple beech, 

 the dark rich color of the leaves and the young shoots in- 

 creases in brightness until after heavy frosts. It attains the size 

 of a small tree, but may easily be kept as a shrub with the finest 

 effect, if freely cut back in early spring. 



The Holly-leaved Mahonia (M. aquifolia), which belongs to 

 the Berberry family, is one of our finest low evergreen shrubs. 

 Its broad, very diverse, high-colored, watered foliage is peculiarly 

 attractive even throughout the winter, if somewhat sliaded from 

 the sun. And its clusters of bright yellow flowers in the spring 

 are no slight addition to its merit. 



The umbrageous, fern-like effect of the Cut-leaved Sumac (^Rhus 

 laciniata) is admirable either in a grouping or a single tree. Its 

 colors are delicate and often brilliant in autumn. 



I have alreadv exceeded the time which was allotted to this part 

 of your subject. With my limited space perhaps it would have 

 been better if I had confined myself to the principles to be ob- 

 served in the planting and use of shrubs. It is at once evident 

 that we have not time to describe or even to name the many vari- 

 eties of shrul)s which have their individual excellencies and pecu- 

 liarities suited to our varied wants. 



No fixed list or rules should ever be given ; a broad field should be 

 open for constant experiment. To a considerable degree we may 

 change the combinations of our shrubs from time to time and so se- 

 cure relief from the fixed character of our buildings and also the 

 permanent effect of our trees. Herein will consist one of the 

 charms of a country life, that we shall go on from j-ear to year 

 adding, var3'ing, and improving with ever increasing zest and a 

 siu-e approach to the higiiest art. And we may rest assured that 

 not only shall we succeed in beautifying our homes, but also, and 

 this is of still greater importance, we shall meanwhile be receiving 

 an iiifiucncc from Nature's silent teachings which will prove to be 

 both stimuhitiug and ennobling. 



