68 HEDGES,, WINDBREAKS., SHELTERS., ETC. 



coloring and general habit it is perhaps the best of 

 Japanese pines, except Pinus Massoniana, which only 

 surpasses it in a yellowish tint that generally per- 

 vades the leaves. But the Pinus Massoniana par 

 excellence is the golden-leaved form of that species. 

 It is bright gold that seems to gain a touch of deeper 

 gold as you pause to look at it. This peculiar effect 

 is greatly enhanced by the fact that Pinus Masso- 

 niana has two leaves only in a sheath, and these 

 leaves are so clustered on the end of the branches as 

 to spread in every direction. It was this peculiarity 

 that gave rise to the name, sun-ray pine. But the 

 noteworthy habit of this pine is its late variegation. 

 In June, while in full growth, it is rather greenish- 

 golden than golden; but all through the summer its 

 yellow grows brighter, until in September it makes 

 a very striking object amid the fading leaves of fall. 

 It makes, in fact, a worthy companion for the golden 

 oak (Quercus Concordia), which you will remember 

 has the same peculiarity. It should be also noted 

 that the brightness of the sun-ray pine remains unin- 

 jured during winter, and never burns in summer, a 

 quality that other so-called golden pines have sadly 

 needed. The bright yellow of the sun-ray pine is 

 confined in a peculiar manner to about two-thirds of 

 the leaf. Beginning at the base, first comes gold, 

 then an equal amount of green and then again as 

 much gold at the tip. The dividing lines between 

 these colors are marked out with singular distinct- 

 ness, thus giving the utmost delicacy and finish to 

 the variegation. Pinus Massoniana variegata is on 

 the lawn in question, but it is, nevertheless, very rare 

 and hardly to be obtained anywhere. 



