INTRODUCTION 



advisable to give one or more synonyms, especially when these are in 

 common use among horticulturists, but the choice is a matter of great diffi- 

 culty, as may be judged when it is remembered that the Hand-list often 

 gives ten to fifteen to a species, and as an extreme case we find twenty-four 

 allotted to Spircea canescens. The difficulty is especially felt when dealing 

 with the Conifers, for many of these have been at different times described 

 under the generic names of Abies (Firs), Picea (Spruces), and Pinus (Pines). 

 In the case of certain genera which contain several cultivated species 

 we have added a few simple cultural directions as to propagation. These 

 will be found under the first specimen described, and, unless otherwise 

 stated, may be taken broadly to apply to the species generally. 



INFLUENCE OF SOIL UPON TREES 



Having introduced our plant by its popular and scientific names, we 

 point out its habits, and much may be learned as to which trees and 

 shrubs thrive best in particular soils. Such is the constitution of plants 

 that while some must be supplied with soil rich in organic material, some 

 few others will make larger bushes and blossom with greater profusion in 

 soil which the horticulturist would describe as poor. The Birch, Holly, 

 Mountain Ash, and Scots Fir are found wild on the poorest of sandy soils. 



The Maple and Wild Service Tree will thrive in dry situations, whilst 

 Willows, Alders, and Poplars will succeed best when near water. 



The Elder, Privet, Colchican Bladder Nut, and many others grow best 

 in a moist loamy soil, and the Oak thrives on clay, whilst such as the 

 Furze, Tutsan, Bladder Senna, Stone Pine, and Evergreen Cypress prefer 

 a sandy soil. Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, Ericas, and others of the 

 same family require rich soil, readily permeable to moisture, sandy peat 

 or heath-mould being the best, but a rich sandy loam mixed with leaf- 

 mould and rotten turf will also answer well. Whilst the Heath family 

 refuse to grow in soil permeated by lime, the Beech and Yew will flourish 



and do well, and the native flora of our chalk districts includes such 



iii b 2 



