( 83 > 



in so short a space of time, it is particularly suitable for pur- 

 poses where trees are required to promptly form an orna- 

 ment. 



Horse-chestnut. Of this there are various species, vary- 

 ing from very lofty to very diminutive stature, and producing 

 flowers of various colours. The most common is the Euro- 

 pean White Flowering, which forms a tree of immense size, 

 and whose white flowers, beautifully mottled with red, possess, 

 at their season of bloom, an elegant appearance. Another 

 species of great size, is the Aesculus pallida, or Ohio Buck- 

 eye. The Scarlet Flowering, and the Yellow Flowering, 

 form trees of about 15 to 20 feet in height, but commence 

 blooming when only from three to four feet high. The 

 Dwarf VVhite Flowering, or Aesculus macrostachya, is par- 

 ticularly beautiful, as it never forms more than a handsome 

 shrub of about five to six feet in height, but produces a great 

 abundance of very showy flowers. The Aesculus rubi- 

 cunda and carnea, having been but recently introduced to 

 this country, are at present less known ; they are however 

 described as greatly to be admired. 



Fir trees. In this class of ornamental trees, those most 

 esteemed are the Balsam Fir, or Balm of Gilead Fir, a na- 

 tive of this country; the European Silver Fir, somewhat re- 

 sembling the foregoing; the Red Spruce, Black Spruce, 

 Hemlock Spruce, Scotch Fir, Pineaster,or Cluster Pine, and 

 the Stone, or Eatable Fruited Pine of Italy but n>ne is su- 

 perior in point of ornament to the Norway Spruce, which 

 has also the advantage of growing on poor soils, and of sup- 

 porting the severest blasts of winter in any clime. 



Yew. Of this there are three species usually cultivated, 

 the Taxus baccata, or English Yew, used very generally in 

 England as an appendage to their burying grounds, on ac- 

 count of its dark green foliage and sombre appearance. This 

 is certainly one of those shrubs which impart a great deal of 

 beauty to a varied shrubbery, by its uncommon dark green 

 and very dense foliage. The American Yew is of much 

 humbler growth, seldom rising over three feet in height. 

 The Irish Yew much resembles the English, except in its 

 growth, which is much more upright. 



drbour Vit&. Of this there are two varieties, both ex- 

 tremely ornamental ; the foliage is peculiarly formed, the 

 leaves on each branch having a flat or compressed appear- 

 ance. The Chinese Arbour Vitae has foliage of a pale green 

 that of the American is of a much darker hue. 



