206 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



mistake. With a judicious selection of varieties, and care in placing 

 them, little fear of death from cold need be entertained. They should 

 never be planted in water-logged soil, or where they are likely to feel 

 the effects of east winds, both of which are injurious. Neither should 

 they be planted anyhow in the ordinary shrubbery border, where more 

 vigorous things would grow over them. Light and air are necessary to 

 develop the true leaf-colour. Glorious effects can be obtained by plant- 

 ing on mounds sloping to the south or west, and although the Japanese 

 Maples give the best results when planted in rich soil, that of poorer 

 quality will suffice, provided the points referred to above have not been 

 overlooked. As single specimens on the fringe of the lawn, and for 

 growing in pots or tubs for indoor decoration, their value cannot be 

 over-estimated. The great variety in form, size, and leaf-colour is almost 

 bewildering, and the following list represents only the cream of the 

 family. A. palmatum aureum is a sturdy grower, with large yellowish 

 leaves which in autumn change to shades of orange, scarlet, and gold. 

 A. p. sanguineum creates a brilliant picture in the setting sun. In growth 

 it is bushy and free, and its leaves are deep crimson. The soft green 

 deeply-cut leaves of A. p. linearilobum are very pretty, and those of A. 

 p. roseo-marginatum are bright green, irregularly margined with rich 

 rose and pink. It is a dainty variety of slender growth. A. p. septem- 

 lobum is a beautiful Maple with cut leaves, and A. p. s. elegans is an- 

 other handsome form. In spring its leaves are delicate green, gradually 

 passing through shades of pink and rose to crimson. A. p. s. atro- 

 purpureum, with its crimson-purple leaves, is highly ornamental, while 

 those of the variety named laciniata are deep green, flushed with rose 

 and pink. A. p. s. marmoratum and A. p. s. tricolor are also good. 

 The dissectum group possesses fern-like leaves, the colours of which are 

 exceedingly rich and enduring. Those of the type are bright green, 

 ornatum bronze-purple, and roseo-marginatum purple-bronze, stained 

 with rose and white. 



The Silver Maple (A dasycarpum) from North America makes a 

 beautiful avenue tree, as it is of good growth, the leaves large, palmate, 

 silvery white on the under sides, and set on long footstalks. When dis- 

 turbed by the breeze they seem silvered all over. A. grandidendatum 

 is useful for its effectiveness ; it is of free growth. A. macrophyllum, 

 also from North America, is one of the best Maples for planting on 

 gravelly soils as it makes excellent growth. Its bold leaves are bright 

 green, and the flowers and showy fruit are produced abundantly. A. circina- 

 tum is another dry soil loving species. It is neat in habit, and forms a 

 medium-sized round-headed tree, and in autumn its bright scarlet leaves are 

 remarkably handsome. For this reason alone it deserves consideration. 

 The Sugar Maple (A. Saccharinum) is of upright growth, vigorous and 

 handsome. Its leaves are large, bright green, and covered with a thick 

 glaucous hue on the under sides. The autumn tints are very fine. A. 

 rubrum is a well-known showy-leaved Acer, particularly in autumn, when 

 its foliage is heavily shaded with orange and scarlet. It is of elegant 

 habit, and often reaches a height of twenty-five feet or more when 

 planted in a position favourable to good growth. It makes considerable 



