CHILDREN'S GARDENS 



it to this distinction. The varieties of special 

 value are Betula populifolia — White Birch; Be- 

 tula papyrifera — Paper Birch; Betula nigra — 

 Red Birch ; Betula lenta — Sweet Birch ! and Be- 

 tula lutea — Yellow Birch. They are most de- 

 sirable, and produce light, airy effects. 



Alnus glutinosa, or European Alder, is very 

 good in the spring, when it shakes out its golden 

 curl. Hop-Hornbeam — Ostrya virginiana — and 

 Blue Beech — Carpinus caroliniana — are very 

 graceful and effective. One of the LeguminosaB, 

 or Pea Family, is a tree of unique appearance 

 and interesting character, the Kentucky Coffee- 

 Tree — Gymnocladus dioicus. It is rare, but 

 should be planted. Another interesting member 

 of the Pea Family is the Rohinia pseudacacia, 

 or Locust. In flower and leaf it is an exceed- 

 ingly graceful tree. It is planted to best advan- 

 tage when massed with other trees, as the wood 

 is weak, easily broken, giving the tree an irregu- 

 lar appearance. 



The most striking effects may be produced 

 in the fall by the Sweet and Sour Gums. The 

 autumnal foliage of Liquidamhar styraciflua, 

 or Sweet-Gum, is a brilliant mass of rich red. 

 The peculiar winged bark is unique, as are also 

 the fruit-balls. Nyssa sylvatica — Tupelo, or 

 Sour-Gum — is called the "Nymph of the For- 

 est." The surface of the leaves is smooth and 



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