DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 149 



the United States. It is valuable as an ornamental tree, no 

 less on account of its exceedingly neat foliage, which is ex- 

 actly heart shaped or cordiform, and of a pleasing green tint, 

 than for its pretty pink blossoms. These, which are pea- 

 shaped, are produced in little clusters close to the branches, 

 often in great profusion, early in the spring, before the 

 leaves have expanded. From the appearance of the limbs at 

 that period, it has in some places obtained the name of Red- 

 bud. It is then one of the most ornamental of trees, and in 

 company with the Scarlet-flowering maple, serves greatly to 

 enliven the scene, and pleasingly heralds the approach of the 

 floral season. These blossoms, according to Loudon, [En- 

 cycl. of Pla?its,) having an agreeable poignancy, are frequent- 

 ly eaten in salads abroad, and pickled by the French families 

 in Canada. The name of Judas tree appears to have been 

 whimsically bestowed by Gerard, an old English gardener, 

 who described it in 1596, and relates that "this is the tree 

 whereon Judas did hange himselfe ; and not upon the elder 

 tree, as it is said," 



There are two species in common cultivation ; the Ameri- 

 can, (C. Canadensis,) and the European. The latter much 

 resembles our native tree. The flowers, however, are deeper 

 in colour; the leaves darker, and less pointed at the extremi- 

 ty. It also produces blossoms rather more profusely than 

 the American tree. Both species are highly worthy of a 

 place in the garden, or near the house, where their pleasing 

 vernal inflorescence may be observed. 



The Chestnut Tree. Castanea. 

 Nat. Ord. Corylacese. Liju Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. 



The chestnut, for its qualities in Landscape Gardening, 

 ranks with that king of the forest, the oak. Like that tree, 



