DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 173 



States : on the Catskill we have seen some handsome speci- 

 mens near the Mountain House ; but generally it does not grow 

 in so comely a shape, or form so handsome a tree as the for- 

 eign sort. In the general appearance of the leaves and blos- 

 soms, however, it so nearly resembles the European, as to be 

 thought merely a variety by some botanists. The chief dif- 

 ference between them appears to be in the colour of the fruit, 

 which on our native tree, is copper coloured or dull purplish 

 red. It may probably assume a handsome shape when cul- 

 tivated. 



The Sorb or Service tree, {Pyrus Sorbus,) is an interesting 

 species of Pyrus, a native of Europe, which is sometimes seen 

 in our gardens, and deserves a place for its handsome foliage, 

 and its clusters of fruit: which somewhat resemble those of the 

 Mountain ash, and are often eaten when in a state of incipient 

 decay. The leaves are coarser than those of the Mountain 

 ash, and the tree is larger, often attaining the height of 50 or 

 60 feet in its native soil. 



The White Beam, {Pyrus Aria,) is another foreign species, 

 also bearing bunches of handsome scarlet berries, and clusters 

 of white flowers. The leaves, however, are not pinnated, but 

 simply serrated on the margin. It grows 30 feet high, and as 

 the foliage is dark green on the upper side, and downy white 

 beneath, it presents an effect greatly resembling that of the Sil- 

 ver poplar, in a slight breeze. Abroad, the timber is con- 

 sidered valuable; but here it is chiefly planted to produce a 

 pleasing variety among other trees, by its peculiar foliage and 

 scarlet autumnal fruit. 



All the foregoing trees grow naturally in the highest, most 

 exposed, and often almost barren situations. When, however, 

 a rapid growth is desired, they should be planted in a more 

 moist and genial soil. They are easily propagated from 

 the seed, and some of the sorts may be grafted on the pear 

 or hawthorn. The seeds, in all cases, should be sown in 

 Autumn. 



