CATALPA OR INDIAN BEAN 33 



It succeeds well in rich, dampish loam, and as a shrub 

 for standing alone in any conspicuous position or 

 in smoky situations it has, indeed, few equals. 



Catalpa or Indian Bean 



(Catalpa bignonioides) 



THIS is one of the best trees for planting in 

 smoky localities, while for ornamental effect it 

 has few equals, the large, bronzy leaves and spikes 

 of white and yellow flowers, which are tinted with 

 violet and purple, rendering it one of the most distinct 

 of North American trees. 



There are many fine specimens of the Catalpa 

 in London, where it grows from 30 to 50 feet in height 

 and seems to suffer little from smoke, dust, and heat. 

 It grows with vigour in many crowded centres, as in 

 the Middle Temple Gardens, by the Houses of Parlia- 

 ment, in Manchester Square, and at Chiswick and 

 Camden Town. 



Perhaps the largest, certainly the most remarkable, 

 Catalpa in London is that known as Bacon's Catalpa, 

 near the centre of Gray's Inn Gardens. 



On the opposite side of the gardens is a seedling 

 from Bacon's tree which has far surpassed the parent 

 both in size and beauty of appearance. This noble 

 specimen has a branch spread of 60 feet in diameter. 

 From the main trunk, which is about 2 feet across, 

 three great limbs have been sent out, and altogether 

 the tree is in a healthy, thriving condition. 



By Marylebone Road, almost opposite the house 

 in which Charles Dickens lived, there is a splen- 

 did example of the Catalpa which is of large size, 



