56 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



particularly handsome in leaf, flower, and fruit. The flowers 

 frequently measure more than a foot across, and the odor is such 

 that I often recognized the vicinity of trees in bloom while yet as 

 much as a furlong distant. 



Cornus brachypoda, a small tree, is particularly brilliant in fruit, 

 with its wealth of scarlet drupes which persist well into the winter. 

 There are several beautiful Viburnums ; but these, perhaps, do 

 not surpass ours. Among the Hydrangeas, however, are found a 

 number of noticeable species. The one which will prove the most 

 decided acquisition is H. petiolaris, also called Schizophragma 

 hydrangeoides. This is a climber which in Yesso goes to the top 

 of the tallest trees, to which it clings b}'^ root-like bodies. When 

 in bloom it converts the tree trunks into pillars of snow ; and a 

 ride in June through miles of primeval forest where almost every 

 other tree trunk and every old, gray stump is converted into a 

 mass of beautiful white bloom is an experience to be remembered. 

 The Japanese know this plant as " snow vine " and the name is 

 well given. The neutral flowers are abundant and persist all 

 winter, so that this hydrangea is practically always beautiful. 



Hyd7-angea paniculata, a large shrub, produces white flower 

 clusters of enormous size ; and very delicately beautiful in its 

 native glens is H. hortensis or acuminata with its pale blue C3'mes ; 

 but the former is not strikingly different from the original of our 

 cultivated forms and the latter probably will not flourish in open 

 gardens or lawns. 



Syringa vulgaris is a small tree or shrub, common in Yesso, for 

 the seeds and plants of which there has recently been a large 

 demand both in America and Europe. The tree is not in itself 

 particularly beautiful ; and though it produces in profusion large 

 clusters of small white flowers, I do not believe its popularity will 

 be long-lived. It is reported to be fragrant ; but, though quite 

 strong, I do not find its odor pleasant. 



Nothing in regard to the flowers of Japan would be complete 

 without mention of the cherry ; and no land could be home to a 

 Japanese which did not produce that much loved and storied 

 flower. And, indeed, it is exquisitely beautiful in spring-time. 

 The wild cherry of Yesso, single and comparatively small as the 

 flower is, yet lingers a very pleasant picture in memory's eye. Its 

 beautiful bark, its dainty unfolding leaves deeply tinged with red, 

 and its flowers of delicate pink make up a whole upon which the 

 eye loves to linger. I cannot wonder that it has appealed strongly 



