OCTOBER 181 



native rowan and gean-tree ; both of which, when once 

 established, will colonise freely by their seed. 1 Equally 

 brilliant in autumn is the American scarlet oak 

 (Quercus coccinea) when it gets a fair chance ; but this 

 happens seldom, at least on the west coast, for it is the 

 habit of this tree to keep its leaves till very late in 

 November, and they are generally blighted by frost 

 before they turn. This species is quite distinct from 

 the American red oak (Q. rubra), with which it is 

 often confused. The red oak grows more vigorously 

 with us than the other, but seldom displays any tints 

 brighter than rich russet. 



Among plants of humbler growth that claim atten- 

 tion at this season are Vaccinium corymbosum and 

 Ribes Americanum. The first of these, being of the 

 Heath family, detests lime or chalk and loves peat. 

 It grows to a height of twelve feet or so ; the Ribes to 

 one- third of that stature. I know of nothing more 

 brilliant at this season than the intense crimson and 

 scarlet of good examples of these easily grown plants, 

 although some varieties of Azalea run them pretty 

 close, and possess the additional merit of flowering 

 profusely and fragrantly in May. One must not, of 

 course, neglect the many species of Rhus, especially as 

 they may be grown on chalk or limestone soil, with 

 which Azaleas will by no means put up. It is not easy 

 to give preference to one species of Rhus over others, 

 so delightful is the combined beauty of form and 

 colour in all of them ; but had I to limit my choice to 

 three kinds only, they would probably be R. Osbeckii, 



1 Mr. H. J. Elwes has noted that the gean or wild cherry pro- 

 pagates itself more by suckers than by seed ; but that is because 

 smckers are less liable than seedlings to be choked by herbage. 



