GOOD TREES AND SHRUBS 213 



tection is afforded during severe winters. The Himalayan A. triftora 

 may be grown against a warm wall. A. chinensis (A. rupestris) deserves 

 careful consideration, for in the months of August and September, when 

 it is laden with its small delicate pink, delightfully fragrant flowers which 

 hang from the tips of the current season's growth, it is remarkably pretty. 

 The flowers are serviceable, too, for placing in vases for table decoration, 

 as they may be cut with their own foliage, which is small, glossy green, 

 and forms an admirable setting for the flower colouring. Look over the 

 plants yearly, and remove worn-out growths, and thus make room for 

 young wood which should always be encouraged. The soil Abelias de- 

 light in is one composed of peat and loam, with the addition of a good 

 quantity of sweet leaf-mould. Good drainage is essential. No matter 

 how rich the soil may be at planting time, the plants are never happy 

 unless ample drainage is provided to carry off superfluous water. If the 

 ground is not naturally drained, take out soil at planting time to a suffi- 

 cient depth, and throw in a few broken bricks, crocks, &c., at the bottom, 

 covering these with rough turfy loam, over which put the made-up soil. 

 Give water to settle the soil about the roots. 



Acers (Maples). These form an important group of hardy trees 

 and shrubs. They come from North America, Japan, and Northern 

 Asia principally, and vary considerably in size from trees twelve feet in 

 height to those one hundred feet or more. The Maples vary considerably 

 in leaf formation, and in the manner of growth, some being bushy, round- 

 headed trees, and others erect, spreading, and even weeping. The follow- 

 ing is a selection of the finest for small and medium sized gardens. No 

 more delightful group of hardy foliage shrubs exists than the varieties 

 of Acer palmatum, popularly called Japanese Maples, and it is strange 

 that they have not been used more freely in gardens and parks. They 

 are regarded by some as short-lived and tender, but this is quite a mistake. 

 With a judicious selection of varieties, and care in placing them, little fear 

 of death from cold need be entertained. They should never be planted 

 in water-logged soil, or where they are likely to feel the effects of east 

 winds, both of which are injurious. Neither should they be planted 

 anyhow in the ordinary shrubbery border, where more vigorous things 

 would grow over them. Light and air are necessary to develop the true 

 leaf-colour. Glorious effects can be obtained by planting on mounds 

 sloping to the south or west, and although the Japanese Maples give 

 the best results when planted in rich soil, that of poorer quality will 

 suffice, provided the points referred to above have not been overlooked. 

 As single specimens on the fringe of the lawn, and for growing in pots or 

 tubs for indoor decoration, their value cannot be overestimated. The 

 great variety in form, size, and leaf-colour is almost bewildering, and the 

 following list represents only the cream of the family. A. palmatum 

 aureum is a sturdy grower, with large yellowish leaves which in autumn 

 change to shades of orange, scarlet, and gold. A. p. sanguineum creates 

 a brilliant picture in the setting sun. In growth it is bushy and free, and 

 its leaves are deep crimson. The soft green deeply-cut leaves of A. p. 

 linearilobum are very pretty, and those of A. p. roseo-marginatum are 



