CHILDREN'S GARDENS 



it to this distinction. The varieties of special 

 value are Betula populifolia White Birch; Be- 

 tula papyrifera Paper Birch; Betula nigra 

 Red Birch ; Betula lenta Sweet Birch ! and Be- 

 tula lutea Yellow Birch. They are most de- 

 sirable, and produce light, airy effects. 



Alnus glutinosa, or European Alder, is very 

 good in the spring, when it shakes out its golden 

 curl. Hop-Hornbeam Ostrya virginiana and 

 Blue Beech Carpinus caroliniana are very 

 graceful and effective. One of the Leguminosae, 

 or Pea Family, is a tree of unique appearance 

 and interesting character, the Kentucky Coffee- 

 Tree Gymnocladus dioicus. It is rare, but 

 should be planted. Another interesting member 

 of the Pea Family is the Robinia pseudacacia, 

 or Locust. In flower and leaf it is an exceed- 

 ingly graceful tree. It is planted to best advan- 

 tage when massed with other trees, as the wood 

 is weak, easily broken, giving the tree an irregu- 

 lar appearance. 



The most striking effects may be produced 

 in the fall by the Sweet and Sour Gums. The 

 autumnal foliage of Liquidambar styraciflua, 

 or Sweet-Gum, is a brilliant mass of rich red. 

 The peculiar winged bark is unique, as are also 

 the fruit-balls. Nyssa sylvatica Tupelo, or 

 Sour-Gum is called the " Nymph of the For- 

 est." The surface of the leaves is smooth and 



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