ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 77 



charming effect with its spreading branches covered with the 

 rich dark green leaves. It does remarkably well in cultivation 

 in open exposures, provided the roots are thoroughly mulched 

 and kept cool. The leaves, however, assume a very different 

 appearance, becoming somewhat smaller and shorter and 

 not having the dark green color they show in native shady 

 conditions. 



Ginkgo. 



The ginkgo or maidenhair tree. Ginkgo biloba, probably a 

 native of China but never positively found in the wild state, 

 is one of the interesting trees of the world. The fern-like leaves 

 are deciduous. It is said to attain a height of one hundred feet 

 in gardens and temple grounds in Japan and China, and 

 presents a majestic appearance in old age. It was introduced to 

 the United States and planted in Philadelphia in 1784. It is 

 now a fairly common tree in many gardens and parks through- 

 out the country and is perfectly hardy. In a young state it is 

 likely to be very aberrant in its branching habit, that is, some 

 branches will grow erect and others will strike out at right 

 angles from the stem, and some trees present a rather grotesque 

 aspect with such a contrariety in branching habits. However, 

 with age and as the trees begin to assume adult size, the branch- 

 ing becomes much more regular. There are trees in Rochester 

 that perhaps were planted sixty years ago and are now of 

 considerable size in which the branches are now thickly and 

 regularly disposed, and they are of much interest. Var. 

 fastigiata is a narrow pyramidal form in which the branches 

 are strictly upright, and is well adapted to formal situations. 

 Sometimes this f astigiate form will throw out aberrant branches 

 and these should be promptly removed if it is desired to 

 maintain the narrow habit. 



