July 15, 1891.] 



Garden and Forest. 



33i 



almost a week earlier than those of the native Benzoin-bush, 

 which the Cornelian Cherry resembles in general appearance 

 at that period ; that is, the two plants cover themselves with 

 yellow flowers before any of their leaves unfold. The Cornel 

 is, however, a more showy plant ; it grows to a larger size and 

 the flowers are of a brighter yellow. There is not much to 

 say, however, of this Dogwood, once its flowers are fallen. 

 The fruit, which is half an inch long, or rather more, is ellip- 

 tical and bright red, and, individually, is as handsome as a 



in a composition. The Cornelian Cherry is, therefore, a good 

 plant to use in a garden or a shrubbery where a bright show 

 of flowers would be agreeable in the very earliest days of 

 spring, and where, for the rest of the season, a mass of pleasant, 

 objectionable foliage would not destroy any of those natural 

 and restful conditions of scenery a good garden should be 

 made to afford. 



C. Mas. is a native of central and southern Europe, and is 

 one of the hardiest and most satisfactory of the trees of that 



Fig. 57. — A Fruiting Specimen of Drymophlceus olivaeform 



page 330. 



cherry or a small plum. But, in this country at least, it is not 

 produced in very great abundance, and the leaves so com- 

 pletely hide it that, practically, it makes no show at all, and 

 there is nothing striking or remarkable about the foliage. 

 One passes the plant without noticing it much, except in early 

 spring, and its appearance leaves no lasting impression on 

 the mind. But this, after all, is perhaps a merit, for plants 

 without striking individuality are sometimes the most valuable, 

 as they are available for many purposes and combinations 

 where more distinct subjects might prove disturbing elements 



continent which have been introduced into America. The 

 wood has in all ages been celebrated for its strength, hardness 

 and density, and it is from this peculiarity that the Cornels get 

 their name of Cornus, derived from the Latin word meaning 

 a horn. The origin of the English name of Dogwood is not so 

 apparent. John Parkinson, who wrote voluminously and learn- 

 edly about plants in England two hundred years ago, says that 

 the name came from the fact that the fruit of the English spe- 

 cies (C. sanguined) was so bad that it was not fit to give to the 

 doers. In his time the English Cornel had been called Hound's 



