192 Ornamental Shrubs. 



though compact head. As a single specimen it is probably 

 the best of the family, but, unfortunately, it is not quite so 

 hardy as sempervirens, and in northern localities must have 

 winter protection, especially when young. In the Middle 

 and Southern States it may not need extra care. It, too, 

 has gold- and silver-leaved varieties, and some of the hand- 

 somest plants sent out from the nurseries are of this class. 

 The box is capable of being grown in any form desired, 

 and is entirely submissive to the knife or pruning shears. 

 In the days when more formal gardening was in vogue, 

 and plants were cut and grown in fantastic shapes, the box 

 was one of the favorite plants for use in this direction. 

 At the present time that absurd system is almost unknown, 

 though occasionally an attempt is made to copy from the 

 old models as a matter of curiosity rather than the desire 

 of restoring the stiffness of the straight lines and geometric 

 and sculptural figures of what is popularly called Italian 

 gardening. 



KOELREUTERIA. 



THIS native of China is named for the German pro- 

 fessor, Koelreuter. It is of the order Sapindacece, 

 and is a small tree of particularly picturesque habit 

 of growth, which makes it highly desirable for lawn or 

 garden. On the European continent, where the planting 

 of these dwarf trees is understood to perfection, they are 

 used to an extent unthought of in America, and are placed 

 where effect and, in some cases, shade are desired without 

 interference with view or a free circulation of air. A bet- 

 ter understanding here of the subject would prevent the 



