12 THE TREES OF AMERICA. 



Halle, quantities of the most beautiful and rare shrubs and flowers growing 

 along the foot paths, and by the sides of the hedges which line the public prom- 

 enades. The custom prevails there, among private individuals who have beautiful 

 gardens, of annually planting some of their surplus materiel along these public 

 promenades, for the enjoyment of those who have no gardens. And the custom 

 is met in the same beautiful spirit by the people at large ; for, in the main, those 

 embellishments which turn the highway into pleasure grounds are respected, and 

 grow and bloom as if within the enclosures. 



" Does not this argue a civilization among these ' down-trodden ' nations of 

 Central Europe, that would not be unwelcome in this our land of equal rights 

 and free schools % " 



PLATE I. 



OUR ENGRAVED TITLE PAGE. 



This group is composed, mostly, with reference to one which haunts our mem- 

 ory, though seen long ago. It consists of the bu-ch, whose graceful, pendulous 

 branches, in all its varieties, are so beautiful, while its quivering leaves make 

 music at the touch of the gentlest breeze, and the white and pitch pine, those 

 trees of the " soft and soul-like sound," and the red oak, with such a variety of 

 shrubs as would surprise any one but a botanist. And here let us say, that 

 this science, botany, should be one of the first taught in our common schools, 

 if for no other reason than to make the young denizen of this beautiful world 

 acquainted with the wonderful variety of his playmate trees and shrubs within 

 the reach of his hand. The wild grape viae had climbed over the whole group, 

 and twined its long, trailing arms lovingly about the old birch, which seemed 



