X PREFACE 



been developed, and the blending of these two groups 

 by hybridizing may result in future fruits superior in 

 quality to any we now enjoy. The romance, the 

 more interesting folk-lore and mythology that have 

 gathered round certain trees like the Apple and 

 Yew give an insight into the early life of our fore- 

 bears. 



The types selected represent the patriarchs, the 

 giants, the pygmies, and the curiosities of tree growth, 

 and their importance in the embellishment of gar- 

 dens, parks, and pleasure grounds is emphasized. 

 The beauty of trees at all seasons, of their bark, their 

 flowers, and their autumn foliage finds expression, 

 and the cardinal idea permeating the whole work is to 

 increase interest and love for trees and gardens. 

 Trees are much more than sticks bearing leaves and 

 useful as fuel and as a source of timber for construc- 

 tion purposes. They are, indeed, the most vigorous 

 expression of life and its most enduring form this 

 planet boasts, and a nation's trees should be esteemed 

 as national treasures. A measure of a country's 

 culture may be very accurately taken by an analysis 

 of the position gardens hold in the people's esteem. 

 In history books too much is told of man's destruc- 

 tive quarrels and too little about his constructive 

 work in developing the arts of peace. Truly, if we 

 delve into such mundane affairs as the development of 



