436 



MY GARDEN. 



The Almond-tree (Ainygdalus communis) is indispensable, on account 

 of the beauty of its flower in early spring, and valuable also for its 

 fruit (already described). The Double-blossomed Peach {Amygdalus 

 persicd) is very fine, and, besides, yields edible fruit at the end of 

 October or in November. Mr. Fortune introduced some exquisitely 

 coloured varieties of flowering peaches ; I have tried them, but they 

 have not succeeded in my soil and climate, although they are most 

 desirable spring blossoming trees. 



SHRUBS. 



No garden can dispense with shrubs, and perhaps for general utilit 

 the Laurel (Cerasus laurocerasus, fig. 968) has no peer. Its bright 

 green leaves are invaluable, especially as it will grow in almost 

 every situation, and even under the shade of 

 trees. When the wood is thoroughly ripened 

 it will stand any frost, but immature and sappy 

 shoots are frequently killed in winter. It is better 

 in a dry than in a wet situation, and, as was 

 pointed out by the great naturalist Gilbert White, 

 it stands severe winters better in a northern than 

 in a southern situation, where the snow is alter- 

 nately melted and frozen. We use it in many 

 places where an evergreen or a screen is needed. It may be easily 

 propagated -by cuttings planted in September. The leaves on distil- 

 lation yield prussic acid, and the laurel water is highly poisonous. 



Where a very large shrub is required the Portugal Laurel (Cerasus 

 Lusitanica) may be employed. Girgov describes a Portugal laurel 

 which had a trunk eleven feet in circumference and was thirty feet 

 high, with a head fifty-four feet in diameter. This species has only 

 been employed at my garden with the same object as the common 

 laurel, but it does not submit to removal so well as that shrub. 



I have had Bay-trees {Laurus nobilis), but they have been always 

 greatly injured by the peculiar climate of my garden. 



Fig. 968. — Laurel. 



