324 TREES AND SHRUBS 



in glory and bounty of fruit, which in October is 

 one of the most brilhant things in the garden. There 

 are no better garden ornaments for foliage than Figs 

 and Vines, and though the needful pruning of a Vine 

 for fruit takes off somewhat of its pictorial value, 

 which depends in some measure on the wide-flung, 

 luscious summer growth and groping tendril, yet in 

 any shape the Grape Vine is a thing of beauty. 

 Some of its garden kinds also show how, in distinct 

 departures in colour and shape of leaf, it is always 

 beautiful ; for the Parsley-leaved Vine, with its dainty 

 and deeply-cut foliage, is a suitable accompaniment 

 to the most refined architecture ; while the red-purple 

 leaf of the Claret Vine and its close clusters of blue 

 fruit are richly ornamental in the autumn garden. 

 A Medlar tree, with its large white bloom and hand- 

 some leaves, is desirable, and several of the Services 

 are ornamental small trees. Every one knows the 

 lovely pink bloom of the Almond in April, but few 

 may have tried something that is not an experiment 

 but a certainty — namely, the successful culture of 

 the hardier Peaches, near relatives to the Almond, 

 as standards in the south of England. A Peach of 

 American origin, the Early Alexander, bears full or 

 fair crops every year. The only danger is from leaf 

 blister from sudden cold in May, but if its position is 

 sheltered, or if it can be afforded the protection of a 

 net, it will suffer but little, and perfectly ripened 

 peaches, red all round, may be had at the end of 

 July. The beauty of Cherry blossom is so well 

 known that it needs no extolling ; and any great high 



