ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 383 



full season in which to make and mature their wood. F. inter- 

 media, a garden form between those already mentioned, should 

 be included amongst choice spring-flowering shrubs. The For- 

 sythias are of simple culture and readily increased by means of 

 cuttings of half-ripened wood placed in sandy soil in close cases 

 and shaded from the sun. 



Fothergilla alnifolia (American Witch Alder) produces 

 terminal spikes of white, fragrant flowers in advance of the 

 leaves. It is a dwarf-growing shrub of rather poor habit. 



Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) is well known as a timber and 

 ornamental tree, and in order to get the best effects in the 

 landscape, as well as timber of the finest quality, attention must 

 be paid to. position and soil. The Ash is not a good hedgerow 

 tree, because of its roots, which ramble in all directions close 

 to the surface of the soil, and soon exhaust its goodness. It 

 succeeds best in a rich, moist (not too damp) soil, and when 

 well established is of great beauty. Some of the varieties are 

 handsome, especially the following : F e. aurea (Golden-barked 

 Ash), a conspicuous tree, and well adapted for planting in con- 

 junction with the Silver-stemmed Birch, as the effect of the two 

 in association is most pleasing ; it is effective in summer as well 

 as winter, but it is in its leafless state that its true character is 

 seen. Then there is the silver-leaved kind (F. e. foliis-argenteis), 

 in which the soft green leaves are striped and mottled with 

 white ; this is of robust growth. F. e. heterophylla (F. e. diversi- 

 folia and F. simplicifolia) has leaves of diverse shapes, but they 

 generally consist of from three to five leaflets; it is decidedly 

 ornamental. The narrow-leaved varieties, angustifolia and 

 crispa, are also effective. F. americana (F. alba) is of rapid 

 growth and distinct habit, having a perfectly straight trunk ; it 

 thrives in moist soils. F. a. aucubcefolia aurea is very free in 

 growth, retaining its golden-coloured foliage throughout the 

 summer, and is very useful for planting in sandy soils, as well 

 as for adding colour, especially in public parks and gardens. 

 The foliage of F. a. foliis - argenteis variegatis is very hand- 

 some, with cream and white markings on a green ground. 

 F. angustifolia is of slender growth, with narrow rich green 

 leaves. F. potamophila is distinct and ornamental, while 

 F. Richardi should not be overlooked, being of erect, free growth, 

 with foliage of a pleasing shade of green. F. quadrangulata, 

 from the United States, grows about 6oft. high in favourable 

 situations, and' is very distinct on account of its four-angled 

 branches and large handsome leaves. 



The Flowering Ashes constitute a valuable group. F. Ornus 

 (Ornus europcea) (Fig. 248) succeeds wherever the Common Ash 

 thrives ; it forms a well-balanced tree some 30ft. high, and is 

 conspicuous in May and June when carrying its large plume-like 



