16 FAMILIAR TREES 



But, as has been said, it is for its beauty that 

 we plant the Horse-chestnut. The variegated variety 

 is not an improvement, and though the somewhat hot 

 looking species with red flowers may be effectively 

 grouped with the common form, it seldom flourishes 

 so well, and is certainly not as beautiful as its white- 

 flowered ally. The outline of the Horse-chestnut is so 

 regular and so massive that it is less pleasing as an 

 isolated tree than when projecting from the front of a 

 belt of other species, grouped in a clump either with 

 several of its own kind or otherwise ; or, best of all, 

 when it forms a noble avenue, such as that dear to 

 Londoners in Bushy Park. 



Since it does not, like the Elm, throw out great 

 horizontal limbs to meet its neighbours and form a 

 leafy arcade, such an avenue should in breadth be, if 

 possible, at least 120 feet, or twice the height of the 

 trees, that they may cast their shadows on the open 

 space, and, when in flower, reveal a noble vista of 

 verdure flecked with white clusters of blossom. 



