338 HOKTICULTURA.L MANUAL. 



and crosses readily with it. Its foliage is broad and dis- 

 tinct, and some of its varieties are hardy in all parts of the 

 Union. The varieties argentea and alpestris, from east 

 Europe and central Asia, are hardy far north, and will, 

 when better knovi^n, be much used in ornamental planting. 



324. The Apple Family. — The wild crab-apple {Pyrus 

 coronaria), especially the Western form of the Soulard 

 type, has value for ornamental planting. Nursery grown, 

 it is as easy to transplant as other apple-trees, and makes 

 fully as rapid growth. It is handsome in form, foliage, 

 flowers, and even fruit. 



Bechtel's double-flowering crab seems to indicate a 

 remarkable tendency to variation in our native crab. As 

 stated in catalogues its flowers are like perfectly double 

 small roses and its fragrance is equal to the best of the 

 loses. This seems to be hardy East and "West. 



Parkman's double-flowering and the Chinese double- 

 flowering are prized in milder climates, but are not hardy 

 at the West except south of the lOth parallel. 



It is the same with the double-flowering hawthorns of 

 west Europe, none of which prove hardy west of the Great 

 Lakes, but they are valuable in milder climates. But the 

 large-growing native hawthorns of the States east of the 

 Kocky Mountains have more value in landscape work than 

 is usually suspected, especially in the more rugged portions 

 of the grounds. Of its proper position Downing has said: 

 "It is most agreeable to the eye in composition when it 

 forms the undergrowth or thicket, peeping out in all its 

 freshness of gay blossoms or bright fruit from beneath and 

 between groups and masses of trees." 



It is the same with the double- flowering hawthorns of 

 west Europe, none of which prove hardy west of the great 

 lakes, yet they are valuable in milder climates. But the 

 large-growing native hawthorns of the States east of the 



