DECIDUOUS FLOWERING TREES 39 
exceptionally favourable conditions the tree will reach 
a height of over thirty feet; but it is of small growth, 
and specimens from fifteen to twenty feet are the most 
general. The flowers are snow white, and produced 
in short racemes during April. The trees may be 
arranged in small groups or as single specimens, on the 
lawn or in the shrubbery, but they should have a 
sheltered position, as the keen easterly winds so damage 
the flowers as to shorten their period of beauty. A 
moderately rich soil is advisable. 
AmycpaLus.—The Almonds and Peaches comprise 
some of the most beautiful of the small growing 
deciduous trees, and they are of much value because of 
the early period of the year at which they bloom. They 
are indeed so precocious that they produce a welcome 
display of colour in the garden well in advance of the 
other trees. They commence flowering at a very early 
age and continue for an almost indefinite period, in- 
creasing in effectiveness concurrently with the increase 
in age and size. Well developed specimens range from 
fifteen to twenty-five feet, and from their peculiarity of 
growth they appear to the best advantage when arranged 
singly or in small groups in the shrubbery. As far as 
practicable they should be planted where they will be 
sheltered from the easterly winds. 
The Common Almond (4. communis) is the earliest to 
bloom and has bright pink flowers and with its double 
variety (4. communis flore pleno) is most desirable; the 
double form is the most effective. The Sweet Almond 
(A. dulcis) is extremely beautiful during its season of 
flowering, and should be generally planted. Most 
desirable also are its varieties. Purpurea, bright red, 
macrocarpa, the flowers white tinted with pink and very 
large, and pendula which has a pendent habit. 
The White Chinese Almond (4. Davidiana) which 
has pure white flowers, and the Pink Chinese Almond 
