110 LAWIf AND SHADE TREES. 



The Purple Fringe Tkbb — Shus. — The Venetian sumach or 

 purple fringe tree — rhus eotinus — is a much admired shrub from 

 its flowers, which are borne in large panicles, often proving 

 abortive, and their pedicles lengthening and becoming hairy- 

 cover almost the entire tree. It sometimes is known as smoke 

 tree. It forms a small tree of ten to twelve feet high, suited for 

 a position by itself on a lawn, or better as a background plant 

 for a shrub group. Light dry soils suit it best. There are 

 several other varieties of rhus, many of them very ornamental 



Fio. 56.— Japan Quince. 



and worthy a place in large collections, but not so of positions 

 where they come under close observation. Khus veneneta and 

 toxicodendron are extremely poisonous. 



The Japan Quince — Pyrus. — The scarlet-flowering quince — 

 pyrus Japonica — ^is so well known that it seems hardly requisite 

 to do more than name it ; and yet, well known as it is, its real 

 value as a shrub plant has been but little appreciated. Massed 

 with low-growing evergreens, or in clusters by itself upon the 

 lawn or border, its brilliancy of bloom always calls attention and 



