24 PLOWEES AND THE FLOWEE GAEDEl^. 



and imported seed, which should not be shelled out of 

 the catkin until it is wanted. It is often a year before 

 the seedlings show themselves. 



The Copper Beech makes a good contrast when planted 

 among trees of different foliage. 



The Osage Orange, Madura aurantiaca, has been so 

 much talked about in its own country, jN'orth America, 

 that it may be interesting to grow it in our gardens, on 

 account of its ornamental orange-like fruit, and also 

 because it has been mentioned as one of the trees with 

 the leaves of which silkrworms may be successfully fed. 

 It will grow in peat or loam, and may be propagated 

 from cuttings of the root or layers. It is a thorny tree, 

 with shining yellowish green leaves, and rather small 

 white flowers, with pistil and stamens in different flowers. 

 It wants protection in severe winters. 



Abundance of evergreens are almost necessary. In 

 winter they are invaluable, and for spring a good tall 

 background of them should be provided for the early 

 flowering trees, especially the almond, double-blossomed 

 peach. Magnolia consjnciia, Cijdonia Japonica, and all 

 trees and plants which flower before they put out the 

 graceful clothing of foliage. 



The common Laurel {Cerasus laurocerasus) and the 

 Portugal Laurel {Cerasus lusitanica) are valuable, not 

 only for their fine foliage in winter, but also on account 

 of the abundance of their handsome spikes of flower. 

 They are propagated by layers, and grow rather quickly. 



The Holly, so many kinds of which are variegated in 

 the foliage, are slow growers, and often difficult to esta- 

 blish. They like a rich dry soil, with free air ; and will 

 not bear smoke nor overshadowing by other trees. There 

 are eight varieties : silver-edged, gold-edged, thick- 

 leaved, prickly, yellow-leaved, variegated, spotted, and 

 recurved. The leaves of the bottom of the tree and 

 those from its upper shoots are often curiously varied in 

 character. 



To produce young plants from seed gather the berries 

 when they are ripe, and place them at the bottom of a 

 hole three feet deep : crush them and mix them up with 



