33 



shade, and under the drip of other trees, though it is all the 

 better for a sunny site, but not too exposed a situation. It is 

 readily propagated, and young plants are usually found in 

 quantity where old-established specimens abound. 



Cotoneasters of various kinds succeed well as town plants. 

 All, or nearly all, are valuable for covering bare and un- 

 sightly objects, and as they grow well in the roughest and 

 poorest of soils, they may be used in positions where other 

 less accommodating subjects will hardly succeed. As orna- 

 mental plants, many of the Cotoneasters are highly valuable 

 from their neat glossy leaves and abundance of brightly- 

 coloured fruit. Particular mention may be made of C. fngida, 

 with its large clusters of scarlet berries ; C. Simonsii, with 

 silky foliage and vermilion fruit, and our native C. vulgaris? 

 a neat and hardy, as well as free-fruiting species. 



Euonymus japonicus is another excellent shrub, one that 

 succeeds admirably wherever it is planted. It bears trim- 

 ming well, and so can easily be kept to any required 

 dimensions. For free growth and a hardy nature it has few 

 equals. It is not particular as to soil, and is an excellent 

 dry-weather plant, easily propagated and almost smoke- 

 defying. 



The double-flowered variety of Prunus sinensis is hard to 

 match, either for beauty of bloom or as regards its fitness for 

 planting in our smokiest thoroughfares. In many of the 

 worst smoke-infested districts of London and Glasgow, it 

 and P. triloba appear in quite as good form and health as if 

 they were growing in the open country. They are excellent 

 hot-weather plants, for after hot and dry summers they do 

 not seem so hard pressed as are many of what would be 

 considered more robust subjects. Fairly good soil, and not 

 too draughty a position, is all they need, while their after- 

 management is of the simplest. 



The Almond (Amygdalus communis), and A. C. nana, 

 have proved themselves to be useful plants for doing battle 

 with the smoke and impure air of towns. They are both 

 highly ornamental when in flower, not fastidious as to soil, 

 and of neat habit. In and around London almonds are 

 largely planted, as they are so ornamental, so free in flower- 

 ing, and so easily managed. Of the typical A. communis 

 there are numerous distinct varieties, including some with 



