THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



101 



much like those of the locust in size and shape. When in blos- 

 som, few shrubs are prettier. The fringe tree {Chionanthes 

 Virginica) a near relative of the ash, olive, and privet is an- 

 other attractive species with thick and shining" entire leaves and 

 a profusion of flowers with narrow drooping petals that make 

 the common name unusually appropriate. The fringe tree is 

 alsO' related to our lilacs and golden bells {Forsythia) but the 

 silver bell, though having flowers not unlike the Forsythia, is a 

 member of the ebony family. To the same family belongs the 

 storax with white bell-shaped flowers. There are two or three 

 species of storax in our Southern States, but the plant most 

 frecjuently found in cultivation is a species from Japan, Styrax 

 Japoiiica. 



The rarer shrubs are seldom carried in stock by the smaller 

 nurseries. These depend upon local patronage and must pro- 

 vide the common things for which there is a greater demand. 

 The plants mentioned here, as well as a great variety of others 

 equally interesting may be obtained of the Biltmore Nursery, 

 Biltmore, N. C. ; The Peters Nursery Co., Knoxville, Tenn., or 

 of Thomas Meehan & Sons, Germantown, Pa. These firms 

 issue illustrated catalogues that are w-ell worth having for 

 reference even if one never expects to set out a shrub. 



