FAR EASTERN MAPLES. 



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FAR EASTERN MAPLES. 

 By James H. Veitch. 



Amongst hardy deciduous trees, few display a greater variety of form 

 and habit than the Maple. 



Some, such as Acer macrophyllum, A. eriocarpum, A. ncapolitanum, 

 and the common Sycamore, are rapid-growing trees suitable for growing 

 in woods, whilst others, such as A. monspessulanum, A. opulifolium, and 

 A. Opalus, are round-headed trees of a dwarfer stature ; and many forms 

 of A. palmatum and A. japonicum are but dwarf bushes. 



Their geographical distribution is remarkable and of the widest, and 

 few genera can boast of so many representatives in so many portions of 

 the globe. Some are indigenous to Europe, and England can claim one 

 species. The Mediterranean forms extend into Northern Africa on one 

 side, and into the Levant on the other ; Asia, from the Caucasus and the 

 Himalaya to the Amoor river and Japan, has others, whilst China has 

 now recently been found to be rich in species. North America boasts 

 of several forms, but for the most part those of the eastern side of the 

 continent differ from those of the western. 



As a rule, each continent has its own forms, though the South 

 European occur in Asia Minor and Northern Africa, some of the 

 American species, notably Acer Negwido, are found in Japan, and 

 several introduced from the last-named country to Europe are un- 

 doubtedly of Chinese origin. From an economic standpoint several 

 species are of great value. 



The present paper dees not deal with the entire genus, but with those 

 of China, Japan, and the neighbouring countries, many of which have 

 already proved so valuable under cultivation in England. 



It is becoming every year more evident that we owe much to the 

 forests of Japan, more indeed than is realised by planters generally ; and 

 now that the results of the original plantings of the introductions of 

 Charles Maries have had from twenty-five to thirty years to prove their 

 value, it is permissible to speak somewhat definitely. 



The accompanying illustrations certainly tend to show that, among 

 the extensive flora of that mountainous and volcanic country, the Maples 

 now in cultivation are quite as much at home in England as in their native 

 forests, whilst those of the Chinese species now growing at Coombe Wood 

 are hardly less promising. 



That some Maples are apparently indigenous to all the Far East is 

 undoubted, but as to the exact geographical distribution much has yet to 

 be learnt. 



Ten years before Maries reached Japan, the Editor of the " Gardeners' 

 Chronicle " (in September 1868) drew the attention of planters to the 

 wealth of material among the Maples for ornamental planting. 



He wrote : " In this group there is variety enough, one would think, 

 to please every one ; some are trees, some are bushes ; billowy masses of 



