Trees and shrubs in the isle of wight, 



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TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 

 By Samuel. Heaton, F.R.H.S. 



It is with some diffidence I write of the trees and shrubs in the 

 Garden Isle ; for I seem to hear many Fellows of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society say that they have been through the 

 island many times, both on foot and by coach, and have observed 

 nothing of special excellence to note. And this is quite true. 

 But the trees and shrubs I am about to draw attention to are to 

 be found in private gardens and not by the highways and hedges, 

 where many of them would undoubtedly luxuriate and lend addi- 

 tional beauty to the charms of this naturally picturesque island. 

 The enterprise displayed by private individuals in beautifying 

 their gardens should be a stimulus to all public bodies to beautify 

 the island as a whole, and make it more attractive to visitors, 

 who are an important factor in the prosperity of the Garden Isle. 

 The monotony of the streets and buildings might be relieved by 

 trees and shrubs planted in suitable positions and convenient 

 places ; the public halls might be made more attractive and 

 inviting if clothed with window-boxes; and the open spaces 

 could be made more picturesque and interesting if relieved with 

 shrubs in boxes or tubs, as may be seen in Manchester and other 

 places. But, alas ! the public authorities seem to take no interest 

 in the arboricultural charms of the island. 



The generally undulating surface of the Isle of Wight un- 

 doubtedly affords exceptional convenience and opportunity for 

 the cultivation of rare trees and shrubs of a so-called Half-hardy 

 nature. 



The length of the island, east to west, is about twenty-two 

 miles ; the width, north to south, about thirteen miles ; and the 

 circumference about sixty miles. The average rainfall is about 

 28 inches per annum, and the mean temperature about 50° F. 



In addition to the ordinary forest trees or " hard- woods," and 

 the Coniferse, the Euonymus, Tamarisk, Laurustinus, Bays, 

 Fuchsias, Veronicas, and Hydrangeas are to be seen well repre- 

 sented in all parts of the island ; whilst here and there in 

 some of the best-kept gardens, and those most favourably 

 situated, may be seen plants of Eucalyptus, Phillyrea latifolia, 



