RAKE TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM, U.S.A. 83 



this species are rather strong and firm, the leaves large, and the 

 trusses of flowers enormous. The time of flowering is about 

 the end of June. S. amurensis has smaller wood and smaller 

 leaves, and is rather earlier. S. pchinensis is very graceful, with 

 large shoots, thin and incurved, and very light and elegant 

 inflorescence. 



Of true Lilacs there is a good collection. S. Emodi of 

 murseries is known as S. villosa var. hymalaica ; the Chinese 

 form is the better, and is entitled to be considered as the type of 

 the species. 



Some beautiful specimens of Catalpa speciosa at Mr. Hunne- 

 ■ well's were in full bloom. This splendid tree has very large 

 flowers ten days earlier than C. bignonioides, and it has more 

 erect branches. I have had flowering specimens in France for 

 three years, and it succeeds even in warm and rather dry 

 places. 



Pyramidal Oaks thrive near Boston ; near Paris they are 

 injured, and in our worst winters sometimes killed. I suppose 

 that most of our French Pyramidal Oaks are seedlings from the 

 few old trees found near Orthez (Basses-Pyrenees), and are some- 

 what tender, while another hardier but otherwise similar form 

 comes from Germany. The many biennial-fruiting American 

 Oaks are extensively planted ; they are, in fact, quite a feature of 

 the Arboretum, but they are too well known to require mention 

 here. Of the Asiatic Oaks I noted Q. sinensis, a very close ally 

 to, if not a form of, Q. serrata of Japan ; the leaves are very 

 much like a Sweet Chestnut, but whitish underneath and firmer. 

 Q. rnacr anther a, from the Caucasus, seems to grow very well, 

 and to make a fine tree. 



Fagus asplenifolia has a regular profusion of beautiful 

 branchlets, and this peculiarity is often utilised in New England 

 for making big pruned hedges, which become very dense. They 

 have no weak places, and the lightness of the leafage corrects 

 to a great extent the dulness of the massive form. 



The Hickories and other nuts are among the finest American 

 forest trees, and the noblest of the magnificent series are planted 

 in prominent places. Caryaalba, sulcata, and porcina are mag- 

 nificent trees. So is Juglans nigra. 



On private property near the northern entrance to the 

 grounds I noticed a very singular Walnut. The likeness to the 



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