102 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
THE 
GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 
OF AMERICA. 
Published by 
THE CHRONICLE PRESS. Inc. 
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MARTIN C. EBEL, Editor. 
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GARDENERS 
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PARK SUPERINTENDENTS 
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1879. 
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Editor, Madison, 
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N. J. 
Vol. XXI. 
March, 
1917 
No. 3 
THE JAPANESE MAPLES. 
There is quality, richness, and class in the Japanese 
Maples. There are really two groups of them, i. e., varie- 
ties of Acer Japoniciiin and varieties of Acer palinatum 
or polymorphiim. 
Broadly speaking, varieties of the latter are much more 
free growing, and attain much larger proportions than 
varieties of Acer Japonicum. 
The one that is best known and most popular is the 
Blood Leaf Japanese Maple, Acer polyinorplinin atropiir- 
pureiim, chiefly on account of its color ; Init in addition 
to this there are many beautiful varieties, equally de- 
serving of attention. It is easy to learn the different 
varieties and their habits of growth, but to be really suc- 
cessful with them one must become very intimate with 
their nature. The one curious fact about them is they 
make their growth for the entire season in about 10 days 
or two weeks in April or early May. There is practi- 
cally little or no growth after that during the entire sum- 
mer. If the foliage becomes marred through late plant- 
ing or other cause it remains so all summer. Foliage 
that is produced so quickly is necessarily very tender, 
a cold night, or a shower of rain, followed by a hot sun, 
will occasionally spoil it before it is hardened. 
A vigorous Blood Leaf Japanese Maple will make as 
much as eighteen inches of growth in its short growing 
•season. Another peculiar feature is, the sap seems to be 
active all the winter, as they bleed very freely if pruned 
at that period. This would suggest that summer is 
perhaps a better time to do necessary pruning. 
The common stock, Acer polymorphiim is really a beau- 
tiful tree, or perhaps it would be better to class it among 
the shrubs, although they are miniature trees in every 
sense of the word. It is not uncommon to see specimens 
20 feet high, or more. 
The finely cut forms such as A. p. dissect um do not 
get so large ; the branches have a downward tendency so 
that a well developed specimen is as broad as high. 
The variegated forms such a.s A. p. reticulatum and 
rosea niargiuntiiin are not very satisfactory, the coloring 
of the foliage very soon fades out under the hot summer 
sun, although they are very beautiful when they first 
come out in leaf. 
The variety Acer Japonicum anreitui has a beautiful 
fan shaped golden leaf, but unfortunately it is a very 
jjoor, short, stubby grower, good specimens are rarely 
seen, but well worth striving for. 
There are several varieties with green foliage that are 
often ignored on this account, but are wonderfully beau- 
tiful when well grown. Chief among them is Acer Japon- 
iciivi acomtifoliiim. The unusual shape of the leaf, com- 
bined with its lovely fall coloring, makes it worthy of more 
attention. — National Nurser\mau. 
THE GARDENER. 
It is not mine, this fair domain. 
This lordly scene of bold contour ; 
Though mine the hand, and mine the brain — 
And mine the heart — that did conjure 
From Nature's orderless grandeur. 
And far-flung wealth of crowning splendors, 
This well-planned scene with cunning sure 
That beauty doubly lovely renders. 
/ wove those twining paths around 
That steep green slope, faint, self-effacing; 
To make those arbors, leafy-crowned, 
/ trained those trees, all interlacing. 
/ led that brook to linger more. 
As down its winding path it traced ; 
Those dancing flow'rs that fringe its shore 
Ry ;;;-i' own thought and hand were placed. 
I did all this, but not for me — 
Another owns what I have wrought. 
I took — and still receive — a fee ; 
My skill of mind and hand was bought. 
Another conies at times to see 
Mis land, his flow'rs, his trees above. 
All his — but in true equity 
They all are mine by bonds of love. 
Can he who owns them take more joys. 
Who cannot half their beauties find. 
From them than I whom he employs ? 
They reach my heart, but scarce his mind. 
He owns by law — and I by love ; 
In whom does truest title lie? 
In God's great record books above 
Who truly owns? I think 'tis I. 
— Herbert S. Richland. 
