190 
October, 1889. 
Notea on Lawn Planting'. 
The Birches (Bet)da) are well-known and 
much admired trees for ornamental plant- 
ing. Betula papyracea. the Paper or Canoe 
Birch, is common in our 
woods, particularly in the 
northern part of the country, 
and children especially are 
quick to notice it before any 
other tree: its shining white 
bark and slender, dark brown 
brandies making it a conspic- 
uous and very attractive ob- 
ject. It is a tree full of de- 
lightful associations, about 
which a book might be writ- 
ten. From the bark of this 
tree the Indian made (and still 
makes) his graceful canoe, 
the subject of much charming 
poetry and romance, and 
which has originated a health- 
ful recreation that is fast be- 
coming well-nigh universal. 
There are few rivers or lakes 
in this country that have not 
one or more canoe clubs, all 
united in a common brother- 
hood. 
All the Birches are hand- 
some subjects for the lawn; 
but perhaps the most desira- 
ble is a European variety. Be- 
tula alba v. pendula laciniata, 
the Cut-leaved Pendulous 
Birch, one of the most beauti- 
ful of pendulous trees. Its 
tall, straight trunk; slender, 
drooping branches; delicately 
cut leaves, and white, silvery 
bark, make it a very beauti- 
ful as well as conspicuous ob- 
ject. Its pendulous habit, 
however, is not fully develop- 
ed till the tree has attained 
some age, and then it yearly 
increases. The accompany- 
ing illustration, Fig. 199, is an 
excellent portrait of this very 
handsome tree. 
B. alba v. pendula Youngii is another at- 
tractive form of the White Birch, entirely 
distinct in habit from the preceding. It 
should be worked from six to eight feet 
high. It forms a round head, with slender 
branches drooping gracefullyto the gr< und. 
One cannot go far wrong in planting any or 
all of the Birches. They are particularly 
attractive at night and in the winter. 
Hydrangea paniculata (the type of p. gran- 
dijlora) is becoming somewhat known and i 
ceding is Styrax Japonica. This is a beau- 
tiful shrub in form, flower and fruit, and is 
peculiarly free from insects. It is tree-like 
in form, the branches growing out horizon- 
tally, and bearing numerous pedulous white, 
bell-shaped flowers, succeeded by white 
berries, which remain till winter. It grows 
to be a small tree, and and should be planted 
alone, and not nearer than six or seven feet 
to a walk or drive. This fine shrub has now 
been raised from seed, and is offered for 
sale by Hallock & Son at a reasonable price. 
Primus maritima, a small tree or shrub 
more or less common along 
the New England coast, and 
farther North and South, is a 
very pretty subject for the 
lawn, especially in light, sandy 
soils. It is frequently seen 
growing in the sand on the 
beach, and is called the Beach 
Plum. It may also be found 
growing higher up among the 
rocks. On the south side of 
Staten Island, N. Y., it is very 
abundant. The flowers are 
white and borne in umbels, 
and then they are so numer- 
ous as to remind one of a 
Spiraea w h en in bloom . Plant- 
ed in the foreground or by the 
side of a drive or a walk, it is 
a handsomer object than 
many shrubs that might be 
named. The fruit makes a 
good jelly. P. Americana, a 
larger plant bearing orange- 
red fruit, is a good compan- 
ion for P. maritima. These 
are valuable plants for sandy 
soils, and especially for places 
along the seacoast, such as 
Nantucket, for example, where 
it is difficult to get many 
things to grow. The Messrs. 
Parsons are the only firm who 
have P. maritima for sale. 
The Crab Apples are both 
ornamental and useful, and 
may justly claim a place in 
ornamental gardening. The 
single and the double flower- 
ering varieties from China 
and J apan a re splendid objects 
when in flower, and unsur 
passed for beauty and profu- 
sion of bloom. They are small 
or medium sized trees, and do 
not take up much room; but they should 
not be crowded in among other plants. Let 
each one have a place cf its own, to develop 
its individuality and beauty, Anew Japan 
variety, just introduced (P. Parkmanii ) 
would seem to be worthy of general cul- 
tivation. — P. B. Mead. 
The autumn offers opportunity for a 
thorough preparation of the land, and de- 
ciduous trees and shrubs planted at this sea- 
son succeed much better than in Spring. 
planted. It is a very beautiful plant, and 
will be liked by some better than the dou- 
ble form. They should both be largely 
grown. The panicle in the species are much 
lighter than those of the double form, and 
are not, consequently, borne to the ground 
by their weight: an important matter when 
the plant is grown on the lawn. The pani- 
cles are somewhat smaller, but they are 
more graceful. 
As the season for planting comes round 
there are some choice things that should 
not be forgotten, one of them being Exochor- 
CUT-LEAVED WEEPING BlRCH. Fig. 199. 
da grandiflora , which is still a rare plant, 
though not new. We have had occasion to 
say before that it can now be bought at a 
reasonable price. It is in all respects such 
a beautiful shrub that no garden or lawn 
should be without it. Almost any soil will 
suit it, even a very light one. It should be 
planted by itself, and not crowded in among 
a mass of other shrubs. Its habit, if noth- 
ing else, would suggest this. 
Another shrub even rarer than the pre- 
