HARDY ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 425 
HARDY ORNAMENTAL TREES AND 
SHRUBS. 
Abies (Silver Fir). — Lofty-growing- evergreen trees, be- 
longing to the Conifer family (Coniferae). Some of them 
make very handsome ornamental trees for the lawn. Owing to 
their great size they are scarcely adapted for gardens of limited 
extent. Nor are they suitable for town or suburban gardens, 
as they cannot withstand a smoky atmosphere. All the species 
do best in a sandy loam and in elevated positions away from 
the sea-coast. Increased by seeds sown outdoors in April, or 
in boxes of sandy soil in a cold frame. Planting is best done 
in October or the following April. The best species to grow 
as specimens on a lawn are A. amabilis (Red Fir), ioo to 
150ft., British Columbia; A. balsamea (Balsam Fir), 70 to 
80ft., N. America; A. concolor, iooft._ California; A. grandis, 
200ft. , California; A. nobilis (Noble Silver Fir), 200ft., Cali- 
fornia; A. pectinata (Common Silver Fir), 80ft., S. Europe; 
A. Pinsapo (Spanish Silver Fir), 60 to 80ft., Spain ; A. Veitchii, 
1 20ft. , Japan; and A. webbiana, 80 to 90ft., Himalayas. See 
also the genus Picea. 
Acer (Maple and Sycamore). — This genus is composed 
of a number of very handsome tall and dwarf ornamental- 
leaved deciduous trees, belonging to the Nat. Ord. Sapin- 
daceae. The more vigorous growing species, such as the 
Common Maple (Acer campestre) and the Sycamore (Acer 
Pseudo-platanus) are better suited for the rough shrubbery or 
plantation where a good screen from unsightly objects is 
needed. Other tall sorts, as the Silver Maple (Acer dasy- 
carpum), having leaves of a blue-white beneath, and growing 
30 to 40ft. high; Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) with its 
varieties, the Eagle’s Claw or Hawk’s-foot Maple (A. p. lacini- 
atum), and Albo variegatum, leaves variegated with w'hite ; 
and the Sugar or Bird’s Eye Maple (Acer saccharinum), 50 to 
80ft., are also suitable for shrubberies or single specimens on 
lawns. Then among smaller kinds there, is the Box Elder 
(Acer Negundo variegatum), a species with lovely silvery 
foliage, and which may be grown as a bush or a low standard. 
This is a charming kind for small or large gardens. There 
is also a golden-leaved variety. Prettiest and most interesting 
of all the Maples are the Japanese kinds. Of these Acer 
