DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
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are of a fine dark-green colour ; the whole head of foliage 
has much grandeur and richness in its depth of hue, and 
massiness of outline ; and the regular, rounded, pyramidal 
shape, is something so different from that of most of our in- 
digenous trees, as to strike the spectator with an air of no- 
velty and distinctness. The great beauty of the Horse-chest- 
nut is the splendour of its inflorescence, surpassing that of 
almost all our native forest trees : the huge clusters of gay 
blossoms which every spring are distributed with such luxu- 
riance and profusion over the surface of the foliage, and at the 
extremity of the branches, give the whole tree the aspect ra- 
ther of some monstrous flowering shrub, than of an ordinary 
tree of the largest size. At that season, there can be no more 
beautiful object to stand singly upon the lawn, particularly 
if its branches are permitted to grow low down the trunk, 
and (as they naturally will, as the tree advances,) sweep the 
green sward with their drooping foliage. Like the lime 
tree, however, care must be taken, in the modern style, to in- 
troduce it rather sparingly in picturesque plantations, and 
then only as a single tree, or upon the margin of large 
groups, masses, or plantations, but it may be more freely 
used in grounds in the graceful style for which it is highly 
suitable. When handsome avenues or straight lines are 
wanted, the Horse-chestnut is again admirably suited, from 
its symmetry and regularity. It is therefore, much, and 
justly valued for these purposes in our towns and cities, 
where its deep shade and beauty of blossom are peculiarly 
desirable, the only objection to it being the early fall of its 
leaves. The Horse-chestnut is very interesting in its mode 
of growth. The large buds are thickly covered in winter 
with a resinous gum, to protect them from the cold and 
moisture ; in the spring, these burst open, and the whole 
