7 
and it is now fairly common in the gardens of the northern states. In 
propagating this tree American and European nurserymen have used 
as stock one of the European Cherries which are not suitable for the 
purpose, and such plants are short-lived and generally unsatisfactory. 
The wild type of this weeping tree and of Prunus suhhirtella is 
Prunus suhhirtella var. ascendens, of which there is an excellent 
picture in Mr. Wilson’s book. It is a tall tree with erect spreading 
branches, and grows in forests in Japan in Shinano Province, and in 
central China. It has escaped the attention of American and European 
gardeners, and there are only small seedling plants in the United 
States. One of these can now be seen with the other forms of Prunus 
suhhirtella on the right-hand side of the Forest Hills entrance. 
Prunus serrulata var. sachalinensis. The Sargent Cherry for the 
first time since it began to flower here some years ago has lost some 
of its flower-buds, especially those on the lower branches. This is 
the largest and the handsomest of the Cherry trees of eastern Asia, 
sometimes attaining in northern Japan the height of seventy-five feet 
and a trunk diameter of four feet. It is one of the trees planted in 1735 
in the three mile-long avenue of Cherry-trees at Koganei, near Tokyo, 
which in early spring is still one of the great sights in Japan. 
Hybrid Forsythias. By the path in the rear of the group of For- 
sythias on the slope at the foot of the Bussey Hill Road are several 
specimens of forms of the hybrid between Forsythia suspensa and F. 
viridissima. The general name of these hybrids is Forsythia interme- 
dia, and there are several distinct forms. The plants are in a shel- 
tered position and their flower-buds have not been injured. The hand- 
somest of them is F. intermedia spectabilis, and of all the Forsythias 
which have been grown in the Arboretum this is perhaps the most 
beautiful. The flowers are larger than those of either of its parents, 
deep bright yellow, and are produced this year in countless numbers, 
completely covering the wide-spreading branches. This plant was prob- 
ably raised in Germany as it was sent to the Arboretum from the Spath 
Nursery in Berlin. Other distinct and handsome forms of this hybrid 
are var. primulina and var. pallida; the former has pale primrose- 
colored flowers and appeared as a seedling in the Arboretum a few 
years ago. The var. pallida has pale straw-colored flowers which are 
of a lighter color than those of other Forsythias. This plant also first 
came to the Arboretum from Germany. These hybrids are beautiful 
garden plants, handsomer and perhaps hardier than either of their par- 
ents, and they are interesting as showing what may be expected from 
crossing different species of other trees and shrubs. A good deal has 
already been done in hybridizing Roses and Rhododendrons. New races 
of Lilacs, Spiraeas and Philadelphus produced by the skill of the hy- 
bridizer already beautify our gardens, but this business is only in its 
infancy and greater results may be expected from it than have ever 
yet been obtained. 
