PARK AND CEMETERY. 
2 28 
out on a large scale. They will grow readily from 
seed, although grafted or budded stock gives, as a 
rule, better satisfaction than seedlings. 
PI.ATK 2. ACKR POIA'MORPHUM PKNin'I.A. 
% 
The various types of Japanese maples with us 
seem to do best in a sheltered position where they 
will be protected from the cold north winds. Even 
in such a position they often winter-kill at the ends 
of the branches, but this does not seem to injure 
the plants in any way and tends to keep them in a 
dwarf shrubby form which is quite desirable. They 
like a rich heavy loam containing considerable 
humus with a good porous subsoil, thus affording 
a thorough and rapid 
drainage. These con- 
ditions, however, are not 
absolutely necessary, for 
on about any well- 
drained fertile soil the 
maples seem to give 
very good satisfaction. 
There are two spe- 
cies of these Japanese 
maples that have been 
successfully used for 
planting in this country. 
Acer polymorphum with 
its varieties and Acer 
Japonicum with its vari- 
eties. In each of the 
species there are a large 
number of varieties 
varying more or less 
among themselves, but all having in general the 
same characteristics. 
The accompanying illustrations were taken of 
specimens of A. polymorphums grow- 
ing upon the grounds of the Massa- 
chusetts Agricultural College where 
there is a very fine collection both of 
the Acer polymorphums and Japoni- 
cums. 
The photographs were taken the 
middle of October, about a week after 
the leaves had fallen from the native 
red maples and many other deciduous 
trees had lost their foliage. At the 
time of photographing the maples were 
in their most brilliant autumn foliage 
wdiich in many cases was a most bril- 
liant red which color was retained until 
the cold weather came about two 
weeks later. It is a characteristic of 
the Japanese maples that they retain 
their foliage much longer than other 
of our deciduous shrubs and as a rule 
the leaves do not fall until after the 
heavy freezes in November in this sec- 
tion, and even later farther south. 
This lengthens out the season for a 
few' weeks and makes a very pleasing effect at a 
time when most deciduous plants have such a for- 
lorn appearance. 
Below is given a brief description of some of the 
different varieties of Acer polymorphum and Japoni- 
cum that have been found to give good satisfaction 
in the climate of central Massachusetts. 
Acer polyntorphiim. This species given by some 
authors as palmatum, includes a large number of 
PLATE 3 . GROUP OF JAPANESE MAPLR.'i. 
The large shrub at the left is A. P. atropurpureum. 
