TREES 
121 
one variety. My own preference is for the 
arbor vitae as being more generally suitable in 
every way to small quarters. It possesses much 
beauty to recommend it and is a sturdy, hardy, 
thrifty specimen. Many regard the Siberian 
variety more highly than the native as this is 
not as likely to burn and show dead spaces 
when planted as a hedge; I have found the 
native quite as satisfactory for general plant- 
ing, however, and its taller, slimmer form is 
more to my liking; but of course that is a 
matter of personal taste. 
Just why trees or shrubs which have foliage 
which is abnormal in one way or another should 
appeal so strongly to popular fancy has always 
been a problem beyond explanation or solution. 
I suppose it may be for the same reason that 
human and animal freaks in the circus side- 
show draw; just one of those twists in human 
nature that cannot be accounted for. But 
even those of us who love to shiver at the 
sight of monstrosities would hardly be willing 
to keep company with them day in and day out 
and have them perpetually before us. Why 
then are we willing to tolerate, and eager to 
acquire for our own, similar variations from 
the type in the vegetable world? Only because 
we do not quite realize the truth about these 
