ORNAMENTAL DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 
93 
for particular and partial inspection. Boldness of design, 
which seems to be more the offspring of nature and chance 
than of art and study, should be attempted ; but though bold- 
ness is what the planter should aspire to, all harshness or too 
great abruptness must be avoided by a judicious mixture of 
plants whose colors will blend easily with one another.” The 
most beautiful shrubs should of course be planted in the most 
conspicuous places, and the whole with respect to evergreens so 
arranged as to contribute in making bright the gloom of 
winter; in reducing and softening the glare of summer, and 
assist in lengthening the season by their early flowers in spring 
and their ripening berries in autumn. 
The Acacia — Robinia . — The rose acacia {Robinia hispida) is 
an old shrub commonly well known, but latterly little planted. 
Its large clusters of rose-colored flowers in July are extremely 
beautiful, and as it commences flowering when only some two feet 
high, rarely rising above four or five feet, there are many places 
where its introduction in the foreground is productive of 
pleasing effects. The objection to it has been its tendency to 
throw up numerous suckers from its long, straggling roots ; but 
these may easily be kept in bounds by regular cutting back 
with a sharp spade in August. It can be grafted on the stronger- 
growing varieties of the locust, when it forms a small, very 
pretty, and ornamental round head, quite well suited to position 
on some small lawns. 
The Clammy Barked Locust — Robinia mscosa — grows to a 
height of ten or fifteen feet, and has a gummy substance over its 
branches that makes it unpleasant to the touch. It has large 
pale pink flowers, and in forming large clusters of shrubs and 
second-class trees it is often desirable. There are a number of 
other varieties, such as inermis , tortuosa , grandiflora , etc., all 
more or less beautiful when placed in large groups, but not of 
themselves sufficiently ornamental for single positions in small 
