110 
LAWK AND SHADE TREES. 
The Purple Fringe Tree — JRhus . — The Venetian sumach or 
purple fringe tree — rims cotmus — is a much admired shrub from 
its flowers, which are borne in large panicles, often proving 
abortive, and their pedicles lengthening and becoming hairy 
cover almost the entire tree. It sometimes is known as smoke 
tree. It forms a small tree of ten to twelve feet high, suited for 
a position by itself on a lawn, or better as a background plant 
for a shrub group. Light dry soils suit it best. There are 
several other varieties of rhus, many of them very ornamental 
Fig. 58.— Japan Quince. 
and worthy a place in large collections, but not so of positions 
where they come under close observation. Rhus- veneneta and 
toxicodendron are extremely poisonous. 
The Japan Quince — Pyrus . — The scarlet-flowering quince — 
pyrus Japonica — is so well known that it seems hardly requisite 
to do more than name it ; and yet, well known as it is, its real 
value as a shrub plant has been but little appreciated. Massed 
with low-growing evergreens, or in clusters by itself upon the 
lawn or border, its brilliancy of bloom always calls attention and 
