September 28, 1893, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDE NEIL 
296 
largely planted in London. By a peculiar formation of the leafstalk, 
which is flattened midway, they are specially provided with a mechanical 
means of protection against heat. The leaves hang vertically, and 
possess glands on both surfaces, whereas Oak, Beech, Chestnut, &c., have 
glands only on the under surface. 
Ailantus glandulosa, the Tree of the Gods, is in splendid foliage, and, 
if more care were taken to keep it in shape in its early years, would soon 
prove one of the surest ornaments of our streets. 
But the tree to which I wish to call special attention as invaluable 
for towns is what is commonly called the Acacia. It is not an Acacia at 
all, being of the Pea flower tribe ; its scientific name is Robinia pseudo- 
Acacia. Let anyone compare the fine specimen standing at the corner 
of Lord Sefton’s house in Belgrave Square, or a group of young ones in 
the Green Park, near the Wellington Arch, with trees of other kinds 
around, and he cannot fail to recognise in this species one which, for 
beauty of form or freshness of verdure, cannot be excelled for planting 
in towns. Ulmus campestris, called the English Elm because it is not 
English, has kept its foliage fairly well, but it is dull and discoloured.— 
Heebeet Maxwell. 
SiE Heebeet Maxwell does well in calling attention to the 
Ailantus glandulosa in his remarks on London trees. It is one of the 
very best trees for the soil and climate of London, and will in time 
grow to the height of 40 feet or 50 feet. So vigorous is the growth in a 
young state that it will often make a shoot of 6 feet in a single year. 
The leaves are large and handsome, 3 feet or more in length, with a thick 
midrib, on each side of which are ranged in pairs some twenty or thirty 
lance-shaped leaflets. I have a specimen of this tree in my garden 
nearly 50 feet high, which is the admiration of everyone who sees it. 
When the late Major M'Kenzie was about to plant the trees on the 
Thames Embankment I remember discussing with him the merits of 
this tree for that position. It was, however, decided, properly I think, 
that the beautiful but massive foliage would be torn and disfigured by 
the strong currents of wind often prevalent there. In fairly sheltered 
positions no tree is handsomer or more appropriate for cities and large 
towns, as it is very hardy and will grow anywhere. Many trees which 
flourished in London some thirty or more years ago no longer thrive 
there, owing to the increased volumes of smoke and various noxious 
gases ; but there are still many trees and shrubs, which, owing I believe 
principally to the structure of their leaves, seem to set these influences 
at defiance, and the Ailantus is one of the most valuable of them. Planes, 
Poplars, and Robinias (the latter usually called Acacias) are proved 
London trees, and there are many varieties of each far preferable to the 
old-fashioned and beautiful but unsuitable English and foreign trees 
still injudiciously planted.— William Paul, Waltham Cross, Herts. 
May I add a word of caution to Sir Herbert Maxwell’s praise of the 
Ailantus as a London tree ? The foliage has all the beauty and 
endurance he claims ; but, to use the words of an American authority, 
Mr. F. B. Hough, “ the male flowers have a nauseating odour that 
renders this tree undesirable for cultivation near dwellings.” 
I think I am right in adding that not many years since most of the 
Ailantus trees in New York were grubbed up on account of this 
offensive character. It is a tree also to be handled with care on account 
of the acrid juice of its bark, which has been known to caused poisoned 
hands among woodmen and gardeners.—J. L. P., Marlborough, 
TKIDAX BICOLOR ROSEA. 
A NOETHEEN correspondent sends us a few blooms of this pretty 
late flowering plant, and remarks that the yellow-flowered Composite 
are so numerous in late summer and autumn that it is quite a relief to 
obtain any additions to the family in which the flower heads are of 
some other tint. We think so too, and the plant to which attention is 
called is by no means familiar in gardens. When in bloom it is very 
attractive, and is worthy of a place with other border plants. As will 
be seen by referring to the illustration (fig. 42), the flower heads are of 
moderate size' and neat shape, white with a strong suffusion of deep 
clear rose—a peculiarly bright and pleasing tint. They are freely 
produced. The plant is compact, of moderate height, and of easy 
culture. 
APPLES AND PEARS at WOODHALL, WEST NORFOLK. 
“ WoODHALL,” a very ancient mansion, is said by Kelly in his 
Directory of Norfolk to have been “ formerly one of the seats of the 
Abbots of Ramsey, to whom the estate belonged before the dissolution 
of the Monastery in 1537.” It is now the property of Major Stocks, 
D.L. and J.P., by whom it has been much enlarged and in every way 
greatly improved. I do not purpose, however, now to take up space in 
the Journal by a description of this fine old place other than as it relates 
to the above-named fruits. 
Mr. Lewendon, the gardener, is an experienced and successful fruit 
cultivator, both outdoors and under glass. Heavy crops of Grapes ol 
the finest quality and finish. Peach and Necfarine trees in splendid con¬ 
dition, perfectly clean with fine foliage, well ripened wood on triple 
buds boldly dereloped at nearly every leaf, show his skill in growing 
fruits under glass ; but this skill is perhaps still more strikingly shown 
outside by trained trees on walls, bush and pyramid trees in gardens, and 
free standards in the orchard. All alike are, or have been, carrying fine 
crops of fruit of the largest size and finest quality. 
Here may be seen carried out most effectually the rational methods 
of pruning advocated by many horticultural writers and lecturers—viz., 
no lopping off of large limbs (mutilating, not pruning), but judicious 
FIG. 42.—TEIDAX BICOLOE EOSEA. 
thinning out of the smaller branches annually through all the free 
orchard trees, so as to admit a full amount of light and air freely through 
all their parts. This practice, combined with due attention to cleaning the 
trees annually by lime dressings in the winter and feeding their roots as 
required, results in the good supply of fruit of the finest quality. Some 
horizontal trained Pear trees, covering one side of a long range of 
stables and carriage houses, are pictures of health, fruitfulness, and good 
management. The common error one meets with in trees of this class 
is overcrowding both of the horizontal branches and of the spur growths 
thereon, but here no overcrowding is permitted either in trained trees. 
