222 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 14,1895. 
Avenues may be divided into two classes—those which orna¬ 
ment the road or carriage drive, and those which have no secondary 
object, but are planted in some portion oE the demesne where the 
greensward takes the place of the road. For the former, which 
one may designate the principal type of avenue, deciduous trees 
appear preferable, as foliage retained through the winter is not 
conducive of dryness nor light desirable to a good carriage road 
during that season. For this purpose specimens of our noblest 
timber trees are second to none as types of beauty. There is not> 
I think, any reason for drawing comparisons between their gran¬ 
deur of form on the one hand with the more graceful habit of the 
Coniferae. 
A common mistake is that made by the planter failing to realise 
what the trees will become, and what they should attain in their 
prime. It is a far cry in a tree’s life from infancy to old age, and 
too often is future effect sacrificed to present appearance. Should 
choice fall on such trees as the Beech, Oak, Elm, or Ash by reason 
of the suitability of any one of them being illustrated in the 
vicinity, the selection of a specimen will be a reliable guide for the 
space ultimately required in the avenue. Ample width is of the first 
importance. With a carriage road of some 30 feet wide and up 
to or exceeding a quarter of a mile in length, from 25 to 30 feet 
may be allowed from the margin of the road to the tree stems ; 
but should the road be curtailed in length some reduction in width 
is necessary, for in this instance we have no perspective to tone 
into harmony. It may be readily allowed that a perfect avenue is 
one in which each tree is a perfect specimen, and that sufficient 
room is allowed for such attainment, hence the requisite space 
from tree to tree will be double that from the stem to the margin 
of the road. Probably in but few places is so much room as this 
I advise allowed, but certainly in but few places is the ideal avenue 
to be found. 
On the smaller scale, where space is limited, and the immediate 
surroundings proportionately reduced, very pleasing effects are 
obtained from lesser growing trees or even shrubs. Here dignity 
gives way to beauty, and should some of our fruit trees grown as 
standards be employed, profit may thereby be added. In this class 
of avenue the Lombardy Poplar has formerly been much employed, 
but I think there are but few instances in which the impressions it 
gives are wholly satisfactory. Thus used, it often results in a 
Venetian mast-like arrangement, and may be defined as height 
without breadth. 
In the greater variety of evergreen trees and the larger scope 
admissible in thosp avenues through the woodland or other parts of 
a demesne, tbo planter can work with a freer hand ; yet, instances 
may be noted in which cultural taste has been sacrificed to arbori- 
cnlti’ral energy. Avenues which have survived sufficiently long to 
excite feelings of pity where nought but admiration should prevail. 
Temptations now beset planters that were unknown to a former 
generation in the graceful and elegant, recently introduced 
Coniferse. We may receive a great deal of pleasure in watching 
their development year by year, but the keener is the disappoint¬ 
ment felt should a season of abnormal severity deal disastrously 
with them. The possibility of such a catastrophe should lead to 
exhaustive inquiry into the character of these trees with some 
knowledge of the habits they will eventually develop ; for, some at 
least, in their prime will lose the elegance of character displayed in 
youth. The Deodar is an example of the change of habit 
with age. 
In a limestone country the Silver Fir family are very satisfactory 
in their behaviour, acquiring an ultra-glaucous hue, of which 
P. nobilis is a prominent example. Avenues of this description 
possess an advantage over the carriage road avenue, as they are 
invariably backed up by a depth of miscellaneous planting, serving 
as protection. In damp, low-lying situations, the Hemlock Spruce 
(A. canadensis) thrives, and forms a handsome feathery-headed 
tree. It also has the advantage of being somewhat uncommon in 
the British Isles. 
The English Yew is well adapted to the more confined space of 
a shrubbery. In noting the planting at a once celebrated place, 
which afforded abundant examples of what to plant and what to 
avoid, an avenue of Araucaria imbricata, crippled and denuded, gave 
rise to the reflection that had the English Yew been thus employed, 
each succeeding generation would have enjoyed increased antiquity 
till such time as Macaulay’s New Zealander might admire, and, 
admiring, turn a kindly thought to the then remoteness of our own 
times and planters of our day. Haste is not desirable in avenue 
planting, lest repentance comes at leisure.—E. K., Dublin, 
A FEW USEFUL PLANTS. 
We might in houses of a permanent nature do more to render 
them picturesque and attractive. Care is needed in associating 
plants to produce the most pleasing effect, and at the same time so 
arrange them that they contrast admirably. Experience is needed 
before plants can be selected that are certain to do well and grow 
luxuriantly in the position assigned to them. We have often made 
mistakes, but generally profit by them. How often in certain 
houses or positions plants will grow freely enough ; but because 
the house is too warm, or it may be too dry, a little too 
cold or too moist, they become a prey to insects of one kind or 
another. 
It is intended in these notes to point out a few plants that con¬ 
trast well, and the positions in which we have found them succeed 
best. What can be more useful or beautiful in a warm moist house 
than Lygodium scandena planted round the stems of Palms that 
tower above plants of a dwarfer nature ? It is certainly deciduous, 
but for three parts of the year it is charming, and it is even more 
beautiful when its slender stems creep naturally amongst the leaves 
of the Palms and hang gracefully from them. Where the tempera¬ 
ture ranges at least 65° to 60° at night and abundance of moisture 
is maintained it thrives splendidly. In houses that are cooler, say 
in the conservatory, where the temperature does not range above 
50° at night, Smilax answers the same purpose, and is quite at 
home if well syringed and liberally supplied with water. The 
slender graceful stems of this plant are most useful for table 
decoration. This plant for a good period of the year will prove 
ornamental, and if required can be used for the purpose 
indicated. 
For plant houses with one end of brick or stone, with a back 
wall, or surrounded with fairly high walls, such as a fernery or 
Palm house, no more useful plant than Ficus repens can be found. 
For covering iron pillars, for creeping up the stems of Palms and 
Tree Ferns, it is very useful. In warm moist houses Ficus repens 
grows rapidly, and gives very little trouble beyond watering and 
syringing, but grows best in good soil. It can be clipped annually 
to keep it within due bounds, but after the walls are once covered 
it is less stiff in appearance when the shoots are allowed to hang 
from the wall. In cool houses it will do equally well, only growth 
is much slower. For associating with Ficus repens on walla in 
warm moist houses Philodendron pertusum is very effective with 
its large handsomely cut foliage. It clings freely to walls, and 
therefore gives little trouble, but must be well syringed and 
liberally watered. 
Cissus discolor with its beautifully marked foliage is a striking 
contrast to the Ficus, and when once started will secure itself to 
the wall and ramble in a natural manner. It is most effective over 
the neat groundwork of green, but should not be allowed to become 
crowded, or the effect will be destroyed. When taken straight 
to the top and trained horizontally the lateral growths will hang 
down, and the colour of the foliage will be seen to greater advan¬ 
tage than when trained in any other way. Another climber that 
cannot well be dispensed with in a warm house where Palms are 
employed is Passiflora princeps. The shade and moisture induce 
free growth, which flowers profusely ; and the long racemes of 
bright scarlet flowers hanging above the Palms, or even in some 
cases hanging amongst them, prove an imposing feature. 
Asparagus deflexus in large baskets is charming; its long 
shoots hang over and completely hide the basket. All the 
varieties of Asparagus delight in leing liberally syringed and 
having abundance of water, providing it is not allowed to stagnate 
about their roots. Amongst Ferns for the same purpose 
Davallia Mooreana is not to be despised, and the old Phle- 
bodium aureum with its glaucous foliage is distinct and pleasing. 
Few Ferns surpass for baskets in the conservatory Nephro- 
lepis exaltata. N. tuberosa is also effective. Microlepia hirta 
cristata is at home in the conservatory, and grows with the greatest 
freedom. For a cool moist hardy fernery Woodwardia radicana 
las no equal, as its large bold fronds droop gracefully. Dicksonia 
