August 19, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
TREES FOR ROADS. 
In a paper on "The Selection and Cultivation ofTrees 
for Roads,” read at a recent meeting of Municipal and 
County Engineers at West Bromwich, Mr. F. 
Smythe, Surveyor to the Finchley Local Board, 
said the selection should, of course, be studied in 
connection with subsoil and situation. The Western 
Plane (Plantanus occidentalis) was the best tree for 
towns, as it is but little affected by smoke or acids in 
the air, gives a clean stem to a considerable height, 
and will stand any amount of hard weather. It does 
not, however, do so well in bleak situations exposed 
to the dry, cold east winds of spring. It is suitable 
for planting in a heavy soil, and if grown on 
gravel or other dry subsoil requires to be frequently 
watered in its young state. Another kind (P. aceri- 
folia) is even hardier, and might be mixed with P. 
occidentalis in an avenue. The Poplar is another 
fine road tree, more especially where a quick effect 
is required. It will grow under all kinds of adverse 
conditions and in any soil, and in towns has the same 
characteristics as the Plane—of always having a clean 
shiny leaf. It requires, however, to be kept hard 
pruned in its young state. The Canadian Poplar 
(P. canadensis nova) is one of the best kinds, as 
affording the most shade and being one of the 
quickest growing. The black Italian (P. acladesca 
or monilifera) is also a very good kind, but the 
Canadian is to be preferred. The Sycamore (Acer 
pseudo plantanus), or plane-leaved Maple, is in Mr. 
Smythe’s opinion, one of the best trees for road 
planting, and not nearly so much used for this pur¬ 
pose as it deserves. Like the Poplar, it will thrive 
anywhere, and for shade, symmetry or foliage it is 
only excelled by the Plane. It thrives almost as well 
in a bog as on the driest situations, nor is it effected 
in any way by temperture. 
The European Lime (Tilia europasa) does well on a 
a gravel or chalk subsoil. On clay it does not grow 
to so large a size as on a drier substratum, on 
account of its roots being in a young state, very im¬ 
patient of moisture, and on this account at Finchley, 
where the subsoil is clay, it has been planted in front 
of shops where the width of footway would not allow 
a tree of more luxuriant growth being used. It is not 
advisable to plant it in towns or smoky districts, as it 
has a tendency in dry weather to cast its leaves and 
produce honeydew, a glutinous liquid, covering the 
whole of the upper surface of the leaves. There is 
also another variety, the Mississippi Lime (Tilia 
Mississippiensis), which grows to a large size in some 
parts of the North of England. The Elm (Ulmus), 
is not so much used as a road tree as it ought to be, 
no doubt by reason of its slow growth; but the 
author drew attention to what is known as the Cam- 
perdown Elm, a variety of the Wych Elm (Ulmus 
montana), and one of the quickest growing of its 
class. There is a short avenue of these in the 
author’s district which, in his opinion, cannot be 
surpassed as an example of road planting. 
-►*-- 
FINSBURY PARK. 
The bedding in this park is now in its prime, having 
derived considerable advantage from the recent 
rains. The site is more elevated and exposed than 
any of the other large London parks, and the soil is 
a heavy clay, yet notwithstanding these disadvan¬ 
tages, the grass is all that could be desired, particu 
larly in the better kept parts. Visitors who enter by 
the Finsbury Gate can see the bedding, which is mostly 
concentrated at the Manor Gate, by ascending the hill 
under the shade of an avenue of Black Poplars, which 
although not the best kind of tree for the purpose, 
yet thrive with remarkable vigour on the clay, and 
have already attained wonderful dimensions. They 
have been shedding their leaves and littering the 
grass for some time past, but Limes, Planes, and 
various other avenue trees have been behaving in 
the same unsatisfactory way elsewhere owing to the 
unprecedentedly dry summer. 
Amongst the trees and shrubs near the Manor 
Gate, as well as on the front of the lodge, which 
has a northern aspect, Mr. Melville, the superinten¬ 
dent, has been making various trials with the Flame 
Flower (Tropaeolum speciosum) with a view to 
getting it established ; and he is likely to succeed, 
for many of the small pieces of root have made 
wonderful growth, and some of them are flowering 
and promise well. On the opposite side of the 
broad v/alk and surrounded by a low hedge, is a fine 
piece of carpet bedding, termed the snake bed. It is 
narrow and winding ; along the centre is a row of 
circles made up of Alternanthera versicolor, A. mag- 
nifica, and A latifolia, the latter being much brighter 
in colour than A. magnifica, to which it is most 
nearly allied. On each side of the circles are 
triangular plots of Alternanthera latifolia, A. major, 
and A. aurea nana, all remarkably bright in colour. 
The ground-work consists of Antenneria tomentosa 
growing in a sunk area, and the dividing lines are of 
Echeveria secunda glauca. There are also numerous 
central and dot plants of Cordyline indivisa, Brachy- 
phytum aduncum, and Chamaepeuce diacantha. On 
the opposite side from this, on the left as the visitor 
ascends the rising ground is a circular carpet bed. 
Alternanthera aurea surrounds a Grevillea robusta 
in the centre, edged with Echeveria secunda glauca, 
and then a band of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 
variegatum. Around these again are plots in the 
form of short arcs or segments filled with Alternan¬ 
thera versicolor alternating with circles of the 
brightly-coloured A. latifolia. Here again are dot 
plants of Chammpeuce, Cordyline, Pachyphytum 
bracteosnm, and Santolina Chamaecyparissus in- 
cana, while the edge consists of Mesembryanthe¬ 
mum and Sempervivum tabulaeforme, the latter 
being on the perpendicular sides. 
Close by is a very effective mixed bed consisting 
of Arundo Donax variegata, Eulalia japonica varie- 
gata, E. gracillima, Canna Senateur Milland, with 
bold bronzy foliage ; C. Emperor William II., with 
scarlet flowers; C. Louise Chretien, C. Antoine 
Crozy, Gladioli, Melianthus Major, Eurya latifolia 
variegata, Golden Privet, and the Ivy-leaved Pelar¬ 
gonium Ryecroft Surprise, with showy, semi-double, 
rose flowers. The edge consists of Chamaepeuce, 
Begonia semperflorens atropurpurea, and Cineraria 
maritima. On the whole, the bed is light, graceful, 
and showy, but by no means formal. On the rising 
ground above the American garden is a series of 
short, oblong beds on either side of the path, each 
pair corresponding to one another. Two beds of 
Begonia semperflorens atropurpurea mixed with 
Eurya and Cannas on a ground of Gnaphalium 
lanatum are very pretty. Further along a happy 
contrast is made between the purple - flowered 
Verbena venosa and the variegated foliage of 
Pelargonium Flower of Spring mixed with the 
above-named Cannas with the addition of C. Pictu- 
rata, which has its yellow flowers more heavily 
spotted with scarlet than Louise Chretien. Next 
come two beds of mixed tuberous Begonias and 
Abutilon Thompsoni on a ground of Mesembryan¬ 
themum. Two others are occupied with Eucalyptus 
globulus and dark-flowered Heliotropes. Then 
comes a mixture of Petunia alba fimbriata and 
Celosia pyramidalis Two beds of seedling Begonias 
of Ware's strain mixed with Abutilon Thompsoni 
make a brave display. It may here be stated that 
one and two year old tubers are much more satis¬ 
factory as far as the foliage is concerned than three 
year old roots. Two beds of dwarf Fuchsias mixed 
with Eucalyptus on a ground of Sweet Alyssum are 
now very showy. Begonia Worthiana has this 
season been added to the list of plants in the park, 
but the plants were too small to show their true 
character. Tuberous Begonias sown this spring 
have very fine foliage and are commencing to flower 
freely. They are mixed with Grevillea robusta. 
Behind the beds in the edge of the shrubbery are 
some bold plants of Echinops sphaerocephalus and 
the Scotch Thistle (Onopordon Acanthium) of some. 
Further on is a pretty bed of Pelargonium Lady 
Cullum, a better doer than Mrs. Pollock, mixed with 
Cannas and Iceland Poppies. An unnamed tricolor 
Pelargonium edged with another named Miss Cox, 
interspersed with Acacia lophantha, is also note¬ 
worthy. A bright and varied bed of Pelargonium 
Flower of Spring, Fuchsias, Begonia Worthiana, and 
Iceland Poppies completes this series. 
On a wide expanse of grass just a little beyond are 
three circular beds, of which Gladiolus Brenchleyen- 
sis and the G. Gandavensis strain are the most 
striking features. On closer inspection, one of them 
is seen to be occupied with China and Bourbon 
Roses on a ground of Viola Archibald Grant. 
Another has Roses on concentric belts of Viola 
Aurora, V. formosa and V. Duchess of Sutherland, 
all flowering freely. Along the sides of a winding 
walk on the top of the hill are two beds of Fuchsias 
in a floriferous condition, mixed with Eucalyptus on 
a ground of Gnaphalium, and edged with Pelar¬ 
gonium Flower of Spring and P. Madame Cellery. 
80? 
Two beds of Petunia nanu compactain dwarf, bushy 
condition and striped flowers are mixed with green¬ 
leaved Cannas. Although raised from seeds, there 
are only one or two rogues in the bed. A single bed 
of Verbena venosa, Crystal Palace Gem, and 
Eucalyptus is bright and attractive. The Verbenas 
stand the weather well, and are excellent for an 
autumn display. Four small beds are intended for 
permanent clumps of Spirsea Aruncas and Bocconia 
cordota when they get established, but at present 
the night-scented Tobaccos are most prominent. A 
showy bed consists of Begonia semperflorens atro 
purpurea on aground of the variegated Pelargonium 
Duke of Edinburgh. Near this is a sunk dell with 
three Planes planted on mounds, and at present 
occupied with groups of Palms, but in spring there 
is an interesting display of Tulips, Crocuses, Blue¬ 
bells and Snowdrops, most of which are planted 
permanently. Not far from here is a shrubbery 
border, on the edges of which are clumps and masses 
of Phloxes, including Purity, a pure white form, and 
several salmon and other rich dark kinds, as well as 
Pentstemons, and Intermediate Stocks all of the 
excellent strains of Mr. John Forbes of Hawick, 
N.B. Masses of Viola Blue King, Pilrig Park, and a 
yellow variety as well as Salpiglossis, semidouble 
rose and scarlet Portulaccas, and Marguerite Car¬ 
nations are just now in fine condition and very 
showy. 
All of a sudden one comes upon the Surprise 
Garden consisting of a wide area planted with 
numerous beds on the grass. One of the more at¬ 
tractive beds consists of the Ivy-leaved Pelargonium 
Souvenir de Charles Turner, pegged down and flower¬ 
ing freely, while mixed with Begonias and Acacia 
Lophantha. Four angular beds at the corners of 
the area are planted with Verbena venosa and 
Centaurea ragusina candidissima, making a simple 
yet most effective display that can hardly fail to 
catch the eye. Two arching and angled beds of 
Pelargonium John Gibbons of a more brilliant 
scarlet than Henry Jacoby are most floriferous and 
noteworthy. They are interspersed with Eucalyp¬ 
tus. Neither can we omit a bed of the bronzy 
metallic-leaved Begonia semperflorens atropurpurea, 
mixed with Abutilon Thompsoni on a ground 
of Antennaria. A central, large circular bed 
of bronzy-leaved Cannas with scarlet flowers and 
one on either side with glaucous green leaves and 
yellow flowers will be striking when in full bloom. 
Two carpet beds in the Surprise Garden are neatly 
designed, and noteworthy from the fact that they 
were planted with the object of avoiding the necces- 
sity of constant pinching and clipping so imperative 
in many cases of carpet bedding when certain 
plants are used. In the case of these two the experi¬ 
ment may be described as eminently successful, for 
this kind of work is reduced to a minimum. One 
of them consists of various figures of Alternanthera 
aurea n’ana, A. latifolia and A. versicolor on a ground 
of Antennaria tomentosa and edged with Echeveria 
secunda glauca. The centres are occupied with 
Cordyline and Grevillea, and there are dot plants of 
Pachyphytum bracteosum, P. aduncum and Semper- 
vivums of the Canary Island type. The other bed 
was also planted from the same point of view, and in 
both cases the experiment has been a success, for 
very little trimming is required. The centre con¬ 
sists of a four-sided patch of Alternanthera aurea. 
suyrounded by a line of Echeveria farinosa, then 
Alternanthera versicolor, and that in turn by 
Echeveria farinosa. A ground work of Herniaria 
glabra follows, on which are four arcs of Alternan¬ 
thera latifolia, outside of which is an edging of 
Echeveria secunda glauca. 
At the highest elevation of the park is a lake with 
an island in It, the edges of which are being planted, 
and will eventually relieve the barren aspect which 
the bed of the island has presented for many years 
past. Close by the lake is a rockery which has been 
constructed by Mr. Melville to improve a piece of 
unsightly ground upon which no grass would grow'. 
It was made in winter and planted in spring, but 
already looks as if it had been established for a 
longer period of time. Many of the various plants 
used are grouped in masses of a kind or of allied 
aad kindred subjects, so that a fine effect will be the 
result in a year or two. We noted masses of 
Olearia Hastii, Rosa rugosa, Gaillardias, Lobelia 
cardinalis, L. splendens Victoriae, Sedum spect- 
abile already in fine trim, Linaria pallida, Phloxes 
of the procumbent, P. subulata type, Aubrietia 
