ausc 
AMO 
sideration of its claims, and it was dis¬ 
covered that, though not absolutely 
necessary to constitute a perfect land¬ 
scape, there are positions in which the 
Horse Chesnut may be very effective; 
and when the great number of its 
beautiful blossoms, especially those of 
the scarlet kind, (2E. pavia,) are taken 
into consideration, together with the 
tender green of the ample foliage in 
spring, and its rapid development, the 
taste that would altogether exclude such 
objects must, we think, be defective. 
It is worthy of remark, the Horse Chesnut 
forms in the first fortnight of its seasonal 
action the whole of the current year’s 
growth, frequently protruding several 
inches of new wood in a single night; 
young trees exhibiting this accumulation 
of their stature in a manner evident to 
the naked eye; the remainder of the 
season is, however, fully occupied in 
maturing this extraordinary development. 
Young trees of the common kind are 
readily obtained from seed, sown in 
February, and transplanted at one or 
two years to nursery rows, where they 
should stand rather thin, because of their 
rapid progress; on these, when from 
four to six years old, it is usual to graft 
the other species that are more difficult 
of propagation. Layering also may be 
practised with success in the whole of 
the genus, but it is then troublesome to 
form straight stems of sufficient height 
for standard trees. They grow best in 
rich, deep, and rather moist loam ; we 
are acquainted with a fine specimen of 
the common Horse Chesnut, M. hippo- 
castanun , which being planted by the 
side of a rivulet, has extended its roots 
completely over the stream, forming an 
arch of proportions almost as just as 
could have been effected by the mason, 
and serving now as a bridge. JE. dis¬ 
color and parviflora possess more of the 
suffruticose habit than the other members 
of the genus, and in large shrubberies 
are very ornamental; the species carnea , 
pallida , and glabra , are trees of the 
smallest class, being slow in growth, and 
therefore suitable for the fronts of planta¬ 
tions; the variegated variety of hippocas- 
tanum is very beautiful, and rather scarce. 
AILAN TUS or AIL ANTHUS 
(Willdenow.) Nat. Order Terebin- 
thacece. The only hardy species, A. 
glatidulosus , is a large fast-growing tree, 
with widely- diverging branches, and very 
large,- unequally pinnate leaves; its in¬ 
conspicuous green flowers are produced 
in a large terminal pedicle. It grows 
rapidly in all situations, and on poor 
gravelly soil outstrips all others; in 
isolated positions it is very ornamental, 
but does not group well. Increased by 
cuttings of the roots. 
ALNUS, Alder (Willdenow.) Nat. 
Ord. Amentacece. Well-known timber 
trees, common on the margins of rivers, 
and in marshy places ; the wood is recom¬ 
mended for works constantly under water, 
and is also esteemed in turnery. Treated 
as coppice, the poles from established 
stools grow fast and are durable; the 
bark is used both for tanning and dyeing. 
The only ornamental kind is a variety of 
the common A. glutinosus , with curiously 
cut leaves, called lacbiiata, suitable for 
damp places where few other subjects 
will succeed. Increased by layers. 
AMEL AN CHI EH (Lindley.) Nat. 
Ord. Pomacece. Very ornamental shrubs, 
with white flowers and red berries; they 
grow freely, and attain a considerable 
size in common mould of ordinary quality. 
They are very effective in the pleasure 
grounds through May, when their nume¬ 
rous flowers are displayed. Increased 
by seed or layers. A. sanguinea is some¬ 
times called Mespilus canadensis , or Pyrus 
sanguinea, and A. vulgaris was formerly 
known as Mespilus Amelanchier. 
AMMYRSINE (Puksh.) Nat. Ord. 
Eric acece. A small but interesting genus 
of American plants, having pretty white 
flowers, which are displayed in May and 
June. The only two species known, A. 
buxifolia (Syn. Ledum buxifoliuni) and 
prostrata , should be grown in peat, and 
receive protection from severe frost. 
Increased by layers. 
AMORPIIA, Bastard Indigo (Linn.) 
Nat. Ord. Leguminosce. Eree-flowering 
suffruticose plants, which thrive in good 
garden soil, but require to be matted in 
severe weather; there are near a dozen 
species and varieties, differing con- 
