February  18,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
139 
generally  admired  than  the  Almonds.  This  is  probably  because 
they  have  so  many  good  qualities  When  in  flower  a  well-grown 
specimen  presents  a  sight  that  lingers  in  the  memory,  for  each 
shoot  is  completely  studded  with  delicate  and  attractive  blossoms. 
Such  a  sight  would  in  the  month  of  May  assuredly  arrest  attention  ; 
but  when  we  consider  that  they  usually  flower  in  March  it  requires 
but  little  imagination  to  understand  their  great  value. 
“A.  communis  is  an  old  and  well-known  species,  which  forms  a 
large  handsome  tree,  and  is  well  adapted  for  planting  at  wide 
distances  apart  in  shrubberies,  to  give  seasonable  colouring. 
A.  communis  amara  (Bitter  Almond)  bears  larger  flowers,  rather 
paler. in  colour  than  the  first  named.  A.  c.  dulcis  (Sweet)  usually 
Fig  3L— CERASUS 
flower*  slightly  in  advance  of  both,  and  the  flowers  though  smaller 
are  of  an  attractive  red  colour.  Pendula  and  purpurea  are  two 
good  forms  of  dulcis.  On  account  of  the  early  date  at  which  those 
already  enumerated  flower,  a  somewhat  sheltered  position  should  if 
possible  be  selected  for  them. 
In  the  several  varieties  of  A.  persica  flare-  pleno  we  have  a 
delightful  race  of  dwarf  free -flowering  shrubs,  suitable  alike  for 
pot  culture,  or  for  planting  on  banks  or  in  the  foreground  of 
shrubberies.  If  grown  in  the  form  of  standards  they  ought  not  to 
be  planted  among  strong-growing  shrubs,  as  they  do  not  make 
rapid  progress.  Crimson,  rose,  and  white  forms  may  be  obtained. 
Amygdalus  persica  magnifica,  which  received  the  award  of  a  first- 
class  certificate  from  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  February, 
1894,  is  the  most  attractive  of  the  dwarf  semi-double  varieties. 
Berberis  vulgaris  is  too  well  known  to  need  description,  but  it 
is  well  worth  growing.  B.  Thunbergi  is  a  comparatively  recent 
•introduction,  having  beautiful  lemon  yellow  drooping  flowers.  It 
grows  freely,  and  is  the  most  attractive  deciduous  Berberis  that  I 
know.  Calycanthus  (American  Allspice),  C.  floridus,  and  C.  occi¬ 
dental^  are  desirable  shrubs  to  grow  on  account  of  the  delicious 
scent  their  quaint  flowers  emit.  A  rich  light  or  peaty  soil  suits 
them  well.  The  positions  ought  to  be  well  drained,  and  peat  or 
leaf  soil  freely  incorporated  with  the  natural  soil  if  this  is  heavy. 
One  has  only  to  visit  the  Cherry  orchards  of  some  fruit-growing 
county  when  the  trees  are  in  flower,  to  form  an  idea  of  the  great 
value  of  Cerasus  for  garden  ornamentation,  and  yet  many  of 
the  varieties  grown  for  the  latter  purpose  greatly  exceed  in  beauty 
those  to  be  met  with  in  fruit  orchards.  The  following  are  some 
of  the  be3t  varieties  for  garden  culture — C.  Mahaleb,  white,  height 
PSEUDO-CERASUS. 
10  feet;  C.  Padas  (Bird  Cherry),  20  to  30  feet;  C.  serrulata 
(double  Chinese  Cherry),  very  handsome  and  showy  flowers, 
white  tinted  with  rose,  height  10  to  15  feet;  C.  sinensis  pendula 
rosea,  very  attractive  in  colour  ;  and  C.  pseudo-cerasus  (fig.  31)  i9 
a  very  beautiful  variety  that  was  staged  at  the  Drill, Hall,  last 
spring,  by  Messrs.  J.  Yeitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  and  received  an  award  of 
merit.  The  flower#  are  large,  and  delicate  blush  white  in  colour. 
Cercis  siliquastrum  (Judas  Tree)  and  Chimonanthus  fragrans 
are  two  somewhat  peculiar  yet  attractive  shrubs  that  ought  to  be 
grown  in  every  large  garden,  not  perhaps  in  quantity,  but  to  give 
variety.  The  first  named  flowers  during  the  summer  months,  and 
the  latter  in  January  or  February.  In  cold  districts  both  should 
be  given  the  shelter  of  a  wall.  Then  what  have  we  more  charming 
than  Pyrus  Malu#  floribunda  and  P.  epectabile  ? 
The  month  of  May,  with  its  tender  leave#  and  wealth  of  flowers 
in  England  owes  much  of  its  charm  to  the  profusion  of  Hawthorn 
trees  and  bushes  in  full  bloom.  We  meet  with  them  on  all  sides, 
