Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-09-14
Some Choice Lawn Trees,

THE PURPLE-LEAFED PEACH. - August this
year has been unusually rich In color, because
time to time on vegetation, which by this time
is generally much more dimmed by the signs of
advancing decay. To the popularity OF the
present season may be doubtless attributed in
part, the fact that the foliagetof the purple
leafed neach Is redder this year thad usual, and
yet it might be still finer, as we shall see almost
any year, If it were properly treated. Although
the peach, as an ornamental tree, is fresh look
ing, rapid growing, and suited to most Soils It
has never been really popular On the lawn. AS
usually treated, 1t is liable soon to become
sparse Of foliage, upgainly and cancerous. It
is pity that fits reputation is not good, for
when pruned severely every spring, TO renew
plenty OF young wood, its pleasing freshness
and bushy vigor and symmetry are retained for
many years. II. moreover, In the case OF the
purple peach. the tips of the young wood be
pruned In July. the second growth VIII fully re-
thus managed, is delightful In color nearly all
summer, and well fitted either for shrub groups
or single positions On the lawn. Yet 1t belongs
to a class Of ornamental trees that can hardly
Is attractive, and exhibits It's full beauty In a
very short time, but 1t is unquesttonaby liable
to disease OF one kind or another, and soon be-
comes unsfghtly If neglected.
The SokREL TREE.-A rare tree Is generally
better known by Its botanical than by Its fam1-
liar name. And1Onledd drboreo, consequently
desgnates the plant, for most people thar know
II, better than soTrel tree or sourwood. The
Greek name, OrydendrOn, referring. like the
common name, to the acidity OF its leaves Is
also given by nigh authority. Others call it
Lgonfd d7.5OTed. Let the name be what 1t may
however. it Is unQuestonabiy beautiful ana
choice plant. have realized this fact lately
as never before, While locking at its masses OF
bloom, resting ike snowy pluInes on plants only
two or three feet high. This andromeda is the
largest growing member Of its family, attaining
ID ne mountains of PENNSYLVANIA and SOUTH
even as lawn plant rs growth Is not slow
when the roots become once established. Il Is,
Ia that case, shrub rather than tree, espe-
claliy If the lower branches are retained and
encouraged TO develop regularity. The long
oval. points leaves OF the andromeda arborei
are not unlike those OF the peach, and in their
summer, quite as shining and attractive as
peach leaves, Such freshness and eXuberanc.
OF green Is made peculiarly effective by long
loose panicles OF white flowers, bell-shaped
something after the fashion OF the lily OF the
valley. Andromeda arborea seems to De hardy
In he latitude OF New York; but who can esti-
the unknown and cnangeabe conditions OF
special localities, even though neighboring
ones? Little If any pruning is needed for this
andromeda, only rich soil. II well grown, both
leaves and flowers are very charming, and the
midsummer lawn always poor In hardy flowers
Is greatly enriched by their presence.
THE JAPANESE CHEsTNUT.-A new plant IS
o1ten expected to be paragon. With all useful
and ornamental virtues. II 1t fails to prove
Itsel1 excellent In every respect, disappointment
is expressed, and absolute neglect In too many
cases is accorded. 1t is strange too that people
who should know better can be so unjl st. Can
they not recall enough of the innumerable fail
ues among promising neutrality-suspicious.
that even failed to give them single improved
feature-to make them tolerant OF few COM
mon. place qualities in new plant, II only some
decided improvement be gained? All this is
apropos OF the japanese chestnut. This chest
nut is scarcely extraordinary in any respect,
eXcept that it bears fruit While very young.
The nuts are said TO be a little larger than
those OF the American chestnut, which believe,
having seen them. The leaves too are peIhapS
narrower, but no larger or more shining. H.
deed, to the ordinary eye, it would b. no more
than common American chestnut. except for
the doZens or nuts 10 be seen on trees not over
hVe or six years OF age. But Is not this sutfi-
cienr improvement to obtain in a new tree
when we consider the length OF time that an
American chestnut takes to come into bearing?
1t is only ignorance that asks for everything
and fails to realize properly th9value Of real
Ghough single improvement positively gained.
Country Gentleman.