CASTANEA.

CASTANEA SATIVA (_syn C. vesca_ and _C. vulgaris_).--Sweet Spanish
Chestnut. Asia Minor. Few persons who have seen this tree as an
isolated specimen and when in full flower would feel inclined to
exclude it from our list. The long, cylindrical catkins, of a
yellowish-green colour, are usually borne in such abundance that the
tree is, during the month of June, one of particular interest and
beauty. So common a tree needs no description, but it may be well to
mention that there are several worthy varieties, and which flower
almost equally well with the parent tree.


CATALPA.

CATALPA BIGNONIOIDES.--Indian Bean. North America, 1798. When in
full bloom this is a remarkable and highly ornamental tree, the
curiously-marked flowers and unusually large, bronzy-tinted foliage
being distinct from those of almost any other in cultivation. That it
is not, perhaps, perfectly hardy in every part of the country is to be
regretted, but the numerous fine old specimens that are to be met with
all over the country point out that there need be little to fear when
assigning this pretty and uncommon tree a position in our parks and
gardens. The flowers, produced in spikes at the branch-tips, are white,
tinged with violet and speckled with purple and yellow in the throat.
Individually the flowers are of large size and very ornamental, and,
being produced freely, give the tree a bright and pleasing appearance
when at their best. Usually the tree attains to a height of 30 feet in
this country, with rather crooked and ungainly branches, and large