soil suits it well, and repeated trials have clearly proved that it is
hardy, at least in the South of England.


AESCULUS.

AESCULUS CALIFORNICA (_syn Pavia californica_).--California. This is
one of the handsomest species, of low, spreading habit, and blooming
freely about midsummer.

AE. GLABRA (_syn Ae. rubicunda_).--Red-flowered Horse Chestnut. North
America, 1820. If only for its neat and moderate growth, and attractive
spikes of brightly-coloured flowers, this species must be considered as
one of the handsomest and most valuable of small growing trees. Being
of moderate size, for we rarely meet with specimens of greater height
than 30 feet, and of very compact habit, it is rendered peculiarly
suitable for planting in confined spots, and where larger growing and
more straggling subjects would be out of place. It withstands soot and
smoke well, and is therefore much valued for suburban planting. The
long spikes of pretty red flowers are usually produced in great
abundance, and as they stand well above the foliage, and are of firm
lasting substance, they have a most pleasing and attractive appearance.
As there are numerous forms of the red-flowered Horse Chestnut,
differing much in the depth of flower colouring, it may be well to warn
planters, for some of these have but a faint tinge of pink overlying a
dirty yellowish-green groundwork, while the finest and most desirable
tree has the flowers of a decided pinky-red. There is a double-flowered
variety Ae. glabra flore-pleno (_syn Ae. rubicunda flore-pleno_) and
one of particular merit named Ae. rubicunda Briotii.