wn in colour; the scale-like bracts,
however, are suffused with a reddish shade. The weeping varieties of
these two Aspens are frequently grafted on the White Poplar, which is
not a suitable stock. The species to which the varieties severally
belong should be used for the purpose. It would be even better if they
could be got on their own roots by means of layers or cuttings, and
trained up to the required height before allowing the weeping habit to
develop.

There are other Poplars that bear their catkins freely, such as _P.
alba_, _nigra_, and _balsamifera_, but being of loftier habit they do
not show to the same advantage as those of the Aspen group.

HAZELS

Between the middle and the end of February the flowers on the catkins of
the various species of _Corylus_ begin to expand. Early as that date is,
the catkins have, nevertheless, been in evidence since the previous
autumn; they were, in fact, formed before the nuts fell. Being
comparatively low and shrubby the different varieties of the Hazel
(_Corylus Avellana_) show their catkins to best advantage, and there are
few among the catkin-bearers more charming. It is not often that any but
the coloured-leaved varieties find a place in the garden proper, but
either in the orchard or in the woodland the soft yellow of the Hazel
catkins is one of the most pleasing notes of earliest spring. The Tree
Hazel (_Corylus Colurna_), a fine and interesting tree, growing thirty
feet or more high, also bears its catkins in February.

WILLOWS

Of the almost innumerable species and varieties of _Salix_, it is only a
few that need be mentioned here for their beauty when in flower. So far
as I have been able to judge, the most ornamental of the Willows in
catkin time is _Salix smithiana_, known also as _S. mollissima_. This
tree flowers about mid-March, producing its shortish, thick male catkins
in very great abundance; the numerous exposed anthers give a soft but
glowing yellow tone to the tree, and entitle it to rank as one of the
most ornamental of early-flowering trees. The pendulous variety of
_Salix Capraea_ is known as the Kilmarnock Willow. Although of weeping
habit it is somewhat stiff in character; but towards the end of March
and later it is exceedingly pretty loaded with its grey catkins. The
flowers of the typical _S. Capraea_ (the Goat Willow) are commonly known
in many country places as Palm, and are used for decorating churches on
Palm Sunday. The slender, col