Very grave errors are committed in planting too many trees, as well as in plantin unsuitable kinds. People allow themselves to be deceived by the small size of the trees when they plant. Norway Spruce, and other evergreens of the largest size, on or two feet high, planted ten feet distant, look to be far enough apart; but in a very few years they must be thinned out, or they will encroach upon and injure each other Very few, however, have the forethought or courage to thin; and therefore the tree grow up in a tangled, unsightly mass. We think it must be obvious to any one who will reflect upon the matter, that the narrow limits of a cemetery lot of the usual size is not the place for trees of the largest size. They may be very properly applied to filling up borders and such places as are devoted entirely to plantations. Two or thre well chosen trees, properly placed and carefully cultivated, with a good, thick, closely mown carpet of grass, will always give an appropriate and beautiful appearance to small lot.

A few of the more becoming flowers may of course be added - such as white Rose, a few bunches of sweet Violets, or Daises - the associations of which are in harmony with the place.

Evergreens

Evergreens should enter largely into the ornaments of the grave-yard. In summer they have a quiet and sombre hue; and in winter they impart a certain degree of warmth and cheerfulness, which relieves the gloomy and desolate aspect of nature at that season.

There are cases, however, above all rules. For instance, when a deceased friend may have been a particular admirer of certain trees, shrubs, or flowers, affection might prompt us to plant them by the grave, even if they were not of the most suitable character. Other circumstances may justify similar exceptions, provided always they are not ludicrous, as many conceits are.

The Arbor Vitaes And Junipers

The Arbor Vitaes And Junipers furnish some very suitable small sized trees. Our American Arbor Vitce (Thuya occidentalis) is a handsome, spiry-topped tree; but the color is too dull, even in summer, and therefore objectionable. It is now, we observe, much used in Greenwood for hedges to inclose lots; and it answers this purpose very well, as it bears any degree of shearing or clipping that may be necessary.

As an ornamental tree, we prefer the Chinese species, (Biota orientalist) twenty feet high, and quite narrow. It also bears clipping well, and may be kept as small as desirable. It is hardy as far north as lat. 42°, but not much farther. We can not recommend a tree for a cemetery unless it be perfectly hardy, as so few would be willing to take the trouble to give protection, as is done to half-hardy trees in pleasure-grounds.

The Siberian Arbor Vitae (Biota Tartarica) is a species or variety not very widely disseminated, but we think the best of all. It is very compact, perfectly pyramidal, and of a fine color. Ilardy in any part of this continent.

The Golden Arbor Vita (Thuya Aurea)

The Golden Arbor Vita (Thuya Aurea) is a very handsome variety of the Chinese, we believe, with a light yellowish-green tint.

There are several others which we have not tested so fully as to be able to speak decidedly of their merits.

Among the Junipers our Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) is well known, being indigenous to many parts of the country. It is a tree that varies greatly in habit when grown from seed. Some on our grounds are compact pyramids, as regular and stiff as though they had been shorn; while others are loose and straggling, with drooping branches; some light, and others dark green: and all from the same seed-bed. In all cases we consider it a fine evergreen tree, of small or medium size.

The Tall Juniper (Juniperus Excelsa)

The Tall Juniper (Juniperus Excelsa), which is said to have been found in Siberia, on the Rocky Mountains, and on the Himalayas, is an elegant, erect, tapering tree, which attains the height of twenty or thirty feet. When young the branches are upright, but as it grows older they spread. It is quite hardy at New York. The foliage is of a silvery or glaucous green. It is strange this tree has not been more extensively cultivated.

The Common Juniper (Juniperus Communis)

The Common Juniper (Juniperus Communis) forms a handsome, erect tree, twelve to eighteen feet high, with rather open, spreading branches. Foliage sharply pointed; dark green underneath, and silvery above. The Swedish Juniper (Juniperus Suecica), supposed to be a variety of the preceding, is more compact and formal in its growth. The Irish Juniper (Juniperus Hibernica), also supposed to be a variety, is remarkable for its tapering cylindrical habit, like the Irish or Upright Yew. This we consider one of the best of all the Junipers for planting on small cemetery lots; but it is not perfectly hardy in all parts of the country. It stands unprotected at Rochester in sheltered situations, but suffers when fully exposed. It grows slowly drooping branches; the young shoots hang perpendicularly downwards. We hare not yet seen good specimens in the open ground, but think it must be a very graceful tree, and most appropriate for cemeteries.

TALL JUNIPEB.

There is also a weeping variety of the Red Cedar, (Juniperus Virginiana pendula,) which has been sent us from Europe. It is a remarkable tree, and must have a very graceful appearance; but we have not yet seen a large, well grown specimen, and can not therefore recommend it decidedly.

The Chinese Juniper (Juniperus Chinensis)

The Chinese Juniper (Juniperus Chinensis) is a very handsome, compact, little tree, which proves perfectly hardy here, and keeps its color remarkably well all winter.

There are many more interesting species and varieties of Juniper, but those we have mentioned are the principal ones which we would recommend to the attention of persons selecting trees for cemeteries. The common Juniper and the Red Cedar bear the shears well, and make fine green walls and hedges. By tying in the branches, and clipping, they may be trained into the most formal figures, or kept within very narrow bounds.

The Yews

The Yews, from their wonderful longevity, and their dark, unchanging verdure, have a sombre and solemn expression which belongs to no other tree, and which in all ages has caused them to be regarded as the most fitting ornament for the church-yard. There are specimens now in existence that are almost as old as the world, or at least so old that their history appears somewhat fabulous. Their growth, however, is very slow.

The English, Or Common Yew, (Taxus Baccata)

The English, Or Common Yew, (Taxus Baccata) forms a compact, bushy tree, quite hardy as far north as Rochester, and its color remains unchanged by the winter. It thrives best on good, deep soil.

The Irish, Or Upright Yew

The Irish, Or Upright Yew, (Tax-us erecta, or Hibernica,) is a curious, erect, cylindrical tree, no wider at the height of twelve or fifteen feet than at the bottom. It is much less hardy than the preceding, requiring protection here. It is a tree that should be planted wherever it can endure the climate.

The American Yew (Taxus Canadensis)

The American Yew (Taxus Canadensis) is a handsome, low, spreading tree, less erect, and with smaller, narrower foliage, than the English, or Common Yew. It abounds in the shade of the forest, in dry, rocky situations, and thrives very well in the open ground, but partially loses its verdure in winter. It should always have shade where practicable.

ENGLISH YEW.

IRISH OR UPRIGIIT YEW.

All the Yews succeed well in the shade of other trees. Beautiful hedges may be made of either the English or American, as they bear clipping or shearing to any extent. There are many new varieties of Yew recently introduced» but we can not speak satisfactorily of their merits from the small specimens we have seen. A weeping variety of the English Yew, with broader leaves and drooping branches, promises to be an acquisition to the class of trees we are now considering.

From these three genera of evergreen trees - the Arbor Vitaes, Junipers, and Yews - a selection of beautiful and appropriate trees may be made. Where larger trees can be planted, the Hemlock (Abies Canadensis) is one of the most elegant trees - branches gracefully drooping, and the foliage dark green at all seasons. The Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) is a handsome, stiff, conical, dark green tree. The Norway Spruce (Abies excelsa) is a magnificent tree, with drooping or curved branches, and of a pale green color. This tree attains a great size, and requires plenty of space to display its character and beauty.

In the January number of our present volume we noticed a few weeping deciduous trees, and there are others which we shall notice hereafter - some new weeping Birches, Thorns, and others of small size, worthy of attention.