LARGE-LEAVED MAGNOLIA. 13 



cylindrical, and of a vivid rose-colour when arrived at maturity. In the arrange- 

 ment of the carpels and of the seeds, the fruit resembles those of the Magnolia 

 umbrella and acuminata. It should be remarked, however, that it is destitute 

 of the appendages visible on that of the last-mentioned species, especially when 

 it is dry. 



Geography and History. The large-leaved magnolia is found in the moun- 

 tainous regions of North Carolina, about ten miles from Lincolnton ; in Tennes- 

 see, near the river Cumberland ; and in Georgia on the river Chattahouctye. It 

 is also sparingly found in Tennessee, west of the mountains, at intervals of forty 

 or fifty miles. 



This tree was discovered by the elder Michaux, in 1789, but was not intro- 

 duced into England till imported by Messrs. Loddiges, in 1800. In France, it 

 seems to have been introduced about the same time as in England ; and it appears 

 to prosper better in the climate of Paris, as there, in the nursery of M. Godefroy, 

 it has ripened seeds, from which, in 1827, young plants w^re raised. 



The largest tree of this species in England, is at Arley Hall, the seat of the 

 Earl of Mount Norris. In 1837, it was twenty-eight and a half feet high, with 

 a trunk six inches in diameter, at a foot from the ground, with a head seventeen 

 feet in diameter. 



In France, the largest Magnolia macrophylla is at Fromont, which in 1835, 

 measured twenty-four feet in height, and the branches covered a space of fifteen 

 feet in diameter. It had flowered every year since 1826, and ripened seeds in 

 October, from which many young plants had been raised. 



In the Bartram botanic garden, at Kingsessing, near Philadelphia, there is a 

 tree of this species thirty feet in height and six inches in diameter. 



Soil and Sitnation. In its natural habitat this species delights in cool situa- 

 tions, sheltered from the wind, where the soil is deep and fertile. The soil, in 

 which trees have attained the largest size in England, is a deep, dry sand, with 

 a situation perfectly sheltered on every side, and slightly shaded from the mid- 

 day sun. 



Propagation and Culture. Neither this species nor the Magnolia umbrella 

 can be readily grafted or inarched on each other, or on any other tree ; probably 

 from the large proportion which the pith bears to the ligneous part of the shoots. 

 It will root by layers with great difficulty ; but plants so raised, from the want 

 of vigour, will probably not be of long duration. The only mode of general 

 adoption is, to raise it from seeds. In order to preserve the power of vitality in 

 the seeds, the same attention is requisite as in the preceding species. Young 

 plants grow very slowly till they are thoroughly established, which will require, 

 in general, two years. The annual growth of the shoots may vary from one to 

 two feet ; so that in ten years a plant may attain a height of twelve or fifteen 

 feet. This species may be considered as short-lived, and, like all trees of short 

 duration, comes into flower when young. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of this species is softer and more porous than 

 the Magnolia umbrella, and has comparatively no value except for ornament. 



