TULIP-BEARING LIRIODENDRON. 27 



in a deep, sandy loam, in a rather moist climate, in the West Riding in York- 

 shire. 



The situation most favourable lo this tree, is one which, while it is sheltered,' 

 from high winds, is at the same time, sufficiently exposed to the light and air to 

 admit of the maturation of its leaves on every side, and the perfect ripening of 

 its wood, without which it can neither resist the severe frosts of winter, nor form 

 blossom-buds. At Kinlet, in Worcestershire, England, thei^e is a tulip-tree, in 

 a sandy loam, and partially sheltei-cd situation, the lower part of which always 

 comes into leaf before the upper part has the least appearance of doing so. The 

 lower part is sheltered by high ground, while the upper part is exposed to a 

 strong west wind. It flowers freely, and has a splendid appearance at that sea- 

 son, as also in autumn before it sheds its yellow leaves. If it weye desired to grow 

 the tulip-tree for the purpose of forming straight, clean timber, it should be placed 

 in a close plantation, wliere one plant would draw upon another. 



Propagation and Culture. The Liriodendron tulipifera is seldom, if ever, 

 propagated otherwise than by seeds, which come up best in very fine mould, or 

 sandy loam, in a shady situation, kept rather moist ; but the varieties are, of 

 course, multiplied by layers, budding, grafting, or inarching. When the seeds 

 are sown in autumn, they generally come up in the following spring ; but, sown 

 in spring, or the beginning of summer, they generally remain a year in the 

 ground. In France, and occasionally in England, the obtu,se-lobed variety is 

 raised by layers, or inarching; but, in either case, it requires two or three years 

 before the plant can be separated from the parent stock. The tuiip-tree, like 

 the magnolias, having roots furnished with but few fibres, does not transplant 

 readily ; and therefore, the plant ought either to be kept in pots, or, if in the free 

 ground, transplanted into the nursery every year ; or, if neither of these modes 

 be practicable, they should be removed to their final situation, when not more 

 than two, or at most, three years old. The progress of growth of young trees, 

 in England, in favourable situations, has been at the rate of sixteen feet in ten 

 years. 



Insects. From the bitter qualities of its leaves, the Liriodendron tulipifera 

 does not seem to be much attacked by insects. In Smith and Abbot's " Insects 

 of Georgia," it is stated, that the Phalcena Uriodendraria^ or tulip-tree butterfly, 

 feeds upon it. The insect went into the ground in Georgia, May 15th, came out 

 the 5th of June; others, which went in the 11th of July, came forth on the 1st 

 of August. The moth sits on the bodies of the trees, but is not very common. 



Properties and Uses. The timber of the Liriodendron tulipifera, though classed 

 among light woods, is yet, much heavier than that of the common poplar ; its 

 grain is equally fine, but more compact, and the wood is easily wrought, and 

 polishes well. When dry, a cubic foot weighs twenty-five pounds. It affords 

 excellent charcoal, the product of which, from dry wood, is twenty -two per cent. 

 The heart-wood, when separated from the sap, and perfectly seasoned, long 

 resists the influence of the air, and is rarely attacked by insects. Its greatest 

 defect, when employed in wide boards, and exposed to the weather, is, that it is 

 liable to shrink and warp, by the alternations of moisture and dryness ; but this 

 defect is, in a great measure, compensated by its other properties, and may be, 

 in part, owing to its not being allowed sufficient time to be properly seasoned. 

 The nature of the soil on which it grows, has so striking an influence upon the 

 colour, and quality of this wood, that mechanics distinguish it by the names of 

 White Poplar and Yellow Poplar. The external appearances which mark these 

 varieties are so equivocal, that they can only ascertain to which of them a tree 

 belongs, by cutting it. It is known, in general, that the white poplar grows in 

 dry, gravelly, and elevated places ; and is recognized, too, by its branchy sum- 

 mit, and by the small proportion which the light yellow heart-wood bears to 



