POPULUS CANDICANS, AIT. 37 



bracts irregularly and rather narrowly cut-toothed, each bract 

 subtending a cup-shaped disk ; stamens numerous $ anthers 

 red : ovary short-stalked ; stigmas two, 2-lobed, large, wavy- 

 margined. 



Fruit. Fruiting catkins drooping, 4-6 inches long : cap- 

 sules ovoid, acute, longer than the pedicels, green : seeds 

 numerous, hairy. 



Horticultural Value. Hardy throughout New England ; 

 grows in all excepting very wet soils, in full sun or light 

 shade, and in exposed situations ; of rapid growth, but subject 

 to the attacks of borers, which kill the branches and make the 

 head unsightly ; also spreads from the roots, and therefore 

 not desirable for ornamental plantations ; most useful in the 

 formation of shelter-belts ; readily transplanted but not com- 

 mon in nurseries. Propagated from cuttings. 



Plate XVIII. Populus balsamifera. 



1. Branch with sterile flowers. 



2. Sterile flower, hack view. 



3. Sterile flower, side view. 



4. Scales of sterile flower. 



5. Branch with fertile catkins. 



6. Fertile flower. 



7. Fruiting catkins, mature. 



8. Branch with mature leaves. 



Populus candicans, Ait. 



Populus balsamifera, var. candicans, Gray. 



Balm of Gilead. 



Habitat and Range. In a great variety of soils ; usually in 

 cultivated or pasture lands in the vicinity of dwellings ; infre- 

 quently found in a wild state. The original site of this tree 

 has not been definitely agreed upon. Professor L. H. Bailey 

 reports that it is indigenous in Michigan, and northern col- 

 lectors find both sexes in New Hampshire and Vermont; 

 while in central and southern New England the staminate 

 tree is rarely if ever seen, and the pistillate flowers seldom 



