ANNUAL MEETING. 51 



very troublesome in the ordinary variety, for if they work in the trunk and kill 

 it, it cannot be cut back like varieties budded at the surface. 



The Oak-leaved Mountain Ash is a strong upright grower, usually budded at 

 the ground on the common variety. It has a foliage in shape like the oak leaf, 

 from which it takes its name. The difference is very marked when it is grow- 

 ing next the common or weeping variety. It naturally makes a good shaped 

 head, requiring but little trimming. Its berries also hang on late, adding to its 

 value. 



Among the Poplars there are several used for planting, although but few are 

 worthy of cultivation. They all grow rapidly, and may be planted where it is 

 desired to have trees as soon as possible. 



The Lombardy Poplar is too well known to need special description. Its 

 peculiar manner of growth makes it desirable as a background for other trees. 

 It is often planted in a group on a knoll or hill to give it greater apparent 

 height, and it may be used in small places sometimes for variety, as it takes but 

 little room. It is not desirable in windy countries, as along the lake shore, as 

 it is liable to be broken and its beauty destroyed. 



The Silver-leaved Poplar, although very ornamental, should never be planted, 

 owing to its great propensity to sprout from the roots. Several other varieties 

 of this family have the same objectionable feature. 



The "Weeping Poplar is very fine, and should be more grown. It requires 

 considerable space, but not as much as the Weeping Ash, and it is a more 

 graceful tree, as it grows faster. Like the Ash, it should be grafted eight or 

 ten feet high. A picture of this tree is given on page 95, in the report of 1874. 



There yet remains one tree that for grace and beauty exceeds all I have men- 

 tioned, — the Cut-leaved "Weeping Birch. It is an upright grower and is budded 

 at the ground, but the limbs, from the fineness of their spray, soon assume a 

 weeping form, and these, covered with the beautiful cut-leaves, add still more 

 to its beauty. This is still farther enhanced by the white bark on the trunk 

 and large limbs, and makes it a very showy tree at all times of the year. "When 

 left to itself it naturally makes a tall slim tree, and then shows to the least 

 advantage. If a spreading form is desired it readily assumes this by heading 

 back, but usually it does best if but little trimmed. It is adapted to almost 

 any place or position, is easily transplanted, and grows readily in any good soil. 

 "When this tree is better known I think it will be more generally planted. 



There are two true "Weeping Birches cultivated, but not yet tried enough for 

 me to recommend them. Both are fine trees, and if they prove as good as they 

 seem, will become popular. Cuts of these trees may be found in the report of 

 1874, pages 83 and 97. 



Were it not for our hot summers, several trees with colored foliage would be 

 desirable. The Purple-leaved Beech and Maple, the Blood-leaved Peach, and 

 others are very showy when they first put out their scarlet or purple leaves in 

 the spring, but the hot sun of summer changes them to almost the ordinary 

 green, leaving but little of their former beauty. Yet, in a place of considerable 

 extent, these trees add to the variety. 



Some trees are valued for their flowers as well as foliage. The Magnolias 

 are especially of this class. Some of them are covered with large, white, fra- 

 grant flowers before a leaf shows. All of this family are noted for their large 

 showy leaves. Some of them are not quite hardy, but the Acuminata, Trip- 

 etala, Conspicua, and Soulangeana, which are the best varieties, can be relied 

 on. They are a family of slow-growing trees, yet bloom when young, and 



