138 THE ILANT WORLD. 



produces a hard wood, but so far as the writer knows it has no 

 economic value as hmiber. Its bark is used in pharmacy. The 

 properties of the bark are due to an oleoresin and a volatile oil, 

 " a nauseant and drastic purgative, constituting an excellent 

 anthelmintic against tape-worm."* In a certain park of an 

 eastern citv a few young Ailanthus trees among a clump of other 

 shrubberv produced an effect that was indeed charming and at a 

 little distance greatly resembled, if not rivalled, the palm in grace- 

 fulness. 



The leaf-buds of this tree do not begin to unfold until the 

 leaves of native trees are well advanced, a trait common in plants 

 introduced from a climate slightly warmer than ours, caused 

 doubtless by the longer period of cool weather in spring which 

 prevents the leaves from pushing off the bud-scales. 



It is a worthy addition to a collection of trees and should be 

 planted in localities in which it is not represented or which it has 

 not as yet invaded. 



Closed gentian is a favorite with people who are especially 

 interested in our native plants. It is not as attractive as fringed 

 gentian, but is more interesting, inasmuch as its balloon-like buds 

 never open, but have the appearance of opening to-morrow. 

 Poets and some botanists relegate it to the woodlands, but it is 

 in truth more frequently found in exposed places, low, damp 

 meadows, ravines, and even on hillsides, but if in the woods never 

 where the sun's rays cannot penetrate. 



The best specimens are usually found growing in a damp clay 

 soil, thus proving that its natural haunts are wet places. How- 

 ever, it also proves its extreme hardiness by developing in well- 

 drained porous soil. Disregarding this natural adaptability to 

 most any situation, the plant inconsistently refuses to develop in 

 our gardens, for more than a season or two. Many experiments 

 have been made to get this native perennial to develop here and 

 there, but it will only consent to grow in places of its own choos- 

 ing. — Eben H. Norris in Floral Life. 



* Gould, Diet, of Med., Biol., and Allied Sciences. 



