220 



Bulletin 58. 



crisped leaves whicli ■ are conspicuously finely reticulated and 

 whitened beneath. The color of its foliage is a grayish green, 

 and in this respect it affords a contrast to the native species. The 

 native seems to be rather the better tree of the two, although the 

 viminalis has a more striking appearance. 



P. balsamifera, var. 

 latifolia (Loudon, En- 

 cyc. 830. P. Nolestii and 

 P. Wobsky of horticultur- 

 ists). Fig. 6. — This var- 

 iety includes Asiatic 

 forms with ovate or cord- 

 ate-ovate rather blunt 

 pointed leaves, cylin- 

 drical twigs (or slightly 

 ridged on strong shoots) 

 (g, fig. i) and the gen- 

 eral habit of the balsam 

 poplar. The leaves are 

 usually large and thick, 

 shining green above and 

 dull white beneath, in 

 shape and texture some- 

 what like the next species (/*. candicans) . The Nolestii poplar is 

 now sold by Eastern nurserymen as an ornamental tree. Its 

 strong habit and dark foliage adapt it admirably to planting 

 near the rear borders of grounds. The Wobsky poplar is one 

 of the recent Russian introductions, with somewhat the habit of 

 a cherry tree, and is much prized in the northwest. The Rasu- 

 mov.skoe poplar appears to be of the same t3-pe. 



3. Populus candicans (Alton, Hort. Kew. iii. 406. P. bal- 

 samifera, var. candicans, Gray, Manual, 2nd ed. 419. P. Ontarien- 

 sis and P. viacrophylla of European horticulturists). Balm of 

 GiLEAD. Fig. on title page. — A strong-growing spreading native 

 tree, frequently planted, and esteemed for its vigor and hardiness 

 and the resinous fragrance of its large buds in spring-time. The 

 leaves are broad and heart-shaped, green above and veiny and rusty- 

 white beneath, and the leaf-stalk is usuall)' hairy and somewhat 



Populus balsamifera var. latifolia. 

 nat. size. ) 



{% 



