214 Bulletin 68. 



" The poplar known as P. pyramidalis V2ir. fastigiata is evident- 

 ly the Russian form of the Lombardy, if not the same thing. It 

 has been introduced in the hope that it would prove hardier and 

 longer lived than the common form, but in our experience of 

 some seven years, young trees of either form have never been in- 

 jured in this vicinity. It may, however, prove to be a longer 

 lived tree than the common Lombardy, which is well known to 

 be quite hardy, even in somewhat severe locations, when young, 

 but to be very short lived on the dry prairies of the Northwest. 

 It is, however, interesting to know that while the common Lom- 

 bardy poplar is an almost worthless tree in most parts of Minne- 

 sota, yet near Duluth and along Lake Superior it is quite a success. 



" Balsamifera Class. — With large sticky buds and young 

 gt owths free from ridges or angles. 



" Populus balsaniifera of Asia, as we have it, is probably the type 

 of which P. laurifolia and P. Sibirica var. pyramidalis of 

 horticulturists are but variations. The lamented Chas. Gibb 

 said he saw in the botanical gardens at Kazan a specimen of this 

 two feet in diameter and 50 feet high, and although it resembled 

 P. Sibirica when young, it is quite different from it in form 

 when old. Either of the next two kinds are preferable to it for 

 planting, as the leaves of this have an unpleasant way of curling 

 together. 



" /*. Sibirica var. pyramidalis [a form of P. balsamifera, var. 

 intermedia of botanists] , makes a fair grox^'th and is desirable for 

 ornamental planting. I think the foliage will endure more hard- 

 ship than the P. balsamifera, to which it is similar in form. 



"7°. laurifolia [of horticulturists, but P. balsamifera, var. 

 intermedia of botanists] is the best of this class. It is little slower 

 growth than the P. Certinensis but like it healthy, vigorous and a 

 good timber tree, and much superior to the cottonwood for lum- 

 ber or fuel. Its thick leaves withstand the hottest, dry est air of 

 the West, either standing alone or in shelter belts. The leaves 

 are thick and leathery, oval in form, a smooth clear white on the 

 under side, and a bright clear green on the upper ; generally flat, 

 but sometimes a little folded. 



"White Poplar Class. — The typical Russian form of this is 

 rather more upright than the common white poplar and does not 



