122 REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT AND VALUE OF POPLAR. 



tion. Its leaves are pointed, serrated, of a pleasant lightish green 

 colour, and smooth on both sides. They are also smaller than 

 those of the white or gray poplar, though, as in the others, this 

 is not quite a reliable index. As a timber tree it attains in a 

 few years large dimensions, soon arriving at a state of maturity, 

 and as soon decaying if allowed to remain upon the ground. The 

 wood is of a pale yellowish colour, soft and easily wrought, and 

 equals in quality that of any other species of poplar. Its bark 

 is useful for tanning, being for that purpose of nearly the same 

 value as that of the larch, about £3 per ton. The black poplar 

 has a tendency to produce suckers from its underground roots, 

 though to a less extent than the Abele tree. It is generally pro- 

 pagated from cuttings, which strike root readily. It attains a 

 size equal to that of the last named species. 



Fifth, The Necklace-bearing or Black Italian Poplar (Populus 

 acladesca) is said to have been introduced into Britain from Canada 

 in 1772. It is grown from layers or cuttings, generally from the 

 latter. It delights in a moist, deep, rich soil, and sheltered situa- 

 tion, and grows well upon moss. In America it is said to attain 

 immense proportions, and even in Britain it grows to a very 

 large size, often above 120 feet. No forest tree in this country 

 grows to such a height in so short a time. As a timber tree in 

 Scotland it is certainly the one which, during the planter's life- 

 time, would pay him best, as we shall endeavour to show. It 

 takes precedence of all others of the poplar family, both with 

 respect to its rapidity of growth, and its quality of timber. Its 

 wood is of a grayish white colour, and, unlike many other kinds 

 of timber, is as tough when seasoned as when green. It is appli- 

 cable to all the purposes to which the wood of the preceding 

 species is applied, and is more valuable than any of them. 



Sixth, The smooth-leaved Ontario or Canadian Poplar [Populus 

 laevigata) was introduced from North America in 1769. It grows 

 to a good size in a short space of time when in rich, deep, cool, 

 and rather damp soil, and in a sheltered situation. Its foliage is 

 of a beautiful shining colour. Its timber in point of quality is 

 not so good as that of the preceding species, where strength and 

 durability are required, but for railway breaks it is equally 

 valuable. The Populus laevigata is generally propagated from 

 cuttings, though sometimes also from seed and layers. In Scot- 

 land it may be regarded only as a secondary timber tree. 



Seventh, The Long-leaved Poplar (Populus macrophylla) was 

 introduced into Britain from North America in 1820. It is a 

 tree of very rapid growth, and when grown upon suitable soil 

 attains a large size. It grows advantageously only on deep, rich 

 loam, and in a sheltered situation. It is propagated from both 

 cuttings and layers. Its wood is rather short grained, and is apt 

 to split when dried. It is well adapted, however, for staves and 



