CONrMUNICATIONS. 225 



thouglit have secured for ns tlie means of enjoying its deep and 

 grateful shade, and its magnificent appearance to the eye. 



What these men have done for New Haven, let us hope the 

 people of our State will do for the hundreds of towns and vil- 

 lages now just springing, as if by magic, into healthful and 

 vigorous existence. Much of the interest we feel on visiting the 

 old New England towns, is derived from the rows and groups 

 of fine large E'ms, with their light and graceful, often drooping 

 branches, spreading to a great distance from the trunk. 



The '' Great Elm Tree " on Boston Common attracts the atten- 

 tion of every one who visits that delightful spot in the midst of a 

 dense population. It is cherished as a sacred relic by all true- 

 hearted Bostonians — an iron fence protects it from all others. It 

 has recently been figured and fully described by Dr. John 0. 

 Warren, whose residence on Park street fronts directly towards 

 the tree. His little work on the subject is full of interest. Many 

 historical associations are connected with the " great tree ;" and 

 its age is ascertained to be such that it is supposed to have been 

 in existence longer than Boston itself. Of all the native trees 

 that witnessed the first settlement of the city, this one alone re- 

 mains. At one foot above the ground it is 22 1-2 feet in circum- 

 ference; the first branch is 16 1-2 feet above the ground; the 

 whole height is 72 1-2 feet; and the extremities of its branches 

 cover an average diameter of -over 100 feet. But this is not the 

 largest Elm tree known in the country. Let us reflect, when 

 transplanting to our public and private grounds the small sap- 

 ling, bereft of its beautiful head and robbed of its life-giving 

 roots, that if we succeed in making the bare pole grow at all, it 

 may have a history as interesting and may attain an age and 

 dimensions equal to the Great Tree on Boston Common. 



Fortunately the Elm is very tenacious of life, and will in most 

 cases withstand the careless mode of transplanting usually adopt- 

 ed. When its branches are shortened, it sends forth long and 

 vigorous shoots, lined with dense rows of leaves. It is also of 

 rapid growth — assuming when quite young its characteristic 

 lightness, elegance, and graceful beauty. The comparative use- 

 lessness of the Elm is in its favor as an ornamental tree, and 

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