00 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of poison ivy. The tree is closely related to the maples. Sugar may be made 

 from the sap. Some thrifty specimens may be found in the arboretum, and 

 others will soon be planted on the College lawn. Other trees thrive along the 

 river below the College farm. 



BUCK inOR'S—Rhamnus catharticus. 



This is a favorite hedge plant in some portions of Europe. Sample specimens 

 grow east of the College well, also near and west of College hall. These were 

 set by Professor J. C. Holmes, and were brought from his place in Detroit. 



BUTTERXUT— JufirZans cinerea. 



In our rich woods this becomes a large tree as far north as Saginaw, and 

 perhaps much farther in favored localities. In open places the top spreads 

 wide and becomes open and thin. The timber is used to some extent for furni- 

 ture. Specimens may be seen in the arboretum. 



BUTTONWOOD— Piatonw* occidentalis. 



Probably no tree in the State acquires a greater diameter than the button- 

 wood on rich bottom lands. It is often hollow. The wood is of little value on 

 account of warping and checking, although the boards are quite handsome. A 

 large specimen stands across the Cedar river southwest from the house of the 

 President. It is twenty-two feet and seven inches in circumference in the 

 smallest place. It soon divides into several branches. The top limbs are partly 

 dead. This tree is rather picturesque and stands in a good spot as an ornament 

 to tlie College grounds. Another specimen stands in the south part of the grove 

 south of the house of Professor Cook : also in groves northeast of AVilliams 

 hall. 



C AT A'LV A—Catalpa bignonioides. 



This rapid growing tree belongs farther south and west. It appears as an 

 ornamental tree on some places in our State. The timber is very durable for 

 posts and railway ties. The growing of this tree is highly recommended for 

 its timber where the climate will permit. The wood is soft, light and beautiful 

 when polished. A few four-year old trees at tlie College may be seen in the 

 arboretum ; also in the wild garden, and others will soon bo planted on tlie lawn. 



CEDAR, RED— Ji^iyjeciis Virgiiiiana. 



Tills tree is pretty well known all over the northern States where it grows 

 about lakes, along streams usually in small quantity. In Tennessee it is 

 very abundant in some places. Tiie beautiful red fragrant wood is a great 

 favorite for many purposes. Tlie tree usually grows slow, but on a good soil 

 it grows fast in our State, at least for some years. It is one of the hardiest 

 trees and bears the shears as well as any tree we have. It becomes a beautiful 

 tree Avhether trimmed on a lawn near buildings or left to assume picturesque 

 forms on the slopes of streams or on rocky hills. Almost its only fault is that 

 of turning quite a dark dingy brown in cold weather. In some parts of New 

 Jersey and, I presume, of other Athintic States, old red cedars are allowed to 

 grow along tlie fences, about the lields, and in waste places. Some of these are 

 very line in ai)pearance, though often ajipearing in part or in the whole as if 

 the branches had been sheared closely. At the College, some trees are growing 

 on the high river bank on the north side of the stream, also two on the bank 



