DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 97 



LARCJr, AjMEBICAN— 2/a?-ta; Americana. 



This is very coimnou in tlic swauips of Michigan, ^vhere it sometimes attains 

 a diameter of two and a half or even three feet. On dry hind it grows slowly. 

 For samples see specimen -west and northwest of the liouse of Professor Beal ; 

 also on the lawn in front of the house of Dr. Kedzie. 



LARCH, EUROPP: AN— iaria; Europcea. 



This is a much more thrifty tree than the ahove, and it thrives better on dry 

 land instead of in swamps. The leaves are longer, the cones larger, and it 

 has a more graceful habit. The timber is quite durable. The tree is highly 

 recommended to plant for timber in this country. It should be in every collec- 

 tion of twenty kinds of trees. It may be trimmed to any shape. At the Col- 

 lege is a nice specimen in the grove south of the house of Professor Cook, also 

 in the hollow between Williams' hall and Wells' hall, also northwest of College 

 hall. There are several other species of larch in the arboretum. 



L EATHER WOOD— Z>i?-ca polustris. 



This shrub thrives along our low rich land where it sometimes acquires a 

 diameter of two or three inches. It puts out yellow flowers before the leaves 

 very early in spring. It is remarkable as possessing the softesc wood and the 

 toughest bark of any native tree or shrub in Michigan. 



LEVER-WOOD. 



See iron-wood. 



LILAC, COMMON— >S'i/?'tnfifa vulgaris. 



This well known shrub exists with purple flowers. At the College, a specimen 

 thrives southwest of College hall in the grove, also southeast of the Secretary's 

 house. A plant Avith white flowers stands near and north of College hall, also 

 in other places and in the arboretum. 



LILAC, PERSIAN— A'i^?-mf7« Persica. 



Two specimens stand west and within two rods of College hall. They came 

 from the place of Prof. J. C. Holmes, who set them where they now grow. 



LILAC, JOSIKA'S— /S'^riMfira Josikoca. 



This species is no more beautiful than than those previously mentioned, but 

 the flowers are later by three weeks or more. A specimen stands near and west 

 of College hall. This came from Cambridge, Mass. 



LINDEN. 



See bass wood. 



LOCUST, COMMON— iJobmia Pseudoacacia. 



This tree is remarkable for its hard, durable wood, its beautiful form, and 

 drooping racemes of fragrant white flowers. A few years ago everybody 

 planted it by the road side and near their houses, and some planted for timber. 

 Borers trouble the trees. It is a native of Ohio and farther south. It sprouts 

 or suckers badly on soft ground. It puts forth leaves quite late in spring and 

 drops them early in autumn. Look for specimens southwest and near 

 the apiary. 



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