76 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



numerous species and varieties, claims his special attention as one of the most 

 ■desirable in the entire list of ornamental trees and shrubs. While there are 

 many other arboreal productions, each possessing its own valuable characteris- 

 tics, and which are indispensable in every well-arranged place, there is no tree 

 or shrub, in our opinion, whether deciduous or evergreen, that can compare 

 with the Magnolia in effectiveness, or take its place in all well laid out public 

 or private grounds. Its superior stateliness of form and splendor of growth, 

 the size and richness of its foliage, and its lavish yield of fragrant flowers, all 

 tend to place it in the foremost rank among hardy ornamental trees and shrubs. 



Its proper place is on the lawn, where it shows to fine advantage in contrast 

 with the green ; or it may be planted effectively on the border of lawns, with 

 an evergreen in the background to heighten the contrast. Planted in groups, 

 it yields to no rival, and its effect in the early spring is grand beyond descrip- 

 tion, illuminating the whole landscape and loading the atmosphere with its 

 rich perfume. 



The Magnolias are all either indigenous to America or Asia, and occupy very 

 similar parallels of latitude. The Chinese varieties possess the peculiarity of 

 coming into bloom before the appearance of the leaves. On their own roots 

 they are all of slow growth, growing at best into low, bushy trees, and on that 

 account are admirably adapted to be planted with the larger varieties of 

 shrubs, or to claim a place in small grounds where there is not room for any- 

 thing larger. Where the space is abundant, however, to give room for a finely 

 developed tree, they should be budded on the Magnolia acuminata, which adds 

 materially to their vigor, hardiness, shapeliness and size. The French inarch 

 them on the ^^urjmrea, a dwarf Chinese variety of less vigor than the others, 

 but more easy of propagation. The acuminata, however, is far preferable 

 with us. 



The Magnolia, very erroneously, has long been considered by mauy a tender 

 tree. This idea has obtained prevalence, doubtless, from its extreme shyness 

 to being transplanted, No roots, to my knowledge, are so sensitive to the ex- 

 posure of the wind, or sun, as are those of the Magnolia ; hence the poor suc- 

 cess in transplanting them. 



It often occurs that after being moved they survive for a few months, main- 

 taining a sickly existence, and having made no roots, perish in the winter, 

 thereby, unfortunately, strengthening the impression that they are not a hardy 

 tree. 



To ensure success in their transplanting, they should be moved in the spring, 

 never in the fall, — and the Chinese varieties at that period when they are 

 coming into bloom, and, consequently, before the leaves have made their ap- 

 pearance. Great care should be exercised in their removal, the fibrous roots 

 being preserved as nearly as possible, and carefully guarded from any exposure 

 to wind or sun. For this purpose a cloudy or rainy day is preferable. While 

 almost any good soil is sufficient to ensure their growth, they succeed best in a 

 soil which is warm, rich and dry. 



The varieties embraced in the annexed list, with but one or two exceptions, 

 are all of sufficient hardiness to endure the rigors of even a New England 

 winter. On our own grounds we have a number of specimens over thirty 

 years old, as hardy and thrifty as our native oaks. In enumerating varieties I 

 shall call attention only to those which have for years come under my obser- 

 vation on our own grounds. 



