78 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



AMERICAIS' VARIETIES. 



The IfagnoUa acuminata, or Cucumber tree, as it is often called, from the 

 resemblance of the young cones to a cucumber, forms in its well developed 

 state one of our noblest and most finely proportioned trees, often growing in 

 our forests to a height of sixty or seventy feet, and attaining a diameter of sev- 

 eral feet. The leaves are large on young trees, and the flowers, which vary 

 from five to sis inches in diameter, are yellowish white, tinted with bluish pur- 

 ple. In autumn the cones open, displaying the coral-colored, polished seeds, 

 and adding greatly to the charm of the tree. The Acuminata, as previously 

 mentioned, is invaluable as a stock upon which to work the Chinese and other 

 slow-growing varieties. 



The Ifagnolia acuminata variegata is a variety of the preceding, with the 

 foliage and young wood striped with yellow. It is also of superior growth, and 

 is very distinct and fine. It originated on our grounds about fifteen years 

 since. 



The Magnolia tripetela, one of our best known varieties, is of medium size 

 with immense leaves, growing in clusters, and large white flowers five to seven 

 inches in diameter. This variety is seldom seen with a single stem. Its natural 

 habit is to throw oflFsets from the base of the trunk, which, when allowed to 

 grow, add to its attractiveness. Its period of flowering is June, and while not 

 nearly as fragrant as the Chinese varieties, its immense leaves at the end of the 

 branches and showy cones of seeds render it a highly ornamental tree. 



The Magnolia Thompsonia7ia is one of the most unique and attractive of its 

 species. Any one who has passed a tree in bloom, or even possessed one of its 

 wonderfully fragrant flowers becomes enamored of it at once. The Thompson- 

 iana is a hybrid of the glauca and tripetela. It commences to flower about the 

 middle of June, continuing more or less during the summer. It is the rarest 

 as well as the most fragrant of all the Magnolias. It is, however, diflficult of 

 propagation. It continues growing until the latter part of September. The 

 young wood does not always ripen well on young plants, and should be pro- 

 tected with straw or mats during the winter, and planted where they will be 

 sheltered from the west and northwesterly winds. 



The Magnolia glauca, or swamp laurel, is of low growth, with extremely fra- 

 grant flowers and laurel-like leaves. As its name indicates, it is a favorite of 

 moist soils, never succeeding on limestone soil, unless budded on the Acumi- 

 nata. Owing to its bushy growth and handsome, fragrant blossoms, it is ex- 

 tremely valauble as an ornamental shrub. 



The Magnolia glauca longifolia is a variety of and similar to the foregoing, 

 but different from it in being more vigorous and in its finer foliage. 



The Magnolia macroijliylla, were it not for its sensitiveness to the cold, would 

 prove one of our most invaluable ornamental trees. It is a native of North 

 Carolina, where it grows very luxuriantly, the flowers and foliage both growing 

 to extreme size. The Macrophylla is among the rarest of the native Magno- 

 lias. It is not hardy as far north as New York in exposed situations. If 

 planted, however, with judgment, in warm soil and a protected situation, it 

 often does well. At any rate it is worthy of a careful trial. We have had it 

 flowering on our grounds for several years. 



CHINESE VARIETIES AND THEIR HYBRIDS. 



Magnolia cons2ncua (Chandelier or Yulan). In many respects this is the 

 finest of the Chinese varieties. We have always held it in the greatest esteem, 



