A NEW SHADE TKEE. 



other, trees, and with its roots free to extend themselves unchecked in a cool, deep, and 

 rich loam. In such situations it has not, perhaps, the rural grandeur of the Oak, or 

 the graceful elegance of a Weeping Willow — not, probably, the stiff, majestic foliage 

 of the Magnolias, or the lightness and ease of the " gentle " Birch ; but yet a claim to 

 picturesque and simple beauty which no other can eclipse, beside combining many 

 other traits of interest separate in other trees. It is a very rapid grower, will attain 

 a height of eighty feet, and a circumference of seven, under favorable circumstances, 

 and has a widely spreading, roundish, conical head. The branches have a rigid, 

 though much divaricating mode of growth, and are covered with that corky-barked 

 appearance so much sought after and admired in some varieties of Elms, Maples, and 

 JVettle trees. The leaves and fruit resemble the But- 

 tonwood in all except size and hue, and there is, indeed, 

 a sort of distant relationship between the two families. 

 The leaves are not one-third the size of the Button- 

 wood, deeply lobed — star-like, and produced in abund- 

 ance. (See annexed figure.) The upper surface shines 

 as if varnished ; and as the foliage moves with the 

 slightest summer breezes, gives the tree a playful and 

 pleasing character in its frequent successions of light 

 and shade. This pleasing character of the foliage is 

 heightened at the approach of fall by its brilliant colors. 

 It has no compeer in this character. The leaves change 

 to every describable shade of orange, yellow, and red. 



But beautiful as the tree really is, I would not recommend it as a shade tree solely 

 on that account. It abounds with a resinous principle apparently obnoxious to insects. 

 Extended observation has led me to believe that not a species attacks it. This 

 property alone is worth " a plum" to the planter. 



Having stated its merits as a faithful historian, I must narrate its short-comings. 

 I do not believe it is adapted to a great diversity of soil, or to a high northein 

 latitude. In poor, dry soils, it is of slow growth and short duration ; and it may not 

 probably do well in the dry and confined air of a densely built city ; but what does 

 well in such extremes ? 



It is easily propagated. Seed should be sown as soon as ripe, or early in the spring, 

 in a loose, loamy soil, somewhat shaded. Plants will appear in a few weeks in the 

 spring, and grow over a foot the first season. The seed vessels do not ripen till late 

 in the fall, but should be gathered before the first severe frost, which is apt to split open 

 the capsules and suffer the seed to escape. 



It is singular that so handsome and useful a tree should be so long neglected ; and 

 the only explanation probably is, that it did not come to us with a recommendation 

 from some one of " the ends of the earth." 



[We thank Mr. Meeiian heartily for refreshing the memory of arboriculturist 

 landscape gardeners concerning this beautiful American tree, the Liquida 



