The Magnolia glauca, of which the plant figured is a variety, 

 was introduced into this country in 1688, and is supposed to 

 be the first of the genus that appeared : it was cultivated by 

 Bishop Compton at Fulham. It is a native of North America, 

 where it grows in low and swampy ground, and is known 

 there by the names of White Laurel^ Swarnp Sassafras, and 

 Beaver Tree. It is supposed to have obtained the latter name 

 from the circumstance of the root being eaten by beavers ; by 

 which means these animals are frequently caught. Kalm states, 

 that in America this tree casts its leaves in the autumn, but that 

 young trees will retain them through the winter. In woods in 

 that country it grows in great luxuriance, and the flowers are 

 particularly fragrant ; so much so, that their scent is percep- 

 tible, if the wmd be favourable, at the distance of three- 

 quarters of a mile. The Americans cure coughs and other 

 pectoral diseases by steeping the berries of this tree in brandy, 

 and giving a draught of the liquor every morning : it is even 

 said to have salutary effects in consumptions. For a cold, it 

 is very common to boil the branches in water. 



The Magnolia glauca has long been an acknowledged fa- 

 vourite shrub in our gardens; and the present variety possesses 

 all the beauties of that plant, with the addition of retaining its 

 leaves longer : it may indeed be considered as an evergreen, 

 many of its leaves remaining green until the new ones appear. 

 Its habit of growth is bushy, and it will attain the height of 

 about twenty feet, producing flowers plentifully in the month 

 of June, which are white, particularly fragrant, and nearly 

 double. It flourishes best in swampy ground, but will grow 

 extremely well in the American peat beds. It may also be 

 recommended as an ornamental tree for the lawn ; and the 

 whole of the hardy Magnolia tribe would become conspicuous 

 intermixed in an Arboretum. It is in contrast that most trees 

 and shrubs are viewed to the greatest advantage. 



This species may be propagated either by layers or by 

 seeds, but these are not always perfected in this country. 

 Seeds are to be obtained of the M. glauca from America, 

 which are packed in sand, and should be kept so until the 

 month of February, when they may be sown in pots, and 

 placed in a moderate hot-bed until about an inch in height : 

 they should then be put into other pots, and kept partially 

 shaded and frequently sprinkled with water. They may the 

 following season be bedded out, or kept in pots another year. 



The nursery of Mr. Thompson at MUe End presents fine 

 specimens of the different kinds of hardy Magnolia ; from 

 whence we were favoui'ed with the present specimen. 



