On the Planting of Forest-Trees. 273 



serving of imitation. The timber of this tree produces excellent 

 iiooring-board, which is but little combustible ; it is also valuable 

 for packing-cases and a variety of other purposes where tough 

 board is required. 



Lombardy poplar (JPopulus dUatatct). Very little attention 

 has been paid to this tree with a view to its timber, though it can 

 be little or nothing inferior to the foregoing ; and it is worth in- 

 quiry, whether its peculiar form of growth would not be favour- 

 able to its producing more wood upon a given space of ground 

 than others of its species. It is also rather questionable whether 

 this beautiful tree has not been too much neglected as an orna- 

 mental tree, in our desire to avoid in decorative planting that 

 precision and uniformity which was imported from Italy, and 

 with which the poplar was so much identified. 



The abele (JPopulus al1)a). This tree may be distinguished 

 at once from the aspen and the hoary poplar by the very hori- 

 zontal growth of its boughs, as w ell as by its downy leaves and the 

 straightness of its stem. It grows very rapidly in deep beds of 

 peat, from which the water has been led off by open drains ; and 

 its timber is equally valuable v/itli that of black poplar, and for 

 the same purposes. 



The willow (Salioc). Of this tree there are numerous varieties, 

 of which the Huntingdon willow appears to be the most valuable 

 as a timber-tree. Its localities are well known to be low, wet 

 situations, and the banks of rivers and brooks. In certain situa- 

 tions, particularly near London, its wood sells for a high price, for 

 peculiar purposes, which makes it a most profitable tree. 



The alder (Alnns glutinosa) is best suited to peat-bogs and 

 irreclaimable swamps : in such situations, where no other tree 

 will thrive, it grows with great rapidity ; and though the wood is 

 of a perishable nature, yet if it be peeled as soon as cut, it will 

 last many 3ears in the dry. The wood is used for many manu- 

 facturing purposes, and the lop is used for draining. It may 

 here be observed that the discoveries of modern chemistry have 

 equalised the durability of all woods, which can be secured at a 

 comparatively trifling expense.* 



The lime {Tilea). Of this tree there are two varieties, the 

 common and the red-twigged ; the latter is the most esteemed, 

 and is a great favourite as an ornamental tree, from the fragrance 

 of its flowers, its graceful form, and lofty growth. Its timber is 

 chiefly useful for the purposes of the carver, and its bark furnishes 

 the material of the bast-mats used in gardens. It is not adapted 

 to exposed situations, and requires a healthy and good soil, though 



^' By steeping the wood in a solution of corrosive sublimate. — Kyan's 

 patent. 



