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at present recognized are two, the " Necklace Cottonwood " (Popuhts monilifern), and 

 " Fremont's Cottonwood " (P. Fremonti). The first is eastern, probably not reaching the 

 Bocky Mountains ; the other extends, in two or three varieties (which may possibly be 

 distinct), from California through Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, to Colorado. 

 They are found upon the borders of streams, and not to any great altitude in the 

 mountains. 



The poplars, finally, are still larger trees, with thick and deeply cracked bark, the 

 heart-shaped or lance-shaped leaves, on round foot-stalks and slightly toothed, the pods 

 and seeds large, and the buds copiously coated with resin. These are northern trees, and 

 we have three species. The Balsam Poplar {^Populus halsamijerft), ranging from our 

 northern States to Colorado and Montana and northward. The Narrow-leaved Poplar 

 (P. angustifoHa) in the Rocky Mountain region, and the Hairy-fruited Poplar (P. tricho- 

 carpa) in the Pacific ranges, from California to British Columbia. 



We have here, therefore, a family of trees, which, in its several members, is adapted by 

 nature- to almost every extreme, whether of latitude, longtitude or altitude, that our 

 country affords. Taking this in connection with the extreme ease of their propagation, 

 and the usual rapidity of their growth, and we have the main reasons for considering 

 these species as the surest, readiest, and often the only resource in forest culture over 

 large portions of our territoiy. 



Though in general found in the neighbourhood of water, yet this" is not essential, 

 as they will grow with vigour wherever there is a damp substratum within reach, and 

 wherever any other tree will live. Nor is a rich soil needed for them. On the high tree- 

 less plateaus of Washington Territory bordering upon Idaho, a growth of aspens often 

 springs up voluntarily when provision is made against the usual autumn fires, and the 

 poplar is the tree that is planted in taking advantage of the territorial laws favouring 

 tree culture. In Utah, upon the dry slopes bordering the desert, the Mormon colonists 

 plant the cottonwood and poplar with success. And on the wind-swept plains of Kansas, 

 I am told that in the shelter of a mei'e furrow turned up across the prairie, there will 

 soon spring up a line of young cottonwoods marking its track. 



And, moreover, for their economic uses these trees are not to be despised. They 

 aflford a very fair fencing material, considering its quickness of growth, and therefore 

 ready replacement. They afford a good quality of fuel, burning freely and giving a 

 strong steady heat without smoke or snapping. The quality of the wood varies to some 

 degree in different species, but in general the lumber which they furnish, though not 

 suited for exposure to the weather, is well adapted to indoor uses, enduring and suffici- 

 ently strong. It works well under the plane, and from its lightness, softness, and fine 

 even grain is excellently suited for many minor purposes. The use of the wood in the 

 manufacture of paper pulp is well known. 



A gain, for ornamental purposes the value of this family is not duly appreciated. 

 Some varieties have long been cultivated here and in Europe, but there are others which 

 are more worthy of it. None of the western species have, I believe, been planted at the 

 east. They differ considerably in their habit of growth, but all in their place are hand- 

 some trees, and deserve a more general introduction. No more noble tree is grown by 

 us than the true Balsam Poplar, as it is seen in the mountains of Montana, with its 

 straight, clear, massive trunk, gray and deeply furrowed, and a hundred or a hundred 

 and fifty feet high. 



The objf ction that may well be made to the cottony clouds with which they fill the 

 air in the fruiting season is readily avoided by the planting of only the stamiiiate form. 



I have thus briefly called your attention to this important group of trees, confining 

 myself, as I suppose was intended, to our native species ; and I have done this the more 

 willingly as I am confident that they are better in every respect, and for any purpose, 

 than any foreign ones that can be introduced. 



