274 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART Ill. 
rare in the parts of Kentucky and West Tennessee which are most remote 
from the mountains, where the face of the country is less uneven.” (Mi- 
chaua.) 
History. M. acuminata was first discovered by John Bartram, and was sent 
by him to Mr. Peter Collinson, in 1736. Being readily propagated by layers, 
and very hardy, it was soon spread extensively through European gardens ; 
and there are now numerous trees of it in Britain, France, and in the north 
of Italy, from 40 ft. to 60 ft. in height. 
Properties and Uses. The tree being comparatively rare in its native 
country, its timber is not in general use. Where it can be obtained, it is 
employed in joinery and cabinet-making ; and, from its size and lightness, large 
. trunks are selected for scooping out into canoes. The inhabitants of the 
Alleghanies gather the fruits about midsummer, when they are half ripe, and 
steep them in whisky : a glass or two of this liquor, which is extremely bitter, 
is considered to be a preventive against the autumnal fevers. In Europe, 
the tree can only be considered as ornamental; though its fruit might no 
doubt be applied in the same manner as in America. 
Soil and Situation. A free, deep, and rather moist soil answers best for this 
species; but, as it is much hardier than any of the other species in this section, 
it will grow in almost any soil that is moderately free, and not overcharged 
with moisture. To attain a large size, it requires a sheltered situation, and a 
deep rich soil; but it will grow in exposed sites, and even flower there freely. 
Propagation and Culture. It is generally propagated in the London nurseries 
by layers, the plants so produced flowering much sooner than seedlings; but 
the latter,as they make far more durable plants, should always be preferred 
when this species is used as a stock to graft or inarch others on. It is so used 
very generally, not only for M. auricnlata and cordata, but for M. conspicua 
and Soulangeana. The plants are, in some nurseries, grown in the free soil ; 
but it is always preferable to rear them in pots; because, in that case, they are 
not checked by transplanting, and at least a year is gained in their growth. 
Statistics. Magnolia acuminata in Great Britain. The largest tree stood in 
the garden of Lord Petre, at Thorndon Hall in Essex ; but it was cut down 
some years ago, and its exact dimensions we have not been able to ascertain ; 
though we have seen a section of the trunk which exceeded 27 in. in diameter : 
there is one still standing in the same park, which is 37 ft. high, with a trunk 
7 ft. 2in. in circumference. In Thompson’s Nursery at Mile End, and in 
the arboretum at Kew, there were formerly trees between 30 ft. and 40 ft. 
high. At Syon there is one 49 ft. high, see our plate in Vol. II.; and 
at White Knights there are many trees of this species from 20 ft. to 35 ft. 
high, all planted within the last 30 years. At Cobham Hall, in Kent, 
there is a tree 17 years planted, which is 30 ft. high; and there is one of the 
same height at Eastwell Park, in the same county. North of London thereare 
some hundreds of trees of which we have received the dimensions. They 
grow in various soils, clayey loam, sand, prepared soil, &c.; and, in 10 years, 
generally acquire the height of 15 ft., and in 20 years, of 30 ft. In Scotland, 
the tree is usually trained against a wall; but in the neighbourhood of Dublin 
there is a tree, 15 ft. high, growing as a standard in the Glasnevin Garden, and 
another, equally high, at Cypress Grove. At Oriel Temple there is a tree 35 
years planted, which is 17 ft. high ; and one, not quite so old, at Dundalk, 27 ft. 
high, with a trunk 20 in. in diameter, and a head 85 ft. in circumference. In 
England these trees flower freely every year, but not quite so much so in Ire- 
land, owing to the wood not ripening so thoroughly. 
Magnolia acuminata in Foreign Countries. There are various trees of this 
species, in the neighbourhood of Paris, from 20 ft. to 30 ft. high ; and in Bel- 
gium there are a number still higher. In Germany, the largest tree that we 
have had an account of is at Schwobber, where it has attained the height of 
25ft. It stands in the open air at Berlin, Dresden, and Vienna, but never 
acquires a timber-like size as a standard. In the Berlin Botanic Garden it is 
25 ft. high against a wall. In Italy, there are trees of this species in the Eng- 
