TREES AND SHRUBS FOR PLANTING IN TOWNS. 129 
innumerable fruits resembling the keys cf the ash, but of a reddish- 
brown colour, which imparts to the tree a wealth of autumn glory 
that we unfortunately are seldom permitted to witness in this 
country. 
The Black Italian Poplar (Populus monilifera).—Next to the 
plane amongst forest trees, I consider the black Italian poplar to be 
the most valuable for planting in smoky towns. Asa proof of this, 
there are to be seen numerous fine specimens of this tree in a 
flourishing condition, and clothed with the most healthy foliage, in 
some of our largest cities—to wit, London, Glasgow, and Liverpool. 
The black Italian poplar may be somewhat stiff in outline, but there 
is, nevertheless, an air of grace about it that is wanting in any other 
tree I can bring tomind. It is a tree of the readiest culture, while, 
as to its rate of growth, a specimen of 100 feet in height has 
attained to that size in less than sixty years. The wood, unless for 
a few special purposes, such as cart-bottoms, brakes, &c., is not of 
great value; but the tree is, nevertheless, a profitable timber- 
producer when grown in suitable soils. 
The Canadian Poplar (P. canadensis) and its variety, P. c. nova, 
are excellent trees for planting in smoky localities. The former 
succeeds admirably in the very centre of Sheffield, in the old parish 
churchyard, where for hundreds of yards away not a particle of 
living vegetation is to be seen. The variety nova is a very superior 
tree for street planting, it being far more ornamental and of more 
rapid growth than the black Italian poplar, and equally reliable for 
retaining a healthy and flourishing cendition under the adverse 
circumstances connected with a town atmosphere. How well it 
succeeds may be seen in the beautiful avenue that was formed of it 
and the Oriental plane some years ago at Wimbledon Park. 
The Abele Poplar (Populus alba) grows with great freedom where 
subjected to smoke and foul air. In the very heart of our largest 
towns, it may be seen flourishing in a manner that is almost 
incredible. It is a pretty tree, the distinctly cut, ample leaves, 
with their cottony under surface, being at all times, but especially 
when agitated by the wind, most interesting, and causing the tree 
to rank amongst the most ornamental of its kind. It is readily 
propagated, transplants freely, grows rapidly, and is neither subject 
to disease nor particular as to the soil in which it is planted. 
The Lombardy Poplar (P. fastigiata) is another tree that has 
been planted with some success in and around many of our largest 
cities, but it cannot equal any of the foregoing for withstanding the 
VOL. XIII. PART I. I 
