166 An Account of Timber Trees likely 
satin wood. The leaves, which are of a light green, 
are produced very early im the spring, and are re- 
tained on the tree longer than on any deciduous tree 
in this country, not falling off till late in the au- 
tumn; they are never blighted nor infested with in- 
sects, nor does it lose a leaf during the whole sum- 
mer. Though the poplar is generally termed an 
aquatic, this will grow in any soil or situation, and 
is of quicker growth in dry upland, than any tree 
we are acquainted with in this climate, though not 
quite of such quick growth as the Huntingdonshire 
Willow in rich moist meadow-land. In such a si- 
tuation, I have fallen a Huntingdonshire Willow,* 
from which I made a staircase when it was only of 
nineteen years growth from a cutting. The Athe- 
nian Poplar is propagated with the greatest advan- 
tage by suckers and layers; but is with great difficul- 
ty raised from cuttings or truncheons. The com- 
mon way of raising them, amongst the nursery-men, 
is by engrafting them on some other poplar; but the 
trees thus raisedare of little value, being very slow in 
their growth; and it is owing to this circumstance, 
perhaps, that their real worth has not before been 
discovered. About twelve years ago I purchased 
two plants of this poplar, from two different nursery- 
* I cannot find that this species of willow has been de- 
scribed by any, botanical writer; but it is well known 
among the nursery-men by this name, 
