292 THE MAPLE. 



cultivation. The striking, striated appearance of the 

 trunk at all times, the delicate rose-color of the buds and 

 leaves on opening, and the beauty of the ample foliage 

 afterwards, the graceful pendulous racemes of flowers, 

 succeeded by large showy keys not unlike a cluster of 

 insects, will sufficiently recommend it. In France, Mi- 

 chaux says it has been increased to four times its natural 

 size by grafting on the sycamore." 



The Mountain Maple is another small and elegant 

 species of similar habits to those of the Moosewood, 

 being almost entirely confined to the forest, variegated 

 with red and purple tints in autumn. If it is ever seen 

 by the roadside, it is only when the road is bordered by 

 the forest. 



THE SUGAR MAPLE. 



The Eock Maple is distinguished from the red maple 

 by its larger leaves, which are entire at the margin, and 

 not serrate, having generally three lobes, sometimes five, 

 separated by a smooth sinus instead of a notch. The 

 flowers are greenish, and come out at the same time with 

 the foliage. This tree is larger than any of the other 

 species, it has a more vigorous growth, and affords a 

 denser shade, but it is difficult to distinguish them when 

 divested of their leaves. It is the most abundant species 

 in all the North-eastern States, including the British Prov- 

 inces, where it serves more than any other tree, except the 

 white pine, to give character to the wood-scenery. It is 

 rare in Eastern Massachusetts, and is not found below 

 this latitude, except among the Alleghanies. 



Dr. Eush, speaking of this tree, remarks : " These trees 

 are generally found mixed with the beech, hemlock, ash, 

 linden, aspen, butternut, and wild-cherry trees. They 

 sometimes appear in groves, covering five or six acres in 

 a body; but they are more commonly interspersed with 



