378 DECIDUOUS TREES. 



rays of the sun, is the most essential requisite in growing beautiful 

 magnolias. If the reader remembers what is contained in Chapter 

 XVIII, on growing half-hardy trees, and will follow its sugges- 

 tions, there need be little fear of failure in growing this tropical 

 family of great-leaved trees in most portions of the northern 

 States. 



THE BIRCH. Betula. 



The lightness, grace, and delicacy of some of the birch family, 

 in bark, branching, and foliage, is proverbial ; and yet, within a 

 few years, new varieties have been introduced that fairly surpass 

 the acknowledged charms of the older members. 



Contrary to our ordinary habit of naming the best native 

 varieties first, we shall begin with that most exquisite of modern 

 sylvan belles 



THE CUT-LEAVED WEEPING BIRCH. B. lacianata pendula. 

 Wherever known, this tree stands the ac- 

 knowledged queen of all the airy graces 

 with which lightsome trees coquette with the 

 sky and the summer air. It lacks no charm 

 essential to its rank. Erect, slender, tall, it 

 gains height only to bend its silvery spray 

 with a caressing grace on every side. Like 

 our magnificent weeping elm, but lighter, 

 smaller, and brighter in all its features, it 

 rapidly lifts its head among its compeers till 

 it over-tops them, and then spreads its 

 branches, drooping and subdividing into the 

 most delicate silvery branchlets, whose pen- 

 sile grace is only equalled by those of the weeping willow. Fig. 

 118 illustrates its common form about ten years after planting. 



We regret being unable to present an engraving that will 

 suggest the airy grace of this tree. No engraving could do it 

 justice. Like the palm tree of the tropics, it must be seen in 

 motion, swaying in the lightest breeze, its leaves trembling in the 



