THE POPLAR NOT A FAVOURITE. 25 



trees ; and where they are quickly needed to make 

 a show, while perhaps others of a handsomer descrip- 

 tion are growing, and coming to maturity. In the 

 fen districts it is valuable as a hedgerow tree, as it will 

 accommodate itself to situations in which other trees 

 refuse to grow, and is therefore especially useful in 

 nursing more valuable trees which have been planted 

 by the seaside. 



The alder prefers a low situation, and delights in 

 moist meadow ground near a river. The best times 

 for planting are November and March, by digging a 

 hole nine inches deep, with a common garden spade. 

 The propagation of the alder is best done by seed, 

 though it is not worth while any private person 

 attempting to do so, as a thousand plants a foot high 

 may be bought for six or seven shillings, of the 

 nurserymen who make a business of rearing large 

 numbers of trees for planting. These sow the seeds 

 as thick as they can lie on the surface of the ground, 

 without touching one another, and are then trod 

 carefully in with the feet. At the end of the first 

 season the plants will be nine inches high, after which 

 they are transplanted into lines. 



The Poplar comes next in natural order of succes- 

 sion on a damp or moist soil, which is not so wet as 

 those I have previously referred to. A great dif- 

 ference of opinion exists as to the relative merit of 

 the poplar tree, as an object of landscape adornment. 

 Cobbett called it a great ugly tree, while Prince 

 Piickler Muskau, who has been cited as a good 

 authority on trees, complains of its leaves " being too 

 fluttering." An old poplar, showing a large misshapen 

 black-looking trunk, is certainly often an ugly object, 



