148 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



and, when crowded, soon loses its side- 

 branches. When the tree becomes old, the 

 main branches curve downwards, affording a 

 readily distinguishing mark when it is desti 

 tute of foliage. When unsurrounded by any 

 other tree, it branches out close to the 

 ground, and presents a fine conical appear 

 ance till it gets old, when it becomes rather 

 irregular and rough in its appearance. Few 

 trees are better fitted to form a single object 

 in a park or on a lawn; the very peculiarity 

 of its foliage and appearance suggesting the 

 exclusiveness in which it would stand in order 

 to show off its entire beauty. It is short 

 lived in towns, and soon shows a distaste for 

 city life; evidently preferring the times of 

 the Indians to the modern march of civiliza 

 tion. It thrives best in strong, clayey, or 

 micaceous soils. They are easily raised from 

 seed, sown as soon as ripe, in any loamy soil 

 in a shady situation. They will appear the 

 next spring. They should be transplanted 

 every year till they go into their permanent 

 situations, as, otherwise, it is next to impos 

 sible to remove them successfully. The 

 finest specimen I am acquainted with in cul- 



