VARIOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES 249 



break. The Carolina poplar is a splendid street tree, surpassing in its 

 habit of growth or outline of crown the big-leaf maple. Its changing 

 aspect is very interesting as it passes from naked limbs to jewelled 

 tassels, which are succeeded by the handsome foliage. It is best pro- 

 pagated by cuttings, which should be all of one kind, and were better 

 taken from the male tree to escape the immense quantities of downy 

 seeds, which are an annoyance. The silver poplar is a round-headed 

 tree with very striking foliage, the silvery under surface turned out- 

 wards under the play of the wind. It is an ornamental tree of old- 

 time California gardens. 



Sycamores. Our native sycamore (platanus racemosus) is another 

 very handsome tree which endures severe frost, as well as some alkali. 

 While its deciduous habit would be objectionable for some purposes, 

 it would make it very desirable where shade was wanted only in sum- 

 mer. Even when bare of leaves the tree is picturesque and beautiful. 

 The European plane tree is also highly recommended for ornamental 

 use. It is perhaps more sensitive to frost than our sycamore. Both 

 varieties need soil of a good depth, and an abundance of moisture, but 

 under proper conditions grow rapidly. In Los Angeles, trees which, 

 at the time of planting, were at the butt about the size of a hoe handle, 

 in four and one-half years the largest was eight inches in diameter. 



Texas Umbrella. This is a horticultural variety of the Pride of 

 China, and much superior to it. It forms a compact and very dense 

 crown composed of a multitude of erect and ascending branches 

 foliaged with compound leaves. It is a prime favorite throughout the 

 San Joaquin Valley and is being more and more planted in other val- 

 leys. Its use enables a good summer shade to be obtained in the warm 

 interior valleys on the shortest possible notice. Its autumn foliage 

 takes on yellow hues which splotch with color many a village street. 

 It seeds very freely and to be sure that you do not get the inferior 

 China tree, it is easy to grow your own seedlings. Take the seed from 

 a tree of the right type which has no China tree within a quarter or 

 half a mile. Gather the berries and mix them four parts fine sand, one 

 part berries, and bury them where they will not be disturbed and 

 where they will not become dry. nor too wet. If in danger of moles 

 or gophers, wrap up in piece of wire netting. In the spring, when all 

 danger of frost is passed, plant in rows 3 feet apart and 3 or 4 inches 

 apart in the row. Never irrigate unless the plants seem to stop grow- 

 ing, and if water should be used make a V-shaped trench as close to 

 the plant as possible and cover up with dry dirt as soon as absorbed 

 by soil. One can grow trees this way 6 to 8 feet the first year from the 

 seed. 



Tulip Tree. Liriodendron tulipifera is the great tulip tree of the 

 Atlantic and Southern States. In many districts this is almost a swamp 



