APPENDIX. 373 



with a clean bark, and a cheerful appearance of vigor. For shade 

 trees, for street or park, there are none that excel the Hock Maple 

 in the richness of its green folfage through the summer, and 

 beautiful tints of yellow and orange in autumn, nor for the grace- 

 fulness and beauty ofits proportions. 



B E T U L A . 



Birch. There are five species of the Birch found in Massa- 

 chusetts, viz., the Black, Yellow, Red, Canoe, and Gray or White 

 Birch, all desirable trees in large plantations ; there is also a 

 shrubby .species. 



B. pendula, or the Weeping Birch, is one of the most gracef il 

 trees of the genus ; it is a native of England, and may be ob- 

 tained at any of the principal nurseries. The Cut-leaf Birch is 

 another ornamental variety. 



B. vulgaris. The variety of common Berberry, with purple 

 foliage, is desirable in large collections. 



C ASTANEA. 



The American Chestnut (C. vesca) is rarely seen in our public 

 squares ; but for what reason a tree so grand and imposing should 

 be neglected, I have never been able to learn, unless it is the one 

 given by a former mayor of the city of Boston. When asked why 

 he did not encourage the planting of Chestnuts, Walnuts and Oaks, 

 among other trees on the Common, he replied that the boys would 

 mutilate the trees in gathering the nuts. Since then, one of his 

 successors in office has ordered squirrels for domestication in this 

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