DECIDUOUS TREES. 367 



valuable additions to our small trees. We believe that by crossing 

 the species still further, very interesting hybrids and varieties may 

 be produced. 



The cucumber magnolia being the strongest and hardiest spe- 

 cies, is used as a stock upon which 



* * "to graft the gentler graces" 



of more delicate and beautiful sorts. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, of 

 Cleveland, Ohio, whose very intelligent experience and success in 

 growing fine magnolias near their most northerly line, entitles his 

 opinion to great weight, insists that all the magnolias, which will 

 grow in the northern States at all, should be grafted or budded on 

 the acuminata stock. He says : " Employed for this purpose, it 

 imparts vigor to the weak, hardiness to the more tender, and by its 

 profuse supply of sap forces them into abnormal production of 

 flowers, improved in size and perfection, as well as numbers." He 

 describes the effect of grafting the swamp magnolia (glauca) — 

 which is but a large shrub on its own roots — on a seedling acumi- 

 nata. The glauca grafted on the latter had become a broad, fine 

 tree, twenty-one feet high, while the former, from which the bud 

 was taken, in the same soil, and of the same age, was " an old and 

 decrepit shrub, unworthy of attention." * While the Professor's 

 advice is of great value, it indicates but one of many precautions 

 which must be taken in the northern States to succeed in growing 

 fine specimens of magnolias ; for, unless we can have them luxuri- 

 antly healthy, it is not well to have our grounds encumbered with 

 them. A thrifty hickory is better than a scrawny magnolia ; and 

 other blossoms, on healthy trees, will more than compensate for the 

 absence of flowers that grow on a tree which shows by its whole air 

 that it is pining for a more genial home. Those who will grow fine 

 magnolia trees north of Philadelphia must see to it that all the 

 conditions necessary to their health and growth are complied with. 

 One of these conditions, which will apply to all the magnolias, is 

 that they be planted where they will be protected from high winds, 

 especially north and west winds ; for which purpose plantations of 



* American Journal of Horticulture, March, 1867. 



