DECIDUOUS TREES. 433 



a deep yellow before they fall. The seed is contained in greenish 

 white capsules, and quite showy by its abundance. At Germantown, 

 near Philadelphia, are specimens twenty-five feet high and forty 

 feet diameter of head, which have been planted thirty years. 



We know of no tree which, without being variegated, has such 

 decidedly yellowish-green foliage ; and this quality, together with 

 the airy delicacy of its leafy outline, its brilliant flowers, and autumn 

 color, combine to ma,ke it one of the most desirable trees for even a 

 small collection ; and especially beautiful where its low golden top 

 can be seen projecting from a mass of dark-foliaged trees. It be- 

 comes quite hardy, though the tops of its branches may be killed 

 back in winter in our northern States when first planted. With 

 protection a few years after planting it will establish itself beyond 

 the need of more. When young its growth does not indicate the 

 form it finally assumes, and is not so pleasing as at maturity. 



THE NETTLE TREE. Celtis. 



"Handsome, much branched, deciduous trees, natives of Europe 

 and North America, varying in size and foliage, but all bearing 

 fruit which is edible, and though small, is remarkably sweet, and 

 said to be very wholesome. Some of the species are very orna- 

 mental, particularly C. crassifolia, the branches of which assume the 

 character of a fan ; and C. occidentalis , the branches of which droop 

 like a parasol. The leaves of almost all the species drop off almost 

 simultaneously, and thus occasion very little trouble to the gardener 

 in sweeping them up." They are also remarkably free from the 

 attacks of insects. 



The Western Nettle Tree, C. occidentalis, is known in some 

 sections as the sugar-berry, and is indigenous from Canada to North 

 Carolina. The branches are numerous and slender, radiating at 

 no great distance from the ground in a horizontal direction, and 

 incline downwards at their extremities. Leaves about the size and 

 form of those of the apple tree, but more pointed and lighter 

 colored ; being a bright shining green. They hang late on the 



