62 TOWN PLANTING 



freely, grows rapidly, and is neither subject 

 to disease nor particular as to the soil in 

 which it is planted. 



THE LOMBARDY POPLAR (Populus fasti- 

 giata) is probably, next to the Plane, the most 

 common of our London trees. It succeeds 

 admirably even in the foulest atmosphere, 

 while it is about the least particular, as 

 regards soil, of any tree that could be men- 

 tioned. Whether the Lombardy Poplar is a 

 distinct species or only a form of P. nigra 

 opinions differ, but with a wide knowledge 

 of the tree as planted in our London streets 

 and squares I am inclined to think that it is 

 only a well-marked upright habited variety 

 of the Black Italian Poplar. In any case, 

 it is an excellent tree for smoky localities, 

 thriving well even where chemical fumes are 

 present in the atmosphere, while its strict 

 habit of growth renders it peculiarly suitable 

 for confined positions or for using as a screen 

 or hedge tree. In and around the great 

 metropolis, wherever a screen fence is re- 

 quired, this Poplar is called into request, and 



