THE SWAMP MAGNOLIA OR SWEET BAY 



MOST of the Magnolias are Southern forms finding a congenial home in the climate 

 of our Southern states. The present species, however, is of especial interest 

 because it apparently has long been growing naturally as far north as Massa- 

 chusetts, a famous station for it occurring near Gloucester, although practically all the 

 plants in the colony have now disappeared through the greed of collectors. From Long 

 Island to Florida the species is found in swampy places, a deciduous shrub in the North, 

 an evergreen tree in the South, but everywhere notable for the beauty of its leaves, flowers 

 and fruit. It is native to the coast region, and on our southern border extends west to 

 Texas. The largest and finest trees in Florida reach a height of sixty or seventy feet and 

 a trunk diameter of two or more feet. The small, creamy-white fragrant flowers, the hairy 

 leaf-buds, the glossy dark-green leaves, and the smooth, shining, red fruits are the most 

 characteristic features of the Swamp Magnolia. It is readily distinguished from any other 

 native species, although there is a shrubby Chinese form, Magnolia pumila, frequently 

 planted in the South, which is quite similar to it. 



A special interest attaches to the Massachusetts colony of this Magnolia: it gave 

 the name to one of the most popular summer resorts along the coast ; it furnished plants 

 for many of the gardens in New England ; and it served as the inspiration of those beautiful 

 lines by Whittier: 



" Long they sat and talked together, 

 Of the marvellous valley hidden in the depths of Gloucester woods, 

 Full of plants that love the summer, blooms of warmer latitudes, 

 Where the Artie birch is braided by the tropics' flowery vines, 

 And the white magnolia blossoms star the twilight of the pines." 



In a rare book upon "The Trees of Salem," John Robinson, a well-known Massa- 

 chusetts botanist, wrote in 1891 : "It is said that Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of Hamilton, first 

 called attention to the Sweet Magnolia in Gloucester, near where the present popular sum- 

 mer resort perpetuates the name and fame of the most northerly station of this plant. 

 Its fragrant blossoms attracted him to the spot, and ever since it has been eagerly sought 



for its flowers and for transplanting into gardens Why the Magnolia should 



be found in Gloucester is a mystery. 'The Hermit,' a well-known Gloucester character, 

 a student and lover of nature, feels sure that it was brought from the South and planted 

 in some old garden. By changes in the location of the settlement it was lost sight of, and 

 the woods growing up in the region of the deserted dwelling-places the plants were left 

 to themselves and increased." On the other hand, it seems equally probable that the 

 colony was started by seeds dropped by birds. 



The Swamp Magnolia is justly a favorite for ornamental planting; it is hardy, and 

 beautiful, and native to America. A long-leaved variety has been developed which is even 

 more desirable than the type, as it continues in blossom for a longer period. 



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