to the agriculturist who seeks to clear land for cultivation. The sprouting 

 capacity of the willow, however, makes it useful for binding embankments 

 which are subject to erosion. 



The willows have high ornamental value, particularly along water- 

 courses, where their fine, graceful foliage produces an airy effect which height- 

 ens the transparency of the water. The close association of willows with 

 water was noticed by Cowper, who said : 



"The willows dip 

 Their pendent boughs, stooping as if to drink." 



WEEPING WILLOW 



The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a native of Asia and North 

 Africa, but has been widely propagated elsewhere by means of cuttings. 

 This tree shades the tomb of Napoleon at Saint Helena where its light foliage 

 flows like the dishevelled hair and graceful drapery of a sculptured mourner. 

 It is related that the soothsayers of Babylon foretold the death of Alexander 

 the Great when the boughs of a weeping willow swept the crown from his head 

 as he was crossing the Euphrates in a boat. 



The charm of the weeping willow is best revealed along lakes and water- 

 courses over which it hangs its long , pendulous branchlets of soft feathery 

 green. It is a perfect contrast to the formal Lombardy poplar, the light airy 

 sprays of which rise perpendicularly. It prefers rather humble scenes along a 

 glassy pond or romantic foot bridge where its pendent branches stoop to the 

 water's edge. 



The first weeping willow in this country is said to have been grown from 

 a twig brought by a British officer in 1776. He secured it from a tree on the 

 estate of the poet Alexander Pope and on his arrival in this country gave it to 

 John Curtis of Virginia who planted it on his place. 



Salix fragilis pendula, a variety recently introduced from China, has made 

 wonderfully rapid growth at Chico and promises to become as popular a weep- 

 ing tree as the above species. 



(112) 



