228 BULLBTIN NO. 62. 



varieties by its wide extending-, loosely formed branches, which 

 -are nearly horizontal; by its three to five lobed, maple-like 

 leaves, light green on the upper and white on the lower sur- 

 faces. The tree has the good qualities of retaining- its leaves 

 in full verdure to the very end of autumn, of having- a firmer 

 wood than most other poplars, and of living- long-er than any 

 other. Our specimens averag-e 40 inches in circumference and 

 30 feet hig-h. The wood is somewhat firm, whitish, and rather 

 heavy, weighing- 38 pounds per cubic foot. A fifteen year old 

 Silver Poplar, standing- in a Logan door-yard, is shown in 

 Fig. 5. 



Balm of Gilead or Balsam* (Populus bahamifera candi- 

 -cans (Ait.) Gray). The Balm of Gilead is a free growing, 

 hardy tree, with an undivided, central shaft, which bears long, 

 .spreading branches. Its leaves are heart-shaped, bright glossy 

 green above and whitish beneath. The buds are large and are 

 covered with a resin, which diffuses a peculiar but agreeable 

 fragrance. The species gets its name from this resin or balm, 

 which is esteemed as a domestic remedy for a number of ail- 

 ments. 



The Balm of Gileads on our grounds are older than the 

 trees in the experiment proper, so that a comparison of their 

 growth cannot, with fairness, be made with that of the other 

 poplars. In Logan, and in many other towns in Utah, an ordi- 

 nance imposes a fine on citizens who allow Balm of Gilead trees 

 to stand on their premises. The ordinance is an unwise one, 

 in that it does not specify cotton-bearing Balm of Gileads; for 

 only the female tree bears the cotton, and the other sex alone 

 need be propagated and planted. It has many good qualities, 

 and among the poplars this species is our second choice for 

 planting, as a quick growing shade or a roadside tree. It is 

 easily propagated from cuttings, and, while it thrives best on 

 moist, rich lands, it is yet an admirable tree in most soils and 

 situations. 



Aspen Poplar, (Populus treniuloides. Michx.) Known also 

 -as Aspen, Quaking Asp, White Poplar, Popple and Trem- 

 bling Poplar. This species is a native of the State, but is not 

 -commonly cultivated. Our specimens were brought from the 

 mountains near by. The Aspen is one of the most widely dis- 

 tributed of our American forest trees. In lower altitudes and 



