148 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



and, when crowded, soon loses its side- 

 branches. When the tree becomes old, the 

 main branches curve downwards, affording a 

 readily distinguishing mark when it is desti- 

 tute of foliage. When unsurrounded by any 

 other tree, it branches out close to the 

 ground, and presents a fine conical appear- 

 ance till it gets old, when it becomes rather 

 irregular and rough in its appearance. Few 

 trees are better fitted to form a single object 

 in a park or on a lawn; the very peculiarity 

 of its foliage and appearance suggesting the 

 exclusiveness in which it would stand in order 

 to show off its entire beauty. It is short- 

 lived in towns, and soon shows a distaste for 

 city life; evidently preferring the times of 

 the Indians to the modern march of civiliza- 

 tion. It thrives best in strong, clayey, or 

 micaceous soils. They are easily raised from 

 seed, sown as soon as ripe, in any loamy soil 

 in a shady situation. They will appear the 

 next spring. They should be transplanted 

 every year till they go into their permanent 

 situations, as, otherwise, it is next to impos- 

 sible to remove them successfully. The 

 finest specimen I am acquainted with in cul- 



