98 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1893. 



never more than in the present age ; and the best science and the 

 best practice shonld be placed before our people. 



I close with the following list and brief descriptions of what seem 

 to me the most desirable trees for planting in Massachusetts, either 

 for embellishment or for their utility as timber. 



Acer saccharimim : Sugar Maple. — Good as a forest or as an 

 ornamental tree ; will do well on rocky hill-sides, when once estab- 

 lished. 



Acer dasycarpum : White Maple. — Naturally growing along river 

 banks, but seeming to grow rapidly in almost any situation ; does 

 well as a street tree, but is easily broken by ice. 



Acer platanoides : Norway Maple. — A round-headed tree of medium 

 size, suitable for shade or ornament ; might be used in plantations. 



Acer rubrum: Red Maple. — Will grow on any soil, but seldom 

 makes a large tree unless in moist ground. 



Ailanthus glandulosus : Tree of Heaven. — Where perfectly hardy 

 will grow on almost any soil ; wood excellent in grain for cabinet 

 making. 



Betula lenta: Black or Cherry Birch. — Will grow on the poorest 

 rocky soils ; good for ornamental planting and also for fuel. 



BeUda 2Mpyracea : Paper Birch. — One of the most ornamental of 

 the birches ; a fine tree for large lawns or other plantations. 



Betula alba : English White Birch. — A very beautiful ornamental 

 tree, The variety popuUfolia, or American White Birch, will grow 

 in the poorest of soils, and make good fuel if cut and kept under 

 cover, but rots if wet. 



Betida nigra: Red or River Birch. — Grows naturally in low 

 grounds, but is a fine ornamental tree in any good loam; fine for 

 parks or plantations along streams. 



Betula excelsa. — This species is found far north, and in the moun- 

 tains of Western Massachusetts ; it grows on seemingly thin but moist 

 soils; a fine tree for ornament or plantations. 



Carpinus Caroliniana: Hornbeam. — A small tree; does fairly well 

 on sterile soil. 



Caryaalba: Shell-bark Hickory. — Though growing in almost all 

 situations, does best in deep rich loams ; good for timber or for orna- 

 ment, and fine in groups in a park. 



Carya sulcata: Western Shell-bark Hickory. — Like the common 

 hickory as regards choice of soil. 



Carya p)orcina : Pig-nut. — One of the best of timber trees, useful 

 and ornamental ; slow growing on poor soils. 



