EMBELLISHMENT WITH TREES AND SHRUBS. 209 



and descriptions of desirable shrubs in the course of toda3''s 

 discussion. In view of all this information, there would seem no 

 excuse for not knowing with what to embellish one's home grounds ; 

 at least wherever our publications shall reach. 



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 saccharinum : 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. 



Betula papyracea: Paper Birch. — One of the most orna- 

 mental of the birches ; a fine tree for large lawns or other 

 plantations. 



Betula alba: English White Birch. — A very beautiful orna- 

 mental tree. The variety pojyulifolia, or American White Birch, 

 will grow in the poorest of soils, and makes good fuel if cut and 

 kept under cover, but rots if wet. 



Betula 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 

 mountains 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. 



Carya alba : Shell-bark Hickory. — Though growing in almost 

 41 



