THE STORY OF THE GINKGO 



true botanical sense of the term but is a naked seed 

 somewhat resembling that of the Californian Nutmeg 

 (Torreya calijornica) or that of the Cycads; it is 

 fertilized by a motile sperm like the Cycads, Ferns, 

 and Club Mosses; its shoots are of two forms like 

 those of the Larches and like them it loses its leaves 

 in autumn. But whilst it possesses these points of 

 similarity it is closely related to none of them nor 

 to anything else, and constitutes a family of its own 

 which forms an obscure connecting link between the 

 Yew family, the Cycads, the Ferns, and their allies. 

 It is hardy in New England as far north as Hanover, 

 New Hampshire, is unaffected by summer drought, 

 and thrives under city conditions as well as in the 

 pure air of the country; it is not known to be at- 

 tacked by any pest, insect or fungoid, and lives to a 

 great age. It transplants readily when of large 

 size, as the tree on Boston Common testifies. The 

 Japanese think nothing of moving trees 40 feet tall 

 and more than a foot in diameter of trunk. An 

 avenue of Ginkgo-trees of this size was planted in 

 19 1 4 on the boulevard leading from the terminal 

 station in Tokyo and not one died. However, in 

 this connection it must be remembered that Japan 

 enjoys a more generous summer rainfall than North 

 America does. 



At maturity the Ginkgo is a stately tree 100 feet 

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