TREES GROWING IN DRY SOIL. 273 



As early as March the shining brown scales which cover its 

 flower-buds begin to respond to the tempered atmosphere. 

 Then they split open and are among the first to send into the 

 world their grey and rosy-tinted offsprings. 



LOMBARDY POPLAR. (Plate CXLIX.) 

 Popiilus dilatata. 



FAMILY SHAPE HEIGHT RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Willow. Tapering; branches, 30-60 feet. Planted. AfiriL May 



perpendicular. J ' 



Bark : roughish. Branches ; growing closely together. Buds : possessing 

 a glutinous substance, like balsam. Leaves : simple ; alternate ; with petioles 

 which are flattened sidewise; very broadly oval ; pointed at the apex and at 

 the base ; finely serrate ; smooth. Flowers : dioecious ; growing in catkins. 



As in the human family, we find that every tree has its own 

 particular appearance, one to which it remains true both 

 in sunshine and in shade. Even although it loses its leaves 

 in winter time, its outline is then quite as well 

 known to tree lovers as when it is fully clothed 

 with verdure. In its manner of growth there is 

 hardly any tree that is more distinct than the 

 Lombardy poplar, and it is perhaps for this reason 

 that it is so generally known. Constantly it is being 

 referred to as though it were the only species of 

 poplar in existence. About one hundred years ago 

 it was imported from Italy and soon began to be 

 much planted in this country. Through cultivation 

 it has spread widely and also by the means it em- 

 ploys of sending up shoots from its buried parts. p^'/Z 

 At present it is not nearly so much seen as formerly ; dilatata. 

 for insects have bored into its trunk and preyed greatly upon 

 its foliage. In parts of New Jersey, where it was once almost 

 as common as the indigenous trees, it is now rarely seen. 



Not by all is the symmetrical, uncompromising aspect of the 

 tree admired, nor does its stiff outline blend with every variety 

 of landscape; but it is beloved by many that have with it 



