DECIDUOUS TREES. 109 
Leaves oblong obovate, smooth, glossy above and dull 
white beneath, evergreen; flowers white, very fragrant ; 
fruit three to four inches long; native of the South; not 
hardy north of Virginia, although occasionally a tree will 
surviye for a few years as far north as New York. 
There are several foreign species and varieties of Mag- 
nolias that are worthy of being cultivated in every garden. 
These, like the M. conspicua, M. Soulangiana, M. purpurea, 
ete., bloom before their leaves appear, which gives the 
tree a most magnificent appearance. These foreign species 
do not, as a class, grow as rapidly as the native ones, but 
they bloom when quite small. To give them increased 
vigor they should be budded on the Magnolia acuminata. 
All the Magnolias may be propagated by layers, 
although plants grown in this manner are not equal to 
those grown from seeds or by budding. The different 
species are generally propagated from seeds ; these are 
gathered so soon as they can be seen in the opening 
fruit or cones, which should then be spread out where 
they will dry sufficiently to allow the seeds to be shaken 
or picked out by hand. Then mix the seeds with sand, 
and put away in a cool cellar until spring, or sow im- 
mediately in a light sandy or loamy soil. The seeds 
will soon lose their vitality if allowed to become dry or 
remain in the fruit where they will become heated. Mice 
are very fond of Magnolia seed, and considerable care is 
often necessary to prevent them from getting a taste. 
The seedlings may be allowed to remain in the seed-bed 
for two years before being transplanted, as they grow 
rather slowly when young; besides, it is best to protect 
