THE COTTONWOODS 333 



as Cottonwood, but latterly it has been called Carolina 

 Poplar, a name given to it, no doubt, by some enterprising 

 nurseryman to disarm a prejudice generally felt towards 

 the Cottonwoods, and it has been palmed off on an unsus- 

 pecting public as a newly discovered species of Poplar, and 

 one well adapted to ornamental purposes for which it has 

 only one redeeming feature, that of rapid growth. It should 

 have no place on the lawn or street. In some sections it is 

 known as Necklace Poplar, and there is no more reason 

 for calling it Carolina Poplar than there is for designating 

 it Virginia Poplar, or affixing the name of any other state, 

 for some variety of it grows in nearly every state east of the 

 Continental Divide. Strictly speaking, it should not be 

 placed in the class of important timber trees, for, except as 

 will be noted, it is of little value for lumber alone ; yet there 

 are some uses to which it can be profitably put, whereby it 

 may play an important part in forest economy. It is a first- 

 class wood for paper pulp, and by its rapid growth it may 

 be made to bring quicker returns than any other native 

 forest tree. It can also be made useful in protecting stream 

 banks from erosion, as it will thrive on ground too wet for 

 trees that will produce more valuable lumber and which is 

 too wet to cultivate. It is readily reproduced by sprouts 

 from cut stumps and roots, and can also be propagated by 

 cuttings set in the ground where the trees are to stand. 

 These features certainly warrant placing it in the list of 

 trees worthy of cultivation. 



It must not be said, however, that it is invariably of lit- 

 tle value for lumber, for along the valleys of the Missis- 

 sippi and Missouri rivers the character of the wood is quite 

 different from that grown elsewhere, and it is there known 

 as Yellow Cottonwood. Lumber cut from trees grown there 

 is reported easy to work, can be dressed smooth, serves a 

 fair purpose for work that is not exposed, will take on a 

 good finish, and is adapted to many purposes for which 

 Yellow Poplar is used. As there appears to be no marked 

 botanical difference in the trees there and elsewhere, the 



