1666 



ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. 



1526 



TART III. 



Munich, shows their use in varying the margin of plantations. These examples 

 may serve to show how easy it is, by means of the Lombardy poplar, to add 

 to the effect of a landscape, or ta destroy the harmony of its different parts. 

 In short, the Lombardy poplar, like the weeping willow and birch, is a most 

 dangerous tree in the hands of a planter who has not considerable knowledge 

 and good taste in the composition of landscape. We have been induced to 

 enlarge on the subject more than we should have done, from seeing the 

 frequent misapplication of the tree in the neighbourhood of London, as well 



1527 



as its good effects in various instances. We should like to see it much more 

 common in towns, and in churchyards and cemeteries, and much less frequent 

 in suburban gardens. In the grounds of extensive residences in the country, 

 it ought to be sparingly introduced, unless the object be to recall the idea of 

 the metropolis. 



The suitableness of the Lombardy poplar for planting in towns and cities 

 arises not only from its narrow form and vertical direction, but, also, from its 

 nature ; which, like its congener the Populus nigra, admits of its thriving 

 even among coal smoke, where most other trees would die, or become stunted 

 and diseased. The elevation of the tree is also favourable for inviting and 

 protecting singing-birds, in proof of which, a writer in the Magazine of Natural 

 History fvol.i. p. 418.) observes that, in the towns of America, " the song of 

 the Baltimore oriole (Oriolus baltimorus) is little less remarkable than his 

 fine appearance, and the ingenuity with which he builds his nest. His notes 



