BLACK AND BLACK ITALIAN POPLARS 367 



POPLARS. 



Populus nigra = The Black Poplar. 



Populus Canadensis =The Canadian Poplar, or Black 



Italian Poplar. 



Populus alba =The White, or Abele, Poplar. 



Populus canescens =The Grey Poplar. 

 Populus tremula =The Aspen Poplar. 

 Populus pyramidalis = The Lombardy Poplar. 



THE BLACK AND THE BLACK ITALIAN POPLARS. 



These are very much alike in all respects, and demand 

 much the same conditions, and may be considered together. 



Neither of these two trees are native to this country. 

 The latter is said to have been introduced in 1769, but the 

 former was probably introduced by the Romans. 



As to Seed. The seed of both ripens at about the end of 

 May or beginning of June, and it must be sown at once, as its 

 germinative capacity is very quickly lost. The seed is 

 collected along with the downy mass surrounding it. 



Both trees are, however, best raised from cuttings. 



The timber is white, soft, and tough, and does not easily 

 fracture. It is more nearly fire-proof than any other timber ; 

 and, for this reason, should be often used for floor boards. 

 It is used for the battens in hop oasts on account of its 

 fire-resisting qualities. The timber is also nearly free from 

 smell ; and is, for this reason, used for butter boxes. By 

 some, the timber of P. Canadensis is considered superior to 

 that of all other varieties. 



Soil and Situation. Good deep moist loams are the best 

 kind of soil for the growth of the Black Poplars. But they 

 will also thrive on stiff clays, but not on the very stiffest. 

 Sour soils, or water-logged soils, are quite unsuited to them ; 

 and they should never be planted on very dry soils. They 

 are slightly sensitive to late and early frosts P. Canadensis 

 being harder than P. nigra in this respect. 



Cultivation, etc. The trees grow very rapidly when 



