106 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



the family, and to this we more particularly allude. In such 

 situations as we have just mentioned, this tree developes its 

 fine ample form in the most picturesque manner. Its branches 

 first spring up embracing the centre, then bend off in finely 

 diverging lines, until, in old trees, they often sweep the 

 ground with their loose pendant foliage. With all this light- 

 ness and peculiar gracefulness of form, it is by no means a 

 meagre looking tree in the body of its foliage, as its thick 

 tufted masses of leaves reflect the sun, and embosom the 

 shadows as finely as almost any other tree, the oak excepted. 

 We consider it peculiarly adapted for planting, in scenes 

 where the expression of elegant or classical beauty is desired. 

 In autumn the foliage assumes a lively yellow tint, contrast- 

 ing well with the richer and more glowing colours of our 

 native woods. Even in winter it is a pleasing object, from 

 the minute division of its spray, and the graceful droop of its 

 branches. It is one of the most generally esteemed of our 

 native trees for ornamental purposes, and is as great a fa- 

 vourite here as in Europe, for planting in public squares, 

 and along the highways. Beautiful specimens may be seen 

 in Cambridge, Mass., of enormous size, and very fine ave- 

 nues of this tree are growing with great luxuriance in and 

 about New Haven.* The charming villages of New-Eng- 

 land, among which Northampton and Springfield are pre- 

 eminent, borrow from the superb and wonderfully luxuriant 

 elms, which decorate their fine streets and avenues, the 

 greater portion of their peculiar loveliness. The elm should 

 not be chosen where large groups and masses are required, as 

 the similitude of its form in different individuals, might then 

 create a monotony ; but, as we have before observed, it is 

 peculiarly well calculated for small groups, or as a single 



* The £reat elm of Boston Common is 22 feet in circumference. 



