J 78 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



to its value as an interesting tree, at that period of the 

 year.* 



The seeds vegetate freely, and the tree is usually propaga- 

 ted in that manner. It prefers a rich strong soil, like most 

 trees of the western states. 



The Willow Tree. Salix. 



Nat. Ord. Salicaceae. Lin. Syst. Dioecia, Diandria. 



A very large genus, comprising plants of almost every 

 stature, from minute shrubs of three or four inches in height, 

 to lofty and wide-spreading trees of fifty or sixty feet.f 

 They are generally remarkable for their narrow leaves, and 

 slender, round, and flexible branches. 



There are few of these willows which are adapted to add 

 to the beauty of artificial scenery ; but among them are 

 three or four trees, which from their peculiar character de- 

 serve especial notice. These are the Weeping or Babylonian 

 willow, [Salix Bahylonica ;) the White or Huntington wil- 

 low, (^S*. alba ;) the Golden willow, (S. vitellina ;) the Russell 

 willow, {S. Riisselliana ;) and the profuse Flowering willow, 

 (^S*. caprea.) 



The above are all foreign sorts, which however, (except 

 the last,) have long ago been introduced, and are now quite 

 common in the United States. All of them, except the first, 

 have an upright or wavy, spreading growth, and form lofty 

 trees, considerably valued abroad for their timber. The 

 White willow, and the Russell willow are very rapid in their 



* There are some very fine specimens upon the lawn at Dr. Hosack's seat, 

 HvJe Park, N. Y. which have fruited for a number of years. See Fig. 21. 



I Dr. Barratt ofMiddletown, Conn., who has paid great attention to the wil- 

 low, enumerates 100 species as growing in North America, either indigenous or 

 introduced. 



