186 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



of a large forest tree. When these fall, they are succeeded 

 by bean-like capsules or seed-vessels, which grow ten or 

 twelve inches long, become brown, and hang pendant upon 

 the branches during the greater part of the winter. 



The Catalpa never, or rarely, takes a symmetrical form 

 when growing up ; but generally forms a wide-spreading 

 head, forty or fifty feet in diameter. Its large and abundant 

 foliage affords a copious shade, and its growth is quite rapid^ 

 soon forming a large and bulky tree. In ornamental planta- 

 tions it is much valued on account of its superb and showy 

 flowers, and is therefore deserving a place in every lawn. 

 It is generally seen to best advantage when standing alone, 

 but it may also be mingled with other large round-leaved 

 trees, as the basswood, etc., when it produces a very pleasing 

 effect. The branches are rather brittle, like those of the locust, 

 and are therefore somewhat liable to be broken by the wind. 

 Accustomed to a warmer climate, the leaves expand late in 

 the spring, and wither hastily when frost approaches ; but 

 the soft tint of their luxuriant vegetation is very grateful to 

 the eye, and it appears to be uninjured by the hottest rays of 

 summer. 



We have seen the Catalpa employed to great advantage in 

 fixing and holding up the loose soil of river banks, where, 

 if planted, it will soon insinuate its strong roots, and retain 

 the soil firmly. In Ohio, experiments have been made with 

 the timber for the posts used in fencing ; and it is stated on 

 good authority that it is but little inferior, when well sea- 

 soned, to that of the locust in durability. 



Michaux mentions that he has been assured that the ho- 

 n^y collected from the flowers is poisonous ; but this we are 

 inclined to doubt ; or at least, we have witnessed no ill effects 

 from planting it in abundance in the middle states, in those 



