SPRING-FLOWERING TREES.— THE MAGNOLIAS. 



By P. Barry, Rochester, N.Y. 



In our Northern climate, where the winters are nearly six months in du- 

 ration, the flowers of spring have a peculiarly gladdening influence upon 

 those who possess a love for gardens, and especially for trees. It seems 

 to me, too, that, as we grow older, we feel this influence the more. Winters 

 seem longer. Spring seems more tardy in her approach ; and the long- 

 looked-for and hoped-for flowers of spring send a thrill of joy to the heart, 

 which, year by year, is, I think, more clearly felt. 



With us the Chinese magnolias are the first and the finest of spring- 

 flowering trees. 



Since the first of May, they have been expanding their flowers on the 

 leafless branches, until now they are solid masses of flowers. 



A group yonder, a single tree here, scattered about the lawn, they are 

 objects of constant admiration, eliciting praises the most extravagant. 



The newspapers are making note of them as objects worthy of public 

 attention ; and I see mention made this evening of a tree in the garden of 



