FEBRUARY. 93 



The pitch pine is found on the greater part of the Atlantic 

 coast of the United States, from Maine to Carolina, increasing 

 in size as it grows farther south. In respect to range, it dif- 

 fers materially from the white pine ; the one extending across 

 the continent east and west, the other north and south, on the 

 sandy regions of the coast. Its valuable qualities are dura- 

 bility, and the power of being alternately wet and dry with- 

 out damage. Hence, it is useful for ship timber, for flooring, 

 for pipes, pumps and water wheels. It is also a valuable tree 

 for planting on dry sandy plains, and by the sea-side, as it is 

 not injured by occasional contact with salt water. Mr. Em- 

 erson recommends " that this tree be planted on the extensive 

 sands of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and some other parts, which 

 are not only utterly barren and unproductive, but, by being 

 blown about by the winds, are a serious inconvenience to the 

 habitations of man, and threaten to overwhelm the cultivated 

 spots in their vicinity." A similar species of pine was plant- 

 ed for this purpose, in 1789, on the downs of Gascony, in 

 France, in connection with the seeds of the broom, (Genista 

 scoparia,) to arrest the sands, and keep them from drifting. 

 These plantations now consist of tall and thrifty trees, very 

 productive of tar and turpentine, and valuable for timber ; 

 and Decandolle remarks, that he has botanized in these for- 

 ests, which, twenty years before, were but a waste of drifting 

 sands. 



OUR ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



by the editor. 



1. The Ginkgo Tree. (Salisburia adiantifolia.) 



We have already announced our intention of describing 

 and illustrating several of the more rare and little known 

 kinds of ornamental trees, which are well worthy a promi- 

 nent place in every pleasure ground, or in every plantation 

 for picturesque eff"ect. Rich as our country is naturally in 

 the possession of the grandest trees, and rendered still richer 



