322 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



they increased in size, would soon meet, without interference, 

 while the wire-work would render them impenetrable. How 

 infinitely must such a belt, always increasing in beauty, and 

 requiring no labor, surpass the unnatural formality of a clipped 

 hedge ! Besides, it ought always to be considered that in 

 every place where a tree will do as well as a shrub, the for- 

 mer is to be preferred, because the tree in hundreds of points 

 is more valuable and more beautiful than the shrub. 



The wood of the Arborvitae, like that of the two preceding 

 species, is valued for its durability, being also very light, soft 

 and fine-grained, of reddish color, and odorous like cedar. 

 Hence it is adapted to most of the purposes for which the 

 cedar is used, when it is of sufficient size. It is commonly 

 used only for posts and fences, which will outlast those made 

 of almost any other timber. 



P. S. Since these remarks were written, we learn from 

 the Chicago Press, that the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 

 pany have contracted for the planting of locust trees on each 

 side of the Illinois Central Railroad, over a space of one hun- 

 dred and twenty miles. Their object is to raise trees that 

 will furnish ties in the place of those which shall have de- 

 cayed. Were every railroad company to imitate this exam- 

 ple, and to take measures to plant a sufficient quantity of 

 trees annually, to supply, after a certain time, the place of the 

 timber they consume, the curse which, as I have prophesied, 

 might be invoked upon the steam engine by our posterity, 

 may be changed into a blessing ; and they may likewise owe 

 to railroad companies the first magnificent examples of mak- 

 ing extensive timber plantations. 



OUR ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



by the editor. 



5. The Tulip Tree, (Liriodendron tulipifera, L.) 



No trees, unless we except the magnolias, of any clime, 

 excel in magnificence the Tulip. In the grandeur of its 



