4 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



Boxelder, although a native and luxuriant tree of Brazos bottom, has 

 made but a slow growth on our soil. Its foliage assumes during the 

 summer a scorched or otherwise distressed appearance and generally 

 falls prematurely. This tree has been planted extensively for avenues 

 in our towns and for shade trees about residences in the country. It is 

 but seldom, however, that an imposing effect is obtained. It is a fast 

 growth even on our soil when young, but soon reaches its zenith and 

 commences a rapid- decline. The foliage, which loses its compactness in 

 midsummer, is too pale for proper effect in our bright light; and, as 

 the wood is brittle, it is also liable to damage by wind. 



China Tree, or Umbrella China tree (Melia Azedaracli, L.), seems to 

 be well adapted to our soil and climate. Its growth, when young, is 

 very rapid; its dark green and dense foliage remains fresh until late in 

 the fall. The beauty is, however, of sort duration, for the wood is so 

 brittle that, when full-grown, the branches break down through their 

 own weight, leaving the trunk as an unsightly stump, which is con- 

 stantly sending out coarse water sprouts. 



The China tree has been planted on these grounds both for avenues 

 and shade trees in the houseyards. For the last purpose it may serve 

 for a few years, when more suitable trees can not be obtained, or refuse 

 to grow. 



Catalpa. -C. bignoniodides and C. speciosa have both existed on our 

 campus for about twenty years. The largest specimens will scarcely 

 measure 20 feet in height. Though showy at the time of flowering, the 

 CaLilpa is not an ornamental plant. All the specimens on our grounds 

 are scarcely more than cripples, which lose most of their foliage before 

 September. 



We have had a like experience with the Empress tree (Powlonia 

 emperiales, Siel and Zuca). A small tree, native of China, similar to 

 the Catalpa, but with larger leaves and even more showy flowers. This 

 tree is very sensitive to late frosts, on which account our specimens 

 were finally lost. 



Elms. The following species were planted during 1889 and 1891: 

 English elm (Ulmus campastris, L.) ; Scotch elm '(U. Montana, L.) ; 

 American White elm (U. Americana, L.) ; Slippery elm (U. fuelva, 

 Michx.) ; Corky-winged or Small-leaved elm (U. alata, Michx.). The 

 two first species are native of Europe, the next two are typical of the 

 Northern States, and the last is native of our own locality. 



A single suffering specimen is left of U. campastris; U. Montana 

 and U. fulva are dead several years ago. U. Americana is the great 

 elm that lends such a grace and charm to the New England towns and 

 villages, where its ample branches lock high above the streets and 

 cottages, forming in the summer a dense canopy of green; whilst the 

 tops equal the church towers. This elm seldom reaches that propor- 

 tion and beauty in the South, being generally inferior both in size and 

 beauty to our Sweet gums, Black gum (Nysa sylvatica, March), Tupelo 

 (N. aquatica, L.), and our oaks associated with it in our alluvial bot- 

 toms. 



On the College campus, extensive avenues were planted with this 

 tree in 1891. Some of the thriftiest specimens may reach 35 feet in 

 height, but all are now on the decline, as shown by the numerous dead 

 twigs in the tops and early loss of foliage. 



