338 TREES. 



China to Europe in 1*790 and it is now quite frequently seen in 

 our gardens. 



There is another species ( M. gracilis), the slender-growing mag- 

 nolia, which very nearly resembles the purple flowering magnolia 

 and indeed only differs from it in its more slender growth, and nar- 

 rower leaves and petals. 



If these noble flowering trees have a defect, it is one which is 

 inseparable from the early period at which they bloom, viz., that of 

 having few or no leaves when the blossoms are in their full perfec- 

 tion. To remedy this, a very obvious mode is to plant them with 

 evergreen trees, so that the latter may form a dark green back- 

 ground for the large and beautiful masses of magnolia flowers. 

 The American arbor vitse, and hemlock, seem to us best fitted for 

 this purpose. To those of our readers who do not already possess 

 the Chinese magnolia, and more especially the two first named sorts, 

 it is impossible to recommend two trees, that may now be had at 

 most of our large nurseries, which are in every respect so ornamen- 

 tal in their symmetrical growth, rich blossoms, and fine summer 

 foliage, as the Chinese magnolias. 



