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Book III. 



SOFT-WOODED TREES. 



993 



7135. The abele-tree, P. alba. (Eng. Bot. 1618.) {fig. 677. a) 

 The variety called the hoary poplar is distinguished from the 

 common wild, abele by its larger three, four, or five lobed 

 leaves, dark above and downy under, and by the young shoot* 

 having a purple bark covered with white down. It is a rapid- 

 growing tree, speedily attaining great bulk of timber, a height 

 of 60 or 70 feet, and great extent of branches. The P. vistu- 

 lensis seems a variety of this tree ; and on the banks of the 

 Vistula, particularly at Villeneuve, near Warsaw, grows to 

 upwards of 100 feet high, with a clean trunk and ample head. 



7136. The common black poplar (P. nigra) {Eng. Bot. 1910.) 

 {fig. 677. b) is a native tree, of lofty growth, distinguished by 

 its light-green leaves, lightly notched on the edges, and 

 ash-colored bark. It is, by some, considered a mere 

 variety of the alba, and for the purposes of profit may be so 

 considered. 



7137. The trembling poplar {P. tremula) {fig. 677. c) and 

 the common poplar {P. canescens) {d) are hardy natives ; but 

 being of less rapid growth than the species mentioned, are 

 little cultivated as timber-trees. The common poplar in the 

 northern counties may be frequently seen in a pollard state 

 in hedges, where it furnishes lop for fuel, and sometimes for 

 handles to hay-rakes, &c. 



7138. The Lombardy poplar (P. dilatata) grows to a lofty 

 tree, occupies little space, and is not very injurious by its 

 shade. It will not thrive, however, in exposed situations, or in very indifferent soils. Some of the 

 largest trees of this species are at Blenheim. Sang and Nicol say it seldom thrives in Scotland. 



7139. The black Italian poplar (P. dilatata, var.) of the northern nurseries, so strongly recommended 

 by Pontey, is thus described by him, by comparison with a Lombardy poplar. " The leaves of both are 

 very much alike in color, shape, and turn, the only difference being in the latter producing them somewhat 

 larger than the former, though not near so large as the other poplars, whose leaves are of similar shape. 

 The branches of the latter grow much less erect, and likewise much thinner upon the stem. The only 

 other distinction necessary is the bark, which, on a stem or branch of from two to four or five years' 

 growth, is always found smoother, and of a much darker color than any of the poplars that are at all like 

 it in other respects." He says it was first sent to Scotland from America, and disseminated by Dicksons 

 and Co. of Hassendean-burn. Sang says, " many have ventured to assert, that it is merely a play on the 

 vanity of possessing new sorts, and that it is not really distinct from those formerly cultivated." Pontey 

 says, he measured, in December, 1813, " a tree growing in the garden of Richard Atkinson, of Hudders- 

 field, which has been planted twenty-five years, being then about six feet high ; the height is now about 

 sixty feet, and contains forty-six feet of good timber. It grows on the side of a garden where the soil is 

 light, and about a foot deep, upon a very coarse gravel, having been formerly a water-course." We could 

 never find any poplar in general cultivation, or wild, in Italy, but the Lombardy and alba, and occasionally 

 in elevated moist places in the Alps and Apennines, the tremula. 



7140. The black Athenian {P. gra^ca), black America* or birch-leaved {P.betnlifolia), the Canadian (P. 

 monilifera), and Carolina poplars (P. angulata), are all rapid-growing lofty trees, which, in favorable soils 

 and sheltered situations, speedily produce great bulk of head and timber; but the hoary and the black 

 Italian appear the best for the general purposes of the profitable planter. They are all short-lived tree* j 

 flower in March and April, and ripen their seeds from a fortnight to a month afterwards. 



7141. Use. The wood being soft is used by the sculptor, tanner, and toymaker, and also occasionally 

 by the cabinet and musical-instrument maker, as a substitute for that of the lime. But no limited appli- 

 cation of poplar-timber, like the above, can be depended on by the profitable planter, and, therefore, the 

 safest way is to consider it as useful for the common purposes of domestic and rural economy, and more 

 likely to afford profit from bulk than quality. The bark of the black is so astringent, Sang states, as to be 

 used for tan. Alluding to the black Italian sort, Pontey says, " In that sort of planting which perhaps 

 may be considered a most of all profitable, namely, that which adds to the comfort and consequence, and, 

 of course, the value of a place, previously scantily furnished with that important appendage, wood, this 

 tree is excellent ; as, in judicious hands, it may be made to produce very considerable effects, while many 

 others (highly esteemed) would produce them in prospect only. In short, for distant scenery, where wood, 

 not species, is the immediate object, this plant, hitherto in many places a stranger, is clearly superior to 

 all the family of the forest." Of the timber of the hoary poplar, he says, Lord Sheffield " has lately made 

 some floors, which, in appearance, are superior to any floor I have seen, whether of deal or oak ; and, as 

 to durability, I see no reason to doubt of that, if the density and weight of the article be considered, in 

 connection with such testimonies as books afford relative to the point Floors, however, are only one of 

 the many inferior purposes for which it is applicable ; as it is certainly proper for almost every article of 

 furniture usually made of mahogany. For the lighter descriptions of it, now so fashionable, it may be 

 made a very good substitute, without any other addition to the natural color of its heart than the means 

 cabinet-makers generally resort to, in order to heighten the color of such wood ; and with respect to the 

 sap, and where more of color is required, the aquafortis stain will instantaneously produce it, so far as that 

 it would be difficult to distinguish it from real mahogany. Indeed, it is equal to the best in color and 

 smoothness of surface, and much superior to the plain or inferior sorts in those respects, as well as in 

 transparency and variety ; and it has the further advantage 

 over mahogany, and most other woods, that it takes but little 

 of either oil or rubbing, to produce upon it the sort of mel- 

 low shining surface, so much admired in furniture that has 

 been some years subjected to proper attention." Of poplars 

 and willows in general, he observes, " were we but half as well 

 apprised of the various purposes to which their timber might be 

 properly applied, as we are of the quickness of their growth, I 

 am persuaded they would then be considered as subjects worthy 

 of general attention." 



7142. Natural soil and situation. None of the sorts men- 

 tioned are ever found wild in very poor soils, but generally in 

 such as are deep and moist, but not springy ; by rivers and in 

 bottoms, where the soil has accumulated from the surround- 

 ing heights, or alluvial deposits have taken place, for ages, 

 poplars are found in the greatest perfection. 



7143. The willow. Salix, L. Dicec. Monan. L. 

 and Amentacece, J. Saule, Fr. ; Weidenbaum, Ger.; 

 Salici, Ital. There are two species which seem 

 more immediately to merit cultivation as timber-trees, 

 and several as fit for cultivating in osier-grounds. 



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