field. For this reason it can hardly be recommended as 
an ornamental; however, Besson's Locust (B. p. bessoniana) 
tends to produce far fewer root suckers, seems to be more 
f loriferious, and has much better growth habit. It, 
therefore, has a place as a lawn specimen. The Common 
Locust has one serious pest, a large beetle which bores 
holes in the trunk; very few specimens escape attack. 
Control is rather difficult and generally the tree lives 
on in spite of the innumerable large galleries dug out of 
the heartwood. 
MAGNOLIA 
Many of the most important ornamental plants belong 
to this genera. Without exception, the members of this 
family are famous for their flowering habit. Some of 
these are native forest trees, and some are introduced 
from the Orient. One of the largest is the Cucumber Tree 
{Magnolia acuminata) . This is a forest tree reaching 
ninety feet in height, growing from New York' to Arkansas. 
Of all the Magnolias, it has the least conspicuous 
flowers, being so well-hidden by the foliage, but the im- 
mense red seeds protruding from the pods are very attrac- 
tive in summer. It is" a superior lawn tree, with all the 
requirements of a good street tree, except that it would 
be unhappy along the more highly-developed boulevards. 
It could be grown in the outlying sections of town, and 
along the less important roads. The Umbrella Magnolia 
{M. tripe tala) only grows half as large as the foregoing, 
but it has enormous simple leaves. The flowers are much 
more conspicuous, and more heavily perfumed. It would be 
an excellent lawn tree, although it spreads too much for 
street use. The Sweet Bay (M. virginiana) has a wider 
distribution, and appears less critical of its surround- 
ings than any of the Magnolias. It can hardly be termed 
a tree, yet it grows far too tall for a shrub, and root 
suckers so habitually that it usually has the appearance 
of a shrub. The flowers are white and hidden by the foliage, 
but the plant has no serious pest, and it has a place in 
the wetter portions of a natural border, or screen plan - 
ing. The Bull Bay {M. grand i flora) is an immense 
Magnolia, growing every bit as tall as the largest tree 
in the South; it has achieved fame because of its connec- 
tion with romantic literature. The flowers are white, 
fragrant, and immense. Unfortunately, the plant is 
14 
