PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 429 
As the elevation increases at the base of the Rockies and we reach 6,000 feet, 
the form changes—the broad leaf cottonwood disappears and the narrow leaved 
variety succeeds it. «Again at about 7,000 feet the aspen, Populus tremuloides, 
takes its place. 
The wood is soft, white, and at times roughs up under the workman’s plane, 
or the saw, and is not a favorite as lumber—although it is sometimes more easily 
worked and is used in place of Yellow Poplar for boards. 
The location in which it is grown has much to do with its character for lum- 
ber, whether grown rapidly, or otherwise. 
Some trees of known age have increased in girth almost seven inches each 
year, obtaining a height of sixty feet and girth of ninety-six inches in fourteen 
years. 
Considering the many qualities which the Cottonwood possesses, hardiness, 
rapid growth, enduring great extremes of dryness and excessive wet, being easily 
transplanted, readily obtained from wild thickets, making fair fuel and good lum- 
ber, this tree will always be a favorite for western planting, and, if planted in large 
quantities, with a systematic method, it would prove amply remunerative. 
One acre should contain 676 trees at eight feet apart, which would supply a 
farmer with fuel and much fencing after a few years. 
If far from coal deposits and some distance from railway station, a farmer 
may on one acre grow cottonwood trees for fuel in five or six years, and still have 
a permanent forest of that area. 
CAROLINA POPLAR FOR STREET TREES. 
The so-called Carolina poplar is a fraud upon the public, since it 1s only a cot- 
tonwood, with all the defects of this tree, all its insect enemies and innumerable 
iungoid diseases. It was given another name by designing men to impose upon 
the public. 
It is extremely unfortunate that the American people are not fully advised as 
to the worthless character of the cottonwood, under whatever name, as a street 
tree, for wherever the poplars will grow (except the aspen), other and better 
trees will succeed. 
The seriousness of the subject is seen when we realize that the oaks, elms, 
fine hard maples, sweet gum and other elegant trees are no longer planted, the 
cottonwood entirely taking their place, because of its fancied quick growth, which 
is its sole recommendation. 
For wood pulp the cottonwood will serve a good purpose and should be ex- 
tensively planted, but only on rich, moist, low-priced land, where it cannot fail to 
become profitable. 
Our illustration is from one of the best specimens in the entire country, few 
cottonwoods having so perfect a form. 
