WILLOW FAMILY 



whence it was introduced into Europe. Pliny makes no 

 mention of it which indicates that it was not known in Italy 

 in his time. 



Although not long-lived it has become thoroughly domes- 

 ticated with us. By the middle of April the catkins are 

 drooping from all our native poplars and the Lombardy is 

 not to be left behind. The Abele or White Poplar, indeed, 

 hung out its plumes first of all, but now the Lombardy ap- 

 pears bearing hers — or rather his for they are all staminate 

 — on the topmost branches of the tree. So high are they 

 that it is difficult to get them ere they fall. They appear oh 

 the second year's wood and come out stiff and curved and 

 reddish brown but, by and by, like all their kind they droop, 

 and casting their useless pollen to the wind they pass away. 



The leaves come out from the bud a lovely yellow green, 

 become firm and darker as the days go by and flutter on ap- 

 pressed stems all summer long, turning in autumn to a rich 

 golden yellow. 



The following quotation given by Loudon from the Gen- 

 tleman's Magazine shows the estimation in which the Lom- 

 bardy Poplar was held in his day : 



The Lombardy Poplar, considered as a tall conical mass of foliage, be- 

 comes of great importance in scenery when contrasted with round-headed trees. 

 It is a known rule, in the composition of landscape that all horizontal lines should 

 be balanced and supported by perpendicular ones ; hence a bridge displaying 

 a long and conspicuous horizontal line, has its effect greatly increased by pop- 

 lars planted on each end of it. Lombardy Poplars may be advantageously 

 planted whenever there is a continuance of horizontal lines, but they should be 

 so arranged as to form part of those lines and to seem to grow out of them , rather 

 than to break or oppose them in too abrupt a manner. In the case of a stable 

 or other agricultural building where the principal mass extends m length rather 

 than in height it would be wrong to plant Lombardy Poplars or other tall fasti- 

 giate trees immediately before the building, but they will have a good effect 

 when placed at the sides or behind it. 



This poplar or some equally fastigiate tree should appear in all plantations 

 and belts that are made with a view to picturesque effect. Masses of round- 

 headed trees, though they might be seen to advantage in some situations, when 

 grouped with other objects, yet, when contemplated by themselves are quite un- 

 interesting, from their dull and monotonous appearance, but add poplars and 

 you immediately create an interest and give a certain character to the group 

 which it did not before possess. 



434 



