WILLOW FAMILY 



whence it was introduced into Europe. Pliny makes no 

 mention of it whicli 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 Lonibardy 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 ai'e 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 on 

 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 op- 

 pressed stems all summer long, turning in au'umn to a rich 

 golden yellow. 



The following quotation given by I^oudon from the Gcii- 

 ileiiians Mai^azine shows the estimation in which the Lom- 

 bardy I^jplar 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 lialanced and supported by perpendicular ones ; hence a Ijridge displaying 

 a long and conspicuous horizontal line, has its effect greatly increased l)y pop- 

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

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

 so arranged as to form part of those lines .and to seem to gi'ow out ol them, rather 

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

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

 than in height it wuuld be wrijng to plant Lombardy Pophars or other tall fasti- 

 giate trees nninediately before the building, but lliey will have a good effect 

 when placed at llie sides or Vjchind it. 



This poplar or some equally fastigiate tree should ap]3ear 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 Cjuite un- 

 interesting, from their dull and monotonous appearance, but add popl.ars and 

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

 which it did not before possess. 



434 



