FOREST TREES. 97 
curved pod, which remains on the tree till spring. 
The tree takes its name from the use of its seeds as a 
substitute for coffee. For propagation, they are sown 
early in spring. Cuttings of the roots are also used 
for this purpose. They are cut two or three inches 
long, and placed in boxes of earth, with the larger 
end near the surface, and very early in spring the ° 
boxes are placed in bottom heat in a propagating 
house or hot bed. When rooted, they are planted in 
open ground. 
HALESIA—SNOW DROP TREE, SILVER BELL. 
Natural Order, Styracacee. 
Calyx, four-toothed, superior; corolla, four-cleft, 
twisted to the left; nut, winged, two-seeded. 
Halesia tetraptera—Silver Beil. 
Leaves, oblong-ovate; fruit, four-winged. 
The Silver Bell is found in the upper part of Vir- 
ginia, on the banks of the Ohio, and southward. It 
sometimes grows to the height of forty or fifty feet, 
but is usually smaller. It is valued only as an orna- 
mental tree, for which purpose it is one of the most — 
desirable. It produces a profusion of its white, bell- 
shaped flowers, even when quite small. It is hardy 
in Illinois as far north as latitude 42°, and probably 
beyond. The seed is contained in a four-winged 
capsule, very hard and bony. It may be sown in the 
fall, or kept moist till spring, but will not always 
germinate till the second year. I have usually found 
the seed from small plants worthless. 
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