i6 The Rural Library. 



rapid upright growth, has very rough bark, stiff blunt shoots and 

 feathery foUage of a bluish green color. It is very hardy and thrives 

 best in a deep, rich soil. It is easy to transplant if nursery-grown 

 stock is obtained, and should be planted more extensively. Its shade 

 is thin but grateful. It bears very large bean-like pods. Sometrees 

 are entirely staminate-flowered and produce no seeds. 



K^Larch is a name applied to the various species of the genus Larix, 

 wljich is one of the pine or cone-bearing family, although the larches, 

 like the bald cypress, are deciduous trees. The native larch or tam- 

 arack [Lari-v Americana) inhabits swamps, but in cultivation it 

 thrives in most any moist soil. The European larch ( Larix Euro- 

 pad ) is a broader and shorter tree, which thrives upon dry soils. Both 

 species are occasionally seen on road- sides, where they make good 

 effects. A clump of the tamarack in low places on the road preserves 

 the natural look of the country and makes a pleasing contrast with 

 the commoner road trees. 



/^^Linden, basswood or lime tree ( Tiiia) is a beautiful genus, and de- 

 serves more attention than it receives. The trees are of rapid growth, 

 beautiful habit and useful for soft timber as well as for ornament. 

 The flowers, which are borne in profusion in late spring or early sum- 

 mer, are very sweet and handsome and attractive to bees. The or- 

 namental-leaved and ornamental-barked varieties are all forms of 

 Tilia Europaa, the European linden. These named varieties are very 

 useful for home grounds, but for street trees the common wild bass- 

 wood ( T. Americana ) is probably the best, although the European 

 linden is very generally planted in the east. There is little difference 

 in foliage between the two. All the lindens or basswoods cast deep 

 and quiet shade, and are valuable for this reason. They thrive upon 

 most soils, although the moister ones are better. 



1/^Locust or acacia ( Robinia ) makes a good shade tree, and is very 

 handsome when in bloom. The common or flowering locust (^K. 

 Pseudacacia) is valuable for its timber, and is a rapid-growing tree of 

 good form. It has large panicles of white or yellowish blossoms, 

 which are very sweet scented. The rose or moss locust {R. hispida) is 

 a shrub of spreading, irregular growth, and bears elegant clusters of 

 rose-colored flowers during June and at intervals throughout the 

 season. The honey locust, or three-thorned acacia ( Gleditschia 



