14 77?!? Rural Library. 



Australia, it often grows to a higlit of 300 feet, and although a rapid 

 grower, has hard, durable wood. In California and the southern 

 states it is popular. 



//Box elder (^Negundo aceroidcs, or Acer Negundo) is perhaps the 

 most rapid growing native tree which is hardy in the north. The tree 

 is especially valuable in the prairies, where it is planted more largely 

 than any other tree. It is extremely hardy. The leaves resemble 

 those of the ash, and it is often called ash-leaved maple. It is adapted 

 to streets, and is sometimes uied in lawns, but it is a cheap-lookint; 

 tree, and there is danger of over planting it. 



I^Catalpas are rapid-growing, tropical looking trees, that are often 

 grown for their dense shade and their flowers, which are borne in pro- 

 fusion in July, when other trees are not in bloom. One of the best is 

 C. bignonioides ( syn. C. syringdfolia ), a native of the south and a rapid- 

 growing, showy tree. C. speciosa is a finer, hardier tree and better 

 adapted for extensive planting in the north. Catalpas thrive in almost 

 any rich, porous soil. 



Cherries, especially the native black or rum cherry ( Prunus serotina) 

 are useful for street and shade trees. The wild black cherry is one 

 of the most attractive native trees, attaining a large size and growing 

 very rapidly. The sweet or mazzard cherry (^Primus Avium') has run 

 wild in many parts of the east. These mazzards often make trees 

 two feet and more in diameter, and are hardy and valuable. The sour 

 oi/morello cherries are too low for street trees. 



/ Elm (Uimus) ranks with the oak and maple in statelinessof growth. 

 As the oak is called the king of the forest, the elm might be styled the 

 queen of the field. The tall, broadly waving branches cover a large 

 area, and trees 100 feet high are common. The American or weeping 

 elm ( Uhnus Americana ) is probably the handsomest of our American 

 trees. The majority of ornamental kinds are varieties of the English 

 elm ( L/. campestris). The elm does well in a variety of soils, but a 

 moist, deep rich one is best suited to its rapid growth and perfect de- 

 velopment. There are three species native to the eastern states, of 

 which the best is the common American elm mentioned above. This 

 runs into a great variety of forms, which, however, do not always in- 

 dicate their characteristic features when young. The so-called water 

 elm, swamp elm, rock elm, white elm, etc., are al mere forms of this 



