WILLOW FAMILY 
whence it was introduced into Europe. Pliny makes no 
mention of it which indicates that 1t 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 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 ap- 
pressed stems all summer long, turning in au*umn to a rich 
golden yellow. 
The following quotation given by Loudon from the Gen- 
Heman’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 knownrule, 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 ofa stable 
or other agricultural building where the principal mass extends in 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 pliced 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 
