96 REPORT OF THE 



Near the main or plaza entrance the quercus cerris pendula, 

 or weeping oak. is the only one of its kind in the park. It is 

 five inches in diameter and over twenty feel in height. 



Fagus pendula, or weeping beech, a very fine specimen, is at 

 the road steps near the main entrance on the west drive. It 

 is about thirty feet high and is well furnished from the ground 

 to the top. Near the same vicinity is a fine specimen of 

 gynmocladus cannadensis, or Kentucky coffee tree— the only 

 species of this genus growing in the United States. It is 

 found from Canada and Western New York to Louisiana, and 

 grows only on the richest soils. It is a beautiful and lofty 

 tree, but slender in proportion to its height. The wood of the 

 coffee tree is of a rosy color, finely grained, compact, strong 

 and durable, and very suitable for cabinet work. The barren 

 and fertile flowers are produced on different trees. The seeds 

 are large and grow in a large curved pod which remains on 

 the tree until Spring. This tree takes its name from the use 

 of its seeds as a substitute for coffee. 



They are propagated by cuttings from the root, and seeds 

 sown early in the Spring. The seeds should be soaked in 

 warm water for twenty-four hours before planting. 



The maples on the park are very fine and of great variety, 

 many of which are to be found near the main entrance. 



The acer pseudo platanus, or sycamore maple ; acer 

 negundo, or ash-leaved maple; acerrubrum colchicum, or red 

 maple ; acer dasycarpum, or silver-leaf maple ; acer compe- 

 stris, or English field maple ; acer saccharinum, or sugar 

 maple : acer platanoides, or Norway maple ; acer saccharinum 

 nigra, or black sugar maple ; and acer rubruin, or swamp 

 maple ; all grow well, and many are exceptional for their size 

 and vigor. 



The acer saccharinum, or sugar maple, is by far the most 

 valuable species of its genus. 



This species is often found of the height of seventy feet, 

 with a diameter of three feet. 



The wood is hard, heavy and strong, but not durable when 

 exposed to the weather ; but, as fuel, it ranks next to hickory. 



