Sli THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



habits of growth ; that of the weeping variety, B. alba var, 

 pendula, is much cultivated. In some places it is almost na- 

 turally as abundant as the varieties with upright branches. 



The Alder is a neglected family ; few species being gene- 

 rally met with in cultivation. 



The Nut-tree, Cori/lus, although properly belonging to 

 the orchard or fruit-garden, should nevertheless be always 

 planted in a collection of trees. Their habit of growth, and 

 their growing in the shade, render them useful in this depart- 

 ment, as underwood in the arboratum, where it is wished to 

 blend picturesque beauty with scientific arrangement. 



Salisburia. — Of this genus we have but one species, 

 S adianti/olia, a native of Japan. With us, in favorable situ- 

 ations, it becomes a tree of the third class, and is extremely 

 interesting; the foliage being so singularly divided. Fine 

 specimens of this tree are to be seen in the grounds of the 

 Mile-End nursery. 



The Plane-tree attains a considerable size with us, and 

 is very ornamental. The Platanus orientalis and P. occi- 

 dentaUs are described as growing to an amazing size ; the 

 latter is a native of America, where it has been known to at- 

 tain the circumference of forty feet at five feet from the ground ; 

 and T. Andre Michaux measured one of still greater dimen- 

 sions, and in full growth. These trees are, from their rapid 

 growth and fine general outline, highly ornamental ; but they 

 require a good soil, and one that is neither too thin nor too 

 dry. 



The Maple family are a very ornamental tribe of trees. The 

 Acer campestre, common maple, has long been valued, on ac- 

 count of its timber and quick growth. The sycamore, A. 

 psei/do-platatiNs, is also a magnificent tree of the first class ; 

 the wood of which is both beautiful and useful. The sugar 

 maple, A. sacc/tarhium, is an extremely hardy tree, and is 

 found to prosper in Canada under the most rigorous cold, in 

 lat. 48^, nearly corresponding in temperature to lat. 67° in 

 the north of Europe. The juice is also converted into excel- 

 lent vinegar, in the usual manner practised by vinegar manu- 

 facturers. Sugar is also obtained from the juice in consider- 

 able quantities (hence the name). Some years ago, the Prince 



