[123] 



Dutch, tulpboom. English, the tulip tree. Portuguese, tulipeiro. 



USES. Until now the tulip tree has been regarded as just an ornamental tree. But it 

 could turn out to be very useful. The wood is white, light, supple, and takes on a fine 

 polish. It's made into furniture that resists infestation by worms. Canadians use the roots 

 of the tree to alleviate the bitterness of spruce beer and to give it a lemony flavor. M. de 

 Cubieres claims that a very well known distiller in Martinique used the root bark to 

 perfume her liqueurs and to give them a special flavor that has made them an outstanding 

 choice. 



CULTIVATION. The tree is propagated in the spring by planting seeds in heath 

 mold and covering them lightly. Ordinarily the seeds are procured from America, because 

 it's claimed that the ones from European tulip trees don't develop. Nevertheless at M. 

 Bellart's in Cercey I've seen saplings grown from the seeds of a beautiful tulip tree that 

 graces his park. During their first three or four years young tulip trees must be sheltered 

 in winter and only transplanted permanently when they are five or six feet tall. The tulip 

 tree thrives when it's apart on its own. It likes good quality fresh soil. The ground near it 

 should not be tilled to avoid exposing and damaging the roots, most of which extend 

 horizontally and are near the surface of the ground. 



The tulip tree planted at Monceau in 1754 was five feet six inches in 

 circumference when measured two feet above the ground in 1 784. When I measured it in 

 July 1822, it was six feet seven inches in circumference. It's claimed that there's yet 

 another very beautiful tree close to Nantes. 



KEY TO PLATE. 



1. Yellow, or cultivated tulip tree. 2. Stamens and pistil. 3. Intact capsule. 4. 

 Same, opened to reveal the seeds. 



