86 
FLORA AND SVLVA 
seen in the darker blossoms of a Dutch height, erect, and of rather slender 
parterre. This is sometimes varied by growth. It grows rapidly in good soil, 
a deeper or lighter shade, with some- with branches short in comparison with 
times an orange tint. When planted in its height, making a pyramidal head, 
the neighbourhood oi our fine Maples, Its range is from Connecticut to Florida, 
Ashes, and other trees remarkable for and west to Texas, attaining its greatest 
their autumnal colour, the effect in a size in the Mississippi Valley. Although 
warm, dry autumn is almost magical." a beautiful tree, it is not well known to 
It does not always turn a deep, purplish | American planters, and perhaps rarer 
red; indeedji have usually found it parti- I in cultivation here than in England, 
coloured, the deep red mingled with The flowers of the Sweet Gum appear 
tones of bronze, green, and orange. It in small heads, and are greenish-yellow 
varies much also in diflerent seasons, and inconspicuous, the sexes being apart 
for sometimes the foliage shrivels and ^ but upon the same tree. In moist, warm 
assumes dull shades of brown and yel- j soils it should be freely planted for its 
low; this was its character last fall — an beauty, and especially for its fine autumn 
unusually dry season. The light grey colour. DANSKE DANDRIDGE. 
bark forms corky ridges on the trunks j Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, 
of small trees, and on the branches of ^^^t Virginia, 
larger ones, and by this rugged appear- Our American correspondent does 
ance the tree may easily be distinguished i well to notice this handsome and 
in winter. It should be planted when neglected tree, seen too rarely in our 
small, and given a sheltered place in deep \ valley gardens and richly beautiful last 
and moist soil. It ought to do well in [ season in its autumn colour. We append 
the climate of the south of England, for I a few notes for the sake of intending 
it will not attain full size and beauty ; planters, though the best season for 
under uncongenial skies. Inour North- moving the Liquidambar is already past, 
ern States, though it lives it will not yield being quite early in October, even before 
its fragrance, nor its resin as under the the leaves have dropped. Anold planter 
warm southern sky. of wide experience finds this the best 
The wood of the Sweet gum is hard, time of all, and far before spring-plant- 
and reddish, but I do not know of its [ ing ; only young trees can be moved 
being put to any useful purpose, though \ with success, and these should be cut 
it will preserve woollens from the attacks ' back if the roots are much injured. The 
of moths. The tree is not injured by 1 tree is hardy in England and the south- 
insects, owing, perhaps, to the strongly west of Scotland, but its young shoots 
aromatic property of the leaves. Mr. ■ are often touched by frost from the 
Robert Ridgway speaks of a Sweet Gum j Tweed northwards. Being of brittle 
on the banks of the White River in wood, shelter should be found from 
Tennessee, as being i6o feet high; as rough winds, with as much sunlight 
usually seen, however, it is of medium as possible if fine colour is desired in 
