312 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
LOMBARDY POPLARS. 
'"pHERE is something about the Lombardy Poplar 
that makes it a general favorite, and extremely 
useful in semi-formal landscape effects. It is a tree 
that seems to blend well with its surroundings, and 
yet to be quite a contrast to most of our native trees, 
especially in outline. 
On almost every place, however small, there is a po- 
sition that will be improved by one or more, either 
to improve the skyline, soften the sharp corners of a 
building, or screen out some objectionable view. In 
closely built up sections it is a general favorite for the 
latter purpose. It is occasionally used as a street tree. 
Cotiitcsy Katioual Kurseiynian. 
Lombardy Poplar {Paptilus fasli^iata.) 
and on a narrow street it really produces a wonderful 
effect, .\fter the everpresent monotony of the streets 
lined with Norway Maples, to come across one planted 
with Lombardies is quite a relief and looks almost like 
a visit to a foreign country. On large estates it is not 
at all uncommon to find very beautiful eft'ects where 
they are planted to line walks and create vistas, such 
as is shown in the picture. 
Every tree has its good and bad points. The worst 
that can be said about the Lombardv is that it is short 
lived, usually reaching its maturity within twenty 
years and in many localities dying out within that time. 
but against this it is very rapid growing, rapidly re- 
sponding to good treatment. 
It is a tree that does not seem to rob the ground, 
it being possible to grow other plants right up to the 
base of the trunk. Note the Iris in the picture. With 
what other tree would it be possible to have such a dis- 
play of bloom right at the base ? 
The same result may be noted when growing very 
close or even in a hedge. The detrimental effect on the 
hedge is very slight as compared \\ ith most other kinds 
of trees. 
Professor J. G. Sanders, Harrisburg, Pa., reports a 
newly introduced poplar canker whicli, threatens to be 
a serious menace. It is to be hoped sincerely that the 
fears will be unfounded as it would be difficult to dis- 
pense with such an ornamental tree in landscape ef- 
fects. The tree that would make a good substitute, 
having the same general outline, is a form of the 
Ginkgo, Salisburia adiantifolia. 
Many of the older trees to be seen growing in the 
different parts of the country have a spreading habit 
and this is the form usually ascribed to the Ginkgo. 
There is some doubt if there is a fastigiate form or if 
it is merely variable in habit, according to conditions 
and treatment. — Xationa! A'lirservman. 
LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
'T"HE plants of Lily of the Valley are perfectly hardy, 
and will grow well in either a shady or sunny 
situation. They do especially well in a rather deep, 
moist soil, but will thrive also in a sandy, rather dry loam. 
The plants may be obtained either in the fall or spring, 
and planted out where you wish them to grow. A sin- 
gle plant will soon stool out and become a clump, and 
one dozen pips set a foot apart in a bed, will quickly 
become a mass of plants that will bloom freely every 
season. In setting the pips allow the tip to be at the 
surface of the soil. The plants root freely, and are not 
readily troubled by drouth. About almost every home 
there are shady nooks where scarcely anything else 
will grow. In such places the Lily of the Valley can 
be planted advantageously, as the plants will make a 
bed of green throughout the season, and during the 
spring the racemes of fragrant, bell-shaped flowers 
will be freely produced. The bed should be reset once 
in three or four years, or as soon as they crowd each 
other to such an extent as to interfere with the devel- 
opment of the flowers. — Park's Floral Magazine. 
NOTES ON MULCHING 
{Continued from page 311.) 
lawns, wdiich is short and lies close, is better than long, 
coarse grass. But, even the latter, and trimmings 
from hedge banks, should be used. When all such ma- 
terial is cleared away, it must be burned, and the ashes 
returned, in a dry state to the soil, to those plants most 
benefited by applications of potash. 
Tree leaves, gathered up last autumn, are splendid 
for mulches, but as the top ones soon get dry and are 
blown about, a small quantity of ordinary soil should 
be sprinkled on them. Eventuall}', burn these leaves 
with the haulm of peas, beans, or potatoes. 
Of course, the best mulch for fruit trees and flower- 
ing plants, too, is one of half-rotted manure from the 
stables or cow sheds. For flowers and choice plants 
generally, sifted leaf-soil, with a little ordinary soil or 
well-rotted manure, are the best materials. 
