THE MAGNOLIA, ITS VARIETIES AND CULTIVATION. 
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such as to urge the development of the 
blossoms in spring, as they are liable to be 
cut off by early frosts. Owing to this cir- 
cumstance, it is only against a wall that the 
plant will display its greatest beauty. There 
are some varieties, of which the most de- 
sirable is — 
31. c. Soulangeana, which to the habit and 
character of its parent species adds beautiful 
large blossoms, more or less tinged with 
purple. 
Magnolia purpurea, Sims (purple-flowered 
Magnolia). ■ — A deciduous shrub, growing 
when exposed, in the neighbourhood of Lon- 
don, to the height of from three to six feet, or, 
planted against a wall, it will reach twelve or 
fifteen feet in height, and sometimes more ; 
the leaves are obovate, and almost smooth, 
and the blossoms, of six ovate slightly incurved 
petals, are white within, and purple on the 
outside, fading to white at the tips. Flowers 
from March to May. Native of Japan.. In- 
troduced in 1790. The leaves become black 
in autumn. This species is very ornamental, 
especially when planted against a wall, but 
the blossoms require fine weather at the time 
of their development, or they become damaged 
and decay, to the disfigurement of the plant. 
It well deserves a wall. There are some in- 
teresting varieties, as — 
31. p. gracilis, which differs in having 
paler and narrower leaves, longer and more 
slender flowei's, the petals slightly reflexed at 
the points, and entirely dark purple on the 
exterior. 
M. p. pumila, raised at Desio, near Milan, 
and growing only a foot and a half high. 
HALF-HARDY MAGNOLIAS. 
Magnolia fuscata, Andrews (brown- 
flowered Magnolia). — An evergreen shrub, 
seldom attaining more than eight or ten feet 
in height, and often much less ; the leaves 
elliptical-oblong, somewhat leathery, smooth 
when full grown, but in the young state 
covered with brown tomentum ; the flowers 
are small, numerous, erect, dull pale yellowish 
on the outside, brownish-purple within, and 
having a most powerful and delicious aromatic 
fragrance. Flowers in April and May. Native 
of China. Introduced in 1789. There is a 
variety, by some considered as a species, — 
M. f. anoncefolia, which has broader leaves, 
and redder flowers. 
These plants are best suited for planting 
out in a greenhouse conservatory, where they 
may have some shelter ; and they form also 
very desirable greenhouse shrubs when grown 
in pots, associating well with camellias and 
similar subjects. Planted against a wall, and 
protected by a mulching over the roots, and 
a mat, straw, or fern covering over the 
branches, they will endure moderate winters 
after they get well established. 
SYNONYMES OF MAGNOLIAS. 
M. grandiflora, Linn. — Includes as varie- 
ties the names of obovata ; exoniensis=lan- 
ceolata, stricta, ferruginea ; angustifolia, 
pra^cox, vera, latifolia, rubiginosa, rotundi- 
folia, elliptica, floribunda, and mogordensis. 
M. glauca, Linn.=M. fragrans, and vir- 
giniana var. ; and includes as varieties, 
sempervirens, Thompsoniana, Gordoniana, 
Burchelliana, longifolia, and Cardonii. 
M. tripetala, Linn. = M. Umbrella, fron- 
dosa, virginiana var., and umbellata. 
M.macrophylla, Michx. = M. Michauxiana. 
M. acuminata, Linn. = M. rustica, pensyl- 
vanica, virginiana var., and De Candollei ; 
and includes as varieties, maxima, striata, and 
latifolia. 
M. auriculata, Lam. = M. Fraseri and 
auricularis. 
M. pyramidata, Bartr.=M. Fraseri pyra- 
midata, and auriculata pyramidata. 
31. conspicua, Salisb. = M. Yulan, and 
Precia ; and includes as varieties, Soulan- 
geana, Alexandrina, citriodora, and speciosa. 
M. purpurea, Sims. ±= M. obovata, and 
discolor ; and includes the varieties, gracilis 
= Kobus, and tomentosa ; denudata, liliflora, 
and pumila. 
31. fuscata, Andr. = M. fasciata, melea- 
grioides, versicolor, and Michelia fuscata ; 
and includes the varieties, anonsefolia, and 
parviflora. 
UNINTRODUCED MAGNOLIAS. 
M. Coco, De Candolle, found in Cochin- 
china. 
M. dealbata, Zuccarini, found in Mexico. 
M. Figo, De Candolle, found in China. 
31. inodora, De Candolle, found in China. 
M. mexicana, De Candolle, found in Mexico. 
M. parvifolia, De Candolle, found in Java. 
31. panduana, Wallich, found in East 
Indies. 
M. sphenocarpa, Wallich, found in East 
Indies. 
PROPAGATION. 
The Magnolias are, for the most part, free 
growing plants, striking readily from cuttings, 
and rooting very quickly and with certainty 
from layers. The ordinary method of increase 
is by layers ; but the half-hardy and tender 
kinds may be struck from cuttings. In 
putting down layers, remove none of the 
leaves, and by no means shorten the branches. 
If they are wanted dwarf, let the place in- 
serted in the ground and notched be nearer 
the end. They are rather valuable, and are 
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