THE MAGNOLIA, ITS VARIETIES AND CULTIVATION. 
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THE MAGNOLIA, ITS' VARIETIES AND CULTIVATION. 
The Magnolia is a family of most noble 
trees and shrubs, remarkable for their large 
expansive foliage, and cultivated extensively 
for purposes of ornament. The flowers of 
some of the kinds are very striking objects, 
and indeed, in the case of most of the species, 
the blossoms are sufficiently ornamental to 
render the plants desirable in garden scenery 
on their account. There are about a dozen 
species in cultivation, and besides these nume- 
rous varieties. In most of them, the blossoms 
are white or whitish. 
Linnaeus founded the genus Magnolia in 
commemoration of one Pierre Magnol, who 
was a professor of medicine, and was director 
of the Botanic Garden of Montpelier, and the 
author of some botanical works. 
The greater number of the species of Mag- 
nolia are natives of North America, where 
they are conspicuous in the forests. Some, 
however, of those known in cultivation, are 
found in China and Japan. It has been re- 
marked, that no plants of the natural order 
Magnoliacese have been discovered in Europe, 
Africa, or Australia ; and, undoubtedly, the 
focus of the order is North America. 
Some of the species are evergreen, others 
deciduous ; all are woody plants. 
50. 
HARDY EVERGREEN MAGNOLIAS. 
The most desirable plant in this division, 
and indeed in the whole genus, is the 3Iag- 
nolia grandiflora, one of this group long 
cultivated, and of which numberless varieties 
are mentioned. As in many other cases, 
however, many of these variations are trivial. 
Magnolia grandiflora, Linnaeus (large- 
flowered Magnolia, or big laurel of the 
Americans). — A fine evergreen tree, or large 
shrub, with oval-oblong leathery leaves, 
shining green on the upper surface, rusty 
beneath, the branches terminated by solitary 
large white cup-shaped blossoms, composed of 
from nine to twelve petals, and having a most 
delightful fragrance. Flowers from June to 
September. Native of North America, in the 
forests. Introduced about 1737. There are 
numerous varieties, of which the most im- 
portant are : — 
jif. g. Exoniensis, an early and free flowering 
variety, forming a tall fastigiate bush, and the 
most desirable of all the forms, especially for 
growing as an exposed bush. 
M. g. obovata, which has very fine obovate 
foliage, for which it is worth cultivating ; but 
it does not blossom very freely. 
31. g. preecox, which has large blossoms, 
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